Should I shoot DNG in-camera or shoot Pentax PEF and convert to DNG in Lightroom?
Asked 6/20/2014
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I normally use a DNG-based workflow and convert files to DNG during Lightroom import. For an upcoming shoot I’ll be using a Pentax 645D, which can save either DNG or PEF. If I plan to end up with DNG files anyway, are there meaningful advantages or disadvantages to recording DNG in-camera instead of shooting PEF and converting later in Lightroom? I’m mainly interested in workflow, file size, metadata handling, and any compatibility or processing differences.
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
1
One of the benefits of the DNG file is the size. They are around 15-20% smaller in file size than PEF files without any loss of quality. Also, with the DNG format the XMP data is included in the DNG file, so you don’t have to worry about the XMP data getting separated from the original DNG.So in that case there is a huge benefit in terms of organization shoot raw in DNG format rather than PEF.
Now the conversion to DNG from raw PEF (inside LR) is slightly different in terms of options. You have two options: convert raw image data as is or with some of the rawness processed out of the file (called a Linear DNG). For example; Capture One 7 has some issues processing DNG - like automatic lens corrections and optimized sharpening which depends heavily on original camera type. Again, not a problem of DNG format, but in implementation. So if you will work most of the time in LR, there shouldn't be any issue.
Summarizing all the talk, since your camera supports In-camera DNG I definitely will use it. I don’t see any a solid reason to add the conversion from PEF to DNG in your workflow since your camera already can do it on the fly.
If you like to review some of the technical topics cover in this answer this article is well detailed, DNG by Peter Krogh
Regards!
Originally by user24523. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user24523
12y ago
0
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If your end goal is DNG either way, shooting DNG in-camera mainly helps workflow and file management.
From the answers provided, in-camera DNG files are typically smaller than Pentax PEF files (around 15–20% smaller was reported) without a quality loss, and DNG can keep metadata/XMP inside the file itself. That can make organization simpler because you don’t need to manage separate sidecar XMP files.
Converting PEF to DNG in Lightroom gives you more control over the conversion. One noted difference is that DNG conversion can be done in different ways, including options that may alter how “raw” the data remains (for example, linear DNG). That flexibility can be useful, but it also means the resulting DNG may not be identical in every workflow.
A possible downside mentioned is software compatibility: some programs may handle original proprietary RAW files better for certain camera-specific processing, such as lens corrections or sharpening tuned to that camera.
So the practical tradeoff is:
- in-camera DNG: simpler workflow, smaller files, embedded metadata
- PEF then convert: more conversion control, and potentially better support in some software for the original RAW
If you mostly use Lightroom and prefer a clean DNG workflow, in-camera DNG is a reasonable choice.
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