p.1 #1 · Need help from Z5, Z5II, Z6II, Z9, Zf, and ZR owners
I'm putting the finishing touches on a new open-source utility I'll be releasing soon:
"img2nef" converts any image file into a Nikon lossless NEF raw file. The generated NEF can be used anywhere NEFs are supported, including inside the camera itself. The most useful application for this is with the Z's "multiple exposure" feature, which allows you to specify an existing NEF as the first exposure in a composite image. Besides the creative possibilities of supplying your own initial, computer-generated image, this opens up lots of potential feature ideas as well, the most useful being custom viewfinder overlays, where you can create your own aspect ratio framing guides and gridline displays. In fact my img2nef app will include a separate utility that allows you to create these viewfinder overlays, which can then be converted into NEFs for use with the "multiple exposure" feature.
Quick demo of a simple custom overlay in use:
?si=8FWq0Pj75_uW19S2
How it works
img2nef works by compressing an image file into Nikon's proprietary lossless NEF bayered format. It then reads an existing "template" NEF and merges the compressed data I generate into it, saving the result as a new NEF.
Help I need
I need a template NEF for each Z camera model, since the multiple exposure feature only works with a NEF of the same model. img2nef users can generate their own template NEF but I think it'll be more user-friendly if I include template NEFs for all models myself with img2nef.
To do this I need a template NEF for each of the Z models I don't currently own.
Here are the models I need NEFs for:
* Nikon Z50 II
* Nikon Z5
* Nikon Z5 II
* Nikon Z6 II
* Nikon Z7
* Nikon Z9
* Nikon Zf
* Nikon ZR
And here is the procedure required for those of you kind enough to volunteer to supply me the NEF:
Load the image into an image editor, view at 100% on your computer's display
Set the camera's configuration as follows:
Lossless Compressed RAW (14-bit for older models with a 12/14-bit setting)
Full FX Image Area (no DX crop)
ISO: Base ISO (ISO 64 for Z9, ISO 100 for all others)
White Balance: Direct sunlight
Picture Control: Neutral
Active D-Lighting: OFF
Matrix Metering
Shoot as follows:
Mount your Z camera and lens on a tripod in front of your computer's display. Adjust the camera's position/zoom so that the pattern fills the entire image area in Live View
Set the exposure so that the meter is centered (ie, either +/-)
Focus on the screen pattern. Make sure the camera isn't so close that the lens can't focus due to MFD
Press the lens-release button on the camera and carefully turn the lens counter-clockwise just enough so that the electrical contacts dis-engage. You can tell when this occurs when the f/-stop displayed goes to "F--". Be careful to only turn the lens slightly so that it doesn't fall off! Also be careful not to nudge the MF ring on the lens, which will disturb the sharp focus obtained in the previous step
Visually confirm focus at 100% to make sure the screen pattern is still in focus
Take the image
Please send me the resulting NEF, either in a PM via a DropBox/Google Drive/etc.. link or by posting a reply to this thread
As a thank you to all volunteers I'll generate each a custom viewfinder overlay for whatever aspect ratios you'd like and supply it in advance of release so that you'll get an early experience with using it.
Thanks!
Nov 04, 2025 at 02:47 PM
Fathernature4 Offline • [X]
p.1 #2 · Need help from Z5, Z5II, Z6II, Z9, Zf, and ZR owners
That’s a seriously clever project, I can see a ton of potential with this, especially for things like custom framing guides or pre visualization overlays. Being able to feed a custom NEF back into the camera for multiple exposure work is genius.
Nov 11, 2025 at 04:39 PM
Fathernature4 Offline • [X]
p.1 #3 · Need help from Z5, Z5II, Z6II, Z9, Zf, and ZR owners
I don’t have any of the models you listed but this is the kind of tool that’ll really take off once folks see what’s possible with it. The overlay utility sounds especially handy, definitely keep us posted when you’re ready to share a beta or demo build.
