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haleyp31027075
haleyp31027075
Participating Frequently
June 15, 2017
Answered

Will Nikon NEF files ever be supported in Lightroom?

  • June 15, 2017
  • 6 replies
  • 30748 views

I'm a new Nikon user and I recently purchased the Nikon D7500. I had no idea that the RAW file format used by Nikon (NEF) would not be compatible with Lightroom, my one-and-only post-processing software.

The Adobe DNG Converter says it can convert any RAW file to DNG which can then be read by Lightroom, but that's not the case - the converter cannot read the NEF files from my camera. Luckily, I found a workaround using the image browser, Lyn, but it is a huge pain to convert all of my photos to the TIFF format before importing them into Lightroom ( I don't even know if the conversion to TIFF negatively impacts the photos in some way). 

My questions are these: Will Lightroom ever be able to read NEF files without having to convert them to TIFF or DNG? Or is this something I'll just have to do as long as I'm a Nikon user? Why are NEF files not supported? Or is there actually some way to edit NEF files in Lightroom that I don't know about?

Anyone who has some advice or answers for me, please post! 

Signed,

I've had it with technology...

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer AxelMatt

Yes, Lightroom will be compatible with NEF files (and other RAW formats) in the future.

But, the D7500 is, as far as I see a new camera model from Nikon. So it takes a while until Adobe provides an update for Lightroom and the DNG Converter. I think with the next update LR can handle the NEF files from this camera.

Here you can take a look which Lightroom version is necessary to support the appropriate RAW format.

http://https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-supported-cameras.html

6 replies

M
mymangodfrey
Participant
September 25, 2017

My 2 cents worth. As if this date, September 25th ,You can open files from the D850 in Bridge, and you can open them via Camera Raw in P.hotoshop . What yo cannot do is import NEF files into LR and edit them. This sucks.

    D
    DaveStanard
    Participant
    October 2, 2017

    Adobe's Customer Support is one of the most infuriating I have ever encountered. I used to be able to at least text/chat with an Adobe rep. Now, it is a circle back to the same BS forums that tell you nothing about what Adobe is doing or, most importantly, not doing.

    G
    geb01
    Known Participant
    October 2, 2017

    Totally agree about that and about the long delay in supporting this new highly popular camera. The D850 Facebook page has 10,000 members. Every day there are posts about the failure of LR to support the D850.

    Glenn

    G
    geb01
    Known Participant
    September 19, 2017

    When will Lightroom CC support camera profiles for the Nikon D850?  The DNG converter work-around is only good for so long, its a controverted and time consuming process.  Camera RAW has already been update, its just a matter of integrating that update into Lightroom CC.  When will this finally happen?

    F. McLion
    Community Expert
    F. McLionCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 19, 2017

    As mentioned at many places already ... nobody here knows and Adobe doesn't tell.

    As a matter of fact, there's only one thing you can do: Wait.

    --- Got your issue resolved? Please label the response as 'Correct Answer' to help your fellow community members find a solution to similar problems. ---
    G
    gwpeel
    Participant
    July 3, 2017

    Hello! I found an easy workaround while I wait for Adobe. Time-consuming, but easy. In a PC environment I am able to right click a NEF and select Properties. Under Details tab I go to the Camera Model line and click on the field stating NIKON D7500. I delete the 7 and click OK at the bottom of the tab. This changes my camera to the D500 which has the same sensor and processor. And Adobe now recognizes my NEFs. Possibly there is an EXIF editor that could do this in batches.

    D
    dj_paige
    Legend
    July 3, 2017

    and just so everyone is aware, there is no guarantee that this gives you the right result (although it might work fine). The issue is not that the D7500 and D500 have the same sensor and processor, the issue is that the file formats may not be the same and the in-camera processing might not be the same. If that's the case, you could wind up with a relatively poor conversion of the RAW sensor image (or not as good as the final Adobe software release that supports this camera will have), and in rare cases, worse things might happen.

    J
    jvanwest
    Participant
    June 15, 2017

    My Nikon D90 has support inside Lightroom but this is good news to note.  I am hoping for the next model of the D810 (whenever it comes out - D820/D850, etc.- whatever they name it) and know it will be a while before it has support inside Lightroom.

    Per Berntsen
    Community Expert
    Per BerntsenCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 15, 2017

    The D7500  is not yet supported. When a new camera comes out, Adobe has to examine the raw files from it, and then include support for it in a future update. Nobody can tell when the next Lightroom update will be, but it could take a few weeks.

    Until then, you will have to use the NIkon software.

    This happens with every new camera that comes out, so you just have to patient.

    Your NEF files will be supported.

      AxelMatt
      Community Expert
      AxelMattCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      June 15, 2017

      Yes, Lightroom will be compatible with NEF files (and other RAW formats) in the future.

      But, the D7500 is, as far as I see a new camera model from Nikon. So it takes a while until Adobe provides an update for Lightroom and the DNG Converter. I think with the next update LR can handle the NEF files from this camera.

      Here you can take a look which Lightroom version is necessary to support the appropriate RAW format.

      http://https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-supported-cameras.html

      My System: Intel i7-8700K - 64GB RAM - NVidia Geforce RTX 3060 - Windows 11 Pro 25H2 -- LR-Classic 15 - Photoshop 27 - Nik Collection 8 - PureRAW 5 - Topaz Photo
        haleyp31027075
        haleyp31027075Author
        Participating Frequently
        June 15, 2017

        Thank you for responding!

        I see, so I should be able to import NEF files directly into Lightroom in the future after Adobe tackles the new model update? That is certainly good news!

        And thanks for the link, Axel. From that chart, it appears one would need Lightroom 6 for the D7200 camera. I assume then I'll at least need Lightroom 6 for the D7500 camera model (I currently have a standalone version of Lightroom 5, so I don't get free updates).

        John Waller
        Community Expert
        John WallerCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        June 15, 2017

        haleyp31027075  wrote

        I assume then I'll at least need Lightroom 6 for the D7500 camera model (I currently have a standalone version of Lightroom 5, so I don't get free updates).

        Adobe always gives you two options in this situation: one free, one paid.

        1. Pay to upgrade to Lightroom 6. Then import and edit your NEF files in LR., or
        2. Download and install the free DNG converter. Batch convert all NEF files (which LR5 does not support but the DNG converter does) to DNG format then import the DNG files into Lightrom 5 and edit the DNG files. An extra step for you but no extra cost and maintains your Raw file workflow since DNG is a Raw file in another container.
          Digital Negative (DNG), Adobe DNG Converter | Adobe Photoshop CC
          Camera Raw: How to use Adobe DNG Converter - YouTube

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