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jrsigerson
Known Participant
August 30, 2017

P: Skipping some raw files on raw+jpeg import

  • August 30, 2017
  • 32 replies
  • 1368 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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    jrsigersonAuthor
    Known Participant
    September 10, 2017
    Spent an hour with customer support on Friday.

    After trashing preferences, we made one successful import and he declared the problem solved. Of course it began acting up again (importing JPEG only for 38 of 81 images - nearly half the shoot!).

    If I check "treat jpeg..." and manually deselect all the JPEGS, so all RAW is selected and all JPEG are unselected, it still imports JPEGs only for a randomly selected group of images. the Adobe representative witnessed this himself and tried to sidestep it; first saying it was expected behavior, then that it was a known issue. Finally, he basically blamed me for wanting to do such a strange thing as not import JPEGS I had no earthly use for. 

    First though, he insisted that there was a way to import RAW only, not believing me that I'd looked it up and it's well documented that you can't. He tried several different ways before, shocked and bewildered, finally admitting I was right. At least someone at Adobe admits that it's a bizarre UI omission.

    Drag and copy works for me too, or manually deleting the JPEGS off the card before I import, but what a ridiculous workaround. Especially since it would be moot if only we were allowed to filter by file type. 

    Lightroom is not living up to one of its core functions: to make photo management easy and foolproof.
    F
    FeedbackCommunityMember
    Inspiring
    September 10, 2017
    this is exactly the symptom I am experiencing right now, occasional missing RAW files from import! and i sometimes found out some of missing RAW after card was formated.  It is not just a single camera issues, but happening on multiple camera or card readers, and happening since recent update of Lightroom. 

    Right now, only work around is drag and copy files instead of using importer as this unfortunate lottery of missing RAW tend to work on file I often need to work on 😞
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