Converting RAW to DNG -is it necessary?

[GaryK26]

As per the thread title, I am wondering whether it is worthwhile converting my RAW images to DNG.

Please excuse my ignorance on the subject, but the only benefit that I am aware of is future compatibility (I'm probably way off the mark though).

So, what are the advantages of DNG (in simple terms)?
Are the resulting DNF filesizes smaller than the CR2's that I get out of my 40D?

 

[chris321]

It's just because the cr2 files from some newer cameras don't work with older versions of Adobe Camera RAW usually. For example, if you had photoshop CS2, and bought a new camera, you might not be able to edit your shots in the same way that you did before (might have to use Canon's software or something else). Unless you convert the CR2 to DNG, which is a workaround.

I believe the DNGs are HUGE compared to the CR2s though!

Chris

 

[Peter_Hartland]

I convert my files to DNG for 2 reason, firstly it is likely to be more compatible in the future as your camera gets older & manufactures stop supporting your version of RAW & the DNG also contains all the Metadata within

 

[MisterE]

I believe the DNGs are HUGE compared to the CR2s though!

Chris

No they're not. They are about 10% smaller. But if you choose to embed the original RAW within the DNG - yes, they are nearly twice the size.

I convert all to DNG for one reason. When I started using Lightroom when it first came out, like most people I just got on with using it, and playing around. After processing several hundreds of photos over the ensuing months there came the inevitable time when I lost the Lightroom catalogue. I wasn't too bothered about this until I learned that all the edits had been stored in there and were now lost. So then I discovered the xmp files and thereon started to create those. It soon became an absolute nuisance having to keep the xmp file together with its RAW. Even moreso when I renamed a RAW then had to do the same to the xmp. When I found out that DNGs contain all the editing info within themselves - no xmps - that was it. RAWs were gone. Even better, converting a RAW that had an xmp after editing created a DNG already edited, with the edits within. The smaller size is a bonus.