OpenRAW

DNG is a step in the right direction, but it doesn't solve the problem. There is still a need to access the RAW formats of all the digital cameras released in the past and present. In addition, DNG is a fairly limited format that does not contain all the model-specific camera settings often stored inside the RAW files such as multiple white balance settings, gamma curves, etc. Even if the camera manufacturers were to switch to DNG today, all these model-specific settings would likely still be obfuscated.

Er, clueless newbie here; What is DNG?

Hi, Tchaik. "why not spend time on promoting DNG instead?"

In my opinion, DNG is the nearest thing we have to a solution to the goals of this website. I have been using it for over 6 months, I convert all my Raw files to DNG immediately, and I now only archive the DNG versions.

If DNG isn't the target solution, it is a major step on the way, and there will be converters to take us from DNG to the target solution.

Hi, David. Some views on your post:

"There is still a need to access the RAW formats of all the digital cameras released in the past and present":

Yes, but DNG can help here. Use the free DNG Converter to convert those files to DNG, if it supports them. It supports these:
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/cameraraw.html

"In addition, DNG is a fairly limited format that does not contain all the model-specific camera settings often stored inside the RAW files such as multiple white balance settings, gamma curves, etc. Even if the camera manufacturers were to switch to DNG today, all these model-specific settings would likely still be obfuscated":

I can't judge either whether it supports them, or what their value is. The DNG specification is available here:
http://www.adobe.com/products/dng/pdfs/dng_spec.pdf

I am much more interested in what I can achieve in combination with ACR & PS CS than in what my camera can achieve from whatever I set at the time. I never make a final print just at my camera's WB setting - that can always be improved by fine-tuning.

Adobe are making good start with DNG as a standard, it may not be perfect but long term a DNG v2 might be. Canon and Nikon etc will need to forced in to accepting somthing like OpenRaw or a standard Digital negative format, afetr all whats in it for the big boys to play? Why would they make it easy to switch brands? Or an I being cynical..... Consumers and pro's have the power = their wallets and the manufacturers have to follow.

Er, clueless newbie here; What is DNG?

OpenRAW and DNG are not mutually exclusive. Wouldn't Openly documented RAW formats help DNG? Read more in my post. [http://www.openraw.org/comments/?id=226]

Jean, go to http://www.adobe.com/dng/ for info on DNG.