I have Photoshop CS2. Can I use it to process Nikon D300 RAW files? I took a look at the Adobe web site but could not find any down load to address this issue.
Do I have to have CS3 to process D300 raw files?
TIA Bill
Considering that the D300 only went into production recently it is not supported in Adobe Camera Raw. Most likely it will be added in the next update of ACR and Lightroom. Consequently you will not be able to open D300 RAW files in any Adobe products.
Further, development of ACR for Photoshop CS2 was frozen at version 3.7. So to use D300 RAW files in CS2 you will first need to convert the files to either DNG or use the software provided by Nikon to convert your files to TIFF format.
James,
Thanks for the information! I guess in the future when Adobe does ACR updates they still won't help me unless I convert the files to TIFF as you suggested - or - I update to CS3 (which I probably won't do). Thanks again - the camera part of all of this I am very comfortable with - it's the post processing that I am very weak at.
Bill
Adobe won't help you at all unless you convert to CS3! Either convert to dng if you want to use CS2, buy CS3 or get Lightroom which (probably) will do the Nikon D300 if not now, later.
Actually, Adobe Camera Raw 4.3 does support RAW (NEF) files from Nikon D300 in CS3. ACR 4.3 adds several cameras and is currently the newest version of ACR.
Nothing for CS2 users for the new Nikons (D300 or D3).
OK, I gotta get this off my chest. I say it totally blows that Adobe uses new cameras to force feed us their newer software versions.
CS2 works for us that want to continue to use it, give us D3 and D300 RAW support for what we have/like/use!
James_N wrote:
Why aren't you blaming the camera manufacturers for not standardizing RAW files?
At least Adobe offers the option of converting files to DNG so you can still use older versions of their software.
James you hit the nail on the head. Proprietary camera files I equate with if Kodak or Fuji were to try to say it is mandatory to process their film in thier chemicals only. That would have never flown. Yes, the camera manufacturers have a right to protect their original technology, but after I press the shutter, it is MY image, not theirs. I should not have to jump through hoops to process that image. There is an avenue for them to utilize DNG and still keep their "secrets". But they seem to want to lock you in to their own software. If NX could run at half the speed of most third party choices, I might be interested.
As far as Adobe goes, It should not be their priority to maintain older versions to up to date standards for RAW. The technology moves on and older programs would need more than an ACR update to use the new code. It is my understanding that with ACR 4 and above, there was a major change that can't be utilized in PSCS2. They update ACR and LR 3-4 times a year. How many years are users supposed to get a free ride on the RAW updates? Infinite updates? Don't know any other developers that do that. Adobe does offer the free DNG converter, so PSCS2 will work for the new cameras. While Adobe products do command a premium price, I've always gotten my money's worth and the upgrade to CS3 applies. YMMV
Either convert to dng if you want to use CS2, buy CS3 or get Lightroom which (probably) will do the Nikon D300 if not now, later.