NEF file cannot be view when import

[han32783654qc7m3]

Hello, community. I am currently having trouble previewing NEF files when importing them into Lightroom. Only the jpg files can be previewed. What could be the issue?

Environment:

iPadOS: 17.0.3

Lightroom for iPad: 9.0.0. 

[Charlie.D]

Hello, 

After import, Lightroom can display most images (after some processing).  However, on the import screen images are not yet processed by Lightroom, and the app depends on iOS to display thumbnails. 

In other words, if iOS Photos.app can display images, then Lightroom's import screen should also be able to display those images before importing.  Since it seems iOS cannot display your NEF raw images, you have to either choose to import the Raw based on how the related JPG looks, or just import all images and then later delete from Lightroom the image you don't want or need.

[han32783654qc7m3]

Thank you for your reply. Is there a way to process the images when importing them into Lightroom?

There are three reasons:

1. Currently, even if I have both JPG and RAW formats enabled on my camera, the order of the photos may not be fixed during import, which requires me to manually select many photos to ensure their correctness.

2. Sometimes, there are import failures and it consumes a large amount of storage space when I perform a full import.

3. It is too troublesome to delete unwanted photos after importing, especially when shooting hundreds of photos and only selecting a few for editing; most of the photos will be deleted.

[Charlie.D]

Hello @han32783654qc7m3 

"Is there a way to process the images when importing them into Lightroom?" I know of nothing that is faster than importing into Lightroom, which uses Adobe Camera Raw technology to process images upon import.

I do understand this pain point: "It is too troublesome to delete unwanted photos after importing, especially when shooting hundreds of photos and only selecting a few for editing"

Other than this, I don't know a solution to use only on Mobile.  In your case, I would probably opt to select using a desktop computer that probably has more robust raw image support, and drag and drop images into my mobile-only Lightroom subscription account using a desktop web browser (Chrome, Firefox, etc) at https://lightroom.adobe.com/ 

My personal process, especially while traveling and away from my desktop computer:

1. In Lightroom iOS, tap the cloud icon and disable sync

2. import most/all images from SD card to Lightroom using an SD card adapter (I use Apple's, but other brands may exist)

3. select and delete the imported images that I do NOT need, or at least which I'm comfortable importing and syncing later when I have more time and bandwidth. (I really never permanently delete any photo)

3a. Remember: I remind myself to also empty the app trash in Lightroom, so the deleted items in Trash will not sync

4. Resume sync when I can plug the device into power, near wifi, long enough for my imports to sync

[han32783654qc7m3]

Thank you for your reply, I fully understand your process.

Personally, I prefer to select the photos I am ready to edit (or consider editing) when importing, as this helps me save storage on my iPad and reduce unnecessary deletion operations. I'm not used to using the PC side much and I think the iPad is sufficient for my needs. At most, when I return home, I synchronize all the photos from the SD card to my personal NAS.

Earlier this year, when using iPadOS 15.x, NEF files could still be viewed in the import phase. However, I chose to upgrade because Lightroom had new features, and didn't expect that NEF files couldn't be displayed anymore. It would be great if you could restore the display on your end. It would really save me a lot of time other than editing pictures. 🙂

[Charlie.D]

Hi @han32783654qc7m3 

I'm not aware of any change in the Lr iOS iPad app that would cause direct import display to break, but I will try it out today.  I wonder, did you possibly update camera firmware, or did you update from iOS 16 to 17, etc?  I am just trying to think if any possible cause for the change? 

Can you currently see your NEF photos in the iOS Photos app?  Again, if iOS Photos can display your raw images, LR's import screen should also be able to see them.

[han32783654qc7m3]

I found something interesting, that is, I can indeed see NEF files in the Photos app on my iPad, but it doesn't work when importing to LR. You can see from the two images below (sorry for the Chinese system), that I will save every photo in both JPG and NEF formats, Although the loading speed of photos in the Photos app is not ideal, it can still be displayed.

Photos app on the iPad :

LR Import:

 

[han32783654qc7m3]

I took another careful look and found that the Photos app will merge JPG and RAW files (based on file names?). So it might have overlooked displaying NEF files.

[han32783654qc7m3]

I just adjusted the camera to only store NEF format, then, NEF format cannot be previewed in the Photos app on iPad.

[han32783654qc7m3]

The firmware of the camera has not been changed, currently only upgraded iPad OS from 15 to 17, nothing else.

[Charlie.D]

Thank you, @han32783654qc7m3 !
No worries about your screenshots -- they are very helpful and much appreciated.  I also appreciate your confirmation that iOS 17 can actually display the NEF format on your device.

From your screen image, I can see your camera model is Nokin Z8 -- I will try to obtain similar images to verify the issue for a developer to investigate further.

Thanks again!

Kind regards,
Charlie

[han32783654qc7m3]

I'm not sure if I expressed myself clearly enough. Can you take a look at my following reply?

> I just adjusted the camera to only store NEF format, then, NEF format cannot be previewed in the Photos app on iPad.

Should I seek help from an Apple software consultant if the original Photos app cannot display NEF files?

[Charlie.D]

Yes, thank you.  I just wanted to be clear that this represents a lack of support from Apple.  By contacting them you will be letting them know you want support for your NEF files.

Kind regards,

Charlie

[han32783654qc7m3 · Accepted solution]

Hi, @Charlie.D .

I have already asked Apple this question, but they did not reply yet. Through my own attempts, I have found a possible solution. I previously chose to use the default photo format "High Efficiency※" on Z8. Now I have changed the photo format of Z8's RAW photos to "Lossless Compression". Now iPad Photos can be opened and Lightroom for iPad can also be opened smoothly. Although the number of photos taken may decrease, at least it is usable on iPad. It seems that Apple has not adapted to the compression mode of "High Efficiency※" yet.

Thank you for your help all along!:)

[Ben Lau Photography]

I tried an SD card reader, AND I tried connecting wirelessly to my iPhone - but to no avail. When I connect wirelessly, I can send the jpgs to the phone - but they edit differently than the raws. The LR Mobile app is updated to the most current version

[Charlie.D]

Hi Ben, I merged your post into an existing thread, which discusses reasons why your Nikon Z8 NEF raw images do not appear in Lightroom's import screen.  Please read the details in the thread.

In short, if iOS Photos.app can display raw images, then so too can Lightroom's import screen.  Our app relies on the platform to render images in our Import view.  Only after allowing images to import and process can Lightroom display such images without relying on iOS support.

Maybe there are different capture settings (Lossless Compression?) you can use on your camera to generate images that iOS and LR Import can see.