CoolScan 5000 - Scanning to NEF?

<p>I just bought a used Coolscan 5000 ED and I noticed that I had the option to scan to a NEF file that I presume I can then use NX2 (which I have) to post process further via a batch process. Is there any advantage to doing this vs. scanning to a 16 bit Tiff file? Will I get any IQ gain possibilities going with a NEF file?<br>

Thanks - John</p>

<p>I'd say it depends.</p>

<p>I know of two scanner software programs that will output a file that contains the unadjusted data, as it came from the scanner, somewhat akin to a DSLR's raw file. One is Minolta Scan Utility, which can output a file it describes as "16 bit linear". The other is Vuescan, which can output a "Vuescan Raw File".</p>

<p>Both of the above files can be used in Vuescan's Scan-From-Disk process, which is roughly analogous to dslr raw file processing. The more typical scanning process, where a finished file is produced at time of scan, does this conversion on-the-fly, and discards the raw scan data.</p>

<p>There are some obvious advantages to initially outputting just the raw data, as long as you have software than can do the "digesting" needed. It stops you having to commit at the time of scan to irrevocable adjustments and tweaks.</p>

<p>My understanding is that NikonScan does not offer "raw" output by default. I've asked the question here, ie: is it possible to do raw output with NikonScan, and the guarded responses were that it might be possible. You would need to shut off all correcting and balancing functions, and set gamma to 1.0.</p>

<p>Maybe, when you output NEF with NikonScan it's doing the above, albeit with NEF format output file. I'm not sure. If so, there would be IQ gain simply in the fact that NikonScan is not "messing with" the data: it's just delivering it to the NEF file as-is.</p>

<p>FWIW, Vuescan (Pro license) is set up to do this, in fact this is one of the selling points of the program. It can save the raw data, and can post process that file. Traditionally it's "Raw" file is output as a tiff, albeit a very dark looking gamma 1.0 tiff. It can also output the raw in a dslr raw format file, if your pref. is to post-process with a dslr raw file processing program. I believe the latter is .dng, but you'd have to check. I've never bothered with it.</p>

<p>John, check this thread: http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00InrH </p>

<p>You can save your scan as a TIFF, open it in Nikon Capture NX 2, and then save it as a NEF. It's not the same as the NEF from a DSLR - you can't use exposure compensation. But you can add non-destructive editing steps and make use of the U-Point technology. Works converting jpgs to NEFs, too.</p>

<p>The advantage of scanning to a NEF file with Nikonscan is that the image is completely uncorrected. You can then use Nikonscan to adjust the NEF file and convert it to a TIFF or JPEG, and do this as many times as you like without affecting the original file. It's best used if you wish to run unattended scans and adjust afterwards.</p>

<p>While similar to camera NEF files, you can't use ACR or another RAW conversion program. NX might work, I haven't tried it. Silverfast has a comparable format called HDR, and a special program to do the final conversion.</p>

<p>I always save to a 16 bit TIFF because the first step of my workflow is to invert negs and color correct using the CF Systems Photoshop plug-ins. You can, as Edward states, save directly to a NEF with Nikon Scan.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>The advantage of scanning to a NEF file with Nikonscan is that the image is completely uncorrected.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>That's my hunch too.</p>