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A
Anonymous
June 10, 2017
Answered

Why does Lightroom open some NEF files and not others?

  • June 10, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 3216 views

Lightroom has not had a problem opening any of my RAW files from either of my previous Nikon DSLRs. But with my D500, it does not seem to recognize them, saying "preview unavailable for this file," and not importing any of them. Yet Photoshop seems to open them without an issue. Lightroom seems to be OK with jpeg and tiff images from the D500, just not the NEF files. Any ideas?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Just Shoot Me

    Windows 10 (Home), 64-bit. Not sure that 5.71 is the highest I CAN run, or if there's an update that has not installed correctly. I have 2017 versions of all my other Adobe suite apps, but the Lightroom app is 2015. Last updated a week ago.


    If your copy of Win 10 is 64 bit then you should be able to run LR 2015.10.1.

    Do you have the Creative Cloud desktop App installed? If do open it and click the Gear Icon in the upper right and select "Check for Updates".

    If that doesn't work you can download the base version of LR 2015 and then the .10.1 update from here.

    Download Photoshop Lightroom

    2 replies

    JP Hess
    JP Hess
    Inspiring
    June 10, 2017

    Because each camera maker insists on developing their own raw file format, Adobe has to add support for each individual camera model. That means Lightroom has to be updated periodically to provide support for new cameras. Evidently the version of Lightroom you are using is old enough that the D500 has not yet been added as a supported camera. You need to be using Lightroom 6.5/CC 2015.5 or newer in order to have support for your camera. If you are using Lightroom 6/CC then it is simply a matter of updating to the latest update available. If you are using Lightroom 5 or older it will be necessary for you to purchase an upgrade or subscribe to the Creative Cloud. The free alternative is to use the DNG converter which will convert your raw files to the Digital negative format which can be used with what ever version you are now using.

      A
      Anonymous
      June 11, 2017

      Thanks. I update all my Adobe CC software regularly, and I checked, and am told that I have there are no updates beyond the last one I have, which was only a couple of weeks ago. Looks like it's 5.7.1, and Camera raw 8.7.1

      JP Hess
      JP Hess
      Inspiring
      June 11, 2017

      Well then, something isn't right. Unless you only have a 32-bit operating system you are way behind. You should be running Lightroom CC 2015.10.1, And Camera Raw which is used by Photoshop (not Lightroom) should be at version 10.1. What operating system are you running? Is it possible that you still have both the CC software and Lightroom 5.7.1 installed, and you are double-clicking on the icon for the old version? Both versions can coexist. But if you are using a 32-bit operating system you cannot use Lightroom CC. It is 64-bit only.

      Rob_Cullen
      Community Expert
      Rob_CullenCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 10, 2017

      What version number of Lightroom are you running?

      You need v6.5 or higher.

      Cameras supported by Camera Raw

      Regards. My System: Windows-11, Lightroom-Classic 15.1.1, Photoshop 27.3.1, ACR 18.1.1, Lightroom 9.0, Lr-iOS 10.4.0, Bridge 16.0.2 .
      A
      Anonymous
      June 11, 2017

      Thanks. I update all my Adobe CC software regularly, and I checked, and am told that I have there are no updates beyond the last one I have, which was only a couple of weeks ago. Looks like it's 5.7.1, and Camera raw 8.7.1

      Just Shoot Me
      Just Shoot Me
      Legend
      June 11, 2017

      Clicking "Open" from the Creative Cloud window updated the App. The files opened as normal. thanks so much!


      dtbaker2318  wrote

      Clicking "Open" from the Creative Cloud window updated the App. The files opened as normal. thanks so much!

      If that is the case then LR CC 2015 was already installed on your system and you never even knew it. If you click on the shortcut you had been using to open LR does LR 5 open or LR CC 2015.

      LR CC 2015 is a completely different program from LR 5 and not any type of update to LR 5. There should be 2 separate shortcuts in your Start menu for LR.

      The only time the CC DTA shows Open to the right of a program is after it has already been installed. Otherwise that button would read "Install" or "Try" for CC apps your subscription doesn't cover.

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