dcraw is a freely distributable (with source code available ) Raw conversion utility that supports Raw file conversion from more than 96 different cameras. David Coffin developed the software with no support whatsoever from any camera manufacturer and single-handedly deciphered the algorithms required to unencrypt, extract and process RAW files.
In an interview on dpreview, he provides some insights into the Nikon vs. Adobe debate.
He says that Phase One, Sony, Foveon, and Canon all encrypt their files, and that decoding is a relatively straightforward process which can take "minutes or months, depending on the complexity of the format". He notes that compression is NOT the same as encryption, and Kodak is only performing compression on their data while Canon, Nikon, and Foveon compress the image data and encrypt some of the metadata.
According to Coffin, the root of the issue is that "Adobe wants to commoditize the digital camera, and the camera makers want to stop them." Although "Photographers have reason to feel scared" about the encryption trend, in Nikon's case, "I'm not so worried. Whatever scheme Nikon tries next, I'll just reverse-engineer it."
Regarding the standard statement by the camera manufacturers that they know how to "best" work with their data files, Coffin asserts that the third party applications often do a better job with the data than the manufacturers software. "Whatever advantage the manufacturer has, it disappears when a camera reaches the market." he claims.
Thomas Knoll recently expressed that legal action by Nikon against de-encryption of the data they produce might be in the realm of possibility. Coffin considers that a self-defeating move: "If anyone sued me, I'd be the biggest free software hero since Jon Johanson."
Dave Coffin says: "root of the issue is that Adobe wants to commoditize the digital camera, and the camera makers want to stop them."
That is a more elegant way of saying some of things I was expressing here:
http://avondale.typepad.com/rawformat/2005/04/canon_and_other.html
If camera manufacturers go down this route, I wonder how long it would be until one of them broke ranks? Nikon & Canon would try to hold out, but would the "lesser" manufacturers see things their way?
Nikon & Canon have massive advantages because of their major market share. But some of that advantage would disappear if all camera manufacturing were commoditised.
Imagine one of the others saying "in the inevitable commoditised market we may be relatively better off anyway, and if we make the first leap into Open Raw formats we can get an advantage". Would it work? Or is that simply wishful thinking?
CAN a camera hardware manufacturer prevent being commoditised in this way?
Posted by: Barry Pearson | April 27, 2005 at 09:49 AM
My inner econ major seems to have been accurate in the assesment that the correlation between embracing DNG would be inversely related to market share. The cameras that write DNG have the lower levels of share at this time. I am guessing it's Canon and Nikon that will be the last to write to DNG.
On the one hand, I can see their point but on the other, Dell makes money in the PC hardware game don't they? (Maybe Nikon wants to be like Apple and buck the standard.) Cameras are not really like PCs though, if they were truly commodities, the cheapest one would own the market. There is more to a camera than just the format it writes...
Posted by: Steve Broback | April 27, 2005 at 01:55 PM
By this token, there should be a direct correlation between DNG and Four-thirds. Unfortunately for those of us who would like an open RAW format but not be stuck with tiny noisy sensors with limited lens selections.
Posted by: Fazal Majid | April 27, 2005 at 11:56 PM
Black on Blue interface?
Posted by: Robert Hawtin | March 03, 2006 at 08:15 AM
Im thinking when will it last.
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