File extension NEF
| File type | Nikon Digital SLR Camera RAW Image Format |
| Developer | Nikon |
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What is a NEF file?
Files with the .NEF extension contain uncompressed digital images saved in raw form, namely just as they were captured by the digital camera CCD sensor, using a 12-bit or 14-bit format. The information contained in NEF files concern also the image metadata, such as the camera manufacturer and model name, as well as focal length and other photographic parameters. The format is unique to Nikon cameras. To be able to read these files, the used photo editing software must support them.
Raw NEF files allow for non-lossy, repeated editing – the information about exposure, hue, sharpness, and white balance are saved separately, as instructions that generate a resulting file, still using the same raw NEF materials as the base.
Program(s) that can open the .NEF file
Windows
ViewNX 
Adobe Photoshop 
PaintShop Pro 
CorelDRAW 
ACDSee 
Picasa - Microsoft Windows Photo Gallery
Zoner Photo Studio 
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 
XnView 
FastPictureViewer Professional 
ACDSee Photo Manager 
FastStone Image Viewer 
Corel PaintShop Pro 
CorelDraw Graphics Suite 
Adobe DNG Converter - Adobe Photoshop Camera Raw
Linux
How to open NEF files
If you cannot open the NEF file on your computer - there may be several reasons. The first and most important reason (the most common) is the lack of a suitable software that supports NEF among those that are installed on your device.
A very simple way to solve this problem is to find and download the appropriate application. The first part of the task has already been done – the software supporting the NEF file can be found in the table. Now just download and install the appropriate application.
Possible problems with the NEF format files
The inability to open and operate the NEF file does not necessarily mean that you do not have an appropriate software installed on your computer. There may be other problems that also block our ability to operate the Nikon Digital SLR Camera RAW Image Format file. Below is a list of possible problems.
- Corruption of a NEF file which is being opened
- Incorrect links to the NEF file in registry entries.
- Accidental deletion of the description of the NEF from the Windows registry
- Incomplete installation of an application that supports the NEF format
- The NEF file which is being opened is infected with an undesirable malware.
- The computer does not have enough hardware resources to cope with the opening of the NEF file.
- Drivers of equipment used by the computer to open a NEF file are out of date.
If you are sure that all of these reasons do not exist in your case (or have already been eliminated), the NEF file should operate with your programs without any problem. If the problem with the NEF file has not been solved, it may be due to the fact that in this case there is also another rare problem with the NEF file. In this case, the only you can do is to ask for assistance of a professional staff.
Similar extensions
| .arw | Sony Digital Camera RAW Image Format |
| .bay | Kodak/Roper Bayer Picture Sequence Format |
| .cr2 | Canon Digital Camera RAW Image Format Version 2.0 |
| .crw | Canon Digital Camera RAW Image Format |
| .dcr | Kodak Digital Camera Raw Image Format |
| .dng | Adobe Digital Negative Format |
| .eip | Enhanced Image Package Format |
| .fff | Gravis Ultrasound PnP Bank Format |
How to associate the file with an installed software?
If you want to associate a file with a new program (e.g. my-file.NEF) you have two ways to do it. The first and the easiest one is to right-click on the selected NEF file. From the drop-down menu select "Choose default program", then click "Browse" and find the desired program. The whole operation must be confirmed by clicking OK. The second and more difficult to do is associate the NEF file extension to the corresponding software in the Windows Registry.
Is there one way to open unknown files?
Many files contain only simple text data. It is possible that while opening unknown files (e.g. NEF) with a simple text editor like Windows Notepad will allow us to see some of the data encoded in the file. This method allows you to preview the contents of many files, but probably not in such a structure as a program dedicated to support them.