The DNG Question.

<p>Hi,<br>

Adobe Lightroom 4 refuses to process the NEF files that come out of the Nikon D7200. I understand that the DNG format strips my NEF off settings such as Active D-Lighting and other in-camera settings, none of which are important to me. I'm not interested in in-camera settings such as high ISO/long exposure noise reduction either.<br>

I use VSCO Film to colour my photographs. I will print my photographs, say, 20 x 24 inches.<br>

Are there any demerits at all in editing the DNG rather than the NEF? </p>

<p>No, editint DNGs in Lightroom will give you the same quality as editing from NEF</p>

<p>The NEF files contain metadata not recognized by the DNG converter, such as certain camera settings. This is not much of a loss. The camera settings are used for in-camera display and creation of JPG files, which may or may not be to your liking. The important image information, including resolution and color mapping, is converted without loss. Details such as the ISO used, color space and color temperature are never more than suggestions for RAW interpretation, and are not part of the RAW image itself.</p>

<p>Operations like long exposure noise reduction are incorporated performed on the RAW image directly, and are translated intact.</p>

<p>The DNG raw sensor data is as raw as your NEF. What you'll '<em>lose</em>' is <strong>proprietary</strong> metadata LR can't use anyway. So yes, convert away. </p>

<p>Correction: ISO is a setting for the sensor, and affects RAW images.</p>

<p>Use the DNG but archive the NEF.</p>

<p>Hi,<br>

Thank you all for your replies. I will certainly archive the NEF and edit the DNG. The DNG converter has saved me some money, but I wish that Lightroom 4 could read the NEF in the first place. <br>

I looked at my DNG in Lightroom, information about in-camera settings such as shutter speed, aperture and ISO has been retained in the DNG.</p>

<p>Lr with Photoshop is so cheap now at $10 per month that its not worth using DNGs</p>