RAW format or NEF for Nikon: I have decided to try to shoot RAW, but I can't open my NEF files in my old XP computer or my Photoshop version5.0 Yeah, you read that right. I tried to...

Verryl

I have decided to try to shoot RAW, but I can't open my NEF files in my old XP computer or my Photoshop version5.0 Yeah, you read that right. I tried to install a MS suggested Nikon program to read or convert them but it would not install. There is a $15 program available, but I wonder if my stuff is just too old?

webdbwbt

I shoot only in Nikon RAW. I use lightroom but Google Picasa supports both NEF and Windows XP. Picasa is a great program.

Verryl wrote:

I have decided to try to shoot RAW, but I can't open my NEF files in my old XP computer or my Photoshop version5.0 Yeah, you read that right. I tried to install a MS suggested Nikon program to read or convert them but it would not install. There is a $15 program available, but I wonder if my stuff is just too old?

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

Verryl wrote:

I have decided to try to shoot RAW, but I can't open my NEF files in my old XP computer or my Photoshop version5.0 Yeah, you read that right. I tried to install a MS suggested Nikon program to read or convert them but it would not install. There is a $15 program available, but I wonder if my stuff is just too old?

First, we need to know what camera body.
Next, which of the many programs mentioned lately did you try to use to convert the files to DNG/TIFF's?

charles brown Loc: Tennesse

Verryl wrote:

I have decided to try to shoot RAW, but I can't open my NEF files in my old XP computer or my Photoshop version5.0 Yeah, you read that right. I tried to install a MS suggested Nikon program to read or convert them but it would not install. There is a $15 program available, but I wonder if my stuff is just too old?

Do you download directly from camera to computer or do you use a card reader? What camera? Most likely your software is too old for the camera you have. But will wait for your answer before making any recommendations.

UtahBob Loc: Southern NJ

Verryl wrote:

I have decided to try to shoot RAW, but I can't open my NEF files in my old XP computer or my Photoshop version5.0 Yeah, you read that right. I tried to install a MS suggested Nikon program to read or convert them but it would not install. There is a $15 program available, but I wonder if my stuff is just too old?

I would use Nikon view2nx which probably came with you camera to convert to tiff to use with other programs like Photoshop or just use view2nx to work in it for adjustments etc.

It is available from the Nikon site if you don't have a disk for it.

For xp you need service pack 3 apparently but you should look at the specs to see if it would work for you. It's free so can't beat the price to try it.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Verryl wrote:

I have decided to try to shoot RAW, but I can't open my NEF files in my old XP computer or my Photoshop version5.0 Yeah, you read that right. I tried to install a MS suggested Nikon program to read or convert them but it would not install. There is a $15 program available, but I wonder if my stuff is just too old?

You can download ViewNX for free, and that will open NEF files.

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/Imaging-Software/NVNX/ViewNX.html

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

UtahBob wrote:

I would use Nikon view2nx which probably came with you camera to convert to tiff to use with other programs like Photoshop or just use view2nx to work in it for adjustments etc.

It is available from the Nikon site if you don't have a disk for it.

For xp you need service pack 3 apparently but you should look at the specs to see if it would work for you. It's free so can't beat the price to try it.

:thumbup:

GHK Loc: The Vale of Eden

Verryl wrote:

I have decided to try to shoot RAW, but I can't open my NEF files in my old XP computer or my Photoshop version5.0 Yeah, you read that right. I tried to install a MS suggested Nikon program to read or convert them but it would not install. There is a $15 program available, but I wonder if my stuff is just too old?

The reason is probably that your camera was introduced after your software had bee issued.
It doesn't matter though; there is an easy, and better way.
You can download your nikon Raw files as DNG. DNG is still a RAW format, and it was designed to be a long lasting, and universal format. Any software should recognise it.
The DNG conversion sofware should be installed with your CS5, along with Adobe Camera Raw. It it isn't, then it is available as a free download from Adobe.
I use DNG as a standard. I convert my camera files, which, like you, I can't download, and store them in Bridge (again, part of CS5). Then when I open them, they appear in Adobe Camera Raw, where I carry out as much pre-processing as I can before saving as Photoshop PSD files.
These can be reopened at my leisure for further processing in CS5 (or CS4 in my case).
GHK

bersharbp Loc: Texas

Verryl wrote:

I have decided to try to shoot RAW, but I can't open my NEF files in my old XP computer or my Photoshop version5.0 Yeah, you read that right. I tried to install a MS suggested Nikon program to read or convert them but it would not install. There is a $15 program available, but I wonder if my stuff is just too old?

Make sure you have all the latest Photoshop updates for RAW from Adobe

cthahn

Verryl wrote:

I have decided to try to shoot RAW, but I can't open my NEF files in my old XP computer or my Photoshop version5.0 Yeah, you read that right. I tried to install a MS suggested Nikon program to read or convert them but it would not install. There is a $15 program available, but I wonder if my stuff is just too old?

I have an XP computer and load NEF files every day with Elements 6. No problems. Will be switching to a MiniMac and getting away from Microsoft and their expensive, bloated software.

rayford2 Loc: New Bethlehem, PA

UtahBob wrote:

I would use Nikon view2nx which probably came with you camera to convert to tiff to use with other programs like Photoshop or just use view2nx to work in it for adjustments etc.

It is available from the Nikon site if you don't have a disk for it.

For xp you need service pack 3 apparently but you should look at the specs to see if it would work for you. It's free so can't beat the price to try it.

Any last minute upgrades to XP from Microsoft better be done before Jan. 1, when Microsoft stops supporting XP.

rickfinn2013 Loc: Mesa ,Az

Faststone zoner photo work with Nikons raw.

I have used jpegview with both canon and Nikon raw/nef with no problems

http://sourceforge.net/projects/jpegview/
Check them out they also can enhance Nef and save as jpeg

John Howard Loc: SW Florida and Blue Ridge Mountains of NC.

Yes, a very foggy issue. I have LR5 on my desk computer but only LR3 on my laptop (that is another issue as I thought I bought a package for multiple computers but cant seem to get LR/Adobe to understand that. I shoot Raw on my new D800, with Jpeg on the other card so while I travel, I can check results in the Jpeg versions. The older LR3 will not open the new NEF files that come out of the Raw card. At home, they do. So there must be something new going on with Nikon NEF that the older software does not get.

norman816

It will not open in 5 . 8 for sure.

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

Verryl wrote:

I have decided to try to shoot RAW, but I can't open my NEF files in my old XP computer or my Photoshop version5.0 Yeah, you read that right. I tried to install a MS suggested Nikon program to read or convert them but it would not install. There is a $15 program available, but I wonder if my stuff is just too old?

Your version of photoshop will not be able to open files from newer cameras. Your computer also probably doesnt have enough power to work with large files.