D7000 NEF Import Problem

<p>When I go to import NEF files from a D7000 into Adobe Elements 6, I receive an error indicating unsupportable file format (JPEG files import fine). I've been importing NEF files from my D90 into AE6 for several years without any issues. Any ideas? Thank you.</p>

<p>Each camera's NEF format is unique and the converter must know how to decode that specific model (ie. nef's are not created equal). The D7000 is new and Elements 6 isnt and it's converter doesn't understand D7000 nef format</p>

<p>Which means you need to upgrade to Elements 11. Or change your workflow.</p>

<p>If you don't want to upgrade to a more modern version of Elements, you could convert your NEF files to DNGs using Adobe's free DNG converter. Those should import into Elements 6.</p>

<p>If you can find an Elements 9 cheaply, this will do, Alternatively consider Nikon View NX (free from Nikon), output as TIFF or JPEG and then do the rest in Elements 6. I find View NX, Capture NX and DxO to make a better job of RAW conversions than Adobe.</p>

<p>It's a bit pointless shooting RAW and then converting to a JPEG to import into Elements. JPEGs can only support 8 bit colour depth, whereas TIFF can support 16 bit colour. Using TIFF or DNG to transfer from your RAW importer to your image editor means you'll retain the higher bit-depth advantage of RAW files.</p>

<p>Strangely, the free UFRAW plugin for GIMP is able to read <em>any</em> RAW file format without constant updating. A cynic might begin to think that Nikon and Adobe are deliberately stopping us from reading the latest camera raw files without spending bigtime on updated software.</p>

<p>I agree - TIFFS make more sense. I'm not sure how well Elements 6 deals with 16 bit TIFFS though.</p>

<p>TIFF supports 16 bit color but it loses the raw sensor data. Converting from NEF to DNG will preserve the raw data and make white balance correction much easier, especially if the white balance is way off.<br>

The most sensible solution is to upgrade Elements.</p>

 

<p>Thanks to everyone for this helpful information!</p>