I'm lost with NEF Files, HELP Please

[Zorro]

Howdy:
I have many pictures that originally were downloaded to LR. I then save them in my Ext. HD. While they were on the ext. HD my computer HD crashed and the original HD replaced. Today I went to my Ext. HD and copy those pictures to a file on my desktop. The files extension is .NEF but when I try to open them I get a message that the file can't be recognise.
What I want to do is to be able to change all those files to JPG and place them on a CD for my dauther. The files are her collage graduation pictures.

How do I go about it? Can I do it on a batch?

Thank you in advance for your help on this matter.

 

[Victoria Bampton]

What software are you trying to view the NEF files using? Are you just double clicking them?

If your original hard drive has been replaced, have you installed the latest Lightroom version? And which Nikon camera shot these NEF files?

 

[Replytoken]

It sounds like you may have two issues. First, are the files readable? As Victoria touched upon, what program are you using to try and view the files?

Second, if the files are viewable, what program do you want to use to convert the NEF files to JPG's? You can use LR, or Adobe DNG converter to create DNG files and then extract the JPEG's from the files (perhaps a bit more cumbersome but the cost is only your time). Alternately, I believe that Nikon's free viewing software will create a JPG file, but without any adjustements. Some easy alternatives to LR if you are having problems with it.

Good luck,

--Ken

 

[cosilver]

Yep, it sounds like you don't have a program installed yet that can read the NEF files. If you have installed Lightroom, you can open Lightroom and import the pictures from there.

 

[ttk]

Go to the nikon site and download the lateist Nikon Raw Codec and you will see your files again..