RAW, NEF & Tiff noobie help

S

steve_w

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Hi guys

Very new to the forum (in fact this is my first post:thumbs:), and im very new to this camera photography lark but loving it. I've finally got a question that I would like clarifying if anyone is wiling :)

I'm using a nikon d3000 and have predominately taking pictures in the JPEG format but wanting to do more pp work I've decided to start using RAW. Im using photoshop CS3 and have discovered that it doesnt support the .NEF file extension :'( so basically whats the best route for post processing my images?

I discovered last night that I can open them in ViewNX and convert them TIFF but is this a good practice? I'm asuming that the conversion from .NEF/RAW to Tiff is ok but not ideal. Alternatively does anyone know a way of getting CS3 to recognise the .NEF file extension.

Like I said im a complete newbie especially in the pp side of the game so any and all help is would really be appreciated.

Steve
 
Not actually a user of the full photoshop package, but processing software not recognising RAW files from all cameras is a common problem and a pain.
Try updating Adobe Camera Raw if you can.
 
CS3 is too old for the D3000 files, so updating will do no good. The only option would be to buy a newer photoshop version, or lightroom.

You can convert to Tiff, but you wont have the amount of leeway as you will with a RAW, but more than a JPG. You might be able to find some software to convert the NEF to DNG, which is Adobe's generic RAW file, which would be even better and should work in CS3.
 
TCR4x4 said:
CS3 is too old for the D3000 files, so updating will do no good. The only option would be to buy a newer photoshop version, or lightroom.

You can convert to Tiff, but you wont have the amount of leeway as you will with a RAW, but more than a JPG. You might be able to find some software to convert the NEF to DNG, which is Adobe's generic RAW file, which would be even better and should work in CS3.
Click to expand...

Is there a difference between the NEFs from the D5000 and the NEFs from the D3000? I use CS3 and have the adobe camera raw plugin and can open the NEFs from my D5000.
 
TCR4x4 said:
CS3 is too old for the D3000 files, so updating will do no good. The only option would be to buy a newer photoshop version, or lightroom.
Click to expand...

I feel that is incorrect advice. The OP can freely download the Adobe DNG converter from Adobe and this will convert the NEF (RAW) file into the DNG format. This DNG file will then open in Adobe Camera Raw for tweaks and then into CS3.

http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=4724

Advice on how to use the DNG converter can be found on Youtube. eg.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fs35p2UETc

Remember, once have done the Adobe Camera Raw tweaks, open as a 16 Bit TIFF for best results. I think the default is 8 Bit.

Rgds
 
Digifrog said:
I feel that is incorrect advice. The OP can freely download the Adobe DNG converter from Adobe and this will convert the NEF (RAW) file into the DNG format. This DNG file will then open in Adobe Camera Raw for tweaks and then into CS3.

http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=4724

Advice on how to use the DNG converter can be found on Youtube. eg.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fs35p2UETc

Remember, once have done the Adobe Camera Raw tweaks, open as a 16 Bit TIFF for best results. I think the default is 8 Bit.

Rgds
Click to expand...


Thats what I said??

CS3 cant read d3000 NEF files, it can however convert to DNG. Exactly what my post said.. :shrug:
 
TCR4x4 said:
Thats what I said??

CS3 cant read d3000 NEF files, it can however convert to DNG. Exactly what my post said.. :shrug:
Click to expand...

Hi Tom

In a way yes. For advice to someone new and starting out I just felt there was some ambiguity there (as quoted) so just needed to clarify before the OP thinks they need to spend £100's on a newer version of Ps.

Hopefully it is clear now.

Rgds
 
I wouldnt ever advocate spending hundreds on a new photoshop just to get NEF support.

Maybe I could have worded it better, been a long day.

However lightroom 3 is awesome! :lol:
 
Hey guys, sorry, forgot to say thanks for all the info.

I've used Adobe DNG converter which works a treat converting the .NEF extension to .DNG so CS3 can read them. Now I just need to get better with the pp side of things!!
 
I know that it may mean an extra step in your workflow but I would open the NEF in View NX2 and do the RAW adjustments, WB, exposure compensation, picture control etc. before converting to DNG.

View NX2 uses the same algorithms as Capture NX2 which does a better job of converting NEFs than any other software.
 
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