Extracting the JPG out of the Panasonic FZ8 produced RAW file

[Sgt_Strider]

So I used the RAW feature of the Panasonic FZ8 to take some pictures and I noticed that a JPEG file has been embedded. I intend to convert all of my FZ8 RAW files to DNG with Adobe Lightroom. Can I just convert the RAW file to DNG as is or the JPG needs to be removed? Ideally I want to convert the RAW file to DNG and remove/delete the JPG file that is embedded in the original RAW file. Can someone tell me how to do it in a way that won't "damage" the FZ8 RAW file?

 

[James_N]

Since a RAW file is not a rendered image format like JPEG or TIFF you need the embedded JPEG file to be able to preview the contents of the file so it cannot be removed.

In all likelihood the embedded JPEG does not look like what you have in mind for the image, so what you can do is some preliminary color and tonal editing in Lightroom (like White Balance and Exposure adjustments), then convert the file to DNG format. Using the Metadata > Update DNG Preview & Metadata command in Lightroom will then adjust the embedded JPEG in the DNG file to look more like what you envisioned while the underlying RAW data remains unchanged.

So...the basic answer to your question is that the JPEG does not need to be removed to convert to DNG...in fact it cannot be removed but as I outlined above it can be altered.

So I used the RAW feature of the Panasonic FZ8 to take some pictures and I noticed that a JPEG file has been embedded. I intend to convert all of my FZ8 RAW files to DNG with Adobe Lightroom. Can I just convert the RAW file to DNG as is or the JPG needs to be removed? Ideally I want to convert the RAW file to DNG and remove/delete the JPG file that is embedded in the original RAW file. Can someone tell me how to do it in a way that won't "damage" the FZ8 RAW file?

 

[Sgt_Strider]

Since a RAW file is not a rendered image format like JPEG or TIFF you need the embedded JPEG file to be able to preview the contents of the file so it cannot be removed.

In all likelihood the embedded JPEG does not look like what you have in mind for the image, so what you can do is some preliminary color and tonal editing in Lightroom (like White Balance and Exposure adjustments), then convert the file to DNG format. Using the Metadata > Update DNG Preview & Metadata command in Lightroom will then adjust the embedded JPEG in the DNG file to look more like what you envisioned while the underlying RAW data remains unchanged.

So...the basic answer to your question is that the JPEG does not need to be removed to convert to DNG...in fact it cannot be removed but as I outlined above it can be altered.

Thanks for the response. I find this to be rather odd considering that a Canon 4''D and many other cameras are able to take RAW files without an embedded JPG file.

If I convert the FZ8 RAW file to DNG, will the embedded JPEG file be included as well?

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Thanks for the response. I find this to be rather odd considering that a Canon 4''D and many other cameras are able to take RAW files without an embedded JPG file.

If I convert the FZ8 RAW file to DNG, will the embedded JPEG file be included as well?

All RAW files have a jpeg imbedded so that you can view the image, otherwise it would be like looking at undeveloped film, you can see no image. The jpeg is made so as you can view it on the camera LCD etc.
Just convert your RAWs to DNG and you will have no problems at all with the RAW files, they will stay as they are.

 

[Sgt_Strider]

All RAW files have a jpeg imbedded so that you can view the image, otherwise it would be like looking at undeveloped film, you can see no image. The jpeg is made so as you can view it on the camera LCD etc.
Just convert your RAWs to DNG and you will have no problems at all with the RAW files, they will stay as they are.

Oh? I didn't know that!

How come on my Canon XTI, I have the option to shoot RAW and RAW+JPEG then?

So even if I convert the image to DNG, the JPEG file will still be retained?

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Oh? I didn't know that!

How come on my Canon XTI, I have the option to shoot RAW and RAW+JPEG then?

So even if I convert the image to DNG, the JPEG file will still be retained?

Yep the option is on most DSLRs to shoot either or both. If you choose the both option two files are written to the card, the RAW and the jpeg, as opposed to one or the other.
If you shoot RAW only and convert to DNG you have the option of retaining the RAW (CR) file either as a separate file or an embedded file.
If you shoot RAW+jpeg then converting to DNG will only convert the RAW and the separate jpeg will be left alone.
Personally most of the time I shoot RAW only, convert to DNG on import and back up the RAW to another hard drive for archiving.
If I want jpegs they are available as an export from LR.
Hope that helps!!:lol::lol:

 

[James_N]

You are confusing two separate issues...

When you shoot a RAW image, the camera automatically generates a JPEG image...which is what you see on your camera's screen and when previewing the RAW image on your computer. You aren't seeing the RAW data, just a rendered representation (JPEG) of the data.

When you shoot RAW+JPEG you are essentially generating two JPEG files and a RAW data file. As stated earlier, one of the JPEGS is embedded in the RAW file and cannot be removed, the other can safely be deleted if you have no use for it.

Oh? I didn't know that!

How come on my Canon XTI, I have the option to shoot RAW and RAW+JPEG then?

So even if I convert the image to DNG, the JPEG file will still be retained?

 

[Sgt_Strider]

You are confusing two separate issues...

When you shoot a RAW image, the camera automatically generates a JPEG image...which is what you see on your camera's screen and when previewing the RAW image on your computer. You aren't seeing the RAW data, just a rendered representation (JPEG) of the data.

When you shoot RAW+JPEG you are essentially generating two JPEG files and a RAW data file. As stated earlier, one of the JPEGS is embedded in the RAW file and cannot be removed, the other can safely be deleted if you have no use for it.

Oh I see. I get it now. So even Adobe Lightroom isn't necessarily reading the RAW data when I'm looking at the picture, but rather the embedded JPEG?

 

[Kiwigeoff]

Oh I see. I get it now. So even Adobe Lightroom isn't necessarily reading the RAW data when I'm looking at the picture, but rather the embedded JPEG?

To be clear LR reads the embedded jpeg ONLY until it renders/generates its own preview/s. The embedded previews are not used in develop at all.

 

[Sgt_Strider]

To be clear LR reads the embedded jpeg ONLY until it renders/generates its own preview/s. The embedded previews are not used in develop at all.

So in grid view, the JPG is read and when I'm in Loupe view where it usually take a second or two to generate a preview, it's the RAW data that is being read?

 

[Denis de Gannes]

Once the previews of the raw files have been generated by LR you will no longer see the embedded jpeg in any view.