Fine tuning Lightroom

Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
Well I have been getting stuck in and removing photos plus now I am converting all my .NEF files to .DNG to #1 save space and #2 load quicker from NAS system.
I have also set up keywords, categories, saved import settings. ETC fun fun fun lol
 
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Lawrence

Senior Member
Takes time doesn't it?

Thing is once done it should be awesome and then if you can do it each time you import you are set forever.

I've started and will do a bit at a time as I feel like it while trying to all new imports immediately.
 
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Griso

Senior Member
(Yes, sorry, being lazy - I know I could research this but at work right now and quite interested!)

So, are there any downsides to converting to DNG? Smaller file sizes sounds very appealing. Do NEF edits get carried across or do you start from your fresh RAW?


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BackdoorArts

BackdoorArts

Senior Member
Griso said:
(Yes, sorry, being lazy - I know I could research this but at work right now and quite interested!)

So, are there any downsides to converting to DNG? Smaller file sizes sounds very appealing. Do NEF edits get carried across or do you start from your fresh RAW?
Click to expand...

I did this on Scott Kelby's recommendation early on and have since stopped for a couple reasons. First, as Scott Murray points out, the file size difference is minimal, and conversion adds considerably to the import times. Second, some photo contest sites require original RAW files when asking for verification of winning entries, and DNG constitutes a modification. So I have 3 years of photos that are ineligible for entries on these sites. Finally, there is no real "forward compatibility" advantage to the format.

The only time I will now do this is when Adobe's DNG converter outpaces their update to ACR/LR on new camera RAW formats, and in these cases I keep the NEF files around and copy the LR edits from the DNG file to the NEF file once the new RAW format is integrated.
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
I tried the convert to DNG for a little while and just could not see the benefit. I also think it is always better to just stick with the original file just like it came out of the camera.

Just my opinion - your mileage may vary
 
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Griso

Senior Member
Sounds like NEF is the way forward then - thanks for the thoughts and insight guys.


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Horoscope Fish

Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
I thought about moving to DNG but as others have pointed out, the benefit doesn't yet outweigh the cost as far as I can tell.

And with 5TB external hard drives selling for $130 on Amazon (five... freaking... terabytes!), I'm not sweating the file-size thing just yet.
.....
 
Scott Murray

Scott Murray

Senior Member
My current HDD's

Still have room for one more.

Screenshot 2015-09-25 08.04.39.png
 
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Don Kuykendall_RIP

RIP :(
bigal1000 said:
What good is a DNG
Click to expand...

That question will bring up the same response as FX vs DX or Nikon vs Canon.

DNG is Adobe’s proprietary image standard that was created to store image data in a generic, highly-compatible format, unlike RAW files that have specific formats based on manufacturer and camera type. Some people think that at some point in the future Nikon's RAW format, NEF, will not be used anymore and then you won't be able to open your files anymore. Some people think that a more generic file like DNG is better to use since more programs will be able to use it.

I agree with all of this BUT for me I will stick with Nikon's NEF. I think that the less you have to convert a file the better. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Less is more.
 
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bigal1000

Senior Member
Don Kuykendall said:
That question will bring up the same response as FX vs DX or Nikon vs Canon.

DNG is Adobe’s proprietary image standard that was created to store image data in a generic, highly-compatible format, unlike RAW files that have specific formats based on manufacturer and camera type. Some people think that at some point in the future Nikon's RAW format, NEF, will not be used anymore and then you won't be able to open your files anymore. Some people think that a more generic file like DNG is better to use since more programs will be able to use it.

I agree with all of this BUT for me I will stick with Nikon's NEF. I think that the less you have to convert a file the better. If it ain't broke don't fix it. Less is more.
Click to expand...

Exactly I agree with your thoughts on this,thanks.
 
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tea2085

Senior Member
I shot raw and then processed in LR-saved the photo and when I checked the properties , it said JPG format. I saved it using the original format and shot the photo with a 3300. I would have thought the original would be NEF?
 
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