.NEF Files Thumbnail Preview not Showing

This problem has been occurring since MacOS Ventura and I thought this was gonna be fixed with the new MacOS, but it didn't. I don't know why the thumbnail of the .NEF files are not showing the preview, even when I press the spacebar to quickly preview it, it doesn't work.


Yes, I already tried to change the default program to Preview and also, Photoshop, but this didn't fix it. Also, I went to the folder options, but didn't work as well.


Does anyone know how to fix this issue?


Thank you!

MacBook Pro 14″, macOS 14.0

Posted on Sep 27, 2023 5:18 PM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Dec 4, 2023 4:59 PM

Because Apple does not currently support the Nikon Z8 camera RAW images in any operating system including Sonoma 14.1.2. Since we are fellow users, we have no information when (or even if) Apple will support the Z8.


I cannot explain why that Z8 raw image icon appears as it does from your screenshot unless you have it associated with an application that I do not have installed, as my Z8 icon shows the normal Preview application icon.


With each Sonoma update check the option+ menu+System Information… : Raw Support category for supported Nikon cameras, or Apple's living document for Sonoma camera RAW: Digital camera RAW formats supported by iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma - Apple Support


There are free alternative applications that can view the Z8 raw files if Nikon doesn't provide one:


  • Adobe DNG Converter (converts to .DNG format which is viewable as icons, Quick Look, and Preview)
  • XnView MP (no conversion, just displays the raw image)


The Image viewer in Windows 11 Pro displays the RAW Z8 images (probably just the encapsulated JPG) in a window, but the tiny icons have no image.


7 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Dec 4, 2023 4:59 PM in response to NikonZ8user

Because Apple does not currently support the Nikon Z8 camera RAW images in any operating system including Sonoma 14.1.2. Since we are fellow users, we have no information when (or even if) Apple will support the Z8.


I cannot explain why that Z8 raw image icon appears as it does from your screenshot unless you have it associated with an application that I do not have installed, as my Z8 icon shows the normal Preview application icon.


With each Sonoma update check the option+ menu+System Information… : Raw Support category for supported Nikon cameras, or Apple's living document for Sonoma camera RAW: Digital camera RAW formats supported by iOS 17, iPadOS 17, and macOS Sonoma - Apple Support


There are free alternative applications that can view the Z8 raw files if Nikon doesn't provide one:


  • Adobe DNG Converter (converts to .DNG format which is viewable as icons, Quick Look, and Preview)
  • XnView MP (no conversion, just displays the raw image)


The Image viewer in Windows 11 Pro displays the RAW Z8 images (probably just the encapsulated JPG) in a window, but the tiny icons have no image.


Apr 27, 2024 10:22 AM in response to Fierrox

Apple has a footnote for the Z8 camera in the camera RAW support for Sonoma 14.4.1:


⒌ Lossless RAW format only.


The .NEF support is not universally identical for all Nikon cameras. Each camera has a different .NEF implementation. Only Apple knows when or if a future macOS update, or pushed camera RAW support will resolve this Finder imaging issue.

Dec 4, 2023 3:52 PM in response to gunhackx

I don't know why it changed, but I know exactly when so I have to believe it's directly related. The day I bought my Nikon Z8, and from the first upload of images I took with that new, mirrorless body, the "Preview" of the image changed to the icon for NEF. Before I bought my Z8, I was using the D750, the D500 and the D850 - all of which reflected "Preview" of the NEF files, 100% of the time. Using my new Z8 changed that.

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.NEF Files Thumbnail Preview not Showing

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