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work in RAW or DNG? why?
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August 26, 2012
6:14 pm
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This is a topic for us to share our experience about our work method preferences on LR4 in what concerns the import file in which we work on (the file where we will perform our alterations).
My problem at the moment is that I cannot decide a way to work (directly on NEF creating a XMP sidecar file with the work I do under the original) or (DNG keeping the NEF in archive elsewhere just for archive). I mentioned “keeping the NEF in archive), because for me it’s out of the question delete this file. It’s the original file and something could happen in the future with the DNG files if I chose to work in DNG, and I can always be able to keep my original one (that came straight from the camera).
Of course you could tell me that in the future something could happen to the NEF, CR2, and other RAW files, like Adobe could leave the ability to work with them and only work with the DNG they implemented and cameras will in the future only work with DNG, like Pentax actually do because it’s a universal and non-proprietary file format, etc… But we can always think the other way, that the DNG will not be a popular file like jpg is, and only be read in Adobe software, that could be (I hope not) disappear in the future.
Well, here’s a link about the advantages of DNG, but I really post this subject because I want to know what you guys think about it, how do you work (NEF+XMP) or DNG?

September 29, 2012
2:02 am
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Hi,

I have 3 cameras that use a variety of formats, JPG, MTS, NEF and MOV. JPG is the universal one across all cameras,therfore I like to work on JPG when using my Software. Like you, I archive my NEF files in case I need them later.
I use a Nikon D7000 whereby I take shots where one SD card holds NEF files and the other card holds JPG and MOV files.
After a picture taking session I copy both Nef and JPG files to respective folders on my PC and then proceed to rename BOTH sets of files with appropriate file names in conjunction with each other ie Picture-001.NEF Picture-001.JPG and so on. I then proceed to view my JPG files and then keep only ones that appeal to me. In this way I know which NEF files to also delete. This procedure satisfies the requirement of space on my hard drives etc and seems a practical exercise.
I don’t think things will change to much regarding formats as JPG is a much favoured method. regarding movie formats there won’t be much change from current ones, at least not whilst there are a variety of hy change when Software is able to now handle all formats anyway.

Ian ….

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October 1, 2012
8:55 pm
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Yes of course JPG is universal file. But I don’t work in JPG, I work in NEF (RAW from Nikon) and convert it into DNG (Digital Negative), when my work is done I export as JPG to print or show in screen. It’s out of the question shooting in JPG and working in JPG, because it’s a compressed file and can not be compared to NEF. Working the negatives like in the old days of film, is the right way to go because you can do so much with your photos. Even when I work in PS CS6 I start with the original DNG file and work a TIFF image in PS CS6 and then record it in TIFF to LR4…because even TIFF is much better than JPG by the amount of colors and details of each photo. My question is about working directly on post processing on NEF (RAW) in a XMP side car file or DNG. Since I learned to shot RAW and work RAW, for me JPG is only a file to show the final product, like a snapshot of the real file.

October 2, 2012
10:28 am
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Yes, I understand what you are saying, my comment is that if a JPG looks right why work in NEF. I have no need, ( at the moment anyway) for DNG.I bought my D7000 just for this reason, I can save in both JPG and NEF. This cuts down on a lot of work for me as I mainly do personal photos, not professional. I have been using cs5 and lightroom 3 on NEF files when i feel it is necessary. I am joining a new photo club very soon and believe they do a lot of work in Raw, so I will be doing much more then. At my age I don’t have the luxury of time being on my side these days to really get into Raw photo editing etc to the degree that I would like to. Thanks for your reply comments and I do concur with the gist of what you are saying.

Ian ….

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Happy Snapping Folks

October 2, 2012
2:19 pm
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Ian… I think your practice of shooting in both NEF and JPG is right on. As you say, there are many shots that need no processing for your purposes. Shooting in only RAW requires that every shot must be processed through some software. Fine, if you have the time or inclination. Shooting as you do, however, allows you to choose which files you wish to process to the extent allowed by NEF. Nikon’s in-camera Picture Controls are a great help for eliminating jpg post processing. Personally, I shoot in Vivid for most shots, but that’s just me.

Oh… I forgot, we are supposed to be talking about RAW vs. DNG. I never convert to DNG and can’t see any reason why.

Mandrake

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October 17, 2012
8:54 pm
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I almost always shoot in raw and then export as a 16 bit Tiff file in case i need to make any major changes I will have more flexability. Never considered using dng as 16 bit Tiff does all that I need although I know dng is smaller, I learned post processing using 16 bit Tiff.
Only time I shoot jpg is when I am shooting casual photos and have no need to post process.
I don’t process all of my raw files only the ones that I consider keepers, rest are deleted or archived on external storage drives,

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