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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Storage drive converts NEFs to jpgs - why?!
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Showing posts 1 - 17 of 17, (reverse)
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08/16/2015 08:16:32 PM · #1
Hey all

My LaCie 2TB drive converts my files from NEFs to jpgs. WHY?!!! Is there a way to stop it doing so? If not then what can I do in case I want to dig up an old NEF and manipulate its exposure etc in PS?
08/16/2015 08:36:55 PM · #2
How are you transferring the files from the camera/card to the drive?

It is almost certainly caused by transfer software, not the drive itself. Use the computer's OS to drag and drop the files and they should be unchanged.
08/16/2015 11:01:39 PM · #3
What the GeneralE said. It's inconceivable that the LaCie itself is manipulating your files. It doesn't have software on it to do that. If you download files with a card reader and transfer via drag & drop then nothing can possibly change.
08/17/2015 03:42:38 AM · #4
It happened to me to have my files downloaded in Jpeg instead of RAW. I plugged my camera directly to the computer. Use your SD card outside the camera.
08/17/2015 08:28:43 AM · #5
Here's what I do: computer is a Mac running OSX. Import to iPhoto (the culprit? and if so why would it not just change the format when imported into it?) which keeps it NEF - though when I go to export files from iPhoto it always defaults to medium jpg, which I always change to Original. I flag images and export the ones I want to the desktop, convert to DNG, open in PS5 and go from there. I do not however go back to iPhoto with an image once I've done PS on it.

When my hard drive gets full I drag and drop from iPhoto - not Export - directly to the LaCie. Going by the file size alone these Lacie'd files must retain a lot of the original. They are all the original dimensions of 6000x4000.

ETA: found this Apple's troubleshooting response and while the guy posing the question seems to be doing things a little differently, the basic problem is the same. Wondering if I should switch to Aperture.

Message edited by author 2015-08-17 08:43:58.
08/17/2015 08:47:44 AM · #6
iPhoto may well be the problem; it may be extracting the embedded JPEG in the RAW file. Software that seems to "automatically" process RAW files from new cameras without being updated for their RAW formats is almost certainly using the embedded JPEG. I don't know if this is the case for iPhoto. The other possibility is that the "drag & drop" to the LaCie from iPhoto is the culprit.
If the files on the LaCie are definitiely JPEGs, and I have little doubt that they are, then they have been converted to an 8-bit-per-pixel data depth and lossy compressed. There is no undoing this conversion.

08/17/2015 10:02:00 AM · #7
Susan, long time ago I used 2nd party software to download my photo's from camera to computer. That was one of my Dq's.

This is how I do it now.

Using the cable - directly connect to the computer and put the files directly on the computer/EHD. (I don't put any photo's on my computer directly because it slows it down with each file added!!! I put all my photo's on EHD's) I don't use a card file reader or any other 2nd party software. Once they are downloaded into my files (example" Photos - 2015 > 2015 08 17) it's easy to locate my files they are kept strictly day by day, month by month. Then I use Lr to putting them in my catalog. I don't use Bridge only Lr (even though I have/can get bridge).

I'll bet if you go shot a few pictures and try this you'll see that your files don't convert.

FOOTNOTE: I had purchased a LaCie at one time. But it didn't play well with my WD and did odd things - so I returned it and got the passport. Have several of those - keep filling them up!!!
08/17/2015 11:08:18 AM · #8
Thanks for the feedback everyone! I'll go and try a few things and if something works, will let you know.
08/17/2015 11:49:48 AM · #9
Originally posted by Ja-9:

Susan, long time ago I used 2nd party software to download my photo's from camera to computer. That was one of my Dq's.

This is how I do it now...


Janine,
With the DQ and all, I can certainly understand why you are sensitive to how files are transferred. If you are shooting RAW, however, you don't need as many precautions. You would be just fine importing from a card reader using Lr, and letting Lr manage the creation of the proper folders. Also, using external HDDs for photo storage is fine, but make sure you have backups of what's on each of those drives!
08/17/2015 12:42:58 PM · #10
Originally posted by kirbic:

Originally posted by Ja-9:

Susan, long time ago I used 2nd party software to download my photo's from camera to computer. That was one of my Dq's.

This is how I do it now...


Janine,
With the DQ and all, I can certainly understand why you are sensitive to how files are transferred. If you are shooting RAW, however, you don't need as many precautions. You would be just fine importing from a card reader using Lr, and letting Lr manage the creation of the proper folders. Also, using external HDDs for photo storage is fine, but make sure you have backups of what's on each of those drives!


I am backing up to OneDrive. I have an unlimited amount of storage (yea!!!) I just need to finish backing up all my drives. 2 more to go...it's a slow process when you have approximately 5 TBs in storage...(rolling my eyes).

I don't know if it has anything to do with it or not but in my head it works...I'm afraid of "handling" my SD cards that much. This way, I directly tether to the computer...no in and out (wearing it out) with possible damage to the cards. And with my OCD (actually CDO) I prefer to name and control the placement of my files...(stop laughing)
08/17/2015 12:44:20 PM · #11
how did you get unlimited storage on Onedrive?
08/17/2015 01:08:57 PM · #12
Originally posted by Mike:

how did you get unlimited storage on Onedrive?


my son-in-law signed up when it was in beta and for signing up he and 4 other people (computers) get free unlimited storage for life.

ETA: Not sure "who's life"

Message edited by author 2015-08-17 13:09:21.
08/17/2015 01:21:03 PM · #13
Originally posted by Ja-9:

I don't know if it has anything to do with it or not but in my head it works...I'm afraid of "handling" my SD cards that much. This way, I directly tether to the computer...no in and out (wearing it out) with possible damage to the cards. And with my OCD (actually CDO) I prefer to name and control the placement of my files...(stop laughing)


Believe me, I understand wanting control, LOL. I actually feel that I have better control (less chance for error) by letting Lr handle the transfers and library-building. I then know that I'm eliminated as s source of error, and that it is done exactly the same way every time.
With regard to wearing things out, I think I'd be more concerned with wear and tear on the USB connection on the camera than the contacts on the SD card. SD card connections are very robust, both on the card end and on the camera end. CF cards and connectors are another matter...
08/17/2015 02:38:42 PM · #14
My tuppence worth.
I use Nikon Transfer. I don't use the latest version because I don't like it but the transfer bundle that comes with Nikon View. CLICK HERE

With this product you can download and back up to two places simultaneously. So I create the two folders where I want the images to go (you don't have to do this bit now, you can do it when programme downloads images) I then open Nikon View. I either plug my camera directly or use a card reader. If I use direct connection I click on the transfer window, browse to the two location I have already chosen and the software does the rest. As I shoot both RAW and jpg at the same time splitting them onto separate cards, the software picks this up and once it has downloaded one card asks if I want to download the other card. Clicking on "Yes" makes it happen. If I use a card reader, then I have to point the software a second time.

The above explanation has taken me far longer to describe than what it takes to set it up.
In short, process is as follows:-
1. Create two folders for images. (1 main, 1 back up)
2. Open Nikon View
3. Plug camera in.
4. Start transfer process. (If transferring hundreds of RAWs, go and make a cup of tea)
5. Once one card done, select Yes to repeat for other card.

The added advantage of Nikon View is that it is an image browser and free, with some basic image manipulation capability.

Message edited by author 2015-08-17 14:39:09.
08/17/2015 03:06:22 PM · #15
Thanks NewtoNikon, but I've tried Nikon Transfer and didn't like it. For me it's just too fiddly.
08/17/2015 03:25:21 PM · #16
I think your major issue here is your workflow.... a lot of useless steps for the same result. The bigger the number of steps the bigger the number of mistakes.

If I where you I would resove the workflow issue first. As for the backup I recomend the BackupSE program. Free for personal use and very powerfull.

Originally posted by snaffles:

Here's what I do: computer is a Mac running OSX. Import to iPhoto (the culprit? and if so why would it not just change the format when imported into it?) which keeps it NEF - though when I go to export files from iPhoto it always defaults to medium jpg, which I always change to Original. I flag images and export the ones I want to the desktop, convert to DNG, open in PS5 and go from there. I do not however go back to iPhoto with an image once I've done PS on it.

When my hard drive gets full I drag and drop from iPhoto - not Export - directly to the LaCie. Going by the file size alone these Lacie'd files must retain a lot of the original. They are all the original dimensions of 6000x4000.

ETA: found this Apple's troubleshooting response and while the guy posing the question seems to be doing things a little differently, the basic problem is the same. Wondering if I should switch to Aperture.

08/17/2015 04:37:56 PM · #17
Nuno but it seems my workflow isn't the issue; sorry you find it clunky and full of useless steps. But it works for me. After my experimenting you may want to avert your eyes altogether ;-)

Anyhow it seems that using Export-Kind-Original is the magic key here. I created a new folder for the desktop and used that Original command for the whole file. Copied images as NEFs to the desktop folder just fine, and yes they are now NEFs on the LaCie.

So now, how to change the Export-Kind- to Original so it stays that way permanently? Medium jpg seems to be the default.
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