Lightroom classic duplicating on import

[cupcakes2000]

Hello all!

I’m having an issue that I just cant get to the bottom of. When I import images in Lightroom Classic, each image appears to import twice.

So I get the original, for example - img_XXXX.CR2, and then the same image - img_XXXX-2.CR2 along with it.

I generally use two cameras on a shoot, and it’s only happening with one of the bodies, so I guess it’s happening in camera?
Yet there is only one image on the card when viewing in the camera or when viewing in other software, or even when viewing on the import screen with LR. Yet on import, there is the original and a copy.

I’m stumped.

Any ideas?

 

[mollyc]

Are the numbered images different, or actual duplicates? If you are shooting with two different cameras, it's theoretically possible that the default camera names are the same for both (ie, both cameras happen to have rolled to the same image count number. This is usually not an issue if you are filing images in different folders, but it can happen. I have changed the default numbering in my cameras to show the body name upon import so I can keep unique names regardless of frame number (which rollover every 9,999 images). So my D700 imports files starting with 2021_700_xxxx, my Z6 comes in at 2021_Z6_xxxx, and my Z6ii comes in at 2021_Z62_xxxx. It also helps me easily identify which camera was used, without having to check the metadata. You can also import with serial numbers or other unique metadata to prevent this from happening as well. But when I had my very first camera, I did once end up that I had the same file numbers for several images spread out over a year because the numbers roll back. I started adding dates to my naming system to account for this.

I don't think that's your issue here (but something to keep in mind shooting different bodies), I also this past week had a similar instance in LR, with images showing twice. I do have the avoid importing duplicates option checkmarked, so the duplicates were grayed out, but I'd never had that before. I ended up drilling down to a lower level folder on the left side of the import screen, rather than staying in the top level folder, and the duplicates disappeared. So maybe it's a glitch with a recent update, because I have never had to pay attention to which folder I am of the camera card.


ETA: I just re-read where you do say they are identical images, but my first paragraph is still important for future potential name clashes, so I'll leave it. ?

 

[cupcakes2000]

Are the numbered images different, or actual duplicates? If you are shooting with two different cameras, it's theoretically possible that the default camera names are the same for both (ie, both cameras happen to have rolled to the same image count number. This is usually not an issue if you are filing images in different folders, but it can happen. I have changed the default numbering in my cameras to show the body name upon import so I can keep unique names regardless of frame number (which rollover every 9,999 images). So my D700 imports files starting with 2021_700_xxxx, my Z6 comes in at 2021_Z6_xxxx, and my Z6ii comes in at 2021_Z62_xxxx. It also helps me easily identify which camera was used, without having to check the metadata. You can also import with serial numbers or other unique metadata to prevent this from happening as well. But when I had my very first camera, I did once end up that I had the same file numbers for several images spread out over a year because the numbers roll back. I started adding dates to my naming system to account for this.

Thanks for your reply! That’s not my issue though you’re correct - a great idea that other people may not have thought of when shooting with two bodies.

I do have the avoid importing duplicates option checkmarked, so the duplicates were grayed out,

I actually don’t have that checked, as I’m fairly regimented after a shoot and always put everything back in my bag to be ready to be used again at a minutes notice. It’s unlikely I would ever import duplicates. The reason I dont have it checked is that sometimes I have had to reimport due to an error on my part. So I just left it unchecked.
Anyway, it’s not this screen I’m having the issue on, the duplicates arent showing here, its just the pictures on the card as shot. Its after the import that I have the duplicates. Its like its importing each image twice.

 

[kenoh]

Hello all!

I’m having an issue that I just cant get to the bottom of. When I import images in Lightroom Classic, each image appears to import twice.

So I get the original, for example - img_XXXX.CR2, and then the same image - img_XXXX-2.CR2 along with it.

I generally use two cameras on a shoot, and it’s only happening with one of the bodies, so I guess it’s happening in camera?
Yet there is only one image on the card when viewing in the camera or when viewing in other software, or even when viewing on the import screen with LR. Yet on import, there is the original and a copy.

I’m stumped.

Any ideas?

Have you got two cards in camera? are you plugging the camera into the computer for import or using a card reader?

I wonder if it is seeing the main card copy and the backup card copy as two separate images? and importing as such. Have you got the USB connection mode set to MTP? so it connects as a camera rather than a USB drive?

 

[cupcakes2000]

I do have two cards in the cameras yes but I’m importing via a card reader with only one of them plugged in. So I don’t think you’re on the right track.
Honestly though - thanks for replying! I’m tearing my hair out!!

 

[kenoh]

I do have two cards in the cameras yes but I’m importing via a card reader with only one of them plugged in. So I don’t think you’re on the right track.
Honestly though - thanks for replying! I’m tearing my hair out!!

We like a good head scratcher. Can I ask the camera model please?

 

[cupcakes2000]

Happens on the 5div only.

 

[mollyc]

i know you say they aren’t showing up duplicated on the card but have you reformatted it?

 

[cupcakes2000]

i know you say they aren’t showing up duplicated on the card but have you reformatted it?

Yes - I reformat after each shoot, and it’s happened on the past 12 or so shoots

 

[mollyc]

Can you put your card in and show a screenshot of the import page? Just to see what settings you have marked?

ETA: Never mind, see below.

 

[mollyc]

So I found this thread, which is the same problem that you are having. There does not seem to be a full on fix for it, but several workarounds, the easiest of which is to make sure that in the Import dialogue you select from the "Files" option, rather than Device option. Not sure which place you are choosing for your import.

P: Import is creating OS - level duplicate files named (-2) when using Devices rather than Files

Since I upgraded to lightroom classic from lightroom 5.7.1, imports are now importing duplicate images, even though I have checked don't import suspected duplicates. It happens on both my nikon and canon camera images.

community.adobe.com

 

[mollyc]

I can confirm that the issue seems to be the Device vs Files Import option. I always import from the Files section. I have no idea why, but I do. However, if I choose the Device section, you will see that my files are, in fact duplicated. Because I keep Do Not Import Suspected Duplicate checked on, this has never been an issue for me, but you can see (although they are unselected) that each image shows up twice (with the same file name).

If I go to the Files section and click on the bottom level folder where the images actually live, all the duplicates disappear.

So basically do your import from the folder level, not the device level, and you should be good to go. ?

 

[dobrink]

In the Lightroom Classic after you click the Import button and start navigating to the source folder you want to upload photos from, select "Add" from the upper menu that says "Copy as DNG / Copy / Move / Add". Mine was set to Copy, so it basically copied every imported file to a new location and renamed it to "*name*-2" if the source and destination folder matched.