Digital Negative (DNG)

Filename extension	.dng
Developed by	Adobe Systems
Type of format	raw image format
Container for	Metadata may be embedded in XMP, Exif or IPTC formats.
Extended from	TIFF/EP

In digital photography, the Digital Negative (DNG) file format is a royalty free RAW image format designed by Adobe Systems. Its specification was announced on September 27, 2004.^[1] The same day, Adobe introduced Digital Negative to the market with its free Adobe DNG Converter program. According to Adobe, Digital Negative was a response to demand for a unifying camera raw file format.^[2] Digital Negative is based on the TIFF/EP format, and mandates use of metadata. All Adobe photo manipulation software (such as Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom) released since the announcement support DNG.

Adobe is submitting DNG to ISO for standardization.^[3]

Digital cameras

The following digital cameras support DNG, as of March 2008.^[4]

• Casio supports DNG in their Exilim PRO EX-F1.
• Hasselblad supports DNG, as an output format via software^[5] on their V96C digital back for the 503CW camera body and in the Hasselblad H-2D^[6] one; also the CF and CFH.
• Leica's Digital Modul R^[7] for the Leica R8 or Leica R9, as well as the Leica M8 and the Leica Digilux 3 natively support the DNG format.
• MegaVision E Series Monochrome back.
• NuCoreTech PEK reference platform.
• Pentax supports DNG in their K10D, K20D and K200D DSLR cameras.
• Ricoh supports DNG in the Ricoh Digital GR^[8], considered a professional compact, and the Ricoh Caplio GX^[9].
• Samsung supports DNG in their Pro815^[10] "prosumer" camera and GX-10 and GX-20 DSLR cameras.
• Sea&Sea DX‐1G^[11] underwater camera.
• Seitz Roundshot D3^[12] digital back, used in cameras such as the 6×17.
• Silicon ImagingSilicon Imaging Digital Cinema SI-1920HDVR^[13].
• Sinar now uses DNG as the RAW file standard for their eMotion series of digital backs.

Software that supports DNG

Besides Adobe Photoshop, several other software programs provide read support, and sometimes write support, for DNG files including: Adobe Lightroom, FuturixImager, The GIMP, ImageMagick, ACDSee Photo Manager, ExifTool, Aperture.^[14]

As of January 29, 2007, Hamrick's VueScan application for Mac OS X & Windows, beginning with version 8.4.05, adds support for writing DNG files from a flatbed or film scanner, as well as reading it from suitable digital cameras.

Adobe DNG Converter was published by Adobe Systems on September 27, 2004. It converts different camera raw format files into the Digital Negative (DNG) standard. It also supports lossless data compression when converting. The program is free of charge, but not open source. It can be downloaded at Adobe's site (Win and Mac).

See also

• RAW image format
• Comparison of image viewers
• DNxHD codec
• dcraw
• XMP
• other digital negative formats

References

1. ^ Adobe Systems (September 27, 2004). "Adobe Unifies Raw Photo Formats with Introduction of Digital Negative Specification". Press release.
2. ^ Kathy White (March 15, 2005). "Adobe Pushes DNG Image Format", Publish Magazine. 
3. ^ Adobe seeks International recognition for DNG (Digital Photography Review, Thu 15 May 2008)
4. ^ PEARSON, Barry. Manufacturers.
5. ^ http://www.hasselblad.co.uk/products/promotions.asp?secId=857&itemId=3644
6. ^ H2
7. ^ Leica Digital Modul R.
8. ^ Products & Solutions / GR DIGITAL | Ricoh Global
9. ^ Products & Solutions / Caplio GX100 | Ricoh Global
10. ^ PRO815 : Samsung Advanced Digital Camera
11. ^ Index of /DX-1G
12. ^ Seitz Phototechnik AG - Roundshot D3
13. ^ Silicon Imaging
14. ^ Complete list of the software editors which informed Adobe of their products compatibility.

• Cohen, Peter (2006-09-19). "Adobe offers Camera Raw update, Universal DNG Converter", Macworld. Retrieved on 2006-12-03. 

External links

• Official Adobe DNG page
  • Digital Negative Specification v. 1.1.0.0 (February 2005)
  • Introducing the Digital Negative Specification
  • Introducing the Digital Negative Specification: Information for Manufacturers
  • DNG hardware and software support

• Nixon, Stuart. "Notes on the future of Open RAW formats, and a look at DNG (was: DNG Is Not the Answer)". The OpenRAW Working Group. Retrieved on 2006-12-28.
• Pearson, Barry. "DNG articles and links". Retrieved on 2006-12-28.
• Pearson, Barry. "Commentary on Stuart Nixon's "DNG is not the answer"". Retrieved on 2006-12-28.