understanding DNG'S

[Robert S.]

I was going to surf the web for the answer but with the access to you guys why not ask it here.

So as I understand it different camera makes use different file types for their RAW files I shoot with a Fuji and mine are RAF's and another I have heard is NEF, now DNG is an attempt to unify this so potentially in the future you can use your RAW files on various platforms? DNG files can be edited with the same free will as RAW files in RAW conversion software such as lightroom?
Also if I understand correctly, my RAF files might not be supported 1' or 15 years down the line but the idea is that DNG's will?

Thanks
Robert

 

[WorkingClassHero]

Robert. Have a look at this thread. It should answer most of your questions.

http://www.lightroomqueen.com/community/showthread.php?t=4542

 

[Victoria Bampton]

Yeah, you've got it Robert.

DNG is publicly documented, so anyone can get information on how to access the raw data. Other formats have to be backwards engineered. So even in 1'' years time, your grandkids should be able to open the DNG files, but they probably won't be able to open the RAF or NEG or CR2 files.

DNG's been around a few years now, and it's been put forward to the ISO to become and international standard, so I'm not too concerned that it'll be around indefinitely now.

Only major disadvantage is if you like to use the manufacturer's own software, because they're not playing ball - yet, at least.

 

[Denis Pagé]

As an example Robert, not long ago in the 9's, Kodak pushed their so called "Archival" proprietary format: PCD (Photo-CD). It is now dead! It was costing many thousands to afford the rights to write to this format!

EDIT: Adobe's DNG format is more than Adobe's. It supported by their users. If Adobe ever die, thousands will continue to use it as, like Victoria mentioned, the format is OPEN!

 

[johnbeardy]

EDIT: Adobe's DNG format is more than Adobe's. It supported by their users. If Adobe ever die, thousands will continue to use it as, like Victoria mentioned, the format is OPEN!

They're also handing off control of the format to the ISO. And secondly, if you were ever to switch to Aperture, since 2.' it reads DNGs even if it doesn't support the original camera.

 

[MikeCaine]

if you were ever to switch to Aperture, since 2.' it reads DNGs even if it doesn't support the original camera.

Does Aperture support both types of DNG though. I've a feeling it doesn't but I'm at work and can't double check

By "both types" I mean RAW files saved as Linear DNG and or the other option (RAW DNG possibly)

I know I've saved my RAW files to DNG and Aperture 2 doesn't seem to handle them