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chrisw88909591
chrisw88909591
Participant
July 16, 2019
Answered

Lightroom 5.7.1 - Cannot read NEF files

  • July 16, 2019
  • 4 replies
  • 4381 views

Lightroom suddenly stopped importing raw files from my Nikon cameras, saying files could not be read, whereas previously no problem.

Anyone got any ideas how to resolve this problem please?

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    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Todd Shaner

    chrisw88909591  wrote

    I have checked the permissions for Lightroom, and it tells me I have 'custom access'. Under name it says 'system' and privilege it says Read & Write.

    As Per mentioned you need to change the Destination Folder permissions–NOT the Lightroom application. This is the specific folder you have selected in the LR Export module's right panel under the 'Destination' tab as shown below.

    chrisw88909591  wrote

    I cannot see why any of this should have changed since the last time I uploaded pictures about a month ago.

    Are you saving the files to an external hard drive you've recently added? If so you will need to set the permissions for the whole drive.

    https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-change-permissions-on-an-external-hard-drive-for-a-mac

    4 replies

    chrisw88909591
    chrisw88909591Author
    Participant
    July 19, 2019

    I have checked the permissions for Lightroom, and it tells me I have 'custom access'. Under name it says 'system' and privilege it says Read & Write. I cannot see why any of this should have changed since the last time I uploaded pictures about a month ago.

    Incidentally it says the top of this query that the question has been answered, but it has not been resolved! I am still unable to upload images to Lightroom,although when Lightroom detects the memory card it can 'see' the images on it as they appear in the grid, but then clicking the 'import' button results in the message that the files could not be read.

    I really hope someone can give me a solution to this problem. Thanks.

    Per Berntsen
    Community Expert
    Per BerntsenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 19, 2019

    I have checked the permissions for Lightroom, and it tells me I have 'custom access'.

    This is not about permissions for the application, but for the folder you are importing to - the destination folder.

    To unmark an answer as correct, click the Unmark as correct button.

    chrisw88909591
    chrisw88909591Author
    Participant
    July 17, 2019

    Hi the first 5 lines are as follows:

    Lightroom version: 5.7.1 [994254]

    License type: Perpetual

    Operating system: Mac OS 10

    Version: 10.11 [6]

    Application architecture: x64

    I hope that gives some help. As mentioned in the other reply the cameras used were Nikon D700, and Nikon 1 V2, both of which I have been using with Lightroom for years!

    Todd Shaner
    Todd Shaner
    Legend
    July 17, 2019

    This is most likely due to lack of write permission on the Destination folder.

    macOS Sierra: Set permissions for items on your Mac

    dj_paige
    dj_paige
    Legend
    July 16, 2019

    chrisw88909591  wrote

    Lightroom suddenly stopped importing raw files from my Nikon cameras, saying files could not be read, whereas previously no problem.

    Is it possible that somehow, you have reverted to a version of Lightroom earlier than 5.7.1? Please go to Help->System Info and report the first 5 lines there (do not copy and paste the entire Help->System Info window into your reply).

    Also, what camera took these photos?

    Sahil.Chawla
    Adobe Employee
    Sahil.Chawla
    Adobe Employee
    July 16, 2019

    Hi there,

    That does not sound good, let's make it right.

    As Lightroom is not able to read the raw files, could you please let us know what camera model you're working with?

    Please check this article to make sure that your camera is compatible with the version of Lightroom you're using: Cameras supported by Camera Raw


    You can use the DNG converter to convert your raw files to dng format and then try importing them into Lightroom.

    Could you please let us know where are your raw files stored? External drive or Local drive?

    Regards,
    Sahil

    Moved to Lightroom Classic — The desktop-focused app

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