Working with JPG and Raw: I have a D7500... I recently went into the settings to set the camera up to shoot both JPG and Raw... at least so I thought. There were several options so I...

Motorbones Loc: Fair Oaks, CA

I have a D7500... I recently went into the settings to set the camera up to shoot both JPG and Raw... at least so I thought. There were several options so I picked one to shoot both. I took some pics and loaded them into my computer (Windows 10). The JPGs came up fine, but my computer said it couldn't read the NEF files.

Could someone please help me use the right settings and/or how to get these files to work. Do I need a special program or am I selecting the wrong settings on the camera.

Thanks...

JR45 Loc: Montgomery County, TX

You need a program that will read the NEF files. The Nikon web site has one.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

"....but my computer said it couldn't read the NEF files. "

How are you trying to do that? With what software?

JR45 Loc: Montgomery County, TX

There are others that will work, but here's the Nikon site.

http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/products/352/D7500.html

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

In the not too distant past, Nikon sold each of their DSLR cameras with a CD that contained software for viewing the Nikon Electronic Format files (NEF). That software program was called NX View. Now, we have to go to the Nikon website and download the program (seriously, how expensive could a CD be?). I suggest you do so, the program works well and is a pretty good bridge program to post-production software. Good luck.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Motorbones wrote:

I have a D7500... I recently went into the settin... (show quote)

You will need to download the new CODEC from Nikon to be able to see the preview in Windows Explorer and other Windows-supplied software.
If you want to see and lightly edit the images, you can download Faststone Image Viewer. It has a lightweight editing engine, and there isn't a raw file that I have tried with it that I haven't been able to see.
If you want to truly edit your files, there are numerous programs out there - but be careful - raw editor/converter programs are great at providing proofs, but because they edit parametrically (rules base mostly global adjustments) it is not a great solution for editing a final image. At the low end there are free and cheap editors. At the higher end you have Photoshop. And a bunch of stuff in between.

Most programs are updated to new versions every year. Compared to Ps/Lr subscription bundle - the costs are somewhat similar. The Photoshop bundle with Lightroom is $120/yr. On1, a very capable combo is $120 to buy a license for, and usually around $100 a year to keep current with upgrades.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Motorbones wrote:

I have a D7500... I recently went into the settin... (show quote)

either the software came with the camera or you log in to get the software package. A raw file is of little value unless you post process. The Jpg is processed in the camera with a compression algorithm. Depending on your photographic seriousness a 14 bit raw file, edited will get you much better photograph than a jpg, even an edited jpg.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

cameraf4 wrote:

In the not too distant past, Nikon sold each of their DSLR cameras with a CD that contained software for viewing the Nikon Electronic Format files (NEF). That software program was called NX View. Now, we have to go to the Nikon website and download the program (seriously, how expensive could a CD be?). I suggest you do so, the program works well and is a pretty good bridge program to post-production software. Good luck.

"(seriously, how expensive could a CD be?)" That's the shame of it. No CD, no manual, no leather case. Many cameras no longer come with a battery charger. You get a wire to charge the battery inside the camera, instead.
What will they discover we can do without next? Lens cap? Hot shoe cover? Viewfinder cover? Strap?

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Good point, Jerry. My D850 was the first Nikon DSLR I've bought that came without a hot shoe cover. Wow!!! Nikon really saved a bundle there, huh?

toxdoc42

unless I downloaded the wrong software, the "free" Nikon software does allow visualization, but virtually nothing else. To do PP you will need other software. You can try PhotoPadd, a free software for home use. It has it's limitations, but can do some things. LR and PS are the standards of care, so to speak.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

jerryc41 wrote:

"(seriously, how expensive could a CD be?)" That's the shame of it. No CD, no manual, no leather case. Many cameras no longer come with a battery charger. You get a wire to charge the battery inside the camera, instead.
What will they discover we can do without next? Lens cap? Hot shoe cover? Viewfinder cover? Strap?

Yet we bitch about the price. One of the ways they can keep the price down is cut the extras. It's getting hard to please anyone any of time. Only in fantasy land do you get more for less.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

toxdoc, that is why Nikon has 2 different software programs, View and Capture, both of which are still (I believe) free. View allows you to see your NEF images and make some "minor" adjustments to them. To do "real photo editing", Nikon has Capture. I have used Capture for years and, even though I have been using Photoshop since the 90s, find that Capture gives me everything that I want in a PP program. Try it.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

"Only in fantasy land do you get more for less." Unless, of course, you shop at Kohl's.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

cameraf4 wrote:

"Only in fantasy land do you get more for less." Unless, of course, you shop at Kohl's.

You and my wife believe also believe this myth. :)

Koihl's(especially Kohl's cash) has simply mastered the oldest retail trick since the garden of Eden - the mark up to mark down fantasy.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Just went shopping at Kohl's this morning (first time in the store). How I saved $170.00 on 5 items is a mystery to me, but I had to hear a flock of "I told you so" from my wife. Merry Christmas.