Nikon NEF to PS Queries

I recently completed my winter task of scanning some 30 years worth of slides using a Nikon 5000 scanner.

I chose to scan as NEF files (i.e. Nikon's version of RAW).

In between doing these scans - I've been scanning B&W film from recent shooting - both chromogenic and T-max/HP-5. Also do these as NEF format.

I am using the CS-2 version of PS.

I can directly open the B&W pictures in PS but not the slides! When I try to open the slikdes directly with CS - I am told it is an incompatible file format. So for slides I first have to open them in either Nikon's browser or in the Scanner software and re-save them as TIFF (or JPEG etc.).

Anyone know why this is? And is there an update to CS to directly read the NEFs of the slides?

Solving this one will eliminate a lot of extra "clicking" and saving temp files etc.

[kbg32]

Are you using the same settings for both B&W and slides? Check your bit depth that you are scanning the slides in. No more then 16 bit. I would also try scanning in 8 bit depth and see if that helps.

[kbg32]

Scanned NEF files are not the same as NEF files directly from the camera. I would also install the Camera Raw upgrade for CS2 from www.adobe.com and see if that helps.

[kbg32]

Hmmmm, just found out that you will not be able to open these scanned NEF files in CS2. Seems like you should, but they are not the same as camera raw files. These will only open in Nikon Capture. You are probably better off scanning these as hi-res tifs.

I think I solved it!

With the upgraded Nikon View browser you have the option to edit in various imaging programs including Photoshop CS.

As usual with Nikon software they don't fully adhere to the Windows protocol. So this option is NOT found under the EDIT function as you might expect.

Bring up a NEF into the Nikon View browser editor.

Click on FILE and then EDIT WITH OTHER SOFTWARE (or someting like that - I'm at a different computer right noe) and move over to PHOTOSHOP CS (m/l) and click on that.

This will then automatically open CS and drop the image into thw workplace!

Almost as easy as opening directly into CS - just an extra click or two but a smooth workflow transition.

[lido]

George, your solution works if you use Nikon RAW editor. You might want to try getting updated Camera Raw for your version of Photoshop from Adobe site. IMHO, it is way better and gives you way more control than Nikon one.

Originally Posted by lido

George, your solution works if you use Nikon RAW editor. You might want to try getting updated Camera Raw for your version of Photoshop from Adobe site. IMHO, it is way better and gives you way more control than Nikon one.

Thanks for the info. Yes, I really should check Adobe to see if there is an update. While the Nikon View into CS "works" pretty seamlessly being able to open directly in CS would eliminate a few mouse clicks. However, I think someone told me that Camera RAW will not work with CS? Ill have to check.