It is easy for me to see a time when my...
It is easy for me to see a time when my older RAW files are unreadable in handful or two of years. Combine the recent actions of Nikon and Canon in a few more years if nothing changes. Canon(Nikon) has a new camera the 1dsmk.VII(D5) and have managed to strongly encrypt their RAW file (aka ClosedRAW). Five years later, in order to support the new 1ds mkXX1(D7). the processing software is upgraded and support for the older 1dsMk.VII(D5) is dropped. What then? How will I get to my old RAW files? They are mine, aren't they?
With openly documented RAW files there is at least a path to follow to get those images. With openly documented RAW files there would likely be other options available. With ClosedRAW, there would be no options other than those that used the 'official SDK' where the old camera has been abandoned. A single format, openly documented used by all manufacturers could also solve the RAW problem, but how long will it take? Five years? Ten? Fifteen? How many images will be stored in ClosedRAW files during that time and what happens to them?
OpenRAW could happen tomorrow. The documentation for the existing RAW files exists, nothing needs to be created new. All that needs to happen is that existing documentation be released. OpenRAW documentation does not require that Nikon disclose how it calculates white balance, only what the result of that calculation and where and how it is stored in the RAW file. OpenRAW does not require Canon to disclose their noise reduction algorithm, only how and where the sensor data is recorded in the RAW file.
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Have you looked at the OpenEXR format as a universal RAW...
Have you looked at the OpenEXR format as a universal RAW format?
A universal RAW is pie in the sky. How would they EVER get...
A universal RAW is pie in the sky. How would they EVER get together and decide which to use? JPEG happened because people got together as they saw the future. With RAW it's well entrenched.
Making it available to software writers is the only key we can hope for. It is unfortunate, however, as I look at some aftermarket RAW converters for Nikon, they too have started dropping off some of the earlier models. For one manufacturer to think the other cannot reverse-engineer (if they want to) the encrypted RAW is pretty self-serving. The those who get hurt in all this are the professional photographers now and the future generations that may not have access to the files.