How to Open Nikon D7100 RAW files using Adobe Editors

How to Open Nikon D7100 Raw Files

Overview

Nikon D7100 stores the RAW images in Nikon Electronic Format (NEF). RAW mode photos are always stored NEF format. As camera changes, RAW data also changes. To overcome these changes, there is need to update the new changes. All the cameras have different camera sensor and different settings to take the shot. This is the main reason, a user is not able to open RAW files on other cameras.

When a user moves to new camera, new data settings and sensor is experienced. Therefore, when a user try to open Nikon D7100 RAW files in a program before the release of D7100, it will not be opened because it is not able to understand the format.

Query 1
“I have purchased a Nikon D7100 camera just a few days ago. I am trying to upload my RAW files into Photoshop, it refuses to recognize them my RAW files. I also tried updated version of Camera RAW(6.7) but still facing the same problem while I try to open Nikon D7100 RAW files.”

Query 2
“Previously I was using a Nikon D200 and now, I am using Nikon D7100. With both the cameras I have customized in the same settings, but now I have to compromise with the sharpness of pictures and there is an issue with uploading RAW files of Nikon D200 to D7100.”

Query 3
“I don’t understand, why I am not able to open my RAW files of Nikon D7100 in Photoshop CS5. Constantly facing problem, not able to understand what is the issue. Is it related to compatibility issue between the programs or some procedure I am trying to open my image files.”

Most of the users are facing problem to open Nikon D7100 RAW files in any photos related programs due to some compatibility issues with software updates. Therefore, a user is having two choices to open Nikon D7100 RAW image files:
1. Update programs to new versions
2. To change the format, use a converter

How to Open Nikon D7100 RAW files

One can view Nikon D72100 RAW file using Nikon viewers provided by Nikon itself. Two types of tools provided by Nikon to view the NEF RAW file, which are mentioned below:

• Nikon ViewNX2
  ViewNX2, with basic data importing and browsing, includes adjust menus and tools also such as brightness control, straighten, resize and crop, which all are used by the users frequently. The best part of this product, it also supports RAW processing and moving-editing services same as found in SLRs. A user can download this tool from Nikon or it is included with Nikon D7100.

As this tool supports RAW file processing therefore, Nikon D7100 .NEF file can be viewed with the help of this Nikon View NX2. The newest version 2.7.3 and 2.7.4, supports D7100. A user can save the NEF RAW file using ViewNX2 as TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) as it only supports basic editing capabilities and open it in any editor based on their choice.

• CaptureNX2
  Capture NX2 is a photo editing program developed by Nikon for both Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows users. Therefore, with the help of CaptureNX2 users can open, view and edit the D7100 NEF RAW file. It offers advance editing and high performance compatibility with 64-bit to be used on modern operating systems. A user can update to the latest version of Capture NX2 for free to open Nikon D7100 RAW file.

Features of Capture NX2

1.  It saves all the made changes in NEF file.
2.  Provides Color Control Point editing, saturation and brightness.
3.  It also offers to edit selective NEF RAW flies without manually outline are of editing.
4. It has the ability to automatically remove dust from the NEF RAW image files by using Dust Off option.

Editors to open Nikon D7100 RAW file

• Adobe Lightroom 4.4 & Lightroom 5
• Adobe Photoshop CS6
• Adobe DNG Converter

Open Nikon D7100 RAW files : Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop CS6 can also be used to open D7100 RAW file. The user can open image file using new Adobe Camera RAW version 7.4. If a user is having Photoshop CS5 then it is not having an updated new Camera RAW version and are not allowed to open the files in it. To open a D7100 NEF file, one must have newest version of Camera RAW included in Photoshop CS6.
Camera RAW: It is basically used to open NEF files and allows users to decide the toned curve and white balance of the images.
Steps need to be followed to open a NEF image in Photoshop
Photoshop can be used as editor to open the Nikon D7100 RAW image file. The steps to followed are mentioned below:

1. First, a user need to open the folder that contains RAW Image files
2.  After that, right-click on the image icon and select Open With option
3.  List of different supporting applications will be displayed, choose Adobe Photoshop from them
4.  If Adobe Photoshop is not present in the list browse it
5. Now, with the help of Adobe bridge, you are allowed to open it with Adobe Camera RAW.

Convert NEF to DNG : Adobe DNG Converter

NEF files are generated by Nikon and each version of Nikon generates different NEF files which are generally called RAW files. To open the RAW files in Photoshop one must have updated version of the Photoshop Only the latest version has Adobe Camera RAW in it. Therefore, if a user is using Photoshop CS5 then their is need of convert NEF file to DNG. A user can open DNG file in any version of the Photoshop without any restriction.

Steps to convert NEF to DNG

1. First, you need to download a free utility i.e. Adobe DNG converter
2. After successful installation, run the software to perform conversion
3. Now, select the file that you want to convert by clicking on Select Folder button
4. Select the destination to save the converted image file
5.  Next you are asked to set the image name, if you don’t want then it will by default save it with original name
6.  Now, you are allowed to set preferences, otherwise leave it as default setting
7. Finally, click on Convert button to start the conversion. It takes time based on number files you are converting.

Open Nikon D7100 RAW files : Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom is also one of the photo editor tool that can be used to view D7100 NEF RAW file. Users can use Adobe Lightroom version 4.4 because versions below 4.4 does not support NEF RAW file. In case of older version either a user can update the Lightroom or converts files to DNG.

Conclusion

Users come across many problem while opening d7100 RAW file. There are various reasons available because of which users are unable to open Nikon D7100 RAW files. Keeping all these issues in mind, there are some methods and applications are discussed, which helps user to open and edit NEF file in much efficient way.