I don't see DNG files in SD card?

[ethaninthestreets]

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Hello all,

 

I have recently had a DNG/JPG file format issue which I just couldn't figure out the logic behind it.

 

I'm using a Leica M9, and I usually import photos directly into Lightroom out of SD card, process it, then save the photos into both JPG(processed) and DNG(raw) format to an external harddrive, with imported photos remain in Lightroom in my laptop.

 

Currently I found that my computer is running out of storage because of the imported photos that remain in Lightroom, so instead of import photos directly into Lightroom, I copy the photos out of SD card to an external harddrive, and here's the file format which got me confused, I only see JPGs in SD card, there are no other folders except a folder that contains JPG files, where do the DNG files coming from when I "export as" from Lightroom? Just wondering if you had the same confusion dealing with Leica's file format. Thanks!

Ethan

[Dougg]

Ethan, is it possible you have the camera set to produce JPG only? I think LR is able to export/convert a JPG to DNG format even without raw data.

 

FWIW, it makes me uneasy to delegate file-handling responsibility to LR. IMO that's a job for the computer's OS, and under my own close observation. With the SD card plugged into my computer, I copy and rename the folder of files to a permanent folder called Digital Photos. Then I "point" LR to that location and Import for processing. The original files remain where I put them, and I can see what is there. This is also my destination for Export from LR as full-scale TIFFs, but you may not have room on your laptop for that.

[Guest WPalank]

 

FWIW, it makes me uneasy to delegate file-handling responsibility to LR. IMO that's a job for the computer's OS, and under my own close observation. With the SD card plugged into my computer, I copy and rename the folder of files to a permanent folder called Digital Photos. Then I "point" LR to that location and Import for processing. The original files remain where I put them, and I can see what is there. This is also my destination for Export from LR as full-scale TIFFs, but you may not have room on your laptop for that.

 

Dougg,

Finally, someone that is almost on point with me. Let me explain:

 

1) I always use a Card Reader, never hook my camera up to the computer directly (one source for things to go wrong right off the bat).

 

2) I open the Card Reader icon on my computer Desktop (Mac) and am presented with a folder named "DCIM". I go into that folder and find a folder where the images are stored on the card named "Leica 100". I then drag that folder to my Desktop and watch it download. Important to note LR is not involved in the process yet. What I have found is that if any of the files are corrupted within the Folder, the Mac will not download the Folder (this has only happened to me twice). When that happens, I know exactly where the problem is and can drag the corrupted files (on the card) directly to the trash for now. this way i know exactly where the problem is. I can go into the trash and try to fix those files at a later time if I wish.

 

3) Once the "Leica 100" folder is downloaded, I give the Folder a useful name, not simply a date. (Do you remember what you shot on Nov. 12, 2011). However a folder named "SF_Pride_Parade_2013" tells me exactly what is in the Folder.

 

4) Lightroom isn't open yet so I drag this folder to the LR icon in my dock. This opens the LR Application and I am now in the Import Dialogue. I make sure that "Move" is selected in the upper menu Bar. On the far right I can see that LR will Move the images to my "2013" Folder within my "Photos" folder which is top dog in my file naming hierarchy. I make sure my Copyright Preset is also ready to go. Once you take the 5 minutes to create the Copyright preset, you only have to do it once a year. For example, next year 2014 Copyright Info. Pleasantly enough next year it will only take me 30 seconds to create that preset because I just copy everything over and change 2013 to 2014.

 

5) Now I hit Import.

 

6) I confirm everything is in the right spot. I then go to the folder which I renamed on my Desktop and confirm it is empty. If not (only happened once because I was in a rush), I had selected Copy instead which is no big deal. If empty, I drag it into the trash.

 

This system only takes slightly longer and I can immediately diagnose where any problems lie. It has not failed me once in the thousands of folders I have dropped into LR.

 

To the OP, as said above, make sure that your camera Set menu has not changed to Jpeg only.

As you say you see it in the card itself, it is not a Lightroom problem.

[Dougg]

William, nice detailed procedure! We are exactly the same up to the middle of #3. Mine is a 27" iMac, but when traveling it's a little 12" Macbook Pro. I don't get LR involved at all until later when I'm inclined to do some post.

 

So, like you I drag the Leica 100 folder onto the desktop, rename it according to my date-related file system. For example, it might be (from last August) "120817DG LeicaM9 28Sum" which will sort nicely by name order. The DG is for digital, alternatively for film it could be CN or BW. And I also rename every image file within it accordingly, for example one such file could be "120817-112.DNG" with the last three digits being the "frame number", as this is all consistent with my system that started in film a few decades ago, and I treat each folder like a film roll. I make notations about the "roll" in a FileMaker database, while still freshly in mind, assisted by field notes if any.

 

I usually have the camera set to produce only DNG files. But I have saved JPG too in the past, and I have LR ignore them.

 

And then I put the new folder away with others in a storage folder called "Doug's Digital". Later on I'll crank up LR and Import that new "roll" of files. For selected images, LR produces full-size TIFF files with consistent naming that are saved into a new folder inside the "roll" folder, created and named automatically.

 

Later still, I use the shareware GraphicConverter to open the TIFFs as a batch, resize for the desired usage, apply a little sharpening, add a black border, and save as a JPEG in another folder that is a catch-all for forum uploads.

 

It's interesting that many of us come up with different workable methods to suit our own needs and habits!

 

Best wishes

Doug