Sandy, have you tried Adobe's DNG converter? It should have been updated to include the D300s. You work with a dng file exactly as you would a NEF file, either in ACR or Lightroom.
I don't know if CS5 will be worth the wait or not; I only do minor stuff in CS4 any more, except on the occasions I need adjustment layers, or need to clone or copy and paste. Most of my editing is in Lightroom. I am anticipating that Lightroom 3 (currently in beta) will be worth the wait. AND a great deal cheaper than CS5!
Not sure why you feel you need CS4. I have the D300s and CS3 works just fine... I thought the conversation on your previous threads made clear that the DNG converter was the way to go. If you have the money to spend, then by all means spend it, but I don't understand why you "need" CS4 - after all, that's whta Adobe tries to convince you.
There are any number of articles on the Web comparing CS3 versus CS4. You should read a few of them, but I think the consensus was that there were improvements in speed, improvements in some tools (Dodge, Burn, Smudge, in particular) and very significant improvements in scaling images up; i.e., making the photos larger. (The latter was my sole reason for upgrading, by the way.) On Windows, there's the ability to use 64 bit, but not on Macs. There were also improvements in the "Smart" technology used in inserting PS images into other CS applications like InDesign.
I think it's safe to say that for most (but not all) nature photographers, there was no compelling reason to move to CS4.
As for CS5, there are whole website given over to speculation like this one about what will or won't be in PS CS5. My suggestion is to wait until the fever goes down, the product is released, the bugs are squashed and the reviews are out before even thinking about CS5.
I'm so confused.... CS3 does not work with D300s - The camera was purchased by the original owener in Jan 2010 and io have the receipt and CD.
So tried using a converter - I can convert to tiff, but that does not show the exif info. so i have to save both a huge NEf file and a MORE huge tiff file.Then, the picture shows up, but , the CS3 sliders to modify the inital image don't appear ( clarity, vibrance, black, etc)
Plus, i don't know how to work with tiff. What do i save the files as?
All this mess crashed my computer and it's a $500+ repair to recover my drive and put a new one in.
I'm just bummed! I'd love to not spend the $ to upgrade to CS4...
Philip's suggestion is a good one. I highly recommend converting to DNG as a standard workflow practice, regardless of software issues. Definitely no need to upgrade to CS5 just to work with your files. Once you have a DNG file, you can work with it as you would your RAW files.
Sandy, I can e-mail you later this evening with screenshots of the step by step process to convert files to .DNG. They open the same as .NEF files in ACR. Like I said, I have the D300s and CS3 and use DNG files.
- Luke
Posted by Kent Staubus on March 9, 2010 at 5:57 PM
I've been opening my D300 NEF files using Nikon View NX, converting NEF to TIFF, then working on file in CS4. Am I doing it wrong? View NX seems to be more accurate with colors than using the CS4 converter.
Not wrong at all, Kent.
In fact, lots of folks prefer the camera manufacturer's RAW conversion software to ACR in Photoshop/Lightroom.
Posted by David Bostedo on March 9, 2010 at 10:15 PM
That works fine, Kent, as John mentioned. A lot of folks that were unhappy with ACR have gotten a lot happier since installing ACRs DNG camera matching profiles (which have little to nothing to do with actual DNG files).You can read more about them on Adobe Labs. I like them myself, for my camera.
Also, as far as CS5 goes, it's probably at least a couple of months until release, since it hasn't even been announced yet. There is a NAPP beta going on now though, so some info on changes might be set to come out soon.
Sandy, The people on this site are wonderful...knowledgeable, helpful, kind and more. Some things though are just very tough to explain or diagnose in writing. I feel your frustration and have been there myself. My suggestion to you would be to find a local mentor, even if you have to pay for one, to guide you through some of the issues in person. You're shown as belonging to CANP. Is there nobody there who can or will help you? If not, you might consider seeking out a local camera club. Check local colleges and universities too. I am constantly helping out folks here when I can so they don't have to go through some of the ordeals I did and I've found that one-on-one much more quickly gets to the root of the issue than e-mails or even phone calls.
Don't give up! You'll get there.
John Reed, Jax, Florida
Sandy, I made a post at CANP on your behalf, asking if a CANPer local to you might be able to help you out.
--P
Posted by Luke Ormand on March 10, 2010 at 12:16 PM
I sent screenshots of the process. I believe the problem was she hadn't selected the most recent update which works with CS4. Sandy, everything works A-ok now right?
- Luke
Posted by Rodney Ninow on March 10, 2010 at 1:18 PM
There is no way that large files like tiffs and Nefs crashed your computer, whoever quoted you that $500 is taking advantage of your ignorance (not using that word in a derogatory way) Yes, large files could cause your computer to slow to a crawl, if it is an older machine, but they can't crash a hard drive.
Now as far as opening and working with D300s raws in CS3. Have you upgraded to the latest ACR? Adobe Camera Raw. I know D300 files work in CS3, but I am not 100% sure about D300s, perhaps someone with that body can confirm?
You do not NEED to open your Raw files in photoshop. You can use the free program, ViewNX to convert your files to JPEG or Tiff and then work on them in photoshop. ViewNX with the built in Picture Control utility gives you a good deal of control over the NEF Raw files.
Now, as great as this forum is, people here use all kinds of cameras. I suggest you join a Nikon only forum, there are a couple good ones. www.nikoncafe.com and www.nikongear.com There you will be able to talk to hundreds of Nikon users who know all there is to know about Nikons.
Of course, I am not suggesting abandoning NPN, but rather, use both as needed.
Luke very kindly emailed some info that should help, but i've been so busy with caring for my mother that I have not had a chance to try things.
Thanks for everyone's help, good ideas, and putting up with my frustration!
Discussion
16 repliesAnyone know what it will offer that CS 4 does not?
Just curious if it is worth the wait.
Thanks for all thoughts !
Sandy r
I don't know if CS5 will be worth the wait or not; I only do minor stuff in CS4 any more, except on the occasions I need adjustment layers, or need to clone or copy and paste. Most of my editing is in Lightroom. I am anticipating that Lightroom 3 (currently in beta) will be worth the wait. AND a great deal cheaper than CS5!
Not sure why you feel you need CS4. I have the D300s and CS3 works just fine... I thought the conversation on your previous threads made clear that the DNG converter was the way to go. If you have the money to spend, then by all means spend it, but I don't understand why you "need" CS4 - after all, that's whta Adobe tries to convince you.
There are any number of articles on the Web comparing CS3 versus CS4. You should read a few of them, but I think the consensus was that there were improvements in speed, improvements in some tools (Dodge, Burn, Smudge, in particular) and very significant improvements in scaling images up; i.e., making the photos larger. (The latter was my sole reason for upgrading, by the way.) On Windows, there's the ability to use 64 bit, but not on Macs. There were also improvements in the "Smart" technology used in inserting PS images into other CS applications like InDesign.
I think it's safe to say that for most (but not all) nature photographers, there was no compelling reason to move to CS4.
As for CS5, there are whole website given over to speculation like this one about what will or won't be in PS CS5. My suggestion is to wait until the fever goes down, the product is released, the bugs are squashed and the reviews are out before even thinking about CS5.
So tried using a converter - I can convert to tiff, but that does not show the exif info. so i have to save both a huge NEf file and a MORE huge tiff file.Then, the picture shows up, but , the CS3 sliders to modify the inital image don't appear ( clarity, vibrance, black, etc)
Plus, i don't know how to work with tiff. What do i save the files as?
All this mess crashed my computer and it's a $500+ repair to recover my drive and put a new one in.
I'm just bummed! I'd love to not spend the $ to upgrade to CS4...
Sandy
http://www.adobe.com/products/dng/
It is also a good practice to save your edited master files as TIFF.
- Luke
Kent in SD
In fact, lots of folks prefer the camera manufacturer's RAW conversion software to ACR in Photoshop/Lightroom.
Also, as far as CS5 goes, it's probably at least a couple of months until release, since it hasn't even been announced yet. There is a NAPP beta going on now though, so some info on changes might be set to come out soon.
Don't give up! You'll get there.
John Reed, Jax, Florida
--P
- Luke
Now as far as opening and working with D300s raws in CS3. Have you upgraded to the latest ACR? Adobe Camera Raw. I know D300 files work in CS3, but I am not 100% sure about D300s, perhaps someone with that body can confirm?
You do not NEED to open your Raw files in photoshop. You can use the free program, ViewNX to convert your files to JPEG or Tiff and then work on them in photoshop. ViewNX with the built in Picture Control utility gives you a good deal of control over the NEF Raw files.
Now, as great as this forum is, people here use all kinds of cameras. I suggest you join a Nikon only forum, there are a couple good ones. www.nikoncafe.com and www.nikongear.com There you will be able to talk to hundreds of Nikon users who know all there is to know about Nikons.
Of course, I am not suggesting abandoning NPN, but rather, use both as needed.
Thanks for everyone's help, good ideas, and putting up with my frustration!
Sandy
Guy