Converting RAW images from a Nikon-D70?

Question

I just shot photos in RAW quality and I can't open them on photoshop to edit. Is there a way I can edit them without buying software?

Answer 1

Nikon has two different programs, free and too much money. I have listed a general purpose program which works well.

The free (ViewNX):

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/...

This has limited editing capability. It can convert RAW to JPG or 16-bit/color TIFF (useful for manipulating in Photoshop).

For $100 (CaptureNX):

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/...

Nice control over white balance and contrast adjustments. Pretty horrible photo editor compared to Photoshop. It will also do the conversions from raw to JPG or TIFF.

Free (dcraw):

http://www.cybercom.net/~dcoffin/dcraw/

This is a command line program which converts almost any raw format to a format of your choosing. If you use Windows, there is a build for Windows listed somewhere in his web site. The TIFFs you get out of this program will be 12-bit/color images in a 16-bit/color format. This will make your pictures look drab, but, correcting levels (Ctrl-L) in Photoshop will expand the 12-bits to 16-bit space.

Answer 2

As stated, the CD that came with your camera has a RAW converter.

Adobe has a plug-in you can download for processing RAW images from your camera

Answer 3

Your Nikon should come with the s/w.

If you lost the disc, go to the Nikon web site and see if you can download it.