Nikon D300 Raw File Viewer

[jcclink 8]

Need something cheap (free ?) & easy to view raw files. Bridge is very slow to load on my laptop. Just like to speed up the view only process. Any ideas?

[ornate_wrasse 0]

View NX will allow you to view the raw files you've taken with the D300. If you use Nikon Transfer to upload the images to your computer, then viewing them in View NX is quite simple. It's not, however, thought of as a useful Raw image editor.

 

Ellen

[jcclink 8]

Yeah - I tried ViewNX but it won't install for some reason. Since my laptop doesn't touch the internet maybe I'm lacking an upgrade/service pack or something.

Edited May 15, 2009 by jcclink

[jonhanson 1]

Which OS?

[jcclink 8]

Win XP Home Edition, SP2

[jeremypayne 0]

Need something cheap (free ?) & easy to view raw files. Bridge is very slow to load on my laptop. Just like to speed up the view only process. Any ideas?

Picasa?

[ehanauer 37]

Lightroom may not meet your price qualifications but is the best viewer/editor I've run across. You've got a lot invested in your D300. It deserves good software.

 

Since installing Lightroom I'm using Photoshop on less than 5% of my images.

[jcclink 8]

I have PS CS3/Bridge, which works fine on home graphics computer. D300 files required a PS CS upgrade. I know Lightroom is a great program, but the PS upgrade was cheaper. Bridge is just slow on laptop. My old Raw Shooter won't work with D300 files unfortunately. No problem downloading files. A new bigger faster laptop or a plane ticket to Indonesia ??????????????

[cpix 1]

If you download and install the Nikon Codecs available here http://nikonimglib.com/nefcodec/ your PC will 'know' how to display NEF files as it does JPG files, so you can use the Windows Live Photo Gallery if you want to ! (you may need to upgrade to SP3 as it lists in the requirements, but I would try it anyway, it will probably still work).

 

 

 

Rene.

[diverdon 1]

Bridge CS3 worked fine on my laptop. I wonder why it does not work for you.

[jcclink 8]

I'm not saying that CS3/Bridge doesn't work on my laptop. It works fine - its just slow to load & the magnifier window (when I'm in filmstrip mode) is VERY slow to load. Just get impatient with it, especially if on battery power. Laptop is D70 vintage. Then again I have my new HyperDrive, so there is an option.

Edited May 15, 2009 by jcclink

[Lionfish43 0]

Win XP Home Edition, SP2

I think you need SP3 for XP to run NX. I downloaded NX2 recently (I'm still on the 60 day trial) and I absolutely love it. The control point technology is a huge leap forward when it comes to making selective adjustments. I'm also a firm believer that you can get most from your raw files with the proprietary Nikon converters. It wouldn't fit your criteria for cheap though.

[johnspierce 25]

Microsoft Raw image viewer and thumbnailer from Microsoft. Price: Free. It enables Explorer and the standard Microsoft photo viewer to understand NEF.

 

http://www.microsoft.com/prophoto/downloads/raw.aspx

 

A must have.

 

All the other options are fine, you can use Picasa as a viewer too and it's also free, but I prefer just using good old MS Explorer to look at thumbnails since it's fast and easy, Lightroom or Photoshop to modify.

Edited May 16, 2009 by johnspierce

[jcclink 8]

Thanks for the input. I managed to install SP3 without connecting laptop to the internet, then ViewNX. All seems to work but haven't spent much time with program yet. ViewNX is what I was looking for - loads fast on laptop, just for viewing (in my case). Interesting how a new camera results in a big snowball effect

Edited May 18, 2009 by jcclink

[ornate_wrasse 0]

ViewNX is what I was looking for - loads fast on laptop, just for viewing (in my case).

 

Great! Glad you were able to get ViewNX to work on your computer.

 

Ellen