IDguy Loc: Idaho

If you are in the topic category (like me with Z6) you probably learned Adobe will no longer give you updates to it so you can’t import RAW files from your new camera. You have likely learned you can download and use the free Adobe dng converter to convert your RAW files to dngs for import. But it can be a several step process to transfer the files to your computer, run the converter on that folder, and then import from that folder.

I found a little simpler approach you may want to try. My new camera uses xqd cards and I have an adapter enabling removing the card from the camera and hooking it to the computer. So here is the approach I now use:

1. Connect the card to the computer.
2. Run Adobe dng converter on the folder in the card.
3. Import the dng and jpeg files from the card folder into Lightroom (unchecking the .nef or other RAW formats that Lightroom doesn’t recognize.)

I then reformat the card in the camera.

They almost had me convinced I needed to break down and get the subscription, but I’m happy enough with this approach. Once loaded as dng files I can also process them in Photoshop CS6.

The only limitation on this approach is you have to leave room on the card for the dng files. If you didn’t, you could modify the dng converter to output the dng files to a folder on your computer and then import to Lightroom from it. But that adds some extra steps back into the process.

clickety

Your procedure certainly is the most efficient the fastest. It may be my age or just a ‘belt AND suspenders thing’ but, what is your back up if there’s a glitch in the conversion process?

Personally I’d Prefer working from a copy, leaving the original card intact until I was finished importing and backing up in Lightroom.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

The main drawback of your approach is that you are making modifications to a card that has the only copy of your original nef files. It is a very risky practice and I certainly would not recommend it to anyone.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

You have a new great camera so why not upgrade to CC for $10/mo and get the best out of your processing

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Clever. Thanks for that.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm glad you mentioned that because $10 a month is a negligible amount. Working with that idea, I would be honored to accept this negligible amount from any and all members of UHH. You can arrange for PayPal to accept your monthly donation on my behalf. Thanks in advance!

IDguy Loc: Idaho

While I agree that writing the dng files to the card entails slightly more risk than first copying the files to a folder on the hard drive, I don’t see it as “very risky”. You need to copy the files from the card to the hard drive in any case, either via Lightroom or file copy.

As I noted, you can set up the dng converter program to read the nef files from the card and output the dng files to a temp transfer file on the hard drive and then import from that folder into Lightroom. As long as you are using all nef files the only additional step that way is emptying the temp folder when done. If you have jpeg files on the card you’d need to also import them into Lightroom seperately.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I always wait to reformat the card until I have done the editing and backed everything up. I want to be sure I have more than one copy before deleting anything.

And since I use the subscription LR/PS and don't have to do the dng thing, I always have the original raw file. Even if I did the dng thing I would make sure the original raw file is included in the backup.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Its an emotional objection to authorizing a company to automatically charge to my credit card. With so many large institutions being hacked it is only a matter of time before the hackers use such databases to withdraw from all users accounts. I only sign up for that when there is no alternative. Here there are many alternatives.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

With Lightroom you have to back up both the catalog and the image files. Lightroom backs up the catalog each time you shut it down. I have my computer set up to back up the image folders (and backed up catalog) weekly to an external drive.

I consider the dng file a replacement for the original RAW file. There was a time I did the conversion upon import. There was a reason for that someone recommended but I forget what it was. I stopped doing it to speed up the import.

When xqd card prices come down I might alternate cards. I’ll get at least a second one before my next long duration trip. On once in a lifetime images, like my trip to Africa, I keep the original sd cards as the ultimate backup.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I would also caution that this is an extremely risky process which may well end up with complete file loss. Sure it takes a few minutes extra, but making a copy of card contents BEFORE modifying the card in any way is a MUCH safer proceedure. Or just rent the proper software instead of having to come up with all types of 'fixes'. Best of luck.

CaptainBobBrown

Why not apply the dng conversion process to the files copied from XQD card to a hard disk copy instead of applying dng conversion directly to files on the XQD card?

IDguy Loc: Idaho

As noted you don’t have to copy before moving. You can have dng converter do that for you. Then you just add the step of emptying the temp folder.

For me the much safer alternative is to not give my credit card authorization to large company databases that will get hacked.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

I disagree. Its one thing to read files from a storage medium and copy them to a hard drive, but you are reconfiguring the medium, running a program to convert the files to dng and writing the output to the medium. There is significantly more risk for data corruption and human error. Since your camera does not have a dual card option to create backups of your images as you shoot them, I think your approach is too risky if your images are important to you. I'm sure your process flow will continue to work fine...until it doesn't.

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

Credit card safety is perhaps the lamest reason I've heard for not using Adobe's 'rental' model. Although, given the number of consumer protection laws and the current day Data Security Standards associated with Credit Cards, I worry very little. In my case, Adobe charges me via PayPal which has worked very well for over three years. There are many companies on the web I wouldn't give my Credit Card info too, even on a dare, but Adobe is not one of those. Best of luck.