I recently started using Lightroom, primarily as a workflow and catalogue management tool (still use Photoshop for editing on most of my work), and was wondering if anyone else uses a DNG workflow? I don't know too much about the digital negative format and am curious to know what the benefits are over a RAW workflow.
DNG is a RAW format... just more universal... not much difference... there are a few others... when do you convert to jpg? If you import in LR and edit in PS, use it... it will be fine... but to print, upload, ect.. you will still need to export at the end of your work flow... but it is nice to be in the RAW file for as long as possible.
DNG is a standard... RAW is camera information... so if in 10 years you believe the codex for opening your RAW file will be gone, than use DNG... but it is just as likely to be gone in 10 years too...
I'm a member of the Lightroom DNG workflow camp. It doesn't make much of a difference, but regular raw files are proprietary formats and change from time time to time even within the same camera maker. I just figure since DNG is a standard open format it won't matter what camera or software I'm using 20 years down the road, but everything in my collection will be uniform.
Either way the legacy software will be out there in the future and you'll almost always be certain to open any raw format down the road, but I just like having everything the same. It's part of the OCD in me. ;)
In addition to what has been mentioned, one of the greatest features of the DNG file is that it incorporates the metadata. With RAW files you have a XMP sidecar file which can become separated from the image file, thus stripping your image of the metadata (this usually occurs when someone moves a file from outside of their management software eg. Lightroom). It is also slightly smaller than CR2 or NEF style RAW files, so it saves on HDD space in the long-term.
@icywarm@marubozo@jinximages Thank you guys! They're some pretty good arguments in favour of using DNG, especially the metadata aspect of it, which is a feature I want to start utilising more. Thanks again - really appreciate your insights!
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DNG is a standard... RAW is camera information... so if in 10 years you believe the codex for opening your RAW file will be gone, than use DNG... but it is just as likely to be gone in 10 years too...
Either way the legacy software will be out there in the future and you'll almost always be certain to open any raw format down the road, but I just like having everything the same. It's part of the OCD in me. ;)