Can't import RAW files into iPhoto 6 Library from Nikon D700

Question

Level 1

6 points

Can't import RAW files into iPhoto 6 Library from Nikon D700

For whatever reason I am unable to import RAW files from my Nikon D700 into my iPhoto 6 (version 6.0.6) Library. I can import JPEGs from the D700, but it's no-go with the RAW files. When I attempt to import the RAW files I get the following message:

"Unreadable Files

The following files could not be imported (they may be an unrecognized file type or the files may not contain valid data)."

Can anybody solve this mystery for me?

Bob

20" iMac/2.16GHz Processor/2GB RAM/500GB HD, Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Jul 18, 2009 8:54 PM

Reply

Answer 1

LarryHN

Level 10

106,124 points

Jul 18, 2009 9:41 PM in response to Bob Brand

RAW support is an OS feature - you need to be at OSX 10.5.5 or newer for Nikon D700 RAW support - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1475

With Tiger you will only have JPEGs available

LN

Reply

Answer 2

Bob Brand Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 18, 2009 10:18 PM in response to LarryHN

Larry,

Thanks for your quick response.

Ouch! I presume this means that I am going to have to upgrade to Mac OS X v10.5.6 Leopard. Can you give me any assurance that I can do this upgrade without encountering problems? I am always leery about upgrading operating systems. That's why I am still operating with OS X 10.4.11 Tiger!

If I upgrade to Leopard can I still continue to use iPhoto 6 (version 6.0.6)?

Bob

Reply

Answer 3

LarryHN

Level 10

106,124 points

Jul 18, 2009 10:31 PM in response to Bob Brand

1 - I do not use RAW

2 - upgrades are easy IF you do them right - have a good tested backup (I prefer a clone) so if there are problems you can instantly go back

3 -you only upgrade good. working systems - fix problems before upgrading

4 - I do not think (but am not sure since I do not user RAW) that iPhoto 6.0.5 will support your Nikon D700 RAW even with Leopard

5 - iPhoto 6 works fine under Leopard

LN

Reply

Answer 4

Bob Brand Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 18, 2009 11:26 PM in response to LarryHN

Larry,

I don't usually shoot RAW either, but I was tying it out on my D700. Would one of your colleagues know if iPhoto 6 will support D700 RAW files if I upgrade the OS? (For your information I use iPhoto only for storing and organizing my photos. I use Photoshop Elements 6 for Mac for editing purposes). That would be important to know, because Leopard and iLife 9 are available in a bundle at a favorable cost if I need to upgrade both the OS and iPhoto.

Bob

Reply

Answer 5

LarryHN

Level 10

106,124 points

Jul 18, 2009 11:34 PM in response to Bob Brand

Terrence may - he shoots RAW

iPhoto '09 has lots of great features - and is a bit of a resource hog - I think you have the same iMac I do and sometimes it gets overwhelmed by Safari 4 and iPhoto '09

I use iPhoto for 90% of editing - PSE6 for the remaining small amount

I'm looking forward to an intel system with Snow Leopard later this year

LN

PS - I see TD just got up and probably will be along here shortly 🙂

I'm heading for bed myself - nite

Message was edited by: LarryHN

Reply

Answer 6

Yer_Man

Level 10

164,064 points

Jul 18, 2009 11:45 PM in response to Bob Brand

No, iPhoto 6 won't work with the D700 RAW, you'll need iPhoto 08 at least. iPhoto 09 will certainly work with these RAW.

Regards

TD

Reply

Answer 7

Bob Brand Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 19, 2009 9:30 AM in response to Yer_Man

Terence,

Thanks for the information. From what you say it looks like I am going to have to upgrade from my iPhoto 6 as well as my from my OS X 10.4.11 if I want to handle D700 RAW files.

I presume that the economically-priced Mac Box Set containing OS X 10.5.6 Leopard, iLife '09, and iWork '09 would be the way to go. Do you concur?

Do you feel that my 20" Intel iMac--details listed below--would have any problems handling the upgraded programs?

I'm uneasy at the thought of upgrading my operating system, but I presume that chances of running into problems are much less than if I were upgrading a Windows OS. In case a problem arises my entire hard drive is backed up with a 1T external hard drive using SuperDuper software, but I prefer not to encounter a situation requiring me to use it for restoration purposes.

30,265 posts! Holy Toledo! You must be the resident Super Computer Guru!

Bob

Reply

Answer 8

LarryHN

Level 10

106,124 points

Jul 19, 2009 9:37 AM in response to Bob Brand

You should be fine - I have an older G5 and it is ok (most of the time) - 30,000 photos in my library

Model Name: iMac G5
Model Identifier: PowerMac12,1
Processor Name: PowerPC G5 (3.1)
Processor Speed: 2.1 GHz
Number Of CPUs: 1
L2 Cache (per CPU): 512 KB
Memory: 2.5 GB
Bus Speed: 700 MHz
Boot ROM Version: 5.2.6f1

The OS upgrade is painless - with a clone you have an instant recovery if something does go weird

LN

Reply

Answer 9

Bob Brand Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 19, 2009 9:49 AM in response to LarryHN

Thanks, Larry.

Bob

Reply

Answer 10

Yer_Man

Level 10

164,064 points

Jul 19, 2009 9:49 AM in response to Bob Brand

Bob

I presume that the economically-priced Mac Box Set containing OS X 10.5.6 Leopard, iLife '09, and iWork '09 would be the way to go. Do you concur?

Well that's the cheapest way to do it. You could, of course, buy a new Mac 😉

Do you feel that my 20" Intel iMac--details listed below--would have any problems handling the upgraded programs?

It will have no problems with the updated OS or applications.

'm uneasy at the thought of upgrading my operating system, but I presume that chances of running into problems are much less than if I were upgrading a Windows OS. In case a problem arises my entire hard drive is backed up with a 1T external hard drive using SuperDuper software, but I prefer not to encounter a situation requiring me to use it for restoration purposes.

The key to any update or upgrade is to make sure that you have a good working back up. That way, should anything go wrong, you have a quick way back to where you started.

My tips for upgrading the OS? Disconnect the disk with the back up and all other peripherals when you do the Upgrade. Pop the disk in. Do a standard Upgrade. (There are some folks who swear that you should wipe your HD and start over from scratch before you do, but, frankly, that's overkill. I've been upgrading Macs since 1992 and never had a problem.

Regards

TD

Reply

Answer 11

Bob Brand Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 19, 2009 10:11 AM in response to Yer_Man

Terence,

Thanks much for the additional information, especially for the tips for upgrading.

It would be great to have a nice new 24" iMac, but buying that Nikon D700 earlier this year took a big bite out of my bank account! Also, I've had the 20" iMac only since January 2007, and it is still operating flawlessly. Maybe when my 500 GB HD fills up circa 2011 I will buy my next iMac. Without doubt dumping my old Windows machine and going with an iMac was the best move I ever made computer-wise.

My lady friend keeps hinting about taking a trip to Ireland, a place I have never been. Should I heed her call?

Bob

Reply

Answer 12

Yer_Man

Level 10

164,064 points

Jul 19, 2009 10:52 AM in response to Bob Brand

Of course you should... but my number one tip for visiting Ireland: Bring a brolly! No one ever came here for a suntan.

Regards

TD

Reply

Answer 13

Bob Brand Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 19, 2009 2:27 PM in response to Yer_Man

Terence,

It looks like this issue has still not been fully laid to rest. Before I visited this forum I posted my dilemma at a Nikonians website forum. The feedback I am getting there is that I should not try to copy the RAW files to iPhoto as I would normally do. Instead I should 1) copy the RAW files from my D700 memory card to the hard drive of my computer via a card reader 2) open the RAW files directly in ACR (Adobe Camera RAW), 3) edit the photos in ACR, saving them as JPEGs, and 4) import the JPEGs into iPhoto. I am not at all sure that this makes sense, inasmuch as you indicate that OS Tiger doesn't support D700 RAW files. Even if I could pull this off I have reservations about using such a roundabout method.

Should I dismiss these suggestions? What say you?

Bob

P.S. I presume that a brolly is an umbrella

Reply

Answer 14

Yer_Man

Level 10

164,064 points

Jul 19, 2009 2:46 PM in response to Bob Brand

Well I would dismiss that suggestion out of hand and say what you should do is upload the pics to the Mac and then process them in Capture NX2 as opposed to that terrible pile of rubbish ACR...

😉

Seriously, what this guy is saying is that you should use ACR to process the NEF. And the workflow he describes will work because instead of relying in the Mac's RAW processing engine (which is not available to you at your OS and app version) it will use the ACR one.

However, equally, doing the same with NX2 will work. Or Capture One. Or a few other RAW processors. There is no right answer to this question. I've used the Mac RAW engine with my D40 via iPhoto and Aperture and the output was good. I explored various others with varied results. Personally, I disliked the results I got with ACR and found the output from NX2 was my favourite. You may find the opposite. Or prefer the iPhoto one. It really is a matter of preference.

As you're still trying out the RAW way of shooting at this point, I would explore the least expensive option. IF that's not to your taste, or if you decide that it's too much bother to shoot RAW, then nothing lost.

Regards

TD

Reply

Answer 15

Bob Brand Author

Level 1

6 points

Jul 19, 2009 3:59 PM in response to Yer_Man

Terence,

Thanks once more.

The least expensive method I have for converting RAW files is the ACR plug-in that is part of my Elements 6 for Mac software. I presume that I would still have to upgrade to OS Leopard and iPhoto '09 in order to process my D700 RAW images via ACR. Correct me if I am wrong in this assumption.

A lot of the Nikonians, like you, strongly favor NX2, so that would probably be worth acquiring if shooting RAW is something I want to do more of.

Bob

Reply