Question an RAW, DNG, and CS2 compatibility

[C&C]

Hi,

I currently am looking to switch from Minolta kit to either Canon or Nikon - initially a 40D or D300, a decision which is giving me all sorts of problems deciding as it's more about which system rather than just the specific camera. This is however not a Canon v Nikon thread....

It appears that whichever camera I end up with, the raw files are not supported by version 3.x of Adobe Camera Raw. Instead I would need v4.x.

Only problem with this is that I currently use adobe CS2, and ACR v4.x is only compatible with CS3.

Obviously one way to resolve this is to upgrade to CS3, but I'm currently more than happy with the features in CS2, and would rather not spend the money on an upgrade just yet if at all possible, as I'd much prefer to spend it towards a decent/better lens/lenses for the new camera.

Some further research has led to Adobe's Raw to DNG format converter. Now I've been thinking about converting raw files to dng anyway, so my question is, would using the converter to convert the new (40D or D300) raw format files to dng lead to a file format which could then be loaded into CS2, or would I still need CS3 anyway? (if this makes sense).

Thanks in advance,

Conrad.

[DanH]

If you convert either cameras format to DNG and the camera doesn't natively support it (or their software at least) you will lose all the camera setting etc although the picture will convert fine.

This is something that greatly frustrates me. I have a D300 and when I shoot raw I can turn on camera settings for sharpening, picture mode (e.g. vivid, natural etc etc) and if I then use the Nikon Capture NX (which comes free with a d300) then it will respect those settings upon loading. If I open them in lightroom, it hasn't got a clue and doesn't even get the white balance 100% on.

This is by design for Nikon or Canon as they don't want to give away their proprietry voodoo which makes their shots look good (e.g. demosaic algorithm etc). If they did Adobe could just apply it to other brands raw files too.

One thing you could consider is buying lightroom which can convert to tiff and integrate with photoshop. Then you can use your old photoshop for the detailed retouching. For most stuff lightroom is great and really speeds up the workflow, so not a bad piece of software to have around. Demo is available to download too.

So net conclusion, for best raw conversion use the manufacturers software (which as I mentioned you get free with a D300). Personally I use light room for library features and basic processing, but break out capture nx for the 2% of pics I think are worth working on. You can get similar affects in lightroom but its a huge effort faffing around with 7 plus sliders where it comes out perfect in nx without anything being done.

Only thing I'd say about nx is that its a bit of a dog in terms of UI and performance. It has some very nice features though.

[VxDuncan]

Have you considered 3rd party raw converters? Might get the benefit of better noise reduction capabilites too.

[fluffnik]

Have you looked at the new Sony bodies that will let you keep your Minolta glass?

[DIW35]

I have a 40D and am still using PS7, so have a similar problem. Adobe's DNG converter is quite happy to convert Canon's CR2 RAW files, but PS7 can't handle DNG.

The only workaround I have come across if I want to shoot in RAW is to use Canon's own software (Digital Photo Professional - comes with the camera) to do any processing on the RAW file, which can then be saved in TIFF format for any tweaking or image manipulation in PS7.

Having seen some demonstrations of what CS3 is capable of with regard to processing RAW files, I get the feeling that DPP is a little lacking and/or a little less sophisticated. As a result of all this I still generally shoot in JPEG.

[RobDickinson]

Every dSLR comes with processing software (DPP etc ) to process raw, process it to psd or whatever (tiff etc) then work on it, or theres raw shooter essential etc too.

[Jenx]

DIW35 said:

I have a 40D and am still using PS7, so have a similar problem. Adobe's DNG converter is quite happy to convert Canon's CR2 RAW files, but PS7 can't handle DNG.

The only workaround I have come across if I want to shoot in RAW is to use Canon's own software (Digital Photo Professional - comes with the camera) to do any processing on the RAW file, which can then be saved in TIFF format for any tweaking or image manipulation in PS7.

Having seen some demonstrations of what CS3 is capable of with regard to processing RAW files, I get the feeling that DPP is a little lacking and/or a little less sophisticated. As a result of all this I still generally shoot in JPEG.

I too used to have PS7 (with a 20D), but I bit the bullit when I got the 1D2N and upgraded to CS3, and am really pleased I did. It feels like I went up two gears

Martin.

[DIW35]

Jenx said:

I too used to have PS7 (with a 20D), but I bit the bullit when I got the 1D2N and upgraded to CS3, and am really pleased I did. It feels like I went up two gears

Martin.

I have to say that I've considered upgrading, but at the moment don't feel I can justify the expense based on my photographic and Photoshop abilities (or, more precisely, the lack of them.)

It'll happen one day though, I'm sure.

[VxDuncan]

RobDickinson said:

Every dSLR comes with processing software (DPP etc ) to process raw, process it to psd or whatever (tiff etc) then work on it, or theres raw shooter essential etc too.

Not if you buy a Nikon it don't (

[DanH]

DIW35 said:

Jenx said:

I too used to have PS7 (with a 20D), but I bit the bullit when I got the 1D2N and upgraded to CS3, and am really pleased I did. It feels like I went up two gears

Martin.

I have to say that I've considered upgrading, but at the moment don't feel I can justify the expense based on my photographic and Photoshop abilities (or, more precisely, the lack of them.)

It'll happen one day though, I'm sure.

Well the nikon capture nx software is actually very good in terms of results and has some nice features that adobe haven't got (control points) which make editing a lot quicker and less painful (no messing with masks+layers). Its just a bit clunky. You only get it free with a D300 or D200 though. Otherwise its a good stopgap and as mentioned you can always dump to tiff. Problem with that is that you are throwing some info away and files explode to being about 100meg each.

[C&C]

Thanks for all the replies...

OK, so it seems that DNG isn't necessarily the complete answer as camera settings etc. are likely to be lost.

I guess I need to initially try the camera maker's raw converter (which in this case is now going to be Canon - I finally made a decision on the 40D).

I'll probably also upgrade to CS3 eventually - especially if it improves your close ups of insects and butterflies (Martin?)

fluffnik said:

Have you looked at the new Sony bodies that will let you keep your Minolta glass?

I seriously condidered this but I guess I've finally reached the point where I decided to change. I've had Minolta kit since getting a 7000 in the 80s. Had 2 x 9xi film bodies - really good cameras, but unused since the digital age, waited ages for the 7D digital body to come out, got a bit annoyed that the 5400HS flash didn't work with it when it did, and generally have been underwhelmed at the amount of decent used lenses available, and a little concerned that some of the new independent kit is not available in Minolta/Konica/Sony mount. So before investing further in the new Sony system, I've decided to go with one of the 2 main systems out there.

Once again, many thanks for the replies.

Now looking forward to picking up the new 40D next weekend..

Conrad.

[Jenx]

[quote=C&C]I'll probably also upgrade to CS3 eventually - especially if it improves your close ups of insects and butterflies (Martin?)
[/quote]