DCR Format

There is a clearly listed set of supported file formats on Apple's Aperture site.

You can always make a request via feedback, for formats that aren't supported. I really say it would have been a good idea to look at the supported formats before you purchased it.

There is a clearly listed set of supported file
formats on Apple's Aperture site.

You can always make a request via feedback, for
formats that aren't supported. I really say it would
have been a good idea to look at the supported
formats before you purchased it.

This seems to be everyone's favorite answer to the RAW compatibility question. My response that answer is: What's your point?
If the camera is produced as a PRO level camera, there is no reason that Apple should not support it for a self proclaimed "PRO" application. The specs only protect Apple from being blamed for not including a feature in their software that basic logic and common sense would be included in the piece of software. Aperture is claimed to be aimed at the pro photographer that wants a completely RAW workflow...but it doesn't support ALL the known RAW formats?! Big mistake on Apple's part...I would expect that they will remedy this problem (since the program is useless unless it supports your RAW files) but I suggest they do it sooner rather then later. I was hopeful at this first update, but, alas, Apple has disappointed again...I figured they would at least include a couple of new RAW extension support.
Anyway, that's my two sense...bottom line, there is no excuse for not supporting all the RAW file formats...or at least as many as Adobe Bridge. Which is far superior to Aperture in this respect.
Let's work on getting Apple to produce an update...SOON, instead of making excuses for them as to why the feature is not there.

Mac and PC Mac OS X (10.4.3) Win XP OS

Couldn’t agree more. The Kodak pro cameras are still used by some of the best pros in the world, and for the rest of us, we could use the support! best....Peter

I also agree-well put! I may not consider myself one of the best pros in the whole world but this is my profession nontheless & although I read the compatibility disclaimer on the Aperture site when I pre-ordered, I figured by the time they got around to shipping it that all pro RAW formats would be supported...I mean dahhhhhhh!!!

I shoot on a Kodak DCS14nx-So now I guess we just have to wait for them to pull their finger out. Let me know if you guys hear anything.

As far as I can tell, support for new RAW formats is added at the OS-level, not at the application level - you may be waiting for 10.4.4, not for an upgrade to Aperture.

By the time the specs list was up on the web, the final version of Aperture had presumably been gold-mastered and sent to the DVD-pressing plant for production - not quite sure how extra formats would have been added... ;-P

Just remember, the more people fill in the feedback form for more camera support, the sooner it is likely to happen. Proper support for linear-converted DNG files would be a good step as well.

Ian

P.S. Welcome to the forum to all of the new posters!

OK, thanks for that Ian. How does the feedback thing work? Excuse my ignorance, I'm new to discussions/forums etc. I had sent apple an email with my concerns soon as I had purchased Aperture...

Carl, the point is that products like Adobe Bridge are based on technologies that have been in the marketplace for a long time. So, I, for one, expect Bridge to support a large number of RAW formats. As pointed out in this thread, Aperture does not, itself, support file formats. That is left to the OS. Adobe, on the other hand builds its support directly into its programs, not relying on the OS. Also, Adobe doesn't develop and sell operating systems.

So, why doesn't Apple do the same thing with Aperture? Because, from a development standpoint why reinvent the wheel? When support for your RAW format is added to OS X, it will be added to Aperture.

Also, Apple published its list of specifically supported RAW formats so that anyone considering Aperture would not buy the program and then find out that they can't use it with their camera files. To buy any program without first reviewing the list of requirements and supported files is foolish. To assume that just because you have a Pro camera means that your camera file format is automatically supported, even if it is not on the list, is also foolish.

There are a number of different manufacturer RAW formats on the market (they even vary by camera), some more commercially viable than others. I am sure that Apple will add additional Pro support in future versions of OS X. And if linear DNG support is added, things will get better for a lot of people. But, that's Apple's call. So, if you haven't already done so, I suggest you submit a request to Apple.

Jeff Weinberg

OK, thanks for that Ian. How does the feedback thing
work? Excuse my ignorance, I'm new to
discussions/forums etc. I had sent apple an email
with my concerns soon as I had purchased Aperture...

Under the Aperture meny there is an Aperture Feedback option - you can also find the page in Google with "Aperture Feedback".

If you want other RAW formats supported I'm submit an enhancement request there.

Until your format is supported Aperture works fine with 16-bit TIFFs. It doesn't yet offer good DNG support so that's not really an option yet (I'm hoping the next OS update adresses that obvious shortcoming as it would benefit a lot of people who really want to work with Aperture more directly).