Since Darktable 5 does not support Apple’s native RAW format, I recommend using the Halide app, which generates its own RAW files. While Halide requires a modest subscription fee, it offers additional features that make it worth the cost. For example, Halide allows you to disable automatic enhancements, resulting in softer, more film-like photos.
To transfer your photos to your computer, I suggest using the PhotoSync app. It includes essential features, such as the ability to copy only RAW files and sync them to your own server via SMB.
Lastly, I strongly recommend creating a preset for the Highlight Reconstruction module in Darktable and applying it automatically to all your iPhone RAWs. This module attempts to restore colors in the brightest parts of an image, but the default clipping threshold—when using the “Inpaint Opposed” method—can produce unwanted color casts. To avoid this, set the threshold to 80%.
Would adobe’s free DNG converter provide a suitable starting point for iPhone Raws? I use this program for unsupported cameras to edit in DT. I would always keep the original RAW file in the hope of DT support in the future.
I was considering that option, but I decided that I did not want to manually convert every single RAW photo. And besides, getting Adobes DNG converter to work on Linux seemed complicated.
I already use Halide and its Pro Raw format, but it is always a struggle to get them to my Linux PC, so thanks for the tip on the PhotoSync app. I have installed it and will try it out in a minute.
I had come to a “solution” of saving the DNGs one at a time from Halide to the iOS Files app, then sending them to an email, then opening the email on my PC and saving them to my filesystem. The most recent time I tried this, Gmail would not allow me to upload the DNG, even though I had done it, successfully, just a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know why.
Adobe DNG converter will do a whole folder at a single time making it less of a painful experience. However, I not sure if anyone has managed to use Adobe’s DNG converter or another DNG converter on a Linux machine.
I can recommend this for Android devices as well. It’s a bit clunky to set up, but works reliably. I, too, back up to an SMB share, and import into Darktable from there.
