With my old camera (Konica Minolta) i naively never shot in raw, seeing as i abught a new Nikon D90 it all seemed new to me again, i know the advantages of shooting in RAW, the only problem is when i upload my photos i can't view RAW i think the file types are NEF, obviously they need to be converted etc, i was just wondering if anyone could enlighten me on how to go about it. I could search how to etc, but id rather come on here and actually get the opinions of photographers, thanks alot.
Shooting in RAW
- Thread starter Glabrous
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To view thumbnails and run a preview/slideshow in windows you need the Nikon codec
Make dure you check service pack requirements further down
http://www.nikonimglib.com/nefcodec/
Then to open in your graphics program it depends on what you use?
Make dure you check service pack requirements further down
http://www.nikonimglib.com/nefcodec/
Then to open in your graphics program it depends on what you use?
ChrisMClark
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To convert you need a program like Elements, or the Nikon software (that you have to pay for). I think you can get a free plugin for the free GIMP software.
You can download a codec from Nikon that enables viewing of raw files in Windows photo gallery, and shows them as image thumbnails.
You can download a codec from Nikon that enables viewing of raw files in Windows photo gallery, and shows them as image thumbnails.
ChrisMClark
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You need to update your Adobe camera raw database, have a google around 
ChrisMClark
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I didn't think you got anything to work on raw files with when you buy a Nikon.
Thanks alot, i didnt pay any attention to the CD, now im using View NX, i presume i go to 'files' then convert 'files'. Im wondering whats the best option to convet to 'tiff18bit' or JPEG, Either or i will then open in photoshop and edit etc then i always end up saving as PNG. Does the TIFF18 bit hold more quality?You will have got Nikon View NX software with the camera. Have a go with that...
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You need to update your Adobe camera raw database, have a google around
Yes - the problem with NEF files crops up quite often here and it is usually the most recent cameras that are affected.
The answer is as Chris indicates.
If only there was an industry standard for RAW files instead of all the versions.
ChrisMClark
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Adobe tried it, didn't thiey, by introducing the digital negative file. They were hoping to make that as universally used as the PDF. Or at least that's what CS3 for Dummies says 
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Adobe tried it, didn't thiey, by introducing the digital negative file. They were hoping to make that as universally used as the PDF. Or at least that's what CS3 for Dummies says
Scott Kelby says the same in his books and reckons eventually .DNG will be the standard.
I am not so sure.
SteveA
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Glabrous, you don't necessarily need to do any conversion. It depends what you're going to do with your photos. They can happily live within View NX (or Aperture, Lightroom, or even NX2), and you only need to convert them to another format if you're emailing them to a friend, putting them on the web or, yes, editing in Photoshop and the like.
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I also have the D90 and open my Raw files with ViewNX. It also has basic editing software which is usually enough but if i need more i convert to Tiff then open with Paintshop Pro. Paintshop Pro will not open RAW files from the D90 properly. It did with the D80 but they still haven't caught up with the D90.
Merc.
Merc.
ChrisMClark
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I don't see the point of NDG, I'm sure somewill will, but I don't. I shoot in .nef and edit in CS3 to get a .jpg. Simples.
SteveA
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Hmm... you can't think of any benefits in having a single RAW format, used by all cameras and photo software!?
ChrisMClark
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Not when I only use .nef, no
I can see the benefit, but for most people I don't think they'll care; we all have our own raw files, and we all have software to deal with it. Most people here use Adobe software, so they wouldn't gain much of a customer base. And I can't see camera manufacturers ditching their own raw formats anyway; they've invested too much time and money into developping them.
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I think people care when they've bought a new camera, and are having to wait for RAW support because Nikon (or whoever) have made subtle changes to their proprietary format (which appears to happen with every new Nikon camera at least). And I'm still waiting for RAW support for my Panasonic LX3 in Aperture.
I think they also might care some years in the future if/when photo software drops support for some specific RAW formats. Will the (camera-specific) NEF files I have taken with my D80 be supported forever? Maybe, but that would certainly be "definitely" if there was a single industry-standard RAW format.
I think they also might care some years in the future if/when photo software drops support for some specific RAW formats. Will the (camera-specific) NEF files I have taken with my D80 be supported forever? Maybe, but that would certainly be "definitely" if there was a single industry-standard RAW format.
ChrisMClark
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I certainly see what you're saying Steve, youre starting to sway me slightly. I suppose if Adobe really want to push DNG all they'd have to do drop support, of course that could go the other way and alienate their entire customer base rather than forcing camera manufacturers into using it! Do you see what I mean about how shooting .nef and editing into a jpg though? And how it doesn't affect me?
Do you see what I mean about how shooting .nef and editing into a jpg though? And how it doesn't affect me?
SteveA
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Agreed, that it doesn't seem likely to happen (unfortunately).
I'm also shooting NEF, but using Aperture to organise them. It wouldn't surprise me if I end up converting them to DNG at some point in the future though!
Not really sure what you mean by "editing into a JPG". There doesn't seem much point using RAW if you're going to immediately convert them into JPG to edit them. Why not just take JPGs in the first place? Or even take RAW+JPG, and just store the NEFs away somewhere? Or did I get the wrong end of the stick...?
I'm also shooting NEF, but using Aperture to organise them. It wouldn't surprise me if I end up converting them to DNG at some point in the future though!
Not really sure what you mean by "editing into a JPG". There doesn't seem much point using RAW if you're going to immediately convert them into JPG to edit them. Why not just take JPGs in the first place? Or even take RAW+JPG, and just store the NEFs away somewhere? Or did I get the wrong end of the stick...?
ChrisMClark
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Sorry, I worded it badly. I mean turning them into a JPG at the end of the editing process, but the editing done from a raw file.