Importing Raw - how to I stop it converting to DNG

[gunkanman]

This has only started happening today. I have created a new Catalog. On importing my raw files Lightroom is now converting everything to DNG. How do I stop this from happening?

I am running Lightroom 12.1.

[Ian Lyons · Accepted solution]

You must have inadvertently selected the 'Copy as DNG option in the Import options bar. 

[gunkanman]

Thanks Ian. 

[Ian Lyons]

Screenshot of Import options bar attached. Note that I've highlighted everthing except 'Copy as DNG'

[gunkanman]

Just to follow up. I hadn't actually clicked anything. I have just been dropping from Finder (on Mac) straight into Lightroom Classic. As I have been doing in all my years of using Lightroom.

It appears now that Lightroom 12.1 by default copies the files and DNG when dropping from Finder. And as far as I can see, there is no option to change this. The only way to get this option is to add the folders in the 'Source' side panel. I know this is the 'proper' way to use Lightroom, but I have always preferred dropping from a separate browser window. Not sure why Adobe have done this.

[TheDigitalDog]

It doesn't default to DNG. It is sticky and based on import presets. 

I just dragged and dropped a CR2 from the desktop into Lightroom Classic 12.1 and no, it didn't get converted to DNG. 

[gunkanman]

Glad it works for you. However, dragging is no longer working for me.

[TheDigitalDog]

Glad it works for you. However, dragging is no longer working for me.

By @gunkanman

Well something is very wrong on your end.

Try resetting your Lightroom preferences:
https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/setting-preferences-lightroom.html
Also see: https://community.adobe.com/t5/lightroom-classic-discussions/important-steps-for-manually-resetting-...

Quit Lightroom Classic.
macOS: Press and hold the Shift + Option keys.
Windows: Press and hold the Shift + Alt keys.
While holding down the keys, launch Lightroom Classic.
When asked, select "Yes". 

[Jao vdL]

First update using the normal import process once and select the normal option (move/copy/add) before trying the drag and drop again. Also if you drag images into Lightroom Classic, it is supposed to pop up the import panel giving you an option to change what you want to happen not just import right away. If you don't get that, delete your preferences because something is badly wrong and deleting preferences often helps in those cases.

[phillipp97141014]

Just a follow-up.  Somehow my import option got switched to DNG and now a have a separate set of folders that have a DNG heading.  The DNG folder has a 2023>2023-MM-DD folder and then all the photos are sorted by day.  The old LR import would mimic the folders I store all my photos, e.g. YYYY-MM the subfolder name.  This is really weird.  I have been using LR a very long time.  Any suggestions?

This is the Import screen.  No problem  The files are there.

This is the Windows Explorer location of the photos.

After import, they go into the DNG folder by date. Never did that before.

 

I go back to my navigation panel on the left and there 2013-02 isn't shown, just 2023-01.

I need to find the magic Preference setting.  Darn interesting.  Thank you!

[Jim Wilde]

The answer probably lies in the Destination panel of the Import dialog. Posting a screenshot of the complete Import Dialog would be helpful.

[phillipp97141014]

I think you are on to something.  I never saw the destination panel on the right when I have done an import.  Some setting must have changed when I wasn't looking.  I need to figure out the default setting.  

In this clip you can see the images on the left side in the Source folders.  I am pulling in Misc in the 2023-02 folder on my computer.  Ont the right you can see that it will go into Home>YYYY-Name.

Import operated normally.  But the left side doesn't show a 2023-02 folder.  This was automatically created with previous imports.

This screen shows that the Source finds the folder and the Destination shows the folder, but the Library sidebar doesn't in the previous image.  This is really Where's Waldo...  Wow!

This is really interesting!  Thank you Jim!

[phillipp97141014]

Problem solved.  I needed to use the Add button.  Don't get OLD!!!  Happy shooting!!!

[Jim Wilde]

Don't get OLD!!!  Happy shooting!!!

By @phillipp97141014

Too late, I'm already there!