Lightroom Import Problem: I tried to import 40 pics into Lightroom, 3 photos imported. The rest of the photos show "Preview Unavailable for this File". In other words, the import was...

Dynamics5

I tried to import 40 pics into Lightroom, 3 photos imported. The rest of the photos show "Preview Unavailable for this File". In other words, the import was unsuccessful. I checked on the pics that failed to import in Finder. The pics can all be opened, they look fine. What is the problem and the fix?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

What kind of files? What version of LR? What camera model, specifically? Does your LR version support this file type from this camera?

Another idea is to simply take the message "Preview Unavailable for this File" and google that text. One solution near my results leads to space issues on your computer, such as:

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/community/threads/preview-unavailable-problem-solved.33825/

Dynamics5

Found the solution!
Was importing pics from I-Phone. Most of the files are .MOV. They import if changed to JPG.
Have to change the Iphone picture taking mode so it is not .MOV.

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

Dynamics5 wrote:

I tried to import 40 pics into Lightroom, 3 photos imported. The rest of the photos show "Preview Unavailable for this File". In other words, the import was unsuccessful. I checked on the pics that failed to import in Finder. The pics can all be opened, they look fine. What is the problem and the fix?

Best fix I have found for this problem is to stop using Lightroom...

fredpnm Loc: Corrales, NM

terryMc wrote:

Best fix I have found for this problem is to stop using Lightroom...

Kind of like your solution to car accidents - stop driving.

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

fredpnm wrote:

Kind of like your solution to car accidents - stop driving.

Never said stop driving, did I? I said stop using the redundant, unnecessary Lightroom. You can still do all the same things in Camera Raw, without the import problems and corruptible database. Of course, you could stop driving, too, but it would be a lot harder to get around.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Dynamics5 wrote:

Found the solution!
Was importing pics from I-Phone. Most of the files are .MOV. They import if changed to JPG.
Have to change the Iphone picture taking mode so it is not .MOV.

.MOV is a video container file preferred by Apple. JPG is a still image file.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Go to Settings:Photos:Transfer to Mac or PC and select Automatic. On transfer, you photos will be converted to the appropriate format.

rcarol

terryMc wrote:

Never said stop driving, did I? I said stop using the redundant, unnecessary Lightroom. You can still do all the same things in Camera Raw, without the import problems and corruptible database. Of course, you could stop driving, too, but it would be a lot harder to get around.

The advantage of using Lightroom instead of ACR is that Lightroom allows you to use plugins while ACR does not.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Dynamics5 wrote:

Found the solution!
Was importing pics from I-Phone. Most of the files are .MOV. They import if changed to JPG.
Have to change the Iphone picture taking mode so it is not .MOV.

Hmmm .... That is odd. I have successfully imported .mov files into the latest LrC.

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

terryMc wrote:

Best fix I have found for this problem is to stop using Lightroom...

That is the worst and most unhelpful answer to a fairly well stated problem.

one_eyed_pete Loc: Colonie NY

terryMc wrote:

Never said stop driving, did I? I said stop using the redundant, unnecessary Lightroom. You can still do all the same things in Camera Raw, without the import problems and corruptible database. Of course, you could stop driving, too, but it would be a lot harder to get around.

I would characterize things differently. "Camera Raw" is redundant, unnecessary and cannot perform the functions LR can perform other than editing (Developing) RAW images. Ok, you say you use PS for those other functions. I used PS for 20 years before I started using LR. I now use LR for 95% of my images and export the others to PS for any surgical editing I can't do in LR. I switched to LR because I learned it and found my workflow with LR easier and much quicker. In addition, I can easily "edit in" PS, Topaz, or other plug-ins when desired then return the image to LR for printing, slide show or export for other purposes. I don't depend heavily on the catalog (database) but my file system is robust. Sometimes I use "collections" to group images for a purpose.

If your needs are met using PS keep on doing you. In my opinion, both PS and LR are extremely powerful tools which require learning to use effectively.

terryMc Loc: Arizona's White Mountains

rcarol wrote:

The advantage of using Lightroom instead of ACR is that Lightroom allows you to use plugins while ACR does not.

I seldom use plugins, but if I need one, it's there in Photoshop.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

BobHartung wrote:

Hmmm .... That is odd. I have successfully imported .mov files into the latest LrC.

I use Lightroom Classic to keep everything that comes from a camera sorted and organized. It handles video files well except that the preview plays are not quite as smooth on my machine as something like VLC.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

terryMc wrote:

Best fix I have found for this problem is to stop using Lightroom...

Does that mean the 2nd best fix is to stop using the iPhone?