Viewing .NEF files

Deleted

Senior Member
I have a Windows 7 laptop which I am taking on holiday/vacation. The laptop is quite old so does not have a great spec (in 2014 terms). I want the option to upload RAW files to the laptop for easier viewing (than the camera LCD screen). I have available Photoshop Elements (v10) or ViewNX2 which came with the camera. Which would be best to install on the laptop?
 

aroy

Senior Member
I have a Windows 7 laptop which I am taking on holiday/vacation. The laptop is quite old so does not have a great spec (in 2014 terms). I want the option to upload RAW files to the laptop for easier viewing (than the camera LCD screen). I have available Photoshop Elements (v10) or ViewNX2 which came with the camera. Which would be best to install on the laptop?
. For viewing, converting and minor adjustments - View-NX-2.
. For extensive image adjustments - exposure, highlights, geometric correction, etc - Capture NX-D.

Photoshop is good for further manipulation of images, but Nikon software is best for adjustments and RAW conversion .
 

Deleted

Senior Member
@aroy

Thanks for your reply. The laptop has 1.2gb RAM, so is not suited for any editing. This is just for viewing the images & maybe the odd adjustment.
 

aroy

Senior Member
If View NX is too much, then try IrfanView. After you install it add all the plugins and you will be able to view NEF files. You can also (amongst other things)
. Convert then to other formats
. Crop, rotate and swap colours
 

WayneF

Senior Member
If View NX is too much, then try IrfanView. After you install it add all the plugins and you will be able to view NEF files. You can also (amongst other things)
. Convert then to other formats
. Crop, rotate and swap colours


No one should ever confuse Irfanview or FastStone with being Raw editors.

NEF raw files have a Large JPG embedded in them, so the camera can show a histogram, and can show the rear LCD preview, including zoom.

This embedded JPG is all that Irfanview can access. It is a "view" perhaps, like for identification, perhaps suitable for this laptop purpose, but Irfanview is in no way a Raw editor. It has absolutely none of the advantages of Raw.
 

aroy

Senior Member
Yes, IrfanView is not a RAW editor, it is primarily a viewer, and that is what is needed when you travel light with an old laptop. The program is very small and gives you basic editing facilities, so that you can review things fast in field.
 
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