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Thread: RAW converter help needed

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    Default RAW converter help needed

    I need some advice.

    With my old camera, I used PS7 for editing and RAW Shooter Essentials for RAW manipulation and conversion. With my new camera, Nikon D300, I cannot use RAW Shooter Essentials. Also, I cannot upgrade from PS7 to CS4 or anything else.

    What are my options?

    I'm content with PS7, but, how do I convert my RAW files?

    I do not want to pay the money for CS4.

    Should I consider Elements 7?

    Should I buy a RAW converter? If so, which one?

    I hope someone can give me some ideas. Until then, no photos with my new camera and lens. :-(

    Anita Bower

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    Anita,

    When Adobe gobbled up Pixmantec, they supposedly sent an email out
    to all of the registered users to get a free copy of Adobe Lightroom.

    Did you get that by any chance? That might be one option.

    There's also Breezebrowser Pro, which is kind of cheap ($70). Its not the
    greatest Raw converter, but it might get the job done. I'm pretty sure
    they have a trial version.

    Doug

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    Anita why don't you try NX2, nikon's own NEF convertor, plus a whole lot more. I have CS3 and still prefer converting in NX2 first then I save as a Tiff and do my finishing work in CS3, if needed. NX2 reads all of your in camera settings and in the first part of April Nikon is coming out with a much improved faster engine for their software. You can download a trial from the nikon website, or you should of got something on it with your D300. I love the way it converts my D300 nefs!!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Doug West View Post
    Anita,

    When Adobe gobbled up Pixmantec, they supposedly sent an email out
    to all of the registered users to get a free copy of Adobe Lightroom.
    Really ? Once again I was on the short end.

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    You can use Nikon View NX (free) to convert NEF files that are straight out of the camera. They can be saved as 16 or 8 bit tif files or as jpeg files. All you will get is a straight conversion of the file as taken but it will convert them so you can work on them in PS or another editor. This offers you an interim solution until you decide on CaptureNX2 or whatever. Another vote for Capture NX2.

  6. #6
    William Malacarne
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    Adobe also offers DNG(Free) which will convert your RAW files to .DNG and then you can work on them just as you would any RAW file in PS7 or any of the CS editions.

    Bill

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    Quote Originally Posted by Doug West View Post
    Anita,

    When Adobe gobbled up Pixmantec, they supposedly sent an email out
    to all of the registered users to get a free copy of Adobe Lightroom.

    Did you get that by any chance? That might be one option.

    Doug
    No, I didn't get that email. I was never successful at registering RawShooter, which I probably why.

    Anita

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    Quote Originally Posted by Nancy A Elwood View Post
    Anita why don't you try NX2, nikon's own NEF convertor, plus a whole lot more. I have CS3 and still prefer converting in NX2 first then I save as a Tiff and do my finishing work in CS3, if needed. NX2 reads all of your in camera settings and in the first part of April Nikon is coming out with a much improved faster engine for their software. You can download a trial from the nikon website, or you should of got something on it with your D300. I love the way it converts my D300 nefs!!
    I have read such good things about NX2 that I will likely give it a try. Thank you!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Alan Melle View Post
    You can use Nikon View NX (free) to convert NEF files that are straight out of the camera. They can be saved as 16 or 8 bit tif files or as jpeg files. All you will get is a straight conversion of the file as taken but it will convert them so you can work on them in PS or another editor. This offers you an interim solution until you decide on CaptureNX2 or whatever. Another vote for Capture NX2.
    Good idea. Thanks.

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    Quote Originally Posted by William Malacarne View Post
    Adobe also offers DNG(Free) which will convert your RAW files to .DNG and then you can work on them just as you would any RAW file in PS7 or any of the CS editions.

    Bill
    Someone else told me about this. I downloaded the DNG conversion software and tried it, but then Raw Shooter said there were no RAW files available in that file. Maybe it doesn't read DNG? Any ideas?

    Thanks!

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    William Malacarne
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    My bad PS 7 will not read them...you need CS or higher or one of the later versions of Elements.

    Sorry for the misinformation.

    Bill

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    Quote Originally Posted by William Malacarne View Post
    My bad PS 7 will not read them...you need CS or higher or one of the later versions of Elements.

    Sorry for the misinformation.

    Bill
    Thanks for this info. It is reassuring. I'm not doing something wrong. I appreciate all the suggestions!

  13. #13
    Tim Marks
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    Anita
    My D300 came with a included license for Nikon Capture NX, yours probably did too. You have to download the trial version then put in the registration number that was included in the camera package. It is the version just prior to NX2. That way if you want the NX2 version you may only need to pay the upgrade price. Or just use NX

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    Howard Burkert
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    I use NX2, and have no negative issues with it. The u point technoligy is awesome. Unless you print out the manual and look it over very close you will miss out on many of it's powerful features. Try it for the 30 days and I think you will love it.
    Best,
    Howard.

    Additional note... I have CS4 with camera raw and Light Room 2. But will not give up the power of NX2.
    Last edited by Howard Burkert; 04-12-2009 at 09:37 PM.

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    I appreciate all the help. I think I'm going to go with Elements 7 for now since my budget is near $0!

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    BPN Member Bill Jobes's Avatar
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    When possible, try to acquire NX2, as it's specifically designed to convert images from Nikon's cameras.

    It contains proprietary techniques that maximize the image potential of NEF files.

    I use Nancy's regime -- open and process with NX2, and finish with some final tweaks in CS3.
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    David Hufford
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Tracy View Post
    Really ? Once again I was on the short end.
    As I recall, RSE was the free version. It was RSP that got the free upgrade to Lightroom.

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Anita:

    I use NX2. Does handle the files well. It is a memory/processor hog and runs pretty slowly unless you have a lot of computer power. However, I absolutely would do a free trial. They have a generous 60 day free trial period.

    The GUI is still clunky, although better than NX was. U point tech. is very cool.

    Good luck.

    Randy

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    Quote Originally Posted by David Hufford View Post
    As I recall, RSE was the free version. It was RSP that got the free upgrade to Lightroom.
    That's correct.
    Tony Whitehead
    Visit my blog at WildLight Photography for latest news and images.

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    Question NX2 Use

    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Jobes View Post
    When possible, try to acquire NX2, as it's specifically designed to convert images from Nikon's cameras.

    It contains proprietary techniques that maximize the image potential of NEF files.

    I use Nancy's regime -- open and process with NX2, and finish with some final tweaks in CS3.

    What final tweaks do use CS3 for? I presume you use CS3 to remove/clone out unwanted twigs etc.

    More general question to all: Does anyone use the sharpening programs instead of USM in NX2?

    Thanks Ray Rozema

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    Picasa 3, free download from Google, can handle NEF files. Did I say it is free?

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    Have you tried Picasa 3? It is a FREE download from Google and can handle NEF files from a D300, and it is free.

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    Lifetime Member Jay Gould's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mack Hicks View Post
    Have you tried Picasa 3? It is a FREE download from Google and can handle NEF files from a D300, and it is free.
    Anita, believe or not, the pros - Nikon users from the dark side - that are teaching the workshops I am taking here in Australia are using Picasa for their initial processing and then when necessary going to CS4.

    It does convert RAW and NEF files; I am installing it on Jackie's computer for her to play with - easier than LR if you do not want to have all of the tools provided by LR.

    If you are willing to spend a little bit, LR2 is the way to go.

    I cannot speak to BreezeBrower as I haven't used it and I do not know the extent to which you can PP the images.

    For PP, LR2 definitely exceeds Picasa.

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    I assume PP means post processing. I am new to the forums and somewhat at a loss for what the abbreviations and acronyms mean. Is there is table somewhere? I don't get the texting thing, either.

    I have been using Picasa since I first got a DSLR. I am also trying to use LR2, working through Kelby's book. Picasa is very good for organizing files, it does not move them, merely indexes them. And it can do some PP. I frequently use it to compare images in LR2, to see what is possible. I ain't there yet. I do have CS4, but am pretty clueless where to start. I have one image that I know needs a lot of work, let me know which is the best forum to use for it. I am very glad I found this site. It has already been very enlightening.

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    Lifetime Member Jay Gould's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mack Hicks View Post
    I assume PP means post processing. I am new to the forums and somewhat at a loss for what the abbreviations and acronyms mean. Is there is table somewhere? I don't get the texting thing, either.

    I have been using Picasa since I first got a DSLR. I am also trying to use LR2, working through Kelby's book. Picasa is very good for organizing files, it does not move them, merely indexes them. And it can do some PP. I frequently use it to compare images in LR2, to see what is possible. I ain't there yet. I do have CS4, but am pretty clueless where to start. I have one image that I know needs a lot of work, let me know which is the best forum to use for it. I am very glad I found this site. It has already been very enlightening.
    Anita, we are clearly at the same level!!

    I only process in LR2.

    I have just started Lesson One in Adobe Photoshop CS4 - Classroom In A Book; OK everybody, there's the admission - some of us are as Green as Greenies when it comes to PS and understanding what you all are talking about! I think it is a good book, well organized, and provides sufficient lessons on a CD.

    Good luck!

  26. #26
    William Malacarne
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    I found a good place, at least for me...Lynda.com for learning Photoshop, Lightroom and many other programs. There are different ways to sign up for it. For me the best way was the $25(USA) a month fee. You can go for a month at a time and even skip time if you wish. If you registar LR or CS4 with Adobe they offer one free month at Lynda. There are also others that are similar. You can also use Google for various tuatorials on most any photoshop work flow. Plus don't forget the sections on this forum that deal with different ways to work in PP.

    PP is post processing and if you look for stickies at the top of many of the forums such as
    http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ad.php?t=12681
    there is an acronym list.

    Bill
    Last edited by William Malacarne; 05-16-2009 at 07:11 PM.

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    Here is a site for tutorials http://www.kelbytraining.com/online/all-classes.html

    Anita

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