Brian Puhl:
Can I ask an open question here to those that have responded so far?: Why are you deleting calibrated data? And wanting to recalibrate it again later? Calibrated data should be good to go, you'll never need to mess with it again. You can restack the data anytime without having to use flats and bias. You can easily integrate it with other scopes and projects.
I keep everything until the entire process is done and finished. Then I delete all intermediate files that were generated between the raw files and the stacked 32 bit linear image. These include the calibrated files, deBayered, registered, etc.
Why do I delete the calibrated files you ask? Once the project is considered done (meaning that I am satisfied with the result), they are useless. Why keep them? Of course, if the stacked file makes me believe I need more data, the projects is not done. Then the calibrated file can stay until I take more data and process them.
And as always, things are never simple black and white. Even if I consider a project closed now, I may add substantially more exposures in the future for the same target. Even if there is such a possibility, and even if a project is only temporarily considered closed, I still delete the calibrated files (as long as I feel satisfied with the stack). That's because if I am ever to re-open this project, it's only meaningful if the amount of the added data way exceeds the amount of old data. For example, if the old project contains 40 exposures and there are 80 new exposures, then I just re-process everything. If I have to process 80 files anyway, why do I care about having to reprocess 40 more? So keeping the calibrated files for the 40 has very low value to me. They just add unnecessary pressure to the storage and backup systems for an indefinite amount of time.
When I look at my old images, if I ever feel they need improvement, it's usually my post-processing. I have never felt that it's the calibration or registration or stacking process that needs improvement. So keeping the calibrated files is useless to me. I just need the stacked file to start over, if I am ever to start over.
