Olympus OMD RAW files and Aperture

<p>Hi,</p>

<p>I recently purchased the new Olympus OMD camera with which I'm quite happy. However, I use (as a newbie to processing software) Apple Aperture which does not currently support conversion of the OMD's RAW files. When I've downloaded RAW files I get a blacked out file with the message "unsupported image format." I'd like to know if Aperture will automatically process these raw files when it is updated or should I be doing something else with files (other than leaving them on my SD card) such as storing them on my desktop and then importing them into Aperture once it is able to process them.<br>

I am currently shooting in RAW plus jpeg in anticipation of that time.<br>

Thanks for your help.<br>

Rene</p>

<p>Apple will release an update to the system software for digital camera RAW support when it is ready. You will need to use Software Update on your Mac to see, download and install the update when it comes along. Here is a <a href="http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4757">LINK to the supported RAW formats</a>. And here is a <a href="http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1510">LINK to a recent incremental update</a>, released March of 2012 as version 3.10. <a href="http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1513">Version 3.12</a> was released solely for the Canon 5d Mark III.</p>

<p>Typically, these updates take from a few weeks to a few months to become available after the camera is released to the public, as Apple's engineers need to produce the converter. In the mean time, you should be able to do some processing with the software that comes with the camera.</p>

<p>BTW, Adobe is no different for their Camera RAW support. Though when it comes to releasing the updates, either may come out with them first.</p>

<p>So, if you have Software Update configured on your Mac (everyone should!), you will be notified when the Apple update is available. If it's really important, have Software Update check every day. When it has something, you'll see the bouncing icon in your dock. After they are installed, Aperture will be able to read them.</p>

<p>The only concern I might have is that you may need to have the latest version of Mac OS X Lion installed to use any new updates.</p>

<p>Oh - BTW, if you want to download them from the CF card, you certainly can do that now, and keep them in a safe place (or two or three...). Then, when support for the OM-D is available from Apple, you can import them after the update is installed in your system.</p>

<p>I am not sure if you can import them all now (import RAW + JPEG), with JPEG as Master, and then change the master to the RAW when the update is installed. But <a href="http://www.apertureexpert.com/faq/common-aperture-questions-issues-and-rep/when-will-my-new-dslr-have-raw-support-in-aperture.html">this article</a> at ApertureExpert (dot com) seems to indicate that strategy works, too. This quote may be of interest from that article:</p>

<blockquote>

<p>What’s especially cool is if you make any adjustments to the JPEG file, when you switch to RAW, the adjustments are automatically copied over. Yes you may need to make some tweaks to the adjustments, but at least most of your work is already done.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Larry,<br>

Thank you for both your replies. I do update regularly and I've been following the Aperture updates. Your second reply goes to the heart of my question. I believe Aperture is importing the RAW files as all the metadata is available. Aperture just won't open the RAW files as the format (ORF) is not currently supported. If I understand you correctly, then my current practice of importing RAW+JPEG files from the OMD (which Aperture does automatically) means that the RAW files which do not open now will open upon the software update. <br>

Thanks again for your help and the link to Aperture Expert.</p>

Speak of the devil!

Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 3.13 was released Today!

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1535

About Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 3.13

This update adds RAW image compatibility for the following cameras to Aperture 3 and iPhoto '11:

Canon EOS-1D X

Nikon D800E

Nikon D3200

Olympus OM-D E-M5

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GF5

Sony Alpha SLT-A57