Best Alternative for Opening .NEF files in CS4

[TheFlyingScotsman]

I own Photoshop CS4 as part of the Adobe Masterworks Suite. Unfortunately, Masterworks includes any number of Adobe programs but not Lightroom.

I started shooting in RAW and discovered that PS CS4 will not read the .NEF files from my new Nikon D5100. So I did some research and found out that Adobe has published a new RAW plugin (6.6) that is only compatible with CS5.

Here are my options:

1. Upgrade to CS5.

2. Buy Lightroom.

Of these two option, I'd lean towards Option 1 first because I have ten years experience using PS. I've never used Lightroom and have no idea how different it is from PS. If it offers some tools that I can't get anywhere else, though, I don't mind putting the time in to learn it.

3. Use the Nikon NX2 software to save the file as a dng file. This option would be free.

4. Use Adobe's (free) dng converter.

I know asking a question like: "What do you think is the best option?" implies a number of factors: cost, functionality, etc. I also understand from reading other forums that the dng conversion process leaves out detail.

All suggestions are appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[Biomech]

Can't you get an up to date Adobe Camera RAW to work with it? That's the backend of Lightroom.

[TheFlyingScotsman]

Originally Posted by Biomech

Can't you get an up to date Adobe Camera RAW to work with it? That's the backend of Lightroom.

According to the Nikon forum, the necessary Adobe plug-in works for earlier versions of Lightroom but not CS4 - only CS5.



Edit: sorry, I also tested the latest plug-in in CS4 and it does not work.

Here is the latest link.

[RichardTaylor]

Once Adobe issues new software, they never backdate the older software to handle new cameras.

You shouldn't have any problem learning Lightroom, lots of good tutorial out them and some good books.

The editing part of Lightroom is very straight forward and intuitive (but no layers) and the Library (database) functions are very good but may a little learning to get the most out of them.

You may find that for a lot of your photographs Lightroom meets all your needs.

I use Lightroom 3 and CS4

[i speak in math]

You can download the free Adobe DNG converter (which might come with CS4 and already be on your computer). Convert your files to DNG and you can open them in any version of PS. DNG is another raw file type. By converting, you won't lose any data (unlike converting to jpeg, which compresses and tosses info). Additionally, DNG files are self contained and do not rely on the xml sidecar file. They can be compressed like zip files and are sometimes smaller than the camera's native raw file type.

[DanielLane]

Just do the upgrade of photoshop to CS5. It's only $199 and well worth it! I just did it finally and man do I love CS5! So much better than CS4. All kinds of new tidbits to work with. More power, 64bit, puppet warp, more brushes and tools and everything else. The upgrade costs around the same as lightroom does anyway. And you already have the Photoshop experience. Do the upgrade is my vote!

Oh, the newer dng conversion software does not have an issue with detail. At least the converter built into bridge on CS5

[Biomech]

Just for the record - Lightroom is awesome

[TheFlyingScotsman]

First, thank you to everyone for replying. Second, my apologies to the forum moderators for posting this in the wrong forum.

I've decided to bite the bullet and buy Lightroom 3 for $199.00. I downloaded the "free" trial and after a truly frustrating hour of trying to get it to run on my MacBook Pro with the 10.6.8 OS, I finally deleted a couple of directories per the help forum and it's now working.

My decision for buying Lightroom was influenced by two factors: first, after downloading the Adobe DNG Converter, I still couldn't get it to read my .NEF files (I know, I know . . . the logic of why that wouldn't work and Lightroom did escapes me, too), and, second, I'll just wait until August and hopefully convince my department Dean that I need Adobe CS5 Masterworks Suite for my teaching (and get the University to buy it). If not, I'll just buy it myself.

Thanks to everyone for responding; I did read all the posts carefully.

Edit: Just for the record: my $799.00 Christmas present has now cost me an additional $460.00 - and I still only have one lens.