How to preview .CR3 files in Finder

Question

How to preview .CR3 files in Finder

Recently bought a Canon R6 and cannot preview the .CR3 files in Finder anymore. I can still view .CR2 files but that is due to a third party software I've been using since 2017 called RayRightAway. RRA is awesome but they never updated their software to include newer cameras so I cannot look at any files from the R6 without opening them in a program (didn't know this until I got the camera). This kills my workflow because I cull files before importing them into Lightroom Classic.

Any ideas for how to preview these files in Finder by pressing the spacebar (Quick Look)? Any third party app suggestions similar to RawRightAway that support the R6?

2019 MBP 16" 10.15.7

Canon EOS R6 (.CR3 files)

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Apr 1, 2022 12:35 PM

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Answer 1

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VikingOSX

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123,054 points

Apr 1, 2022 12:57 PM in response to froggiefingaz

Well, the R6 is shown to be supported with no limitations on Catalina per Apple's Camera RAW support page. Download the RAW CR3 file from the R6 Review on DPReview and see if it behaves as you would expect in the Finder. How are you obtaining the images from your camera onto macOS (e.g. Apple's Image Capture)?

I do not have Catalina installed here, so can't help with that operating system.

The Apple Camera RAW data files are pushed from Apple to your Mac via System Preferences > Software Update > Advanced > √ Install system data files and security updates. If that is unchecked, that might explain the issues you are having with R6 .CR3 support.

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Answer 2

dialabrain

Level 10

135,323 points

Apr 2, 2022 9:02 AM in response to froggiefingaz

Not a Finder plugin but my guess is XnView MP would be useful.

https://www.xnview.com/en/xnviewmp/

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Answer 3

VikingOSX

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Apr 2, 2022 6:37 AM in response to froggiefingaz

The Install system data files and security updates selection updates the XProtect and MRT system security content, the camera RAW data for the current operating system, and otherwise do not update the operating system itself, as would a point update in Software Update. I never disable that setting.

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Answer 4

VikingOSX

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Apr 2, 2022 9:15 AM in response to dialabrain

I withheld suggesting Adobe's DNG converter (v14.2) because I had observed that a color shift occurs between the RAW source and the resulting DNG. At least, I noticed that with Sony .ARW raw files. When I converted the above linked R6 .CR3 RAW file to .dng, side-by-side comparisons in Preview did not reveal any color or clarity shift. The .dng image was 3MB smaller though. Done on macOS 11.6.5.

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Answer 5

VikingOSX

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Apr 2, 2022 10:44 AM in response to dialabrain

If you recall when macOS 10.13.3 was released, it claimed support for a particular Nikon camera that in truth, was not supported, until after the 10.13.4 update appeared. This may have happened again with Catalina, and you know how Apple does not push newer camera RAW support to older versions of macOS… this may remain unsolved on Catalina.

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Answer 6

dialabrain

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Apr 1, 2022 6:56 PM in response to froggiefingaz

FWIW, despite being listed as supported on the Apple page and in System Information > Software > Raw Support, the sample RAW files from DPReview do not open for me in Catalina 10.15.7.

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Answer 7

dialabrain

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Apr 2, 2022 8:01 AM in response to froggiefingaz

FWIW, I can open the files in question in Big Sur & Monterey. As I mentioned they will not open in Catalina. I am reinstalling Catalina to see if that helps.

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Answer 8

Apr 1, 2022 1:02 PM in response to VikingOSX

It does the same thing as the files I created with my camera (see screenshot)

I drag the files from the camera's SD card (inserted into a card reader that's attached to a USB C port) from its Finder window into the Finder window of my photo library on the internal SSD.

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Answer 9

Apr 1, 2022 1:09 PM in response to VikingOSX

In regards to the "Install system data files and security updates option" does that update the OS? Really do not want to update the OS but incremental improvements to 10.15.xx are fine with me.

I often check for security updates to the system and Safari and update them manually from that software updates window. Looks like there is one for Safari (15.4) waiting to be updated right now but that's it.

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Answer 10

VikingOSX

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Apr 2, 2022 11:28 AM in response to dialabrain

Memory is foggy too, and they may have rereleased 10.13.3 shortly after the initial release, with the actual RAW support for that Nikon camera in it. Don't think it was as long as the 10.13.4 arrival.

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