can't open NEF files

[david_simon]

<p>I shot my first set of Raw files on my new D500. But I can't open them in either PSE8 or DxO 10. Both programs say the files are an"unknown format" or "corrupted." They opened with no problem in ViewNx Jpeg files from the D500 open fine in all programs. What am I doing wrong? </p>

[Dieter Schaefer]

<blockquote>

<p>What am I doing wrong?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Using version of programs that are too old. You need DxO 11 to open D500 NEF files. PSE8 is many years old - the current version is 14. You could convert your NEF files to DNG files with the free converter from Adobe. Not sure which version of Nikon's software opens the D500 NEF files - whichever one does should give you the option to convert them to TIFF.</p>

[thirteenthumbs]

<p>Capture NX-D is an excellent program. You can convert a single file or batch process a group of raw files to Jpeg, 8 bit Tiff or 16 bit Tiff. I like the color results of NX-D over Adobe's converter.<br>

https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/61<br>

I have a D300, PSCS5, on a Win 10 system.</p>

 

[david_simon]

<p>My DxO 10 is too old ? I just bought it last Dec. Version 11 only came out out a few months ago . Surely DxO , any version, should work on Nikon RAW files. The D500 is not using a new RAW format. It is after all a Nikon file. Why would it be any different than a RAW file out of any other Nikon camera?</p>

[CvhKaar]

<p>My DxO 10 is too old ? I just bought it last Dec. Version 11 only came out out a few months ago .</p>

<p>Yes, it is , last December the D500 was not available, it was introduced this year so DxO 10 is also not up to date for the D500. Maybe a free upgrade is possible if you ask DxO ? </p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>Any responsible RAW converter developer is not going to make its software by default compatible with a camera model that is unknown. You have no idea what kind of changes Nikon, Canon, etc. would make to the RAW format for a not-yet-announced camera.</p>

<p>And of course it is in DxO, Adobe's (financial) interest that you need to upgrade your software periodically.</p>

[Richard Williams]

<p>The first thing a typical raw converter does when it sees a file is to check the 'Model' tag in the EXIF data. If it's not in its database of supported camera models, it will generally refuse to go any further. This isn't just a cynical ploy to make you upgrade (though it's very handy for the company's revenue stream!). NEF files from different Nikon camera models share the same overall structure, but the details can differ, sometimes trivially (especially when the new camera is just a modest upgrade of the previous model with the same sensor), sometimes more significantly. Nikon always releases a new converter for each new NEF version (like Charles, I prefer the output to that of the third party products). You can currently choose between Capture NX-D and ViewNX-i, both free:</p>

<p>http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/323/D500.html</p>

<p>Commercial software companies often charge if you have an old version of their package, and the camera has been released more recently than their current version. It sounds like you don't qualify for a free DxO upgrade, but you can get a discount:</p>

<p>http://support.dxo.com/hc/en-us/articles/219935747-I-just-purchased-DxO-OpticsPro-10-do-I-qualify-for-a-free-upgrade-to-DxO-OpticsPro-11-<br /> http://support.dxo.com/hc/en-us/articles/219457088-As-a-loyal-customer-is-there-a-special-upgrade-price-available-to-DxO-OpticsPro-v11-</p>

[Dieter Schaefer]

<blockquote>

<p>Maybe a free upgrade is possible if you ask DxO ?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Likely not, according to the press release for Version 11 from June 1, 2016 <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/news/7419541954/dxo-opticspro-11-brings-advanced-raw-noise-reduction">http://www.dpreview.com/news/7419541954/dxo-opticspro-11-brings-advanced-raw-noise-reduction</a> a free upgrade is only available for Optics Pro licenses purchased after April 1, 2016.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Surely DxO , any version, should work on Nikon RAW files.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Afraid not.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>The D500 is not using a new RAW format. It is after all a Nikon file. Why would it be any different than a RAW file out of any other Nikon camera?</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Even Nikon's NX-D needed an updated to handle D500 files (though that could just be to include all the proprietary information from the D500's NEF file). Maybe the only difference is the camera name - try editing the EXIF information to a camera that is supported by the software you have. Maybe there's a lot more difference between NEF files of different cameras though: <a href="http://dpbestflow.org/node/634">http://dpbestflow.org/node/634</a> (and the link at the end pointing to DNG).</p>

<p>EDIT: Shun and Richard posted while I was typing the above ...</p>

[Not Here]

<p>I'm not up on which versions work with each camera, but I ran into the same issue when I bought my D750 where I couldn't open NEF files in NX-2, my preferred convertor. After much anguish and trial and error I discovered that I can use NX-D to open my NEF file and then, while open, use the "open with" tab in NX-D to open NX-2. I can then save the file as needed. For what it's worth, I also use PSE13 and it opens the NEF files, but I just prefer the NX-2 as the convertor.</p>

<p>I know your camera is the D500 but you can try this work around with free trial versions of the software to see if it meets your needs... Mike </p>

[CvhKaar]

<blockquote>

<p>I discovered that I can use NX-D to open my NEF file and then, while open, use the "open with" tab in NX-D to open NX-2. I</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Tried that trick for D500 NEF's, but when it works (sometimes it does , sometimes it does not) it only results in a "neutral gray" picture , so this one is a NoGo for D500 images, i'm afraid ..</p>

[Rick Waller]

<p>Just download the Adobe DNG converter. Free and while a pain in the *ss to have to convert files before opening in PS, it does work. Otherwise, you need to buy Adobe CC to open the raw D500 files. I ran into the same problem</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>in the end, eric has it.<br>

Either you do the additional step of conversion yourself, or you get a newer edition of the software that recognizes your camera model.<br>

Another solution is never upgrade your gear. :(<br>

Some programs, but probably not the ones you are using, may issue small, sometimes even free, upgrades for <strong><em>recent</em></strong> versions of the software. It never hurts to ask.</p>

[Richard Williams]

<blockquote>

<p>After much anguish and trial and error I discovered that I can use NX-D to open my NEF file and then, while open, use the "open with" tab in NX-D to open NX-2. I can then save the file as needed.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>I believe this means that NX-D is doing all the raw conversion. NX2 is treating the (already converted) image data just as it would a tiff or a jpeg. Are you doing this just to use the tools that are unique to NX2, like control points?</p>

[CvhKaar]

<p> Otherwise, you need to buy Adobe CC to open the raw D500 files</p>

<p>Or , if you do not want to use Capture NX-D you can still buy Adobe Light room, newest version, or DxO optics, or Capture One will also recognise D500 nef's</p>

<p>Or..partake in the LightZone project, (free download after subscribing on the website) , in this project a nice sort of lightroom converter / editor is created , current version already supports the D5 and D500 nef's ..<br>

( <a href="http://lightzoneproject.org/lorum/upgrading-raw-support">http://lightzoneproject.org/lorum/upgrading-raw-support</a> )</p>

[Not Here]

<p>@Richard:</p>

<p>Basically, yes, I much prefer the tools and control points in NX2 to NX-D. And I also believe you're correct that NX-D is converting to a tiff in the process. A little tedious but in spite of the trouble I still like using NX2 over Lightroom or working entirely in Photoshop.</p>

<p>Sorry to hear that this doesn't work with the D500... Mike </p>

[stephen_behr]

<p>Shoot RAW, suck into View NX2 and convert to TIFF. Open the TIFFs in LR. <br>

I was faced with this decision a couple of months ago and bit the bullet and subscribed to Adobe CC Photography pack. $10 a month and always on the latest version. </p>