OpenRAW

The Adobe DNG converter converts RAW files to DNG. Pentax has a new camera out which will capture in DNG format. They're the first of the majors to do so, hopefully the rest will fall like dominoes.

Several DNG Converters!

There are at least 10 DNG Converters, and most important raw files can be converted to DNG somehow.

Adobe supply 3 DNG Converters: the "DNG Converter" itself, plus ACR and Lightroom.

Camera manufacturers supply some DNG Converters for their own products:
http://www.barry.pearson.name/articles/dng/products.htm#manufacturers

"Amateurs" supply some specialised DNG Converters for some niche products:
http://www.barry.pearson.name/articles/dng/products.htm#converters

One person has adapted the well-known dcraw code to output DNG instead of its usual formats. If developed further, that might cater for nearly all cameras of interest:
http://mat.users.geeky.net/serendipity/index.php?/archives/244-A-dcraw-patch-to-enable-DNG-output-finally!.html

There is no doubt whatsoever that DNG is the primary way of satisfying the objectives of OpenRAW. OpenRAW should be backing initiatives to improve the quality of conversion to DNG. They should also be ensuring that all their supporters endorse and process DNG.

When OpenRAW was launched, there were 25 non-Adobe products that supported DNG, none of them from camera manufacturers. Now, more than 140 products from more than 130 non-Adobe sources support DNG, including many from camera manufacturers - cameras, digital backs, software. (Two more cameras in the last week).

Was there ever one standard for film other than ISO? Shouldn't RAW be proprietary? Wouldn't create an environment that facilitates more creativity by increasing the amount of things that can be done with different systems? If all systems record the same then you get one format, right? It would be like all of us shooting on the same film or film made by one company wouldn't it? Algortihms, mechanics, formats...all of that stuff should be different. Someone needs to make an app to work on all of it. So if thats the case create a Linux like environment where engineers can create an app that can handle and convert all the different formats. Adobe seems to have a good handle on this from what I see. So the only limitation is the amount of apps, right?

DNG doesn't stop creativity

DNG doesn't get in the way of innovation. It is a myth that it it would be like everyone using one film. Here is a page that describes how it supports innovation:
http://www.barry.pearson.name/articles/dng/innovation.htm

In fact, it is a myth that camera manufacturers are frequently improving their sensors and other hardware features in a way that needs changes to raw file formats. Most cameras are, at most, "state of the art", not "new art". The last significant change to sensor technology that would have needed an update to the DNG specification was the Fujifilm SR Super CCD, years ago.

New cameras often "add value" compared with their predecessors, but not in a way that needs raw fomat changes. Their new features can be catered for by additions to their Makernotes, and DNG can cater for that. That is why so many new cameras from many manufacturers have been supported by DNG since the last DNG version was published in February 2005.