On 29 Sep 2004, at 23:03, Rod Wynne-Powell wrote:
I am sorry, but I think you are missing the point. There is a sound reason as carefully explained by Russell - when the camera manufacturers realise that we photographers would like the opportunity to be able to save our RAW files from their cameras in a standard format, we will only need to set this as a preference within the camera and then avoid the need for the current DNG converter software - this is simply an interim measure so that we can make up our minds over this new standard.
I think you are missing my point. I do not disagree that the acceptance of DNG - or any other file format - as a standard is a good thing. Are you sure that camera manufacturers will be able to upgrade current cameras to be able to write to this format ? If not, it could be 18-24 months - the current product cycle - before you will have a choice in what format you shoot in.
If we like what we see, and so far many have commented favourably on the file size reduction, then once the wrinkles are ironed out, the camera manufacturers will hopefully see that it is in their interest to write to just this one spec.
Part of he file size reduction could be due to the current DNG specs limit on embedded file size to 256 pixels. Many programs - iView. Photomechanic - use this thumbnail to allow fast viewing of the images. Also the camera itself uses this thumbnail for playback on the LCD. Canon responded to photographers requests to have a "zoom" feature on the 1D Mk 11. Not much to zoom into on a 256 pixel thumbnail ?
It is a storage format, not a converter - there will still be a need for converters, and the best will be bought.
Photoshop �CS incorporates Adobe's offering, but Capture 1 still sells.
I am well aware that it is a file format. maybe you haven't seen it yet, but there is a DNG Convertor which converts existing RAW files into DNG files.
Rejoice. I am sure there will be discussions between Adobe and the camera manufacturers taking place at Photokina this week, and it has only been in the public domain a matter of days.
I don;t see the camera manufacturers as being the key to the success of this format. It\s the software developers who need to embrace it.
=============================================================== GO TO http://www.prodig.org for ~ GUIDELINES ~ un/SUBSCRIBING ~ ITEMS for SALE
