Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Dng, unlike raw, is an open source format for digital image data. In fact, Hasselblad, Pentax, Ricoh Samsung and Leica have already adopted it as their raw format on many models, instead of a proprietary format. It is well-documented and more camera mfgrs are jumping on board. It can store edited raw file information, or the original raw file completely intact, with the metadata exception note below.

As far as ongoing development is concerned, it is being aggressively developed by Adobe - and each version brings new functionality.

Changes to dng files are saved in the file, since unlike raw, dng files can be read and written to by many software packages, with the exception of the camera manufacturers's editing software.

Dng files are slightly compressed, and do not have all the metadata that reflects some camera settings - like Nikon's Active D lighting, picture controls and other brand-specific settings, etc.

Downside is that you will spend more time if you convert to dng on import. It is probably better to convert only the files that you edit, so you end up spending less time.

Lastly, the dng format allows you to determine the size of the embedded jpg preview. You are not locked into thumbnails or small low quality jpgs that are often part of raw files.

For all intents and purposes, you can use dng as a developed negative (after some raw editing), or as the latent image in an undeveloped negative - aka in today's technology as a raw file. Either way, you don't have to wait for software to be released to support mfgr changes to their proprietary raw formats. I have yet to encounter a situation where new software failed to read old raw files, but I have only been shooting raw since 2006 and only Nikon nef files at that.

I do not currently use dng, but as things progress and support increases, I may make the switch - probably sooner better than later as I am constantly running out of room on my hard drives and even a 20% savings in space will help.

UtahBob Loc: Southern NJ

Nice summary. It will be interesting to see how Nikon's Capture NX-D might change this discussion when it is released soon.

Even now, Nikon's raw software (free version) provides the ability to make simple adjustments and save them to the original raw file. In the process, the embedded jpg is also modified to the adjusted settings and also increased in size, unfortunately that also increases the size of original raw file rather dramatically.

I neglected to mention earlier that the DNG conversion can also include the embedding of the original raw file so you can avoid having an xmp sidecar files by using DNG to process but also have the flexibility to go back to your raw file in case future programs have functionality that can improve upon current raw processing. Best of both worlds - one file to back up and deal with but access to both. Unfortunatley, a DNG with an embedded raw is a big file. :-(

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

ACR is part of Photoshop, so if you choose to open an NEF it will automatically open in ACR. The only issue would be if the D7000 was brought to market after the last version of the ACR for CS5. Newer cameras aren't supported in CS5 ACR. The ultimate upgrade of CS5 ACR included the D800, so I'm pretty sure that the D7000 is supported. You could ask on the Adobe Community Forums to be sure.

DNGs preserve all EXIF data.

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

DNG is Adobe specific. At the moment the format is widely available and Adobe makes no charge to the camera companies for the data necessary for dng compatibility.

There is concern being voiced that with recent actions by Adobe tying in to their custom format could leave you vulnerable to the next move by Adobe to lock people into their products. For that reason many people prefer to use the TIFF format as this is not owned by anyone.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

I use NEF raw files and PP in LR I now use DNG and do not find a differnce in PP in LR In LR all edits are none destructive no matter what RAW format you use

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Bruce, this is incorrect for LR 4 and 5. The sidecar is optional and you can turn it off in preferences. I think that the catalog saves that information. I have not seen a sidecar since switching from ACR to LR4.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

I cannot open NEF from a Nikon D300, in Photoshop CS5. I have downloaded from version 2.2 to the latest 6.7 ACR. Have contacted Adobe a number of times. They say they cannot comment on third party products. I retaliated that Photoshop CS5 is THEIR product. They have gone silent again.

ronz Loc: Florida

I think you are missing something. Raw and DNG are the same thing.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

No he is right and you are right as well

ACR must always be updated to recognize the file formats for each individual camera model. CS5 was created before the D7000 and it must be updated to be able to open the D7000 files. If you had registered your product with Adobe, you would get periodic notices that there is a new update for ACR. But that did not always happen. You have a dropdown option inside Photoshop to update, That update will also update ACR.

ACR must always be updated to recognize every new file model as every new model has it's own individual proprietary format. If you have different cameras, you have images in different raw formats, even within the same brand or family of cameras. If you have different brands the issue is exacerbated.

Here is what I do. I down load my images in Bridge, I convert all images to dng format at the same time and I also delete all files off the camera after down load. I do this with one click. There is no degradation of image quality in this conversion.

Converting all of my images to dng format insures that all future versions of Lightroom, Bridge and Photoshop will be able to open any old files. I don't have to worry about conflicts with proprietary data files/omegas.

All manufactures can adopt the dng format. It is open source technology. It is free, no fees, no cost. They refuse because should they adopt, the public might perceive that dng is superior. Even thought it is not superior just a standardized approach, they don't want to appear to conceded. The field is highly competitive. Just suggest that Nikon is superior to Canon in these forums and watch the %$*##!!! fly.

I not only use Photoshop but teach the application for the last 15 years at the College level.

pinupphoto Loc: Pennsylvania

I think you were misinformed. I open up my Nikon D-800 RAW pics exclusively in CS5.1

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

That is because ACR was updated in your system. Not everyone updates and have old versions that do not recognize newer file formats.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

Current versions of ACR is 8.0 plus.

Mark7829 Loc: Calfornia

The dng technology is open source, no fee or license to use or adopt. Should manufacturers adopt dng, there would and could not be restrictions as the license free and the open code given to them.

The advantage to adobe and all of us should manufactures adopt the dng format is that it would remove the need for a constant update to the adobe products for every camera made. That includes every brand from mainstream to the obscure.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

ACR 8 is not usable with CS5. Another way they force you to upgrade.