How do I convert Nikon D5100 NEF (RAW) files to JPEG for editing in Photoshop Elements 8?
Asked 3/17/2013
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I accidentally shot some important photos in NEF (Nikon RAW) instead of JPEG on my Nikon D5100. I tried Nikon ViewNX, but got confused by the optional Picture Controls download and the D5100 not being listed. I use Photoshop Elements 8 and need a simple way to open these files and save them as editable JPEGs. What’s the easiest way to do this?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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Don't worry that the D5100 isn't listed. The picture controls can be downloaded for use by the software (View NX2) or to be uploaded onto the camera. You're only interested in making them available for View NX2, so don't need to worry about the camera model.
If you haven't selected another Picture Control setting in your D5100 menu, it will have defaulted to Standard, so use that in ViewNX2. Otherwise use whatever you have your Picture Control set to (in the Shooting Menu > Set Picture Control).
I would persevere in getting View NX2 going - the advantage being that it will allow you to adjust the RAW files before saving to JPG. You may find you won't have to do any further work in Elements.
Originally by user4191. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user4191
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—you can convert D5100 NEF files to JPEG. If you want the simplest route in Photoshop Elements 8, install the latest Adobe Camera Raw version available for Elements 8 (ACR 6.2 was mentioned). Then open the NEF files in Elements and save them as JPEGs.
You can also use Nikon ViewNX2. Don’t worry if the D5100 isn’t listed in the optional Picture Controls download—that’s for the software as well as some cameras. If you didn’t change Picture Control in-camera, your files likely used Standard, so select that in ViewNX2. ViewNX2 is useful because you can make RAW adjustments before exporting to JPEG.
Another option mentioned was a freeware NEF-to-JPG converter that can save to JPEG or TIFF.
In short: your photos are fine, and RAW is actually better for editing. The easiest options are Adobe Camera Raw in Elements or Nikon ViewNX2.
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