What Lightroom version is needed for Nikon z8 raw files to be imported?

[janelledarnell1]

Hi I just got my hands on the new Nikon Z8 and of course when I go to upload the raw images from the camera into my Adobe  Lightroom Version 6 it will not? It finds the Z8 as the souce, shows the files but not a preview and then when you click import it says "The file cannot be opened by Lightroom" Do I need a different version of Lightroom for the Z8? Do I need to download Nikon's software? Please help! Thanks! 

[Per Berntsen]

The Nikon Z8 requires Lightroom Classic 12.3 or later.

Lightroom Classic (LrC) is only available by subscribing to the Photography plan, at $10 a month.

Alternatively, you can use the free Adobe DNG Converter which will convert copies of your NEF files to DNG files, which can be read by Lightroom 6. You'd have to set Compatibility to Camera Raw 7.1 and later in the DNG converter preferences.

Although this will let you import the files, you'll be missing out on all the new features and improvements that Lightroom has had since version 6.

[janelledarnell1]

 If I do end up going the Adobe DNG converter option will my image quailty be compromised at all from the original RAW files? thank you! 

[mchopra_98]

hi..i have the same issue even though i am using 12.5 release with camera raw 15.5

any suggestions?

[Bill Sprague]

hi..i have the same issue even though i am using 12.5 release with camera raw 15.5

any suggestions?

By @mchopra_98

This is the list:  https://helpx.adobe.com/camera-raw/kb/camera-raw-plug-supported-cameras.html

If you can't open files, my only suggestion is that you double check your installed version.   

[Jim Wilde]

Which "Lightroom Version 6" are you using? The version that uses local storage that Adobe stopped supporting around 2018, or the cloud storage version of Lightroom which was introduced in 2017 and is now coincidentally at version 6?

If you are using the old unsupported version, that will never be able to read raw files from the Z8. In which case your only Adobe options are either to take out a subscription plan for Lightroom Classic (which is the successor to LR6 and is now at version 12), or use the free stand-alone Adobe DNG converter to convert your proprietary raw files to DNG, which LR6 will then be able to process.

However, if you are using the newer cloud-centric version of Lightroom, make sure you are using either version 6.3 or the current 6.4 version, both of which support the Z8. 

[janelledarnell1]

Hi, thank you for the info. It is the old unsupport version, no cloud. If I use the free stand-alone Adobe DNG converter to convert the raw to dng will any quailty be lost on the images? 

[D Fosse]

A DNG and an NEF contain the exact same sensor data, just rewrapped. As such, you don't lose anything, it would be "as if" Lightroom 6 could read the proprietary NEFs from the camera.

However, you do lose a lot of potential quality by using such an old Lightroom version! The raw processing engine has been massively improved over time, and the current versions are a different paradigm altogether.

In other words, you're asking the wrong question...

[janelledarnell1]

thank you! Yes looks like Lightroom Classic 12 it is, thank you for all the help!

[DdeGannes]

The converted DNG contains the original data from your camera, however  Lr version 6.14 is using technology available in 2017 which is no way near the technology and features that are available in the latest version of Lightroom Classic 12.5.

You have paid a couple thousand dollars to purchase a high end camera model and you will not be able to take advantage of its quality and advanced features. You are stuck in the year 2017, just my thoughts.

The better option in my opinion would be to use Nikon software to process the raw images to tiff full resolution files and import those to Lightroom 6.14.

Retain your original raw images for other options in the future.

[DdeGannes]

If I was in your position my choice would be upgrade to the Adobe Photography Plan and you will have access to Photoshop with Bridge and Camera Raw, Lightroom Classic, Lightroom (cloud-based) app, Lightroom Mobile for Tablet and Smartphone. Lightroom 6 just does not have the features necessary for you to benefits from your new Camera model.

I you are still unwilling to move to the subscription model of Lightroom the the next option to consider is to purchase Nikon software and use that to convert your RAW files to tiff images and import to Lightroom 6 and use that to manage your files. This will preserve your prior work.