DNG compatibility

[Guest]

Hello,

When converting new Raw files for older versions of Lightroom and Camera Raw, I have to choose the DNG compatibility, e.g. Camera Raw 11.2 and later. 

I'd like to know if I'm missing some newer features by choosing an older version to be supported. Are there any drawbacks of choosing the oldest version to have maximum compatibility?

[TheDigitalDog]

https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/using/adobe-dng-converter.html

Adobe provides backwards compatibility for the latest cameras for use in older versions of Photoshop, Lightroom, Bridge, After Effects, and Photoshop Elements through the DNG Converter.

As I read this, if you're working with modern versions of the above, best to use the latest versions provided and if that becomes a problem with older software, you can convert to an older one.

[Guest]

Sure, that is common sense, but it doesn't asnwer my question.

I'd like to know if I'm missing some newer features by choosing an older version to be supported. Are there any drawbacks of choosing the oldest version to have maximum compatibility?

[TheDigitalDog]

There are no such “features” but compatibility with software that may. Use the latest version. 

[Guest]

If I choose the oldest version, the size of the DNG is half the size, so I want to know if I don't lose anything why shouldn't I choose that.

[TheDigitalDog]

This is really simple: Pick the newest reversion if you're using the latest versions of LR/ACR etc.

IF you had to go back to some older version, and there were an issue, you can re-convert to the older version to use that older software. The DNG is a container, a file format. It doesn't have 'features' per se. The software that accesses this data does, it could be a factor. 

You can (I have) opened TIFFs created by the 1990 Photoshop 1.0.7 in version of Photoshop from the 21st century.

I can't open a layered TIFF from the 21st century in the 1990 version 1.0.7 of Photoshop. I could save it such it could be read (no layers for one).

[Guest]

If the data is the same, why is the older version half the size of the newer version?

I'm using 12 bit compressed NEF to DNG Camera Raw 11.2 and later. The size is 16 MB. With Camera Raw 5.6 and later, the size is 8.6 MB. If "... and later" part means compatible with all future versions, that means I could save half the hard drive space.

Is there anything the newer version allows me to do that the older doesn't? I keep asking the same question because it seems I can't find a clear answer.

[TheDigitalDog]

Is there anything the newer version allows me to do that the older doesn't? I keep asking the same question because it seems I can't find a clear answer.

By @Deleted User

Yes, and that answer was provided.

[Guest]

You never mentioned why it would be a bad idea to go with the oldest version. Your 1990 TIFFs can still be opened today, right? 

[TheDigitalDog]

You never mentioned why it would be a bad idea to go with the oldest version. Your 1990 TIFFs can still be opened today, right? 

By @Deleted User

I don’t know if you are purposely trying not to understand this, or if you are really struggling with it.

This again is really simple: Pick the newest reversion if you're using the latest versions of LR/ACR etc.

Use an older version and you can lose newer functionality (features) of the software that hosts the DNG as Per provided (the correct answer) in that respect.

[Guest]

Where can I find of the list of new functionalities per Camera Raw version?

[TheDigitalDog]

---

@Deleted User wrote:

Where can I find of the list of new functionalities per Camera Raw version?

---

https://community.adobe.com/t5/camera-raw-discussions/camera-raw-amp-dng-converter-14-2-are-now-available/td-p/12736394

[Guest]

Thanks, and what about older versions like 2.4?

[TheDigitalDog]

"Thanks, and what about older versions like 2.4?"

Search the forums based on the product(s); every time a new version is released, (such a post as provided earlier), for LR and ACR is posted.

[Per Berntsen · Accepted solution]

Yes, you will be missing features.

If you set Compatibility to Camera Raw 7.1 to be able use Photoshop CS6 or Lightroom 4, you will miss any new features introduced in Camera Raw versions released after version 7.1.

So there will be no sliders for Dehaze or Texture for instance.

[Guest]

The version I have doesn't have Texture but it seems to keep Dehaze. I don't see a lot of a difference.

[Guest]

Hello,

When converting new Raw files for older versions of Lightroom and Camera Raw, I have to choose the DNG compatibility, e.g. Camera Raw 11.2 and later. 

I'd like to know if I'm missing some newer features by choosing an older version to be supported. Are there any drawbacks of choosing the oldest version to have maximum compatibility?

If the data is the same, why is the older version half the size of the newer version?

I'm using 12 bit compressed NEF to DNG Camera Raw 11.2 and later. The size is 16 MB. With Camera Raw 5.6 and later, the size is 8.6 MB. If "... and later" part means compatible with all future versions, that means I could save half the hard drive space.

PS: I posted the same thread in Camera Raw, but I think I should have posted it in Lightroom. Sorry.