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EmilioDS
Participant
June 24, 2024
Answered

Unable to import Nikon custom profile (ncp file) in Lightroom

  • June 24, 2024
  • 3 replies
  • 1895 views

As indicated in the title, I am unable to import some nikon custom profiles (with .ncp extension) into Lightroom.
Apparently the program doesn't recognize the format, which should be, I think, .xmp or .dcp.
Is there a way to convert the ncp file? Or can anyone give me some suggestions?

Correct answer GoldingD

Ok, I see that perhaps a member overlooked the actual inquiry. Not can one import a Nikon Custom Profile into LrC (answer to that is no, and I think only XMP profiles, DCP profiles, and LCP lens profiles are supported, see REF 1) but how to save/convert a Nikon Custom Profile to a format that LrC can use.

 

Now, I am not a Nikon user, so I had to Google on this. If I have this correct, a custom Nikon Profile is created by the user using a Nikon application (Nikon Picture Control Editor, REF 2, or perhaps the Nikon Picture Control Utility 2) then saved to the camera (or can you do all of that in camera??)

 

And the format for the file that is created/used is. ncp (a file format LrC has no capability of using)

 

My first kneejerk thought (as in wrong) would be to look for a source that has profiles for Nikon Cameras for use in LrC. But NO, that would not be for custom profiles the user created, but for standard ones Nikon created (that are basically emulated via camera matching profiles, and not what you are looking for) or ones the author created for their work (that will probably not be you inspirations)

 

So, in this case, some sort of software or update to software that can save the profile into the required format.

 

No answer just yet.

 

P.S. I assume you are frustrated, please take a breath, Replying tersely to a members reply is not wanted or appreciated.

 

REF 1) https://www.lightroomqueen.com/classic-import-profiles-presets/

REF 2) https://nikonpc.com/

 

 

 

3 replies

S
Stephen Nixon
Participant
June 8, 2025

For what it’s worth, I appreciated the exchange, including the added info given after the non-answer was challenged. Thank you, all!

I do wish I could import the .ncp profile into Lightroom. If it’s something Adobe can do, here’s my vote in favor of that feature. If it’s fully proprietary and Adobe can’t possibly parse it, here’s hoping Nikon opens up the format to allow users to import custom profiles into apps like Lightroom.

GoldingD
GoldingDCorrect answer
Legend
June 24, 2024

Ok, I see that perhaps a member overlooked the actual inquiry. Not can one import a Nikon Custom Profile into LrC (answer to that is no, and I think only XMP profiles, DCP profiles, and LCP lens profiles are supported, see REF 1) but how to save/convert a Nikon Custom Profile to a format that LrC can use.

 

Now, I am not a Nikon user, so I had to Google on this. If I have this correct, a custom Nikon Profile is created by the user using a Nikon application (Nikon Picture Control Editor, REF 2, or perhaps the Nikon Picture Control Utility 2) then saved to the camera (or can you do all of that in camera??)

 

And the format for the file that is created/used is. ncp (a file format LrC has no capability of using)

 

My first kneejerk thought (as in wrong) would be to look for a source that has profiles for Nikon Cameras for use in LrC. But NO, that would not be for custom profiles the user created, but for standard ones Nikon created (that are basically emulated via camera matching profiles, and not what you are looking for) or ones the author created for their work (that will probably not be you inspirations)

 

So, in this case, some sort of software or update to software that can save the profile into the required format.

 

No answer just yet.

 

P.S. I assume you are frustrated, please take a breath, Replying tersely to a members reply is not wanted or appreciated.

 

REF 1) https://www.lightroomqueen.com/classic-import-profiles-presets/

REF 2) https://nikonpc.com/

 

 

 

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 24, 2024

    It is very unlikely that these proprietary profiles would be of any use in Lightroom Classic even if you did manage to import them.

     

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
    E
    EmilioDSAuthor
    Participant
    June 24, 2024

    Thanks for the non-answer, fortunately the world is full of experts and wise men like you who will save the world, without knowing it

    JohanElzenga
    Community Expert
    JohanElzengaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 24, 2024

    These profiles are used when demosaicing the raw file. Nikon uses a different raw engine than Adobe, so profiles for Nikon's raw engine will not be compatible with Adobe's raw engine and vice versa. The Nikon 'camera' profiles in Lightroom, like 'camera neutral', are not Nikon profiles, but Adobe's attempt to create a profile that looks like a Nikon profile. Perhaps you'll believe me after reading this from CaptureOne, that does the same thing: 

    https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360007388658-Nikon-ICC-profiles

     

    -- Johan W. Elzenga
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