Expected timeline for supporting RAW image import from Sony a7III?

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Expected timeline for supporting RAW image import from Sony a7III?

I've had my Sony a7III camera for a month now, but can't import any of the RAW images into Photos for Mac (on High Sierra). Anyone know when an update to Photos for Mac (or MacOS) is expected?

The RAW file format (ARW) hasn't changed, but Photos for Mac will not recognize it for importing. (We know this because there are hack suggestions out there to modify the EXIF and simply change the camera name to the a9, and then it all works just fine.) You can certainly see the images in the SD media (from within Photos), and you can select them and even click on Import, and it will seem like it's importing them, but ... after it's "completed" there are no imported RAW photos.

JPG images are just fine, but I need the RAW ones.

MacBook Pro with Retina display, iOS 11.3.1, Sony a7 III

Posted on May 7, 2018 10:45 PM

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Answer 1

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Marcos Duran

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55 points

Jul 28, 2018 8:45 PM in response to concept236

The other post is incorrect. Although Apple does use the system software update mechanism to send updates to the core OS it uses it just as frequently for updates to standalone apps and services such as iTunes and Camera Raw. Apple DOES NOT wait for major updates to update RAW support.

Your camera has been supported since the update in late June which was released after your post and you probably have applied but just in case....

Digital camera RAW formats supported by iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra - Apple Support

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Answer 2

LarryHN

Level 10

106,292 points

May 7, 2018 11:01 PM in response to concept236

There is no answer to your question

ARW raw format "not supported" in photos 3

Generally SONY cameras are supported fairly quickly as are Cannon and Nikon but Apple does not an the announce a timeline

RAW updates are not part of Photos updates but are separate updates

And there is no General ARW support - there is only RAW support for specific cameras - each and every camera is different and requires separate support

You are certainly welcome to use any hack you want at your own risk (I would not but you can do what ever you want)

Until your camera is supported by Apple you can use the Sony software that came with the camera to develop the RAW and some third party software like Adobe RAW may have earlier support

LN

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Answer 3

léonie

Level 10

203,969 points

May 21, 2018 1:03 AM in response to concept236

Wait for the World Developer Confrerence for new announcements about system updates. Usually new system versions have been announced at the WWDC. The next event Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2018 will be on June 4 –8 in San Jose, California.

For the time being you may want to try the Adobe DNG Converter to convert the RAW files to DNG and use the DNG files in Photos. See: Adobe - Adobe Camera Raw and DNG Converter : For Macintosh : Adobe DNG Converter 10.3

Adobe RAW has a RAW support for the camera: Cameras supported by Camera Raw

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Answer 4

Jun 27, 2018 5:37 AM in response to concept236

It looks like they just added it...

Digital camera RAW formats supported by iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra - Apple Support

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Answer 5

concept236 Author

Level 1

9 points

May 20, 2018 11:47 PM in response to LarryHN

Haha, funny, LarryHN. I meant more of an educated guess rather than a random guess.

For example, the Sony A7R III was released Oct 25, 2017 and it took Apple until Mar 29, 2018 to update their RAW support in macOS High Sierra 10.13.4 ... that's 5 months. So because the A7 III was launched end of March, hopefully they can release a proper update asap but it could take up to 5 months ... which would be end of August.

Another way I had thought of to speculate was based on the next macOS update (since Terence Devlin helpfully mentioned that RAW support is part of the OS updates rather than Photos/security updates), and macOS 10.13.5 is now in fifth beta release. I don't know how many betas they typically go through (I'm sure there's a typical "range") but perhaps this lends itself to an idea that 10.13.5 is imminent and maybe then RAW support for my camera is coming as soon as end of May.

That's what I was trying to get at. I know we're not going to have a definitive answer, but any intelligent approach to a guess would help determine how much storage I need to set aside for RAW files piling up (waiting to be imported), etc.

Thanks.

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Answer 6

léonie

Level 10

203,969 points

Jul 29, 2018 1:56 AM in response to Marcos Duran

Marcos, the last separate Raw Compatibility update I have seen has been Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 6.21

You can see this change when you compare the description for the RAW support for the systems. Up to El Capitan the RAW support lists the separate Digital RAW Compatibility updates - compare the list Digital camera RAW formats supported by OS X El Capitan to the lists for Sierra and High Sierra.

Since Sierra all RAW Support has been only listed as part of a system update.

Sierra (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207049): At the bottom of the page are the RAW support updates installed by macOS 10.12.2 to 10.12.6.
High Sierra: (https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207972): Now Apple does no longer list, which cameras are supported by earlier system versions and the system update installers do not list the additional RAW support. The pregame says:
Support for additional RAW formats is added over time. This list is current as of 26 June 2018 and reflects compatibility for the latest versions of iOS 11 and macOS High Sierra.

All RAW support updates are only listed as system updates.

iTunes updates sometimes install or update system libraries that are used by Photos, but I have never seen that an iTunes update listed additional RAW support as part of an iTunes update.

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Answer 7

Yer_Man

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166,636 points

May 7, 2018 10:58 PM in response to concept236

Anyone know when an update to Photos for Mac (or MacOS) is expected?

No one outside of Apple knows when - or even if - there will be an update for this camera.

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Answer 8

Yer_Man

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166,636 points

May 16, 2018 1:36 PM in response to concept236

No it won't. it will depend on a whole range of other things, as Raw updates are now included with OS updates.

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Answer 9

concept236 Author

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9 points

May 16, 2018 6:49 AM in response to LarryHN

Thanks, Larry! I'm aware that Apple's development plans (and most companies', really) are not transparent.

Maybe one way to "guess" at the answer is if we could find out when Apple managed to update for the A7R III's RAW support, and see how long after the product launch that was. At least it would give a ballpark/directional idea for a timeline?

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