Apple Monterey and DNG file issues viewed in Mac Preview

[rhysgill]

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Not sure if this is the correct forum for this question/observation re Apple Monterey 12.0.1 and viewing Leica DNG files in Preview.

Having established that my 2017 intel based iMac was compatible and thinking I had nothing to lose in updating [ having previously lost my favourite apps in earlier updates ] and not seeing anything on line untoward I went ahead and updated. All worked fine until I came to view some recently downloaded Q dng files in preview ‘as a film strip in gallery view’. Horrible blotchy and smeared colours. Files open fine in Affinity Photo and tiffs/jpegs have no problem with viewing in Preview.

Looking on Apple’s support pages it now seems that this is a known issue, but their response seems to be ‘not our problem’ it’s Adobe's the owner of the DNG architecture. Strange as it wasn’t an issue previously.

Wonder how wide this issue is… is it just with Leica files or any other raw format converted to DNG. Is it just associated with an intel Mac or across the M1 platform also.

I know there are work arounds but I always found Preview a good quick way of rating raw files prior to edit.

Dyfrig

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[andybarton]

Using the Finder, if I go to "Quick look", with multiple DNGs (M240), it takes a while for the thumbnail to render properly, but it does in the end.

 

I can't find "Film strip in Gallery View" anywhere.

 

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[Simone_DF]

1 hour ago, rhysgill said:

All worked fine until I came to view some recently downloaded Q dng files in preview ‘as a film strip in gallery view’.

Do you mean Preview the application or Quicklook (select the files on Finder > press space bar)?

[rhysgill]

Sorry both if I've caused any confusion... I've never thought of my viewing files as done via quicklook. I'll explain. When I download my files via capture these are placed in a folder, named and stored in pictures. When I come to look at the files I open pictures, select the folder and at the top of the page are various viewing and organising  options one of which is viewing in gallery. When viewed in this mode each image is viewed full screen with a film strip of the images beneath - just click on each individual image to view full screen. I've always thought of this as part of the Mac preview app. obviously not the case !

It is when viewing the DNG files in this mode that the issue arises, never an issue previously where opening and viewing the DNG files has been virtually instant albeit within a display P3 profile - great for a 'quicklook'.....

Hope I haven't confused matters further.

 

Regards

Dyfrig

[andybarton]

I can now see the Finder function that you are referring to.

My DNGs don't render properly either. I suspect that this is a bug in Monterey that has yet to be squashed.

 

DNG Version

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JPG Version

 

[rhysgill]

Thank you Andy, I was beginning to think that it was just me and my approach to technology.... it usually is.

 Thank you for taking the time to look at this post and provide such clear examples of the issue we are both seeing. Much appreciated. As you say a bug yet to be squashed.. let's hope so and soon.

My iMac is almost identical to yours except for 24 - DDR4 ram and a slightly different graphics card with 4gb. With an SSD drive it has always been quick enough for my needs. I wonder if the newer M1 platform has the same 'quicklook' issue.

 

Dyfrig. 

[andybarton]

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No problem.

That's a good point. As we are in a transition phase, where Apple are supporting two completely different chip architectures, it wouldn't surprise me if their focus is on their new chips, rather than the Intel ones that we have. 

Given that our iMacs will fall off the upgrade tree next Autumn, eventually, a £1,700 bullet will need to be bitten when a compelling reason to upgrade comes along.

[marchyman]

I'm pretty sure Finder in macOS 12 is using the built in jpeg preview on my Q DNGs.  I think this because my Q is set to use monochrome -- I prefer that for the viewfinder --  and the Finder previews are all in monochrome.  Of course the full DNG as seen in my editing apps are color.  A typical preview image in the Q DNG files are about 110K in size and is 1620x1080 pixels.   If I look at that image full screen on my 5K monitor the image will be slightly blurry and pixelated.

But they do not look as blurry as shown above. 

[zeitz]

On 11/9/2021 at 10:28 AM, andybarton said:

it wouldn't surprise me if their focus is on their new chips, rather than the Intel ones that we have. 

Then Apple should stop selling Intel Macs; that is, stop selling the Intel ones people are going to have and expect to be supported equally well.  High end MacMinis and MacPros continue to be sold and continue to use Intel chip sets.

[rhysgill]

Hi Marchyman,

You may well be right in the way preview/quicklook attacks viewing a raw file. The only thing I would say is that prior to 12.0.1 all my RAW files whether as NEF from my former Nikon cameras or DNG files from any of my Leica digital cameras have opened crystal clear full screen on a 27in 5k retina screen at Apple default settings. The only blur or fuzziness seen has always been down to me !

Zeitz,

You are pushing at an open door with your observation. Technology in whatever form always seems to be trying to prise my wallet open these days. The easiest way of doing so is to withdraw product support.

Andy,

I had better start saving my pennies now. 

Regards,  Dyfrig

[Andreas F]

Hello to all,

I have the same issue on my M1 MacBook in combination with Leica M (Typ240) DNG files. JPEGs are crystal clear, but since the update to 12.01 the preview of DNG files (using the spacebar) and the view in Apple Fotos (when uploaded as DNG) is terrible. Colors are ‚running out‘.

Additionally the preview takes long time to show in full resolution.

[rhysgill]

Hi Andreas,

I had wondered whether the issue was also being seen on M1 Macs or just confined to those intel chipped. The situation has only arisen since 12.01update and also seems to be confined to those DNG raw files produced by my Leica cameras. My Nikon NEF raw files are unaffected.

I submitted a report/question  to Apple weeks ago as have others  but wonder if Leica themselves are aware of the problem.

Andreas I see you refer to yourself as a 'newbie', when it comes to all things digital so am I so thanks for joining in. I have found that there is a wealth of experience on this forum to be tapped.

Regards

Dyfrig

[Alberti]

I noted old direct-loaded files often have a problem in Preview, so some 60-80K in my case 🤭

those that go through DNG converter render good.  [Monterey 12, IMac 2017] I ‘reported’ this as minor bug. 🤫

Edited November 24, 2021 by Alberti

[iRandom]

I tried Quick Look (Find + press spacebar) using Q2 DNGs on an M1 MBA and an intel MBP 16" both running the latest OS. The MBP took a second or two to display each image. The MBA was almost instantaneous. Images looked correct in both cases. I picked some with lots of blue sky and did not see any gradients. The DNGs are OOC - no going through Adobe's DNG converter to reduce the size.

I also tried some Q DNGs. It does seem like Quick Look is first showing the embedded JPG for at least one with the Intel MBP. It would then switch over to the DNG when I zoomed in. The initial view is blotchy with dull colors. Zooming results in the image becoming crisp and vibrant and looking like what I would expect. Zooming back out maintains the proper look. The M1 MBA did not display the embedded JPG - it went straight to the DNG.

Edited November 24, 2021 by iRandom

[rhysgill]

It is strange that this anomaly only appears to affect 'quickview' in both Intel and M1 chip platforms using Monterey. No problems with my Leica made DNG files with earlier versions, and no problem when opening individual files in Preview or any editing software nor with any other RAW format ( NEF in my case).

A minor bug, but annoying when I used to rely on quickview 'gallery view' for a quick and full screen method of quickly eliminating dross from a days shoot.

Think we have established that there is a bug to be fixed by Apple and not just something I was doing as first feared when I put the observation to the forum.

Thanks for all your responses.

Regards,  Dyfrig.