Can I batch-convert Nikon NEF files to JPEG so they match the camera’s JPEG look?
Asked 7/10/2012
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I usually shoot JPEG on my Nikon D80 because I prefer the in-camera look. Occasionally the camera gets switched to RAW and I end up with only NEF files. On a Mac, is there a way to batch-convert those NEFs to JPEGs using the same Nikon Picture Control or similar processing the camera would have applied?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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Yes, the camera has "presets" that are applied to the image to give it some more contrast, saturation, etc. It's very common for people to want to switch back to JPEG because RAW images look flat when you start out. It's important to still use RAW though, because you can add in your artistic vision a lot more effectively with more sensor data.
To answer your question, you can actually download the Nikon's (and Canon's) presets and apply them to the RAW image. Matt Kloskowski over at Lightroom Killer Tips posted up the latest batch here. Using these presets, you can apply the same settings that your camera does in JPEG and give you a better starting point. It's easy to do this in batch as well, or even on import by selecting the preset in the import dialog.
I'd highly encourage that you continue shooting RAW and simply apply the preset to give you a better starting point.
Originally by user10283. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user10283
14y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—approximately, and Nikon’s own software is the closest match. Nikon cameras apply in-camera processing such as white balance, sharpening, contrast, saturation, and Picture Control settings when creating JPEGs. A RAW file will often look flatter until those settings are applied.
For batch conversion, Nikon ViewNX/ViewNX-i can apply a Picture Control to multiple NEF files, then convert them to JPEG. That’s the simplest way to get close to the camera’s JPEG rendering, especially if you want to process a whole shoot at once.
Other RAW editors can also help. Some programs can use camera-style presets or profiles to mimic Nikon’s JPEG look, and these can also be applied in batch.
An exact duplicate is not always guaranteed, because Nikon’s full in-camera JPEG pipeline is proprietary and may include processing details not perfectly replicated elsewhere. If you need the closest result, compare a few RAW files against camera-made JPEGs and adjust from there.
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