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jrsigerson
Known Participant
August 30, 2017

P: Skipping some raw files on raw+jpeg import

  • August 30, 2017
  • 32 replies
  • 1366 views

For several years now, users have been asking for a way to import only the RAW file when shooting RAW+jpeg. In fact, it's never been satisfactorily explained to me why I would ever want to import the jpeg into Lightroom.

I do all my post work on a desktop workstation, but I shoot tethered to a laptop, to which I only import jpegs for reasons of speed and storage (the image pops up immediately, and I don't have to constantly trash all the RAWs to save HD space). Once I'm ready to import, I have no further use for the jpegs. I can't even imagine a reason I'd want to bring them into Lightroom.

There is no way to do this in Lightroom's import interface, and I guess there never will be, and I'd made my peace with that, until Lightroom learned a new trick recently. 

Several imports in a row now, Lightroom has imported the RAW and the jpeg for most of the card, but skips the RAW for several images and only brings in the jpeg. This is not immediately apparent, as you can imagine. Fortunately, I've caught it every time but once before formatting the card, and been able to import the missing RAWs manually. Once, I'd already formatted the card but was able to find the missing files with Photorescue. 

It's just all the more infuriating because it wouldn't even be an issue except for that one stupid omission in the import dialogue. I can't even threaten to "take my business elsewhere", because even if I switch to Capture One, I'm still paying for two Creative Cloud subscriptions (long story; one computer too many in my workflow). 

I can only hope this is just a bug that will be squashed before the excruciating workarounds age me prematurely. More.

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    32 replies

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    F
    FeedbackCommunityMember
    Inspiring
    November 7, 2017
    I am having a really BIG issue with importing. First, all of my images are RAW. I use the import all photos button to import. Here is what I do so maybe you can understand a little better of my workflow.  I first place my CF card into the card reader. I then begin my import. With the first CF card import I usually have no issues. But right after my import is finished and my 1:1 previews have been created, I safely eject my card and place another CF card into my reader (I use multiple cards for weddings).  I then start my importing again for this new card. I start seeing immediately that the pictures are not what is on the card. They are the other images from the last card I just imported. But, most of them (not all) are now at a 90 degree angle (the image is sideways). I immediately stop the import. I safely eject the card. Put the same card back in and start importing again. This seems to do the trick, but at the end of the importing I go back and check to make sure that all images have imported and sure enough they have not. I have to repeat the importing steps (sometimes 4 times) to make sure I get all the images. Being there is usually (for weddings) around 1000 images being imported this takes a lot of my time up. I have noticed it for the smaller imports as well (around 300-400 images). This only started when I updated. I have not done anything differently than I normally would. I would love some feedback on this! Thanks!
    J
    JayS_In_CT
    Participating Frequently
    October 14, 2017
    Try letting the card fully read before hitting the Import button (you can see the count climbing on the selected folder).  Once the card is read, then hit import and see if that helps...  Also, is the target an SSD or HDD?
    J
    jrsigersonAuthor
    Known Participant
    September 25, 2017
    I created a macro that launches any time a volume named EOS_DIGITAL is mounted and finds and deletes all the jpegs. Lightroom always imports all the raws if no jpegs are present, and having it work automatically means I can't forget.

    Maybe the next Lightroom will fix whatever's going wrong, but I'm not holding my breath. 
    F
    FeedbackCommunityMember
    Inspiring
    September 25, 2017
    I am actually on similar set up, Lightroom 2015.12 and Mac IS 10.11.16 
    It happened on both brands new and old card, so it is more to do with something more random.  And only way to know is going manually checking to see if there are missing RAW file going thru list of file, so it is not exactly fun things to when you are on tight schedule. 
    J
    jrsigersonAuthor
    Known Participant
    September 15, 2017
    I can't say that I'm perfectly satisfied with an image organizer program that imports most of my images, sometimes - usually at least half. 

    Adobe should consider adding a feature that allows me to import all the RAW images off a card without randomly skipping some and replacing with JPEG. Perhaps most users enjoy the thrill of suspense, wondering which of their images will be imported as RAW and which as JPEG.

    Unfortunately I'm old and set in my ways. I have distinct UI expectations that I can't let go of, prejudicial though they may be.
    J
    jrsigersonAuthor
    Known Participant
    September 10, 2017
    Actually, maybe I started using a new card around that time, but I went back to the old one during my initial troubleshooting. 
    J
    jrsigersonAuthor
    Known Participant
    September 10, 2017
    Not a thing.

    Although to be honest, I can't say for sure that it's never done it before, only that  I first noticed that I only had a jpeg version of a select a couple of weeks ago.
    Victoria Bampton LR Queen
    Community Expert
    Victoria Bampton LR QueenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 10, 2017
    So what changed a couple of weeks ago?
    Victoria - The Lightroom Queen
    J
    jrsigersonAuthor
    Known Participant
    September 10, 2017
    Lightroom 2015.12, Mac OS 10.11.6

    It was all working like a charm until a couple of weeks ago.
    Victoria Bampton LR Queen
    Community Expert
    Victoria Bampton LR QueenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 10, 2017
    Yeah, regardless of what support says, that's not expected behavior.

    Can I confirm which OS you're on, and which LR update? And what camera? The reason I ask is I had an oddity a couple of months back, and it turned out to be macOS that was missing files! So I just want to rule that out for a start.

    (And yes, filtering to just import raw files is a solid request I've heard before too.)
    Victoria - The Lightroom Queen
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