PEF or DNG?

Jodokast96 · 01-06-2008, 01:27 PM

What are the advantages and pros and cons of each? Which do you use and why?

kay · 01-06-2008, 01:35 PM

PEF, because it takes up less space. I convert to DNG in import.

travis_cooper · 01-06-2008, 01:47 PM

I don't have the DNG option on the K110D, so I use PEF. I have no idea what the advantages or disadvantes are to each one.

jshurak · 01-06-2008, 01:52 PM

DNG. For a few reasons.

I don't really see the file size difference as a huge issue.

Importing times. I use Lightroom for all my work. It already takes a decent amount of time to import. I like to think that it may go just a little faster without having to convert over. But, like I said, I like to think...

chrisman · 01-06-2008, 02:09 PM

DNG because I do not have to convert. My 4GB card still gives me ~230 shots and I do not notice any difference in speed.

timmy71 · 01-06-2008, 02:17 PM

Not sure of advantages but I use DNG, and elements 6.

*Canada_Rockies* · 01-06-2008, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Jodokast96

What are the advantages and pros and cons of each? Which do you use and why?

I use PEF to get a few more RAW shots on a card, and because certain programs will not open DNG, they expect unaltered camera RAW images - DxO is one.

Reps · 01-06-2008, 02:46 PM

But for bursts DNG is faster...
Best and happy shooting, JR

*Canada_Rockies* · 01-06-2008, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Reps

But for bursts DNG is faster...
Best and happy shooting, JR

I've heard that, but the closest I come to burst shooting is 5x bracketing

GEli · 01-06-2008, 02:52 PM

DNG as the size difference is not sufficiently large enough to merit the extra time it takes to convert when importing.

JohnM · 01-06-2008, 06:15 PM

I only use DNG because that is the only option on my GX-10! But if I had the option, I would still shoot DNG. I like the potential of a universal open standard. Also I hear things go faster with DNG vs. PEF anyhow. The storage issue is a non-issue IMHO.

... oh, and DNG works flawlessly with Lightroom!

Tom M · 01-07-2008, 10:34 AM

I shoot PEF.

I recently, due to some major hardware and software changing, considered switching to DNG. After recieving some good information regarding both formats I have decided to stay with PEF.

Some key points as to why..

Can fit more images on card.

Can write more images to a card per minute, though DNG does write more initially until buffer is full. Two images more, that's it!

Can always be converted to DNG at a later date.

Adobe products work identically with PEF as they do DNG.

Considering future Pentax cameras and what software they might ship with, PEF will be supported guarranteed.

Many claims as to how DNG somehow produces better/sharper images - are all false.

No import time differences using Adobe Aperture - both are equally slow.

And finally, not really a reason why but, Godfrey DiGiorgi shoots PEF as well..

**Peter Zack** · 01-07-2008, 10:58 AM

PEF. i still use Silkypix to review the shots I've taken and then the ones I want to do something with will be converted to TIFF format for PP. I use Paint.net instead of PS and it will support DNG but I haven't figured out a way to quickly and easily review the shots on the card. Some software upgrades will be coming this year and that workflow will change I'm sure. But it works for me and doesn't take much time to convert the 'good' shots to a TIFF and then do any PP work I want.

silvershoes · 01-07-2008, 04:15 PM

PEF.

DNG may be a "universal open standard", but Adobe has already changed it a time or two. Yuck.

barondla · 01-07-2008, 07:47 PM

PEF! I trust pentax a heck of a lot more than Adobe. They took my favorite Raw Shooter program and killed it( after buying the premium version). Now use the Pentax Silky converter and like the looks of it better than anything else tried. Dng doesn't seem so open to me. Have run into more things working with pef than dng.

thanks
barondla