[kgwxd]

OK, so it looks like iTunes is not required on Windows, that assumption came from Apple stating iTunes is required to transfer photos in their docs.

But it doesn't work like that on Linux anymore and I'm certain it used to. There's access to a Documents folder that has folders for things like Keynote, but no DCIM folder. Shotwell works, kind of, but is very prone to failure.

As far as the conversion, do you have the iOS Photos app settings set to not do a conversion? "Automatic" vs "Keep Originals".

This is probably going way off topic, It's not your job to help me troubleshoot :)

[defaultname]

I do have Keep Originals enabled. Forgot all about that setting, but I do believe it tries to be overly clever in Automatic mode (mostly assuming connected devices can't handle HEIC, etc).