Converting Legacy Image Formats: What Actually Works
Migrating old image files into current formats while keeping quality and metadata.
Imogen Clarke
What is at stake
Old proprietary formats become unreadable, and conversion is easier before the software disappears.
The playbook
- Convert to open archival formats
- Verify metadata survives conversion
- Keep originals until conversion is verified
- Avoid lossy intermediate steps
- Document the conversion process
Where it goes wrong
Avoid:
- Discarding originals immediately
- Lossy conversion of masters
- Conversions that drop rights metadata
- Waiting until software support ends
The numbers behind it
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Proprietary raw | older camera raw formats may lose software support |
| Archival formats | open formats such as TIFF and DNG improve longevity |
| Metadata | conversions can drop embedded information |
| Quality | repeated lossy conversion degrades images |
Getting outside help
When to hand it over: Bring in help when archives use obsolete formats.
Where this comes from
- Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative — Technical Guidelines for Digitizing Cultural Heritage Materials
- Adobe Help Center — Camera Raw User Guide
The figures and practices above come from the sources listed.
Working on something like this?
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Where to go next
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