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jonasflanken
Participating Frequently
March 18, 2016

P: Lens metadata field missing on import

  • March 18, 2016
  • 142 replies
  • 2667 views

Since updating Photoshop and Lightroom, I've noticed that the aux:lens metadata field is being deleted from my images on import, such that there is no lens listed after import. I've determined that it's Camera Raw 9.5 that seems to be the culprit, as lens metadata is retained if I use an older version of the DNG Converter v8.8 to import the same images.

For example, I had an image shot on a Sony RX100 III at 8.8mm. If I import this image with the old version of DNG Converter, and then open the converted DNG in Photoshop, the lens is reported with the full-frame equivalent focal lengths, i.e., 24-70mm F1.8-2.8, and the raw metadata has the correct aux:Lens field (24-70mm F1.8-2.8).

Conversely, if I import the same image directly into Photoshop or Lightroom, the metadata will display the correct focal length, but will not display the lens information; Lightroom reports this only as "unknown lens," and in Photoshop the aux:Lens field is missing completely.

For now, I will use the old version of DNG Converter as a workaround, but this is inconvenient, and really should be fixed.

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    142 replies

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    A
    alexlinno
    Participant
    March 21, 2016
    I don't think it strps the info completely since th elens profile in the dev module is correct
    Laura Shoe
    Laura Shoe
    Inspiring
    March 21, 2016
    Thank you, Byron!
    J
    jonasflankenAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    March 21, 2016
    I don't think there's any reason not to use version 9.4 of the DNG converter. I only used v8.8 because I already had it installed on my system. I haven't tried 9.4, but I would guess that it would work just fine.

    Regarding the bug, I think that the importer is actually stripping the aux:lens metadata field from the imported image, based on examining the raw metadata in the imported image in Photoshop. So even if the bug is fixed, I suspect the Lens metadata won't be restored for images that were imported using the buggy importer.
    Laura Shoe
    Laura Shoe
    Inspiring
    March 21, 2016
    Great information in this thread - thank you.

    I have a couple questions: first, I see version 8.8 of the DNG converter mentioned. Is there any reason not to use 9.4, which supports more cameras? 

    Second, for folks who don't use this workaround and import as usual, when the bug is fixed will they then be able to filter by lens with files imported using 6.5, or is some data actually lost?
    F
    FeedbackCommunityMember
    Inspiring
    March 21, 2016
    FWIW, I have rolled back to LightroomCC 2015.4 and the issue is resolved.  It was relatively painless for me at least.  I think I have learned my lesson for blindly updating and will have to heavily research each and every single future update before deciding to update any Adobe app ever again.  Bad show Adobe!
    Victoria Bampton LR Queen
    Community Expert
    Victoria Bampton LR QueenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 21, 2016
    To roll back, follow these instructions: How do I roll back to Lightroom 2015.1.1 or Lightroom 6.1.1?  They were written a few months ago, so instead of updating to 2015.1.1 using the direct links on that page, use the 2015.0 then the 2015.4 on the main downloads page.
    Victoria - The Lightroom Queen
    F
    FeedbackCommunityMember
    Inspiring
    March 21, 2016
    Some new information on this issue.  I have found that this issue IS NOT just with NEF files from Nikons.

    As a quick test, I imported an old CR2 file taken with a Canon 20D into Lightroom CC 2015.5.  Guess what??  It also does not get its lens model displayed!!!!!!

    How does one roll back to 2015.4 which worked without any issues at all (for me at least)?  Also, would rolling back also blowup the work flow with Photoshop CC?  Or would it also need to be rolled back?  If so, this is a major problem, not a minor inconvenience.

    Paying a monthly fee for a product, one would expect a higher quality and/or rapid turn around on fixes or updates that don't break functions that were functioning just fine!
    I
    itguy08
    Participating Frequently
    March 21, 2016
    Same issue here.  Nikon D750 and Nikon 28-300 and Nikon 14-24 lenses showing up as Unknown lens in the Library Module but the Develop module correctly identifies them.  Lightroom CC 2015.5 on OS X.
    J
    jonasflankenAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    March 20, 2016
    Yeah, for me, the DNG converter is a passable workaround for now, as I usually converting my NEFs to DNG in any event. I think any version before 9.5 should still import properly. That said, I sure hope this is fixed by the time the D5 & D500 come around; as someone seriously considering a D500, it would sure be nice to be able to import images with Lens data into Lightroom...
    C
    Caton88
    Participating Frequently
    March 20, 2016
    There is a workaround provided by Byron Chin on this page. Download the free Adobe DNG converter 8.8. Convert your photos from your camera card into a folder on your computer. Open LR and import those photos using Add. You have to use version 8.8 (or maybe other earlier versions) because the latest version 9.5 also does not import the lens field. (probably the same engine as used in LR 6.5.) Note that the DNG converter gives you the opportunity to customize the converted file name. I use a custom word + a numeric sequence that corresponds to the file number assigned by my camera, which is equivalent to Custom + Original File Number in LR Import. After you Add the photos, Lens field will be present and you can filter by Lens type.
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