From an SD Card, LrM saw (and imported) the ORF and JPG but didn't even show or import the ORI file

[iwaddo]

Hi

When importing from the SD card from my OM-1 LrM saw (and imported) the ORF and JPG but didn't even show or Import the ORI file.

The ORI is produced by the OM-1 when using High Res mode.

This could be quite a serious data loss issue! It does seem to be a mobile Import issue, not the file type not being supported, as import of the ORI from SD to Desktop works fine and it can then be seen and edited in the mobile app.

The excellent excellent team over at lightrromqueen.com we're able to reproduce the issue. Here is the thread.

Please let me know if I can help further 

[Charlie.D]

Hello @iwaddo 

If you saw a separate message from me, please ignore that.  It was a response to an unrelated issue.

I suspect this is a platform limitation, not a LR iOS bug.  Let me ask: do .ORI files from your camera display in iOS Photos or iOS Files apps?  

In Lightroom's import screen, Lightroom can show thumbnails for any image that the platform itself can show. However, if iOS can not show thumbs at all for camera images in the native iOS Photos app or Files app, then LR also won't be able to see the images to import them.

If iOS Files or Photos only shows blank thumbs, then LR iOS can at least recognize that there are image files even if iOS is unable to provide preview thumbs for the LR import screen.  Importing blank images allows Lightroom to process said images and display them.  But LR iOS can't import images when iOS does not even display thumbnails/placeholders.

My advice: try import via LR Web instead: sign into your account at https://lightroom.adobe.com using a device (Mac or PC) that shows the files on SD memory.  Using this Lightroom web app, you can drag-and-drop your SD memory images straight into your account, even into a specific album if that's preferred.   If you have access to the Lightroom desktop app, then use that -- I just mention the LR Web app since that's also available to LR Mobile-only subscribers.

Another idea I read might work (from my reading misc items online; not something I tried myself):
Rename the file from .ORI to .ORF.  That might allow iOS to at least show a blank thumb for Lightroom to import, process, and ultimately display.  I see support for OM-1 .ORF files has existed in Lightroom for about 3 years now, according to: https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-supported-cameras.html#Supportedcameramodels 

I hope something here helps!

[iwaddo]

@Charlie.D 

You have helped and you are correct. The ORI files are not supported by Apple Photos. They do not show for import into Apple Photos from the SD card. Also, you cannot drag & drop them into Photos on my Mac - the error says they are unsupported file type.

The ORI files do show as empty thumbnails in Files and can be copied into the iCloud Drive and therefore appear on my Mac as empty thumbnails. Renaming them in macOS does allow Finder to display the thumbnail and Preview to open them.

I've done some testing with renaming the files on the SD Card before trying to import them whilst the results are improved they inconclusive as yet. It does look like an iOS limitation. Renaming the the files to .ORF in macOS does allow the images to be added to Photos on my Mac.

I also need to consider whether not having these intermediate files is actually an issue to my workflow but I have read that in some cases the High Res ORF might not be readable so people revert to the ORI which is the orginal ORF.

I plan to spend some time going through some structured testing and will reply here with what I find.

In the meantime thank you for your prompt reply and guidance.

[Paul McFarlane PSS]

While it's true they won't import into the Photos App, they are visible in Files on iOS.

[iwaddo · Accepted solution]

The workaround is to import into LrM by selecting the SD card using the LrM Files option not 'Connected camera/card'.

This imports the files directly and bypasses the Photos app.

The ORI images correctly appear on my Mac.

Thank you for your help.