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Importing NEF files

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
August 26, 2021
10 replies
2695 views

Lightroom Classic is not importing NEF files from my Nikom D600?
I processed the pictures in Nikon software NX Studio and converted the pictures to JPG format but the Lightroom Classic is still not importing it? It shows Done but not Import.
I have processed NEF files before without any issues, so whats wrong this time? Thanks

macOS

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Correct answer GoldingD

If the above was not it;

That lack of an import button just screams buggy behavior, as in the preference file is corrupt. The prefrence file will survive updates, upgrades, uninstalls, reinstalls. If it gets corrupted, then you need to restore it (a.k.a. resetting). This will cause the existing preference file to get deleted, then upon LrC restart, a new fresh preference file will get created. Note that some settings inside of preferences may revert to defaults.

see: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/setting-preferences-lightroom.html

GoldingD

Legend

As for altering the settings in preferences, you will just need to work thru them, putting them back the way you want them

here are some articles:

Lightroom Killer Tips | Important Preferences and Catalog Settings

The Lightroom Queen | Lightroom Performance – Preferences & Catalog Settings

Lightroom Guy | Lightroom Classic Preferences & Catalog Settings

GoldingDCorrect answer

Legend

If the above was not it;

That lack of an import button just screams buggy behavior, as in the preference file is corrupt. The prefrence file will survive updates, upgrades, uninstalls, reinstalls. If it gets corrupted, then you need to restore it (a.k.a. resetting). This will cause the existing preference file to get deleted, then upon LrC restart, a new fresh preference file will get created. Note that some settings inside of preferences may revert to defaults.

see: https://helpx.adobe.com/lightroom-classic/help/setting-preferences-lightroom.html

yuvi25Author

Participating Frequently

Eureka!!!
Yes the "Import" button is visible now!
Imported some NEF files and it worked! So many thanks.
However I have lost my Prefrence menu all settings ( all reset) and would appreciate guidence for the same?
Thanks once again and to everyone for their advice.
Regards

GoldingD

Legend

You may want to mark the reply that fixed your issue a correct, so others can see what one it was.

GoldingD

Legend

That screenshot, missing areas on right side. Is that due to the way you took the screenshot, or is info actually not being displayed? On a MAC, the Import button would be to the right of Cancel.

Have you, perhaps, dragged your LrC screen, to far to the right, cutting off some of the display?

yuvi25Author

Participating Frequently

While some area to the right may be missing in the screenshot, the fact is there was no Import button! Otherwise there would be no problem for me to import the NEF files. Only when the preference file was reinsatlled as listed below, the Import button appeared!

TheDigitalDog

Inspiring

So if you do NOT use Nikon NX first, you try importing without, it does import?

Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"

yuvi25Author

Participating Frequently

I used NX Sudio only now when I was unable to import into LrC.Thanks

Rob_Cullen

Community Expert

Be aware that edits made in Nikon Studio to the NEF will not be visible in Lightroom-Classic.

The JPG exported from Studio will show the edits.

Nikon have just released an update to Nikon Studio v1.0.1, have you updated?

My test with a D750 NEF show no problems- Both the NEF and an exported JPG were able to Import in to Lr-Classic. Strangly (in my Dell XPS-13 8Gb RAM) the Import preview thumbnail of the JPG was slow to change from a blank grey to eventually show the thumbnail.

Do you see the files listed in the Previous Import list after you see "Done"?

Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .

yuvi25Author

Participating Frequently

This is the screenshot of my LrC when I am trying to import. On the right bottom panel it shows "Done" . Clicking on it does nothing. It should read "Import". Also on the left expanded panel this file is not showing are not showing ?
Maybe this time I am doing something wrong? Thanks

TheDigitalDog

Inspiring

Hard to tell from your screen capture as part of the GUI is cut off.

Can you upload one of the NEFs in something like Dropbox or similar so others can try importing?

Author “Color Management for Photographers" & "Photoshop CC Color Management/pluralsight"

GoldingD

Legend

Please post a screenshot of your import screen.Interested in:

Is Source via Device or Files
Where in the source have you clicked on, in what part if file structure
Import method (see bellow)
Destination if applicable
What thee grid view shows.

Lightroom Classic is still not importing it? It shows Done but not Import.

Untill you select at least one image, the Import button will be gray, might get unnoticed.

Also, how are you importing?The mechanics.

SD card in internal card reader
SD card in external card reader
SD card in camera, camera connected to computer via USB
SD card in camera, connection to computer via WiFi

And, what method of import (agg, after editing, I am repetitive, but I will leave this in)

Copy as DNG
Copy
Add
Move

If the method is ADD, then, and bear with me on this odd recommendation, temporally change it to Copy, then under Destination, make sure that destination is a valid location, any valid location, point is if it is pointing to a destination that no longer exists, then LrC fouls up, even though it is not where ADD would be.

Rikk Flohr_Photography

Nikon had a problem in the past with older versions of NX studio where it would make the file unreadable to Lightroom. To test this, import a picture into Lightroom without going to NX Studio. Does it import then?

Rikk Flohr: Adobe Photography Org

yuvi25Author

Participating Frequently

I am not importing pictures through NX Studio to LrC but directly. Upon selection the screen say Done but not Import?

JP Hess

Inspiring

The reason I asked for the exact version number is because some users think they are using the latest version when in fact they aren't. If it bothers you to answer the questions then I apologize. It's possible that editing the images with the Nikon software is affecting the status of the images such that they are no longer able to be imported by Lightroom. I know that users who have used Nikon Transfer to download images from their camera or card have found in the past that that software has corrupted images so that Lightroom hasn't been able to import them. Incidentally, Lightroom Classic is compatible with Camera Raw 13.4, but the plug-in is not part of normal LrC operation. The technology is all built into the Lightroom program. I probably haven't given you any suggestions that will help you. I hope you get things figured out eventually.

yuvi25Author

Participating Frequently

Thanks for the detailed answer. No offence of any kind as you are trying to help me solve my issue!
The NEF files were downloaded from the camera to a folder in an inbuilt external hard drive in my Mac and from there I was ,as usual ,trying to import it into Lightroom Classic. Nikon transfer was not used.
When I could not import/edit in LrC , I transferred the same to NX Studio and edited the pictures. The output was in JPG format. I have not tried to import these JPG files into LrC.

JP Hess

Inspiring

You indicate that you are using "the subscription plan". But what exact version number of LrC are you using? That would help provide some pertinent information.

yuvi25Author

Participating Frequently

I do not know how that would help as the subscription plans are always updated to the latest.
Also that I have used it in the past to edit NEF photos before but somehow not importing this time ?
Anyway this Adope Lightroom Classic is showing 10.4 release. Camera Raw 13.4.

yuvi25Author

Participating Frequently

In any case I have editerd the NEF files in the excellent Nikon's software NX Studio.

JP Hess

Inspiring

Then camera model has been supported for a very long time. From what you indicate, it doesn't seem to be a problem with just the raw files. Any error messages? What operating system? What exact version of LrC are you using? Have you imported images in the past? More details would really be helpful.

yuvi25Author

Participating Frequently

At the onset, thanks for the promt reply.
I am using MacBook Pro 15inch , 2019.
Operating system is macOS Big Sur ver 11.5.2
Using Lightroom Classic ( subcription Photography Plan)
There are no error messges.
From my older lightroom catalouge I can see that have imported and processed NEF files.
Checeked the files permisiion . They are set at Read & Write

yuvi25Author

Participating Frequently

Still awaiting Help for my orginal post ?

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