iPhoto image export issue

Had the same issue. After three phone calls to Apple Support, we figured out that the problem potentially lies with 11.5.2 compatibility with exFAT. When the ext drive is formatted with APFS, the exports work. Zero file size with exFAT. I used to be able to do this all the time until now. Something seems to have broken. I can however download locally and copy out, just like what you did. Not a solution for me as I need to clear out iCloud for space reclamation. Might have to steer clear from Photos for now.

Hi

Which version of Big Sur do you have? (Latest is 11.5.1).

Which camera are the raw files from?

Are you trying to export the actual raw file via "export unmodified original" Or are you trying to export a "developed" jpg from the raw file via "export"

Or are you trying to drag/drop?

What happens when you try to export - what do you do step by step, what happens at each step? Any error messages?

Hi, no more detail on error messages not needed. Something obviously going wrong. Sorry - I have further questions.

Is the problem with all files or just some. Again, which camera are the ORF files from?

Are you able to edit the files that won't export? If you do, can you then export.

Can you do a normal export rather than unmodified?

Can you export successfully to your system drive, rather than the EHD?

Do you use a referenced library? (Photos NOT set to copy items to library on import)?

Or do you use iCloud photos with "optimise mac storage" set?

Where is your library stored? On your system drive, or on an external drive. If external, what is the format?

Have you ever used cleanup/speedup apps (eg clean my mac), or duplicate removal apps - if so, which ones.

OK - if you are using optimise mac storage, your originals are not stored on your mac, only in iCloud.

They should be downloaded as needed for exporting. But perhaps that is not happening quickly enough. If you edit a photo, that will force a download. So will doing a normal export.

If you export unmodified immediately after a normal export of the same image, does it work?

You also say you export to creative cloud OK. Do you mean you can export your raw files to creative cloud. What does that look like - is it possible creative cloud is interfering with iCloud perhaps (I'm not familiar with creative cloud). In any case, is that workflow a solution to your problem of getting the raw files to the EHD?

Oh - and your library is always local on your mac - as well as being in iCloud. Normally in your pictures folder. Is that the case here?