# TIFF/EP

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For the standard Tag Image File Format, see [TIFF](/source/TIFF).

**Tag Image File Format/Electronic Photography** (**TIFF/EP**) is a [digital image](/source/Digital_image) [file format](/source/File_format) [standard](/source/Open_standard) – [ISO](/source/International_Organization_for_Standardization) 12234-2, titled "Electronic still-picture imaging – Removable memory – Part 2: TIFF/EP image data format". This is different from the [Tag Image File Format](/source/Tag_Image_File_Format), which is a standard administered by [Adobe](/source/Adobe_Systems) currently called "TIFF, Revision 6.0 Final – June 3, 1992".

The TIFF/EP standard is based on a subset of the [Adobe](/source/Adobe_Systems) [TIFF](/source/Tag_Image_File_Format) standard, and a subset of the [JEITA](/source/Japan_Electronics_and_Information_Technology_Industries_Association) [Exif](/source/Exchangeable_image_file_format) standard, with some differences and extensions.

One of the uses of TIFF/EP is as a [raw image format](/source/Raw_image_format). A characteristic of most digital cameras (but excluding those using the [Foveon X3 sensor](/source/Foveon_X3_sensor) or similar, hence especially [Sigma](/source/Sigma_Corporation) cameras) is that they use a [color filter array (CFA)](/source/Color_filter_array). Software processing a raw image format for such a camera needs information about the configuration of the color filter array, so that the raw image can identify separate data from the individual sites of the sensor. Ideally this information is held within the raw image file itself, and TIFF/EP uses the tags that begin "CFA", CFARepeatPatternDim, and CFAPattern, which are only relevant for raw images.

This standard has not been adopted by most camera manufacturers – Exif/[DCF](/source/Design_rule_for_Camera_File_system) is the current industry standard file organisation system which uses [the exchangeable image file format](/source/Exif). However, TIFF/EP provided a basis for the raw image formats of a number of cameras. One example is [Nikon](/source/Nikon)'s NEF raw file format, which uses the tag TIFF/EPStandardID (with value 1.0.0.0).[1] Adobe's [Digital Negative](/source/Digital_Negative) (DNG) raw file format was based on TIFF/EP, and the DNG specification states "DNG... is compatible with the TIFF-EP standard".[2] Several cameras use DNG as their raw file format, so in that limited sense they use TIFF/EP too.[3]

## New tags

The following new tags are defined in the TIFF/EP standard, all to be placed in the first TIFF Image File Directory (IFD):

TIFF/EP Tag# Tag Name 014A16 SubIFDs 015B16 JPEGTables 828D16 CFARepeatPatternDim 828F16 BatteryLevel 83BB16 IPTC/NAA 877316 InterColorProfile 882916 Interlace 882A16 TimeZoneOffset 882B16 SelfTimerMode 920D16 Noise 921116 ImageNumber 921216 SecurityClassification 921316 ImageHistory 921616 TIFF/EPStandardID

## Differences from TIFF and Exif

There are no major departures by the TIFF/EP standard from the TIFF standard, except that many of the TIFF tags are ignored.

The TIFF/EP standard does however have a few notable differences from the [Exif](/source/Exchangeable_image_file_format) standards:

- All tags used by TIFF/EP which are defined by the Exif standard to reside within the Exif Sub-IFD now reside directly under the first (main) TIFF IFD.
- The Exif IFD Sub-IFD, Interoperability Sub-IFD and the MakerNote Tag have all been omitted.
- Unlike the [TIFF](/source/Tag_Image_File_Format) 6.0 standard, the TIFF/EP standard defines a method of dealing with thumbnail images. This however is different from the method that is used in the [Exif](/source/Exchangeable_image_file_format) standard.
- Several tags defined by the Exif standard have been re-defined in the TIFF/EP standard – see table below.

TIFF/EP Tag# Exif Tag# Tag Name 920B16 A20B16 FlashEnergy 920C16 A20C16 SpatialFrequencyResponse 920E16 A20E16 FocalPlaneXResolution 920F16 A20F16 FocalPlaneYResolution 921016 A21016 FocalPlaneResolutionUnit 921416 A21416 SubjectLocation 921516 A21516 ExposureIndex 921716 A21716 SensingMethod 828E16 A30216 CFAPattern

## Compression

Images in TIFF/EP files may be stored in uncompressed form, or using JPEG baseline DCT-based [lossy compression](/source/Lossy_compression). TIFF/EP also allows usage of other compression methods, but TIFF/EP readers are not required to decompress these images. All TIFF/EP readers shall support the DCT (lossy) baseline version of the TIFF/JPEG compression method described in TIFF 6.0 Technical note #2. The JPEG compression is indicated using a value of 000716 in the Compression tag-field as a binary value.[4]

There may be more than one image (subfile) in a TIFF 6.0 file. Each subfile is defined by Image File Directory (IFD). If an image compression method is used in TIFF/EP, an uncompressed Baseline TIFF-readable "thumbnail" image (with a reduced-resolution) should also be stored in the 0th IFD of TIFF/EP, to allow the images to be viewed and identified using a Baseline TIFF 6.0 reader. (Note: JPEG compression is not required for Baseline TIFF 6.0 readers.)[4]

TIFF/EP files may optionally use lossless JPEG compression and other JPEG compressions, but TIFF/EP readers are not required to decompress these images. If the lossless JPEG compression is used, the recommended form is lossless sequential DPCM using Huffman coding. TIFF/EP files may also optionally support vendor unique compression, but TIFF/EP readers are only required to open the uncompressed "thumbnail" image that may be present in IFD0. Proprietary compression methods can be used by obtaining a private compression tag value from the TIFF administrator (Adobe).[4]

TIFF/EP complies with the TIFF 6.0 specification. The reason is to maintain compatibility with existing TIFF readers, and to make the adoption of TIFF/EP as easy as possible.

The TIFF Tag 259 (010316) stores the information about the Compression method. Its use is mandatory in TIFF/EP. There is no default value in TIFF/EP, but the tag value shall equal "000116" for the thumbnail IFD. The following is a list of defined TIFF/EP compression schemes:[4]

See also: [TIFF#TIFF Compression Tag](/source/TIFF#TIFF_Compression_Tag)

TIFF/EP Compression Tag values Tag value Compression scheme Description 000116 Uncompressed Shall be supported by TIFF/EP readers; shall be used for the thumbnail IFD; may be used for images 000716 TIFF/JPEG compression ('new-style' JPEG) TIFF/EP readers are only required to support Baseline DCT JPEG method Other values > 7FFF16 Vendor unique compression methods TIFF/EP readers are not required to support these compressions

## Timeline for development and revision

Dates limited to publicly available sources:

Date Event 1998 A DIS (Draft International Standard) of TIFF/EP was available from ISO.[4] 2001 TIFF/EP was ratified and published by ISO as an International Standard.[5] 2006 TIFF/EP began its 5-year revision cycle by ISO Working Group WG18.[6] 2007 (March) An email from WG18 stated "The Adobe DNG format was derived from this standard and the group has Adobe's permission to incorporate modifications and developments made for DNG in the new standard".[7] 2008 (May) There was further confirmation that Adobe had offered the DNG specification to ISO as part of ISO's TIFF/EP standard.[8] 2008 (September) Minutes of ISO/TC 130/WG2 — Prepress Data Exchange, 37th Meeting: "WG 18 is revising the two-part standard (ISO 12234), which addresses digital camera removable memory. The revision of Part 1 will add JPEG2000; the revision of Part 2 will add DNG into TIFF/EP."[9] 2009 (September) Minutes of ISO/TC 130/WG2 — Prepress Data Exchange, 39th Meeting: the revision "is comprehensive to support many different use cases, including backward compatibility with current TIFF readers and support of Adobe DNG. There are two interoperability profiles defined: Profile 1 (proposed extension .tif) will provide an intended output-referred interpretation (reproduction color appearance), supporting any color encoding that can be supported using an ICC profile, including output-referred, scene-referred, and demosaiced camera raw... Profile 2 (proposed extension .dng, if Adobe is in agreement) is intended for camera raw images, including un-demosaiced images... This format will be similar to DNG 1.3, which serves as the starting point for development."[10]

## See also

- [TIFF](/source/TIFF) (Tag Image File Format)
- [Exif](/source/Exif) (Exchangeable image file format)
- [Design rule for Camera File system](/source/Design_rule_for_Camera_File_system) (DCF)
- [International Organization for Standardization](/source/International_Organization_for_Standardization)
- [List of ISO standards](/source/List_of_ISO_standards)

## References

1. Pearson, Barry, ["What is in a raw file?"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120225230304/http://www.barrypearson.co.uk/articles/dng/raw.htm#contents), archived from [the original](http://www.barrypearson.co.uk/articles/dng/raw.htm#contents) on 2012-02-25, retrieved 2009-09-16.

1. [Digital Negative (DNG) Specification, Version 1.7.1.0, September 2023](https://helpx.adobe.com/content/dam/help/en/camera-raw/digital-negative/jcr_content/root/content/flex/items/position/position-par/download_section_733958301/download-1/DNG_Spec_1_7_1_0.pdf), Adobe, p. 10

1. Pearson, Barry, ["Products from camera manufacturers that use DNG in some way"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120225230022/http://www.barrypearson.co.uk/articles/dng/products.htm#manufacturers), archived from [the original](http://www.barrypearson.co.uk/articles/dng/products.htm#manufacturers) on 2012-02-25, retrieved 2009-09-16.

1. ["ISO/DIS 12234-2 - Photography — Electronic still picture imaging — Removable memory — Part 2: Image data format — TIFF/EP"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060212163025/http://www.map.tu.chiba-u.ac.jp/IEC/100/TA2/recdoc/N4378.pdf). 1998. Archived from [the original](http://www.map.tu.chiba-u.ac.jp/IEC/100/TA2/recdoc/N4378.pdf) on February 12, 2006. Retrieved 2011-03-08.

1. ISO: [ISO 12234-2:2001](https://www.iso.org/standard/29377.html)

1. I3A (International Imaging Industry Association): [WG18, Ad Hoc groups and JWG 20/22/23 Meet in Tokyo](https://web.archive.org/web/20080426200725/http://www.i3a.org/news/newsletters/eye-on-standards/eye_on_standards_v3_n2/#director)

1. Web archive of widely distributed email: [Forwarded Message from a member of the ISO TC42 (technical committee for photography) working group 18 (electronic imaging) standards group](http://archives.free.net.ph/message/20070418.233346.5ae65389.en.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20080704190554/http://archives.free.net.ph/message/20070418.233346.5ae65389.en.html) 2008-07-04 at the Wayback Machine

1. ["Adobe seeks International recognition for DNG"](https://www.dpreview.com/articles/8083544151/adobedng). *DPReview*. 15 May 2008.

1. NPES: [Minutes of ISO/TC 130/WG2, 37th Meeting](https://web.archive.org/web/20110719235823/http://www.npes.org/pdf/TC130WG2N1319_Minutes-Sep08.pdf), see 14f

1. ["Minutes of ISO/TC 130/WG2, 39th Meeting"](http://www.npes.org/pdf/TC130WG2N1363_Minutes-Beijing-Sept09.pdf). *NPES*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110719235831/http://www.npes.org/pdf/TC130WG2N1363_Minutes-Beijing-Sept09.pdf) 19 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine., see 14f

## External links

- [ISO 12234-2:2001 Electronic still-picture imaging – Removable memory – Part 2: TIFF/EP image data format](https://www.iso.org/standard/29377.html)
- [1998 draft standard](https://web.archive.org/web/20060618203946/https://www.map.tu.chiba-u.ac.jp/IEC/100/TA2/recdoc/N4378.pdf) 18 June 2006 at the Wayback Machine

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [TIFF/EP](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIFF%2FEP) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TIFF%2FEP?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.