Nikon D90 RAW files

Adobe Raw Converter is a free tool that will convert your files to the DNG Raw format which Aperture can recognize. I have a D700 and it worked for that camera shortly after it was released. You will probably find find that it will work with the D90's RAW files before Aperture.

RAW files are different from camera model to camera model, because they are a direct readout of the sensor in the camera. Even cameras like the D700, which is basically an updated D3, have differences. As a result, Apple (and anyone else who makes a raw converter) has to make a raw file specifically for each new camera model.

In other words, it's the very nature of a raw file that every camera model is different.

What a bummer! I just got my D90 today and was completely bummed to find that not only did Aperture not support the camera, but the new update to fix the D700 support issue did not include the D90 but that the Nikon software crashes constantly. Seriously, I can't even view a NEF file without the ViewNX crashing. Can anyone help me with that until Aperture gets caught up?

Pleading for an update!

Adobe's DNG converter doesn't support the D90 either, so you're stuck with Nikon's software or looking at other third-party raw converters.

My advice: learn to use the picture controls on your camera try shooting JPEG. Turn on D-lighting and bump up the saturation and sharpening a bit. If the JPEG engine on your D90 is anywhere near as good as one in my D700, then you'll be amazed at the images. I need to futz with the controls in Aperture when shooting raw to get an equally good image. Pay attention to your exposure and white balance since you won't have as much room to correct them in post-processing.

Cheers,

Andreas

I've been shooting JPEG for the past few days with the D90, and I must say, I am quite impressed with the quality as I sit here and wait for RAW support. You are right regarding having to fuss less in Aperture post wise. I could actually get used to this, and I've been shooting strictly RAW for the past few years.

Mmmm, maybe I need to start shooting RAW+JPEG, and only keeping the RAW file as my digital negative, while extracting the JPEG from within Aperture, stacking right away on initial import! 8-)

Adobe's just-released Camera Raw 4.6 Beta supports the D90. You can use the DNG converter to convert your NEFs to DNGs. This will let you use them in Aperture via its generic DNG capability while you kick back and wait a few months for Apple to provide support.

Cheers,

Andreas

Thanks for the heads up.

I confirm I get the same problem with my new D90 bought last Monday (great cam). I can see the thumbnails with Aperture but not the full pics.
on top of that, DXO and Photoshop have not yet released updates for the D90...
so yes we have to use ViewNX to convert pictures into JPEG. But I rather prefer to work in NEF format.

Even if the sensors are identical it doesn't mean the raw files are the same. raw files contain sensor data and a load of in-camera data too. This will differ from each model.

Hi There,

I was looking at the ADOBE DNG converter for RAW. I'm a bit confused, is this a stand alone application or do you require to have a copy of Photoshop CS3 or Photoshop Elements?

You must have photoshop or Elements to use ACR, but the DNG converter is a standalone application.

Thanks for the information, i'll give it a try and hopefully it will work with my D90 Raw images

Having the same experience with RAW ADOBE DNG files. I know I could view them before a recent update. Does apple have to support the file type or each manufacturers camera software?
Example: I am using a Samsung Pro815 in RAW as mentioned above but the way the camera writes the file might be different from the way a cannon would write the sam file? Even though they are both in the same file type they aren't universally the same? Thats where I am confused , I thought the reason for standard formats was to accommodate universal access and in that case there would only be a relatively small number of file types to consider.

I'm still hearing nothing from Apple, what the heck...I hate converting these files through Adobe, I want some native support over here!

FINALLY... It's here! Camera RAW Update 2.3!!!