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.SRW vs .DNG

Started Sep 15, 2015 | Discussions
MountaineerMan Regular Member • Posts: 134
.SRW vs .DNG

I have recently been considering converting my images to .dng and have done some research and have a pretty good idea of the pro/cons of converting to DNG as it relates to me. I won’t go through all the pros and cons here, if anyone wants to know just google it there are tons of great articles out there.

Anyways my question is one of the disadvantages is that some camera makers include “camera maker data” in their raw files that does not get transferred to the DNG file. Is there any data in a .SRW file that does not get transferred into the .DNG file? I could not find any documentation on the internet about .SRW files.

(unknown member) Regular Member • Posts: 269
Re: .SRW vs .DNG
1

I am not 100 percent sure but i think all the data gets transferred.. if you have the NX1 though use Samsungs DNG converter over Adobes.. i noticed a huge jump in IQ using Samsungs as it seems to be Nuanced for the camera better.. also noticed a jump in IQ over processing samsung DNG files in LR over SRW. again i am no pro photographer but its what i noticed..

this is an image i took recently that was converted to DNG   (Via Samsung DNG converter) then processed in LR using the NX1 and 16-50 S lens:

ChimPanzer Regular Member • Posts: 307
Re: .SRW vs .DNG

It is a pity we need DNG conversion first, and only then we can go to photoshop to get the best result.

otto k Senior Member • Posts: 2,252
Re: .SRW vs .DNG
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J0E
J0E Junior Member • Posts: 42
Re: .SRW vs .DNG

The newest version of Adobe camera raw has support for the NX1 and NX500 raw files.

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otto k Senior Member • Posts: 2,252
Re: .SRW vs .DNG
1

The catch is that different programs apply different base curves and various other adjustments to raw files.

For example, lightroom used to add chromatic aberrations to NX files for certain models for a long time (it's fixed now but versions supplied with cameras were affected at the time).

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Krazyheaven Regular Member • Posts: 411
Re: .SRW vs .DNG

So I'm safe buying lightroom 6. I ask because I'm just about to hit the buy button.

parakalien Contributing Member • Posts: 556
Re: .SRW vs .DNG

Yes. Great program and plays well with nx500 /nx1

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OP MountaineerMan Regular Member • Posts: 134
Re: .SRW vs .DNG

Thank you for all of your responses. I heard that different converters apply different base curves but I never thought it could be as extreme as it was in some of the example photos. I will have to do some testing for myself.

Is there any way to use Lr to convert to .dng and apply the Samsung converter base curve? this would really save me alot of time.

Additionally can anyone confirm that no "camera maker" information will be lost while converting to dng?

Krazyheaven Regular Member • Posts: 411
Re: .SRW vs .DNG

I don't believe camera info is lost going from srw to dng but I can not prove it. Out of curiosity why not convert to dng using the Samsung converter? Maybe this was already mentioned and I just missed it.

otto k Senior Member • Posts: 2,252
Re: .SRW vs .DNG

You can easily test it with exiftool mentioned before (or any similar software), just compare original and generated file.

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OP MountaineerMan Regular Member • Posts: 134
Re: .SRW vs .DNG

Krazyheaven wrote:

I don't believe camera info is lost going from srw to dng but I can not prove it. Out of curiosity why not convert to dng using the Samsung converter? Maybe this was already mentioned and I just missed it.

Yeah it was previously mentioned to use the Samsung dng converter. The problem with this is it is alot more time consuming, workflow wise.

I am not a Lr expect so maybe their is a better way but the work flow i see as being the best is to go through each folder individually and convert all the photos then open light room and remove those photos from my catalog then re add the new converted ones. But obviously if I can use lightroom I could just find all the .srw files and click convert to dng then goto bed to wake up to all the converted files

OP MountaineerMan Regular Member • Posts: 134
Re: .SRW vs .DNG

otto k wrote:

You can easily test it with exiftool mentioned before (or any similar software), just compare original and generated file.

Good Idea. I am going to try some somewhat extensive testing between regular .srw files, samsung converted .dng and adobe .dng files.

Thank you everyone for your help.

ChuckTa Senior Member • Posts: 1,492
Re: .SRW vs .DNG

MountaineerMan wrote:

otto k wrote:

You can easily test it with exiftool mentioned before (or any similar software), just compare original and generated file.

Good Idea. I am going to try some somewhat extensive testing between regular .srw files, samsung converted .dng and adobe .dng files.

Thank you everyone for your help.

At default, I found the color from the Samsung dng is better than the adobe dng. The adobe dng is too flat. I also brought a profile from Huelight for nx500, nice color but often color too saturated.

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