rick_helmke1 Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 I've decided to make NEF's my standard now as jpeg's aren't as necessary to my work as they used to be. Right now I'm shooting a D1X, a D100 and a D200. Can NEF's be read in CS2 or CS3 on any or better yet all of these bodies? I have both and am about to set up a computer strictly for imaging use. Or will I have to spring for Nikon or other software? Thanks. Rick H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
photo5 Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 <p>Yes, you may be able to use CS2 and CS3, but NEF files are best opened in Nikon Capture NX2. Anything else is a compromise in quality in my experience. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
victor_chelf Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 <p>If I am not mistaken, the NEFs will open in Adobe Camera Raw and then will need to be saved as a TIF or PSD file. I tried to open directly from CS4 and it opened Camera Raw. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howard_m Posted December 2, 2009 Share Posted December 2, 2009 <p>depends on when the camera was released vs. when the specific version of PS was last updated but in general yes. you may have to update the relevant camera raw. </p> <p>You might wnat to check out the free Nikon View NX which is their simplified NEF converter.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick_helmke1 Posted December 2, 2009 Author Share Posted December 2, 2009 Dave how is it a compromise? I've been using one or another version of PS for a long time but don't quite understand how Capture will give me better quality. Not arguing, just trying to learn something. Thanks. Rick H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan_j._eberle1 Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 <p>Capture NX reduces shadow noise visibly better than ACR. There's also a really slick feature in NX2 for restoring blown highlights.<br> Best part is that Capture NX essentially free with the purchase of a camera and allows not being dinged for a new version of Photoshop (every time Nikon introduces a major new camera like Adobe is wont to do).</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
howard_m Posted December 3, 2009 Share Posted December 3, 2009 <p>I got a full version of NX w/ my D300 but as I recall, soon afterwards, it became a trial copy. Possible exception was if you $$, for a D700, D3, etc</p> <p>NX2 clearly has some great qualities but it's so marred by clunky interface and mediocre performance, it's hard to get enthusiastic about it. I dont really want to get into a whole NEF->NX2->TIFF (huge)->PS/LR workflow if I can avoid it but the quality of the conversions is compelling. We'll see what LR3 brings.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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