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davidminehart
Inspiring
March 21, 2025
Question

LrC 14.2 loses track of originals after import

  • March 21, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 447 views

On my Mac Mini M1, using LrC 14.2 under Sequoia 15.3.2, I import NEF files from my Nikon's memory card via a card reader attached to a USB port on my Mac. I have LrC put them into a folder named with the photo's creation date ("YYYY-MM-DD" format) within my year folder ("YYYY" format) within my Lightroom Photos folder on an external drive. After copying them to that newly created folder, Lightroom converts the original NEFs to DNGs, discarding the NEFs. My first editing step in Library is to rename that new folder, adding descriptive info to the date starting the filename. I then do my edits in Develop on what seem to be normal, high resolution files, then return to Library, and select some photos to save as JPGs for online posting. On giving the command to export the JPGs, Lightroom gives a message to the effect that it cannot locate original files, asking whether I still wish to proceed with Smart Previews if available. I'm forced to cancel the export, then quit and restart LrC, after which it has no problem with the JPG export. I'm wondering whether the DNG conversion may be the source of this problem, with LrC somehow and somewhere tracking only the NEF import and not updating after doing the DNG conversion. This has only appeared since the 14.2 (or perhaps 14.1.2) upgrade.

2 replies

J
Community Expert
Jao vdLCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 22, 2025

This does sound like a bug with 14.2. It definitely shouldn't think the file is gone. I have never seen this as I never convert to dng (only advantage is slightly smaller files and disadvantage is losing file compatibility so I don't bother) upon import but yeah the gradual dng conversion in the background is probably the issue.

    GoldingD
    GoldingD
    Legend
    March 21, 2025
    After copying them to that newly created folder, Lightroom converts the original NEFs to DNGs, discarding the NEFs.

    That statement just begs to inquire several questions and at least one possibly wrong assumption. But instead og getting into that, perhaps a request for clarity on your import process. starting with

     

    In import, are you selecting Add, Copy, or Copy as DNG?

     

    Assumption is Copy, but then how do you move on to DNG? If Copy as DNG, then are you deleting the RAW post import?

    D
    davidminehartAuthor
    Inspiring
    March 21, 2025
    Copy as DNG copies the NEF to the target folder it creates, complete with
    progress indicator at top left of Library screen. When the import process
    is complete, the DNG conversion begins, with its own progress indicator
    taking about as long as the initial NEF import. The NEFs disappear,
    presumably deleted after the DNG conversion. I’ve not checked the Trash to
    see if the NEFs are there.
    DdeGannes
    Community Expert
    DdeGannesCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    March 22, 2025

    Lightroom Classic does not delete images from the SD card when you import from the card so if you use Copy as DNG to your computer you will experiencing what you say is happening. The original NEF will be on the SD card.

    In addition, as far as I recall there is an option at import to also copy to another location and this would capy the original NEF image.

    Its is a good option to retain a copy of your original raw files, it's the only way to work with them in your Camera Software, since it will not be possible with them in your Adobe DNG files.

     

    Regards, Denis: iMac 27” mid-2015, macOS 11.7.10 Big Sur; 2TB SSD, 24 GB Ram, GPU 2 GB; LrC 12.5,; Lr 6.5, PS 24.7,; ACR 15.5,; (also Laptop Win 11, ver 24H2, LrC 15.0.1, PS 27.0; ) Camera Oly OM-D E-M1.
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