NEF is an abbreviation for Nikon Electronic Format, and is used exclusively on Nikon cameras; a file with the NEF extension is an image file in the Nikon Raw format. Like other RAW image files, NEF files save everything that was captured by the camera before any processing is done, including metadata such as the camera and lens model.
The NEF file format is based on the TIFF format.
This file format is sometimes called Nikon e-file. The same acronym is used for other technology terms such as network efficiency ratio.
How to open a NEF file
Windows users with the correct codec on their computer can display NEF files without any additional software. If NEF files do not open in Windows, install the Microsoft Camera Codec Pack, which allows you to use NEF, DNG, CR2, CRW, PEF, and other RAW images.
NEF files can also be opened using Able RAWer, Adobe Photoshop, IrfanView, GIMP, AfterShot Pro, and possibly some other popular photography and graphics tools.
If you are a Photoshop user but still cannot open NEF files, you may need to install the latest version of the Camera Raw plugin supported by your version of Photoshop.
NEF files can also be opened using Nikon's own software, CaptureNX2 or ViewNX 2. The former is only available upon purchase, but the latter can be downloaded and installed by anyone to open and edit NEF files.
To open a NEF file online , you don't need to download any of these programs, try Pics.io.
Mobile devices can also open NEF files. Google Snapseed is one example of an application that supports this format; You can get it for iOS and Android. Another NEF viewer for iOS is Adobe Photoshop Express; You can also get this Adobe app for Android.
NEF file extension
Updated:
09/05/2019
How to open a NEF file?
There could be multiple reasons why you have problems with opening NEF files on given system. Fortunately, the most common problems with NEF files can be resolved without extensive IT knowledge, and most importantly, in a matter of minutes. We have prepared a list that will help you resolve your problems with NEF files.
Step 1. Install ViewNX software
The most common reason for such problems is the lack of proper applications that supports NEF files installed on the system. This problem can be resolved by downloading and installing # RECOMMENDED # or other compatible program such as CorelDRAW, Adobe Photoshop, PaintShop Pro. A complete list of programs grouped by operating system can be found above. One of the safest ways to download software is to use links from official distributors. Visit the ViewNX website and download the installer.
Step 2: Update ViewNX to the latest version
If you still have problems opening NEF files even after installing ViewNX , you may have an outdated version of the software. Check the developer's website to see if a newer version of ViewNX is available. It may also happen that software creators update their applications to add compatibility with other, newer file formats. This may be one of the reasons why NEF files are not compatible with ViewNX. The latest version of ViewNX should support all file formats that are compatible with older versions of the software.
Step 3: Assign ViewNX to NEF Files
If the issue was not resolved in the previous step, you should link NEF files to the latest version of ViewNX installed on your device. The method is quite simple and varies little across different operating systems.
Selecting your first choice app in Windows
- Right-click on the NEF file and select "Open with option".
- Next, select the Select another app option and then use More apps to open the list of available apps.
- Finally, select Find another application on this... , select the folder where ViewNX is installed, check the Always use this application to open NEF files
of your choice, and click OK
Selecting your first choice app on Mac OS
- By right-clicking on the selected NEF file, open the file menu and choose Information.
- Go to the Open with section. If it's closed, click the title to access the available options.
- Select ViewNX and click Change for all...
- A window should appear informing you that this change will be applied to all files with the NEF extension
. By clicking Forward you confirm your choice.
Step 4: Make sure the NEF is not faulty
If you have followed the instructions from the previous steps and the problem is still not resolved, you should check the NEF file in question. The file is likely corrupted and therefore inaccessible.
Check the NEF file for viruses or malware.
If the file is infected, the malware residing in the NEF file interferes with attempts to open it. Scan the NEF file and your computer for malware or viruses. If the scanner detects that the NEF file is unsafe, follow your antivirus program's instructions to neutralize the threat.
Make sure the NEF file structure is intact
If you received a problematic NEF file from a third party, ask them to provide you with another copy. While copying a file, errors may occur that make the file incomplete or corrupt. This could be the source of problems with the file. This may happen if the download process of file with NEF extension was interrupted and the file data is corrupt. Download the file again from the same source.
Check if the user logged in has administrator rights.
Sometimes a user needs administrator rights to access files. Sign out of your current account and sign in to an account with sufficient access rights. Then open the Nikon Electronic Format RAW Image file.
Check if your system can handle ViewNX
If your system is under havy load, it may not be able to handle the program that you use to open files with NEF extension. In this case, close other applications.
Make sure your operating system and drivers are up to date
Up-to-date system and drivers not only make your computer more secure, but can also solve problems with the Nikon Electronic Format RAW Image file . It is possible that one of the available system or driver updates may resolve issues with NEF files affecting older versions of this software.
How to convert a NEF file
A NEF file can be converted to several formats by using a free file converter or by opening the NEF file in an image viewer/editor and saving it in a different format.
For example, if you use Photoshop to view/edit a NEF file, you can save the open file on your computer in formats such as JPG, RAW, PXR, PNG, TIF/TIFF, GIF, PSD, etc.
IrfanView converts NEF to similar formats including PCX, TGA, PXM, PPM, PGM, PBM, JP2 and DCX.
Adobe DNG Converter is a free RAW converter that supports RAW conversions such as NEF to DNG and works on both Windows and MacOS.
A free online NEF converter is also available. Besides Pics.io, there is Zamzar, which converts NEF to BMP, GIF, JPG, PCX, PDF, TGA and other similar formats. Online RAW Converter is another online REF converter that supports saving the file back to your computer or Google drive in JPG, PNG or WEBP format; it can also serve as a lightweight editor.
How to open NEF and what files of this format are needed for
Many users have repeatedly discovered files with the NEF extension on their computer. Sometimes they appear in a visible place, but when you try to open them, the operating system displays an error message. In this regard, many people are wondering how to open NEF, as well as what these files actually are.
First of all, you need to remember that this format indicates that this is a Nikon RAW graphic file, which is an image. Many users try to do it as simply as possible; they try to open the NEF file by double-clicking on the icon in the hope that it will open by default in one of the programs installed on the computer. However, such attempts are not always successful, since the necessary software may simply not be available on the computer.
Files with the NEF extension can be opened by most graphic tools - Adobe Photoshop, IrfanView, GIMP, etc. By opening this file in one of these programs, you can rewrite it in another, more convenient format for you. This is done quite simply - select “Save as...” from the menu of the program you are using, then save your NEF file with other characteristics.
In addition, when choosing how to open NEF, you should take into account the fact that many files are text data, regardless of what their extension is. Therefore, it is always worth trying to use Notepad to open such a file as it is able to display the contents correctly. Of course, this is not the best answer to the question of how to open NEF, and this method does not always work, but it’s still worth a try.
In addition, it may happen that when you try to open a NEF file, the computer starts using by default a program that is not suitable for this purpose. In this case, you need to make changes to the Windows settings and assign the default software that you regularly use to work with such files. Sometimes such settings are necessary when installing a new graphics program if files continue to open by default in other applications.
In addition, in search of an answer to the question of how to open NEF, various converter services can help. So, you can convert a file of this format into any one convenient for you, using special online services that will complete this task in a few minutes. In addition, if you work with these types of files all the time, but do not always have access to the Internet, you can download and install the appropriate software that can convert files from one format to another. Almost any of them can convert NEF to JPG or BMP.
The last thing to remember: you do not need to rename the file, changing its extension to whatever is convenient for you. With such actions, the file is not actually converted to another format and is recognized by the computer as containing an error. In some cases, this can lead to the image not opening at all, since the computer will not properly identify such data, and therefore will display it as unknown.
Still can't open the NEF file
The NEF file extension most likely means that you are dealing with a Nikon image file, but you should be careful when reading the file extension to ensure that you are actually dealing with a Nikon file.
Some files use an extension that is written much like ".NEF" but has nothing to do with that format. If you have one of these files, there is a very good chance that none of the NEF opening tools listed above will be able to open or edit the file.
For example, a NEX file can easily be confused with a NEF file, but it is not related to the image format at all, but is a Navigator extension file used by web browsers as an add-on file.
A similar case is with NET, NES, NEU and NEXE files. If you have any file other than a NEF file, research the file extension (on Google or here on Windows School) to see what applications support opening that particular file or converting it to another format.
What is NEF format
Digital photos are often saved as JPG files, but that's not the only option. Higher-end digital cameras, especially DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, also offer the ability to record in a lossless format .
The NEF format is a lossless variant of the RAW format available only for Nikon cameras.
NEF stands for Nikon Electronic Format. This is a type of RAW format available in Nikon cameras. This is Nikon's own solution, which is available in many cameras from this company - for example, in the Nikon D3500 DSLR camera.
RAW photographs, including NEF photographs , are called digital negatives. This means they do not shrink and remain open to advanced modification. This format allows you to edit almost any photo parameter, such as aperture, white balance and many others, and only then save the finished file, while maintaining the original file, which can be restored to the original settings.
NEF files also contain all the information about the photo - the date it was taken, the lens used, and what specific settings were used. For this reason, photographs in this format are valued by professionals and enthusiasts.
The advantage of the NEF format over the JPG format is huge - of course, JPG files can also be edited, but you need a graphics program to do this, and the amount of changes you can make is a bit limited. For NEF files, simply use Nikon ViewNX software to easily enhance your photo's settings.
NEF/RAW photos have one major drawback - they take up a lot of space. Fortunately, buying a large hard drive or archiving photos in the cloud doesn't cost a fortune these days.
