Why do Nikon D3300 RAW (.NEF) files look reddish in Picasa 3 while JPEGs look normal?
Asked 8/19/2015
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I’m shooting RAW+JPEG on a Nikon D3300, and when I import the files into Picasa 3, the JPEG looks normal but the RAW (.NEF) version has a noticeable reddish cast. This was a test shot taken indoors in a dark room at ISO 6400, 1/125s, f/5.6. Is this a camera problem, or is Picasa displaying the RAW incorrectly? What should I use to view or edit NEF files properly if I don’t have Lightroom?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
10y ago
2 Answers
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Google Picasa's site says that Picasa can organise and manage RAW files and has basic codecs to allow for previews but it is stated that Picasa is not advanced enough to support the editing of RAW formats and other post-production software should be used.
This explains why RAW file formats do not display correctly in Picasa.
The only solution, really, is to get a program designed to handle RAW formats such as Lightroom and Photoshop as laurencemadil suggested. There are, of course, free programs which may be of interest.
The photographer's collection (Lightroom + Photoshop) is really affordable at just under £7/mo (approx. £85/yr) at time of purchase, and that's what I have decided to do and now renders my raw files correctly for me to edit.
Originally by user43092. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user43092
10y ago
0
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This is most likely a software/display issue, not a camera fault. Picasa 3 can organize RAW files and show basic previews, but it is not a full RAW editor and does not properly support editing or rendering all RAW formats such as Nikon .NEF files. That can cause the RAW preview to look different from the in-camera JPEG, including a reddish cast.
Why the JPEG looks normal: the camera processes JPEGs using its own white balance, color profile, and noise reduction. A RAW file needs compatible software to interpret that sensor data correctly.
What to do:
- Don’t judge NEF color accuracy in Picasa.
- Open the RAW files in software designed for RAW processing.
- If you need to correct the image, use a proper RAW editor and adjust white balance there.
In short, the reddish hue is likely coming from Picasa’s limited RAW support rather than from your D3300 or lens.
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