Help me with NEF

[anything]

Hi, I owned a Canon 400D. I also buy regularly Digital Photo (a UK magazine). The CD that came with the Spring 08 (Issue No.102) has a wonderful image named WALKERS.NEF. I downloaded the NEF software from the net but everytime I clicked on the WALKERS.NEF file, nothing happened. I tried the "Open with setup.exe" but I was led into countless loop of reinstalling the NEF software. Can anyone explain what went wrong? and any alternative ways of opening the WALKERS.NEF file?:confused:

[René Damkot]

Presuming the NEF is a Nikon Raw; Nikon Capture, ACR, LR, C1 and a bunch of other raw converters will do the job.

Not sure what "NEF software" you mean, but by the sound of it ("I tried the "Open with setup.exe"") you haven't installed it?

[Damo77]

Welcome to the forum!

A .nef is a Nikon raw file. Any software that you have that can open raw files (apart from Canon's software, I guess) should be able to open it, as long as it's up-to-date. What software do you have available to you?

[anything]

Damo77, after reading your message, I tried ArcSoft PhotoStudio 5.5. It can opened but at a very low resolution, only 200px x 160px. I am not sure whether the resolution was supposed to be that low consider it is a raw file (I think) that the Digital Photo magazine intended the readers to work on layers. I also tried Paints but the file is not displayed there. My friend has Photoshop on his laptop. Should I tried the Photoshop? But I have to drive 20 miles to his place.

René Damkot, the trouble with the setup.exe is that it kept overwriting the installed files and still posted a message, "You have installed the codec file, do you want to replace it?" After clicking yes and finished with the installation, I have to restart the window. The next time when I tried to open the WALKERS.nef file, the cycle is repeated. I think after 4 times, I know I'm getting nowhere with that Nef software which is supplied by Nikon on the net.

[René Damkot]

If this (http://www.nikonimglib.com/nefcodec/) is the "software" you are referring to: That's the Raw Codec. AFAIK that only allows you to see a thumbnail in the OS.

You need Nikon Capture NX: Trial downloadable from here (http://imaging.nikon.com/products/imaging/lineup/software/capturenx/nxsp/download.htm)
Alternatively, go here (http://phaseone.com/) and download a trial of C1

[BDM]

Hi, I owned a Canon 400D. I also buy regularly Digital Photo (a UK magazine). The CD that came with the Spring 08 (Issue No.102) has a wonderful image named WALKERS.NEF. I downloaded the NEF software from the net but everytime I clicked on the WALKERS.NEF file, nothing happened. I tried the "Open with setup.exe" but I was led into countless loop of reinstalling the NEF software. Can anyone explain what went wrong? and any alternative ways of opening the WALKERS.NEF file?:confused:

The other suggestions you have received are good ones. I also believe you can download a free or at least trial copy of Nikon's View NF which should be available from the Nikon site. It is relatively easy to use. You can use it to view nef files and convert them to tiff files if you choose for later work in PS. The learning curve is much less than Capture NF which also has many more features - - probably a lot more than you will need for what you are trying to do.

Bruce

[anything]

BDM & René Damkot. Thanks for the tips. I will try them out.

[greg-andrew74]

Hi, I owned a Canon 400D. I also buy regularly Digital Photo (a UK magazine). The CD that came with the Spring 08 (Issue No.102) has a wonderful image named WALKERS.NEF. I downloaded the NEF software from the net but everytime I clicked on the WALKERS.NEF file, nothing happened. I tried the "Open with setup.exe" but I was led into countless loop of reinstalling the NEF software. Can anyone explain what went wrong? and any alternative ways of opening the WALKERS.NEF file?:confused:

this is a great magazine and i know the exact image you are on about.. there are some very cool tutorials with this magazine.. hope you're well.