Convert to DNG on import to Lightroom 5, yes or no?
Discussion
Ok so decided to buy LR and currently in the foothills of the learning curve.
While exploring what the import pictures from camera is like LR wanted to convert my images from NEF to DNG.
Is there any benefit to allowing it do do that or should I import them via Nikon ViewNX then into LR as NEF file type?
Cheers
While exploring what the import pictures from camera is like LR wanted to convert my images from NEF to DNG.
Is there any benefit to allowing it do do that or should I import them via Nikon ViewNX then into LR as NEF file type?
Cheers
The biggest benefit for me personally is that DNG contains the RAW file from your camera AND the instructions you apply to it, instead of saving it as a separate file. Easier for storage and moving stuff around between drives when synchronising. Apparently Lightroom also works slightly quicker on DNG files but I can't comment on that. I always save as DNG.
P.S. You import your files twice? Why don't you just let the Lightroom do the job, either as native RAW or DNG?
P.S. You import your files twice? Why don't you just let the Lightroom do the job, either as native RAW or DNG?
rottie102 said:
The biggest benefit for me personally is that DNG contains the RAW file from your camera AND the instructions you apply to it, instead of saving it as a separate file. Easier for storage and moving stuff around between drives when synchronising. Apparently Lightroom also works slightly quicker on DNG files but I can't comment on that. I always save as DNG.
P.S. You import your files twice? Why don't you just let the Lightroom do the job, either as native RAW or DNG?
Thanks, I'm still exploring it to be honest, have not sorted out my workflow at all yet but this will be one of the pieces of the puzzle for me P.S. You import your files twice? Why don't you just let the Lightroom do the job, either as native RAW or DNG?

Also bear in mind that there are different DNG "standards" and DNG is not the equivalent of a Manufacturer's RAW file. It's a converted file unless the manufacturer has elected to use a DNG standard as the basis for its "RAW" output rather than a RAW file of its own proprietary design.
Whether this will ever matter to you is an unknown. However if you have converted a RAW to a DNG file and binned the RAW there is no going back and reprocessing if a better interpretation comes along at a later stage - with the next DNG version for example.
Note that both TIFF and DNG standards exist under the control of Adobe. Hence my previous comment.
Whether this will ever matter to you is an unknown. However if you have converted a RAW to a DNG file and binned the RAW there is no going back and reprocessing if a better interpretation comes along at a later stage - with the next DNG version for example.
Note that both TIFF and DNG standards exist under the control of Adobe. Hence my previous comment.
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