Trying to learn working with RAW, help

a1157814a · Dec 29, 2008

I took a photo on my Nikon in RAW. When I transferred to the computer, it was in NEF filetype. I downloaded RawShooter but it keeps saying there is no RAW file in the folder that I had the photo. Is it supposed to be in NEF filetype?
Why isn't it opening?

VegasS2k · Dec 29, 2008

a1157814a said:
I took a photo on my Nikon in RAW. When I transferred to the computer, it was in NEF filetype. I downloaded RawShooter but it keeps saying there is no RAW file in the folder that I had the photo. Is it supposed to be in NEF filetype?
Why isn't it opening?

because there is differant types of raw formats.. your raw shooter might not support the .nef type. adobe lightroom will convert it for you.. so will photoshop

a1157814a · Dec 29, 2008

VegasS2k said:
because there is differant types of raw formats.. your raw shooter might not support the .nef type. adobe lightroom will convert it for you.. so will photoshop

gotya, ill try to convert now. thanks

ShutterSpeed · Dec 29, 2008

i had to download ADOBE DNG Converter because Adobe Photoshop 5.0 elements wouldn't recognize it...and i didn't have lightroom.

ANDS! · Dec 29, 2008

View NX is a free NEF viewer for Nikon cameras. It will handle your NEF files and allow you to convert them into JPEG.

a1157814a · Dec 29, 2008

More questions:
-This might seem a little stupid but are RAW files actually have filetype of .RAW at the end? os is it .DNG?

-Also, NEF itself is RAW file, right? it just that RawShooter cannot open? Which program opens NEF as RAW files then? (without having to convert)

Big Mike · Dec 29, 2008

Your problem is that RawShooter won't recognize Raw files from newer cameras...and it doesn't have an update because they were bought out by Adobe, some time ago.

As mentioned, each new camera's RAW files are slightly different, and the software must be updated for the new camera's files. Photoshop puts out updates every few months, to support the new cameras that have come out.

RawShooter is a great program, provided that you have an older camera (from before it was bought out). Somewhat similar (and probably a lot better) than RawShooter is Adobe Lightroom, you might consider that.

If you don't want to buy new software, then just use the program that came with your camera.

'RAW' is a generic term...but the actual file types/extensions are different for different cameras/companies. All Nikon RAW files are .NEF while Canon's Raw files are .CR2

ShutterSpeed · Dec 29, 2008

a1157814a said:
More questions:
-This might seem a little stupid but are RAW files actually have filetype of .RAW at the end? os is it .DNG?

-Also, NEF itself is RAW file, right? it just that RawShooter cannot open? Which program opens NEF as RAW files then? (without having to convert)

yes. NEF is a RAW even thought its a .nef suffix. .dng is another type of raw that is readable by older versions of Adobe Photoshop (like mine 5.0 elements)

ANDS! · Dec 29, 2008

RAW file is just the generic name for the proprietary format each camera maker uses to record lossless uncompressed image data.

Also, not converting isn't neccessarily the best option as some programs will discard the in camera "editing" that is applied to RAW files. Adobe Lightroom has an update that renders this problem moot, but other editing programs still have this problem.

rmr1 · Dec 29, 2008

I found this post to very informative thanks,

bikefreax · Dec 30, 2008

rmr1 said:
I found this post to very informative thanks,

I see your from Missouri. Where exactly? I am in Columbia.

rmr1 · Dec 30, 2008

bikefreax said:
I see your from Missouri. Where exactly? I am in Columbia.

In Salisbury, about 50 miles to the north and west on 24 highway.

Michael P. Harker · Dec 31, 2008

If you are just beginning to shoot with digital equipment, I suggest you shoot in JPEG Fine, which can easily be handled by any Adobe Photo Elements 5.0 and newer. It is compressed but even with a 6.2 meg camera like the D70, you can easily make 11x14 prints. RAW format is really something Pros use when they need all the digital data their camera can give (like sports photographers). Working with RAW takes Adobe Photoshop 7.0 or newer (CS4 being the best) and these programs cost a lot of money.

Try shooting a subject in both formats and see if you can tell the difference when you get them opened on your computer and placed side by side on the monitor. If you can't tell the difference, save yourself a lot of grief and shoot in JPEG.

Good luck,
Michael P. Harker