TIFF or DNG for Converted Files?
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#1. "RE: TIFF or DNG for Converted Files?" | In response to Reply # 0
dm1dave Nikonian since 12th Sep 2006Thu 27-Feb-14 10:54 PMHi Bill,
I think, the only way to convert the file and preserve your CNX2 edits is to convert to TIFF, JEPG or some other standard bitmap format.
I am pretty sure that any conversion to DNG simply creates a newly formatted file with the RAW image data. So, opening a converted DNG in Lightroom would look exactly the same as opening the NEF file in Lightroom. Any program that could make the conversion would not be able to read the CNX2 edit steps.
My plan is to be selective, and convert only certain files to TIFF. I will reprocess others in Lightroom to help me learn that software.
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#2. "RE: TIFF or DNG for Converted Files?" | In response to Reply # 1
sfbillm Registered since 15th Jun 2004Fri 28-Feb-14 08:39 AMDOH! I feel like Homer Simpson. I realized, as I was drifting off to sleep last night, that of course CNX2 can't convert to DNG, only TIFF or JPEG.
Thanks for your reply, and my sincere apologies for wasting your time.SantaFeBill
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#3. "RE: TIFF or DNG for Converted Files?" | In response to Reply # 0
PBlais
Nikonian since 19th Jan 2014
Sat 19-Apr-14 08:01 PM
Both TIF and DNG were invented by Adobe. DNG is the Adobe universal raw container. DNG works best with Lightroom, Camera Raw and the Lightroom catalog for NON destructive saved edit steps. TIF files are a good alternative in that they can be 16 bit OR 8 bit and non compressed. They are transportable and compatible with commercial workflow. DNG can make TIF, JPG, or PSD (Photoshop). PSD can make TIF or JPG with assorted color spaces and 16 or 8 bits. It is also non destructive. TIF supports layers like PSD does. In your workflow you can not export TIF in layers.
JPG is what you add sharpening to and send out for printing. Ideally you make the JPG from a non destructively edited source. You might save them as a final proof to an archive. You can always save the raw NEF in case some new wiz bang editing system strikes your fancy.
Coming out of CNX2, TIF is so much better than JPG. DNG is OK too but unless you want into the Adobe products the NEF file is just as good and you already have that. NEF to DNG should be around until you are dead and buried so it's always an option later.
JPG is what you add sharpening to and send out for printing. Ideally you make the JPG from a non destructively edited source. You might save them as a final proof to an archive. You can always save the raw NEF in case some new wiz bang editing system strikes your fancy.
Coming out of CNX2, TIF is so much better than JPG. DNG is OK too but unless you want into the Adobe products the NEF file is just as good and you already have that. NEF to DNG should be around until you are dead and buried so it's always an option later.
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So my question is: TIFF or DNG? My impression is that TIFF is the more widely supported. I also seem to remember reading the specs on a processing app that indicated that it, at least, had some limitations in what it could do with DNG as opposed to TIFF. But I could be wrong about both.
But the converted TIFF files are hundreds of MBs in size. To use that format will require me to make a very significant (given current budget) investment in terabyte-sized storage.
I've carefully weighed the option of staying with CNX2, and decided for my situation that is not the best way to go. (If you're interested in that discussion, I again refer you to that other forum.)
Any guidance will be really appreciated.