DNG and Macs

[mwfanelli2]

I don't know why I always get dragged into these things after the deed is done. My semi-serious cousin switched to a Mac without asking me first. Now, he is stuck with lots of RAW photo files he converted to DNG (Adobe) format, something a Mac can't read or use natively. Not that bad, as Apple supports only his new Nikon's RAW but not the RAW formats of his older Nikon and his Fuji and Panasonic P&S.

I use Windows for photo editing (IMHO, vastly better support for photographers) and my several-hours search has yielded nothing great. It appears to me he only has three choices:

1. Buy Photoshop. This is an extremely expensive solution for someone who won't use most of the functions.
2. Buy Elements. Great product on Windows but the Mac version is pathetic. I know, I tried it out on my own MacBook!
3. Buy Lightroom. I tried this as well. It's an OK product but doesn't have the editing functions he needs. It's not primarily an editing application so no surprise. It's sort of the other extreme from PhotoShop.

Does anyone know of an alternative to these three that runs on a Mac? I could have him use my Windows machine to convert all his DNGs to TIFF but that would defeat the purpose of RAW in the first place. Or maybe he will just have to bite the bullet and buy one of the three. Sigh...

Suggestions?

[mjs1973]

Hmmm... My vote of the options above is to bite the bullet and get PS. I don't have any experience with Elements so I'm taking your word for it as not being a good alternative. I have LR, and I don't use it. I do all of my converting, organizing and editing with PS and Bridge. It just works and fits better for me. If you know anyone who works at a university ;) you should be able to get a good deal on Photoshop.

This brings up an interesting topic about DNG files. I haven't bought into DNG yet, and I'm not sure I will. There was shot discussion on converting to DNG on the latest Photofocus podcast.

[SmartWombat]

Well my first thought is Aperture is the Mac alternative to Lightroom.
Again like LR it's not an editing program, but a library, catalogue, and quick touch-up program. And it handles RAW formats (though I don't know how many).
If you need editing beyond that, all our Mac-heads in marketing say use photoshop.

[mwfanelli2]

Aperture does not support DNG or many other RAW formats. Users have been asking for support for a long time. According to Apple (warning: second hand info), Aperture is for pros so only pro cameras are supported in any real way. The iPhoto app is for snap shooters who never use RAW. If it isn't supported by Leopard, most Mac apps won't support the format either.

Yeah, Photoshop would solve all the RAW problems but even the faculty version that I could buy for him is $300, very steep for basic editing and more money then he has. He is not a student, even that would still be $200.

[OldClicker]

What did he use in Windows to handle the DNGs? If it was Adobe something, he could probably get PS as an upgrade. – TF

[opus]

I think he should do a little more research. Apple supports a DNG converter to create DNG files for the mac, so you'd think they also support DNG files. I don't have time to do thorough research, but I think a call to an Apple store would yield a quick answer.

Or a call to Adobe.

http://www.adobe.com/products/dng/

[mwfanelli2]

I think he should do a little more research. Apple supports a DNG converter to CREATE DNG files for the mac, so you'd think they also support DNG files. I don't have time to do thorough research, but I think a call to an Apple store would yield a quick answer.

Or a call to Adobe.

http://www.adobe.com/products/dng/

You are a genius, bar or not.

I just downloaded the Automator task you mentioned and it was able to create a DNG that the Mac can read. I am not sure why the Adobe DNG converter doesn't do that. Maybe Apple adds or sutracts something (linear is off just as Apple recommends). In any case, the automator task converted the original RAW files (Panny and Fuji) into Mac-likable DNG. I've copied the DNG to a USB drive and will try it on Windows when I get home.

Why do these things have to be so convoluted? I'll tell my cousin to reconvert all his original RAW files using the Mac converter.

Thanks.