Sony A7IV .ARW to .DNG File Conversion on Mac Pro 5,1

[PixelMassager]

Mac Pro 5,1 Mid 2010

OS X 10.14.6 Mojave

Sony A7IV

Lightroom Classic 10.4 [202108071231-af9219b9]

Greetings!

I'm a Lightroom Classic subscriber running the final Lightroom version compatible with my legacy Mac— and, the Mac is running the final OS version it can run.

The issue is… I recently purchased the Sony A7iv and Lightroom will not convert (import) the .ARW files from the new camera to .DNG files for use in Lightroom. I had no issues importing into Lightroom with my previous A7iii camera.

There’s an Adobe app called Adobe DNG Converter that can serve as a workaround in situations like this, but the current version isn't supported on older OS's like mine. I’ve also tried running archived Adobe DNG Converter versions without success.

Someone over on the Adobe forum suggested my only recourse is to get a new Mac. The thing is, I love my old Mac. I purchased it new, it’s equipped perfectly for my needs, it still runs great with plenty of processing power, and it has loads of onboard storage.

I’m wondering if anyone here has a suggestion for another way I can work-around this issue and get my A7IV photos into Lightroom.

Thank You!

 

[bunnyspecs]

Mac Pro 5,1 Mid 2010

OS X 10.14.6 Mojave

Sony A7IV

Lightroom Classic 10.4 [202108071231-af9219b9]

Greetings!

I'm a Lightroom Classic subscriber running the final Lightroom version compatible with my legacy Mac— and, the Mac is running the final OS version it can run.

The issue is… I recently purchased the Sony A7iv and Lightroom will not convert (import) the .ARW files from the new camera to .DNG files for use in Lightroom. I had no issues importing into Lightroom with my previous A7iii camera.

There’s an Adobe app called Adobe DNG Converter that can serve as a workaround in situations like this, but the current version isn't supported on older OS's like mine. I’ve also tried running archived Adobe DNG Converter versions without success.

Someone over on the Adobe forum suggested my only recourse is to get a new Mac. The thing is, I love my old Mac. I purchased it new, it’s equipped perfectly for my needs, it still runs great with plenty of processing power, and it has loads of onboard storage.

I’m wondering if anyone here has a suggestion for another way I can work-around this issue and get my A7IV photos into Lightroom.

Thank You!

Maybe you can try installing a newer version mac OS using OpenCore? Check it out and see if it's something you're comfortable doing.

OpenCore Legacy Patcher

Experience macOS just like before

dortania.github.io

 

[robgendreau]

Mac Pro 5,1 Mid 2010

OS X 10.14.6 Mojave

Sony A7IV

Lightroom Classic 10.4 [202108071231-af9219b9]

Greetings!

I'm a Lightroom Classic subscriber running the final Lightroom version compatible with my legacy Mac— and, the Mac is running the final OS version it can run.

The issue is… I recently purchased the Sony A7iv and Lightroom will not convert (import) the .ARW files from the new camera to .DNG files for use in Lightroom. I had no issues importing into Lightroom with my previous A7iii camera.

There’s an Adobe app called Adobe DNG Converter that can serve as a workaround in situations like this, but the current version isn't supported on older OS's like mine. I’ve also tried running archived Adobe DNG Converter versions without success.

Someone over on the Adobe forum suggested my only recourse is to get a new Mac. The thing is, I love my old Mac. I purchased it new, it’s equipped perfectly for my needs, it still runs great with plenty of processing power, and it has loads of onboard storage.

I’m wondering if anyone here has a suggestion for another way I can work-around this issue and get my A7IV photos into Lightroom.

Thank You!

Yeah, upgrading one bit of hardware does often lead to the need to upgrade other hardware.

I assume Sony's own software won't do DNG, but you could convert to TIFF perhaps. Big hassle though. Or maybe just get another raw converter besides Adobe's that will still work on your machine.

If you have an iPhone or iPad with current non Classic Lr you could use that to convert I think. There are web-hosted converters. And if you have the Adobe subscription, you have access to Photoshop on the Web (still beta I believe). It might be able to do DNG conversions.

 

[CAcreeks]

IrfanView and ImageMagick can convert ARW to DNG.

Unless you already have Parallels of VMware, it would be easier to install ImageMagick with Homebrew, than to run Irfanview in a Windows VM.

I question your need for DNG, but it's your life. ARW is a more universal format than DNG, in the sense that more software applications support ARW.

 

[robgendreau]

IrfanView and ImageMagick can convert ARW to DNG.

Unless you already have Parallels of VMware, it would be easier to install ImageMagick with Homebrew, than to run Irfanview in a Windows VM.

I question your need for DNG, but it's your life. ARW is a more universal format than DNG, in the sense that more software applications support ARW.

I think the OP wants DNG so the files can be processed in an old version of Lr, since the new camera isn't supported in old Lr versions or old macOS.

 

[CAcreeks]

IrfanView and ImageMagick can convert ARW to DNG.

Unless you already have Parallels of VMware, it would be easier to install ImageMagick with Homebrew, than to run Irfanview in a Windows VM.

I question your need for DNG, but it's your life. ARW is a more universal format than DNG, in the sense that more software applications support ARW.

I think the OP wants DNG so the files can be processed in an old version of Lr, since the new camera isn't supported in old Lr versions or old macOS.

You are correct. I saw the phrase "a Lightroom subscriber" and assumed this would give access to the latest LrC, but missed the part about running the most recent version of LrC that Adobe allows on Mojave 10.14.

Here are some old versions of Adobe DNG converter. However, OP said that they do not support the A7iv.

https://www.macupdate.com/app/mac/16064/adobe-dng-converter/old-versions

There are solutions: rather than buy a new Mac, you can shoot JPEG. Or use alternate software. In the way of alternate software, I see that Darktable claims to run on Mojave.

 

[bakubo]

Mac Pro 5,1 Mid 2010

OS X 10.14.6 Mojave

Sony A7IV

Lightroom Classic 10.4 [202108071231-af9219b9]

Greetings!

I'm a Lightroom Classic subscriber running the final Lightroom version compatible with my legacy Mac— and, the Mac is running the final OS version it can run.

The issue is… I recently purchased the Sony A7iv and Lightroom will not convert (import) the .ARW files from the new camera to .DNG files for use in Lightroom. I had no issues importing into Lightroom with my previous A7iii camera.

There’s an Adobe app called Adobe DNG Converter that can serve as a workaround in situations like this, but the current version isn't supported on older OS's like mine. I’ve also tried running archived Adobe DNG Converter versions without success.

Someone over on the Adobe forum suggested my only recourse is to get a new Mac. The thing is, I love my old Mac. I purchased it new, it’s equipped perfectly for my needs, it still runs great with plenty of processing power, and it has loads of onboard storage.

I’m wondering if anyone here has a suggestion for another way I can work-around this issue and get my A7IV photos into Lightroom.

Thank You!

I read through all the replies to see what others suggested. You are in a bit of a pickle.

Here are a couple more suggestions assuming you do not want to spend much money:

1. Buy a base model M1 Macbook Air 8/7 8gb/256gb or a base model M1 Mac Mini 8/8 8gb/256gb. If you can get one as a refurb or used then you can save some money.
2. Buy an inexpensive Windows PC. This is the least expensive choice.

Install the current Adobe DNG Converter on one of those, do your conversions, and then transfer to your old Mac Pro. If they are connected on the network you can just copy the files over. If not then an external SSD or HDD could be used. Yes, I know this isn't all that convenient, but it would work.

 

[bakubo]

These sites seem to allow online conversion to DNG -- I have not tried them:

https://www.onlineconverter.com/dng

https://onlineconvertfree.com/convert/dng/

 

[StoneJack]

buy a new Mac

 

[rpjallan]

I agree with bunnyspecs. I'd be updating your operating system with Open Core Legacy Patcher. That's what I have done on my old laptop & it runs great. Pretty simple to do also.