Elements 2018 fails on NEF files from Z6 iii

Forum|Forum|7 months ago
July 3, 2025
3 replies
488 views

My Elements 2018 will not recognize, import or edit NEF files from Nikon Z6 iii. It does everything with NEF files from Nikon D750. What's wrong?

Error or problem

B

Bill Sprague

Community Expert

NEF files are "raw" still image files. So, this is really a Photoshop Elements question. The newer Z6iii requires Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) version 16.3 or later. The older D750 needs ACR 8.7 or newer. The current ACR version is 17.4.1. Photoshop Elements shipped with ACR 9.12 and was updated through it's life cycle to 10.3. Adobe provides a free program called "DNG Converter" that will translate NEF files into compatable DNG files. The only other choice is to buy a current version of Photoshop Elements that supports the NEF files from newer cameras.

That said, it can also be a Premier Elements issue. Older versions Premiere Elements could read and use RAW files in slide shows or composite videos. It would even interpret edits done in Lightroom Classic! That abiltiy was dropped two or three versions ago. Even Premiere Pro, or any other video editing program I knew of, would accept RAW files. Now we have to export RAW files to JPEGs for use in Premiere Elements. PNGs or TIFFs might also work but I've not tried it.

raincountry83Author

Participant

Thanks... I appreciate your help. I was afraid the problem might be linked to the age of my copy of Elements and you affirmed that.
Affinity easily opens NEF files so it's time for me to learn how to use it.
I understand Adobe is doing a subscription thing now on Elements so I'm done with it.

B

Bill Sprague

Community Expert

Thanks... I appreciate your help. I was afraid the problem might be linked to the age of my copy of Elements and you affirmed that.Affinity easily opens NEF files so it's time for me to learn how to use it.I understand Adobe is doing a subscription thing now on Elements so I'm done with it.
By @raincountry83

The (free) Adobe DNG Converter solves the issue if you enjoy the version of Elements that you have. It is a simple utility that can be used as the tool for copying your files from your camera SD card to your computer. In the copy process it will make the DNG files as well as copy the original.

John T Smith

Community Expert

Free program to get file information for PC/Mac http://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo/Download
- a MediaInfo tutorial https://youtu.be/Ivy9ckSX1M0

S

Steve Grisetti

Legend

It could be a file codec the program can't read. Open your video in the free download MediaInfo. In MediaInfo, set View to Text and then copy the text from this report and paste it to this forum.

With this information we'll be better able to help you.

By the way, are you talking about Premiere Elements video editing or Photo Elements Camera RAW photo editing? There's a very big difference.

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