Converting to RAW to DNG

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Do DNG files contain the original RAW files in a way that allows one to convert back later?
Alex W
 
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As far as I know, there are no DNG to RAW converters. Why would you want to, anyway?
 
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You could keep your RAW photos available somewhere. Lots of people do that. That way, you can always go back to them if you decide to do so.
 
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The standalone Adobe DNG converter allows you to embed the original raw file in the converted DNG, so to answer your question, it is entirely possible to have DNGs from which you could retrieve the original raw. However I don't think there's any way to get Lightroom to perform the same step while it's converting raws to DNG on import.
Presumably if you do this, you're going to end up with some seriously large DNGs though. I can't say it appeals to me.
 
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There is also the view to disregard DNG and use your raw files in your workflow. If you are using multiple raw converters then this may make sense. Efficient backup of your catalogs in LR can protect for LR edits and other info effectively. Your LR info saved to xmp or within the dng is not much use in other software.
 
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[quote author=dj_paige link=topic=9756.msg66'51#msg66'51 date=1273'9'723]
You could keep your RAW photos available somewhere. Lots of people do that. That way, you can always go back to them if you decide to do so.
[/quote]

I agree with Paige. I keep my RAW files, but I keep them separate from my DNG files, although they share common names (except for their file extensions) so I can easily track back tot he RAW file if needed.

--Ken
 
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[quote author=Replytoken link=topic=9756.msg661'9#msg661'9 date=1273159691]
I agree with Paige. I keep my RAW files, but I keep them separate from my DNG files, although they share common names (except for their file extensions) so I can easily track back tot he RAW file if needed.

--Ken
[/quote]

I used to do this also but decided it was such a waste of space. I went back to using NEFs with XMP files as it saved me so much space. I was using DNG for convenience as it allowed me to keep everything in a single file that I could move between my main computer and laptop. I now set 'write to xmp' to auto and just move the NEFs and XMPs about together.

I'm also considering using Aperture 3 as my main DAM system in the near future which cannot create DNGs anyway so I might as well get used to using XMP files :) I've been using Aperture for the past couple of weeks and apart from a few little bugs its been extremely successful.
 
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By all means carry on chatting, but the OP has left the building.
 
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[quote author=sizzlingbadger link=topic=9756.msg66194#msg66194 date=127327'345]

I'm also considering using Aperture 3 as my main DAM system in the near future which cannot create DNGs anyway so I might as well get used to using XMP files :) I've been using Aperture for the past couple of weeks and apart from a few little bugs its been extremely successful.


[/quote]

Nik,

Are you going to wait for the release of LR 3.' before making a complete switch?

--Ken
 
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I will wait for LR3 before switching - at the moment I change my mind daily, very frustrating lol ! I'm back to keeping LR today and I'm considering uninstalling Aperture and giving it away so I'm no longer tempted and can get on with some work !
 
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little late- I converted to dng with embedding the raw file, and now I have all these huge files I don't want. Is it possible to pull out the original raw so I can scrap it and save space?
 
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Yep, if you just want to scrap it, download the DNG converter and 'reconvert' those DNG files with the embed checkbox unchecked. That'll strip it for you. If you want to keep the original raw, don't forget to use the extract button in there first, as just reconverting deletes it.
 
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so instead of stripping it out, I can just have the converter reconvert and it will shrink the files? What about edits- that's my main concern. I have all edits wrote to the files themselves as well have my catalog backed up on an external drive often. Will I lose edits if I do this?
 
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Having the converter reconvert will remove the proprietary raw and shrink the files. The edits should still be safe in the DNG's, as far as I know, but they'll definitely still be in the catalog, and LR won't know anything about what's happened - it'll just see smaller DNG files the next time it looks at those DNG's.
 
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[quote author=sizzlingbadger link=topic=9756.msg662'8#msg662'8 date=1273314545]
I saw him working down the fish shop !
[/quote]
you dont have a real fishinchip shop over there do you??? :eek:
 
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