Import dialog unrepsonsive (Lumix G1 raw files)

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Hi

At least starting with Lightroom 2.2 I have difficulties importing images from a SDHC card reader (Calumet model). Currently I import mostly images from my Panasonic Lumix G1.

The issue is that the whole import dialog acts painstakingly slow. After opening it, it takes around 3' seconds that the previews of the images in the SDHC card are displayed. But afterwards each operation in the import dialog (change of image selection, change of folder option, etc.) become very slow. Lightroom stops reacting for several minutes and the whole computer becomes sometimes unresponsive or appears extremely busy.

In the Adobe User Forum, a member suggested a while ago to delete the preference files, which I did. That improved the situation a bit, because at that time, I couldn't even manage to et the thumbnials to display. This works now, but the whole import dialog remains unresponsive.

Dies anybody else have similar experiences? Could this be related to the Panasonic Lumix G1 raw files?

Here my environment conditions:

Lightroom 2.3
Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit
2 GB RAM
Intel Core Duo E66''
nVidia Geforce 88'' GTS, 64' MB
Avira Antivirus running

Kind regards

Thomas
 
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On second thoughts this may not be useful as you have tested this from a hard drive - sorry I forgot about that. But this could be useful to know once your problem is solved ;)

Have you tried taking the camera back to the shop to show them the issue ? They may try another G1 and find it's ok and you will ba able to get an exchange. (a long shot but worth a go)
 
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I want to chime in here with my G1/LR2.3 experience. Hope this is ok?

I just got a new DMC-G1 a few days ago. I also noticed that LR 2.3 struggels with its RAW files (RW2 extension). While importing is not as bad as described by Thomas LR2 is noticeably sluggish. I just tried importing 32 files (~4' MB total) from my hard disk. The import filter is pretty slow for just showing the preview images - though probably not 3' sec but more like 15-2' s. Changing settings or just changing the window size of the import filter works but quite slow. Every aspect of using LR2.3 appears to be much slower than with my previous camera - which is also a Pansonic: DMC-FZ3' (using its RAW format).

After I finish the import filter my system slows down considerably (more close to unbearable). I can see that the CPU is running flat out (i.e. 9'-1''%) during the rendering process (using Standard setting). I guess this is normal? But just going in and out of the develop module for instance is very, very slow (about 2'-3' s). I never made this experience with the FZ3' (again using its RAW file).

So based on my (somewhat limited) experience I tend to agree that LR2.3 has real issues with the G1 files. If it turns out to be true it would be a real bummer and dampen my joy of having a new camera quite bit. Hope this can/will be addressed soon.

Here are my system details:
Lumix DMC-G1, firmware v1.2, RW2 12MP (RAW only mode, so no JPG)
Lightroom 2.3
Dell Inspiron 152' Laptop, Core2 Duo T725' @ 2.''GHz, 4GB RAM, NVIDEA GeForce 84''M GS 256MB, Windows XP SP3
Avira Antivir (disabling this virus scanner doesn't make a difference)


Cheers.
Stefan
 
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SteBae said:
I want to chime in here with my G1/LR2.3 experience. Hope this is ok?

I just got a new DMC-G1 a few days ago. I also noticed that LR 2.3 struggels with its RAW files (RW2 extension). While importing is not as bad as described by Thomas LR2 is noticeably sluggish. I just tried importing 32 files (~4' MB total) from my hard disk. The import filter is pretty slow for just showing the preview images - though probably not 3' sec but more like 15-2' s. Changing settings or just changing the window size of the import filter works but quite slow. Every aspect of using LR2.3 appears to be much slower than with my previous camera - which is also a Pansonic: DMC-FZ3' (using its RAW format).

After I finish the import filter my system slows down considerably (more close to unbearable). I can see that the CPU is running flat out (i.e. 9'-1''%) during the rendering process (using Standard setting). I guess this is normal? But just going in and out of the develop module for instance is very, very slow (about 2'-3' s). I never made this experience with the FZ3' (again using its RAW file).

So based on my (somewhat limited) experience I tend to agree that LR2.3 has real issues with the G1 files. If it turns out to be true it would be a real bummer and dampen my joy of having a new camera quite bit. Hope this can/will be addressed soon.

Here are my system details:
Lumix DMC-G1, firmware v1.2, RW2 12MP (RAW only mode, so no JPG)
Lightroom 2.3
Dell Inspiron 152' Laptop, Core2 Duo T725' @ 2.''GHz, 4GB RAM, NVIDEA GeForce 84''M GS 256MB, Windows XP SP3
Avira Antivir (disabling this virus scanner doesn't make a difference)


Cheers.
Stefan
Click to expand...

Welcome Stefan.....
To help us help you could you please take a moment to fill in your signature in the "userCP' that is found in the nav-bar at the top left of the page - thanks.
Now to your issue, I suggest you fill in a bug report using the from in the link above. I am sure this will have been noticed and will be dealt with. However this is a very new camera and file type and sometimes releases of cameras and LR updates don't always have perfect synchronisation.
 
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Hi Stefan, welcome to the forum!

So are you noticing this slow import when importing directly from the hard drive as well, or only when importing from a card reader or from the camera?

Remind me, is the Panasonic the one that has to apply lens corrections too? Anyone remember? That might explain the slower Develop module, which would hopefully be improved in the future - Panasonic held Adobe over a barrel on that one.
 
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Kiwigeoff said:
Welcome Stefan.....
To help us help you could you please take a moment to fill in your signature in the "userCP' that is found in the nav-bar at the top left of the page - thanks.
Now to your issue, I suggest you fill in a bug report using the from in the link above. I am sure this will have been noticed and will be dealt with. However this is a very new camera and file type and sometimes releases of cameras and LR updates don't always have perfect synchronisation.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the welcome. Just updated my signature in the profile. Hope this helps. I will also file a bug report with Adobe later today.

Cheers.
 
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Victoria Bampton said:
Hi Stefan, welcome to the forum!

So are you noticing this slow import when importing directly from the hard drive as well, or only when importing from a card reader or from the camera?

Remind me, is the Panasonic the one that has to apply lens corrections too? Anyone remember? That might explain the slower Develop module, which would hopefully be improved in the future - Panasonic held Adobe over a barrel on that one.
Click to expand...

Hi Victoria,
thanks for the welcome. Yes I notice that problem also when I'm importing from the hard disk. In fact that's the only way I usually import. I first transfer a copy all my new photos from the SDHC card to the HD and then import them into LR.

Regarding the lens correction question: How would I know that the G1 needs to apply it? The user guide doesn't mention it. Perhaps I will find time later today to conduct a Google research.

Thanks and Cheers.
 
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SteBae said:
Regarding the lens correction question: How would I know that the G1 needs to apply it? The user guide doesn't mention it. Perhaps I will find time later today to conduct a Google research.
Click to expand...

Yes, I found it, and G1 was one of the affected cameras. http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjournal/2''8/11/camera_raw_52_and_dng_converte.html It doesn't say it in so many words, but Adobe had to put lens corrections in for these particular cameras. I wonder if that's what's slowing it up a bit for you, or at least a factor.

Although I still can't figure out why I had no problems when I tried testing with downloaded files. I wouldn't mind getting hold of a few of yours to try and reproduce it Stefan.... perhaps it's specific to certain serial numbers, because there hasn't been a massive uproar about it.
 
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Victoria Bampton said:
Yes, I found it, and G1 was one of the affected cameras. http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjournal/2''8/11/camera_raw_52_and_dng_converte.html It doesn't say it in so many words, but Adobe had to put lens corrections in for these particular cameras. I wonder if that's what's slowing it up a bit for you, or at least a factor.

Although I still can't figure out why I had no problems when I tried testing with downloaded files. I wouldn't mind getting hold of a few of yours to try and reproduce it Stefan.... perhaps it's specific to certain serial numbers, because there hasn't been a massive uproar about it.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer. What would be the best way to get a few of my files into your hands?

Stefan
 
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Put them on my server if you like Stefan - http://vbftp.net - username webupload, password 123
 
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As much as you like Stefan, I have people uploading gigs of data to this server, so it won't be a problem at my end.
 
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Victoria Bampton said:
As much as you like Stefan, I have people uploading gigs of data to this server, so it won't be a problem at my end.
Click to expand...

Good. I just finished uploading 32 random samples. For my test with LR2.3 I rebooted my PC and then started with a new catalog. I'm looking forward to your results.

Thanks a lot for your help.
 
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Great job Stefan, I'll have a play!
 
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Hello to all posters of this thread

As the original poster, I am somewhat satisfied that I am not the only one on the planet, which has problems with G1 files and Lightroom, although this does not make the fellow problem reporters happy.

Let me clarify my issues again: I do not import from the camera directly (never tried it). I import from various card readers and two SDHC cards of different brands. Neither of them has an influence on the problem, it is the same with all device combinations. Importing from hard disk is a little better.

It is important to note in my case, that only the import dialog has the described slowness and unrepsonsiveness, when previews are enabeld. Working with G1 files in Library or Development module isn't significantly slower than with Canon 4'D files, although I did not measure it.

Yes, I think that the G1 has some lens correction applied internally(?) or at least the raw files are a bit different than others. However, we are talking here only about displaying some thumbnail previews, I think this should not slow down the import dialog at all and the lens corrections should not affect this (after all the Library module does not do much else).

Of all programs on my machine, which support the G1 files somehow (Lightroom, Silkypix, RawTherapee, Faststone Image Viewer), Lightroom 2.3 is the only one, which has this severe problems. Therefore I guess, that there is something in the G1-related Lightroom code, which causes the problems and nothing inherent in the G1 files.

My concern now is Adobe's policy of not responding to reported issues. How can we know, when and if they could reproduce the problems and when they will fix it. Will they deal with it at all?

I have changed my workflow in turning the previews in the import dialog off when dealing with G1 files and importing everything into one import directory. From there I rate and discard the G1 files and move them into the final destination folders. From there I do renaming, keywording and metadata assigning before I move to image editing.

Victoria, because I had a small accident, I did not deal too much with my problem at the moment, therefore I did not take your offer sending you some G1 files myself.

Kind regards

Thomas
 
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I'm wondering if it's confined to Windows too. I've just tried importing those files on my Mac and it was instant. I'll see if I can dig out a Windows machine.
 
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I tried the files, with Victoria's permission, and on my Mac everything imported in very quick time. Maybe it is only with Windows that the issue occurs???
 
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Kiwigeoff;434'2 said:
I tried the files, with Victoria's permission, and on my Mac everything imported in very quick time. Maybe it is only with Windows that the issue occurs???
Click to expand...

Hi Geof

Not that people are looking to the wrong thing. Importing images from the G1 is as quick as with other files. It is the import dialog (i.e. configuring the import parameters, dealing with the GUI) which bogs down, when previews are enabled. Some people (also on the Adobe forum) miss this and claim that there is no problem since the import is as quick as usual (because they may not have previews enabled?).

Did you experience any slow down of the dialog, when previews are enabled? If they are enabled, it takes a while (several minutes) until the thumbnails occur and the dialog is usable again. Any subsequent operation in the dialog like assigning a folder, assigning keyword and so on might be terribly slow, any change of state in the dialog may make Lightroom not respond for some minutes. No issues though, when previews are disabled!

So if you did not experience this on your Mac, it appears to narrow down as a Windows-only problem. (Hope that somebody at Adobe follows this thread).

Kind regards

Thomas
 
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Victoria Bampton said:
I'm wondering if it's confined to Windows too. I've just tried importing those files on my Mac and it was instant. I'll see if I can dig out a Windows machine.
Click to expand...

Hi Victoria,
thanks for looking into this. So I'm left without a real explanation for now. While importing is OK (I also don't have a problem with the import filter and previews on) the subsequent work with those files in LR2.3 is very slow. In particular when I go in and out of the Develop Module. So I hope you can find that Windows machine and run one more last test.

Can you please tell how you rendered the test files? Standard or 1:1?
 
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I rendered Standard, because 1:1 won't help with Dev mode speed.
 
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tgutgu;434'4 said:
Hi Geof

Not that people are looking to the wrong thing. Importing images from the G1 is as quick as with other files. It is the import dialog (i.e. configuring the import parameters, dealing with the GUI) which bogs down, when previews are enabled. Some people (also on the Adobe forum) miss this and claim that there is no problem since the import is as quick as usual (because they may not have previews enabled?).

Did you experience any slow down of the dialog, when previews are enabled? If they are enabled, it takes a while (several minutes) until the thumbnails occur and the dialog is usable again. Any subsequent operation in the dialog like assigning a folder, assigning keyword and so on might be terribly slow, any change of state in the dialog may make Lightroom not respond for some minutes. No issues though, when previews are disabled!

So if you did not experience this on your Mac, it appears to narrow down as a Windows-only problem. (Hope that somebody at Adobe follows this thread).

Kind regards

Thomas
Click to expand...

No the import menu was normal, previews just popped up instantly. Then importing was fine.
 
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After applying a gradient and using the brush there were no issues with speed or changing modules.
Mind you this is with a fresh catalog and only the test files.
 
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Thanks for all the help. I'm not doing anything differently. I also started with a new catalog with only those files and rendered also Standard. I'm at a loss here.

Are there somewhere any recommendations how I can speed up LR in general? I'm starting to wonder whether it's my LR setup - but I wouldn't know what. I haven't done anything special or changed anything after the install about 1' months ago. And my machine with a Core2 Duo each 2 GHz and 4 GB RAM should be up to the task...
 
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Stefan, my latest blog post is all about LR speed - http://www.lightroomqueen.com/blog/2''9/'5/'2/hurry-up-lightroom-the-best-speed-tips/

But I still have yet to try your images on a Windows machine... I'm hopeful that we'll be able to narrow it down and get a full bug report in. If I can't replicate on any of the studio Windows machines, then we're down to trying to find similarities between your machine and Thomas'.
 
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Victoria Bampton said:
Stefan, my latest blog post is all about LR speed - http://www.lightroomqueen.com/blog/2''9/'5/'2/hurry-up-lightroom-the-best-speed-tips/

But I still have yet to try your images on a Windows machine... I'm hopeful that we'll be able to narrow it down and get a full bug report in. If I can't replicate on any of the studio Windows machines, then we're down to trying to find similarities between your machine and Thomas'.
Click to expand...

Hi Victoria,
thanks for pointing me to your new blog post. Most of the recommendations I set or had done already (e.g. for Lightroom itself or the Virus scanning exceptions). However, changing the NVidia settings as described here http://www.thejohnsonblog.com/2''8/'9/'6/lightroom-2-and-nvidia-performance/ made a huge difference. After the changes LR2.3 became usable again - even with the 32 RW2 files from my G1. It's not ultra zippy - but the current performance is very much acceptable.

So for the time being I'm all set again since I never experienced the problems with the import filter like Thomas does.
 
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