How to open NEF files
NEF is a file format for RAW images taken with Nikon digital cameras. This file type stores data taken directly from a camera matrix. It allows users to output uncompressed pictures without apparent defects. NEF files are bigger than JPEG and BMP if we talk in terms of space they fill on our hard disk drives or in the USB card. Also, there are a lot of camera models made by Nikon. And some of them aren’t compatible with other NEF files. But it has its own advantages. You have access to advanced color balancing and filter options during editing of these files.
Of course, many modern cameras can shoot pictures in a JPEG format. And your output result will be as good as if you had captured a photo in a NEF format.
You can’t open NEF files by standard graphics utilities. There are several solutions for Windows operating systems which allow users to view these files. However, it also hasn’t support for all types of Nikon camera series. We recommend you to use converters or viewers that have support for NEF format. This collection will help you to choose such program for downloading.
If you want to view NEF images and convert them to JPEG, you can use freeware solutions as IrfanView or FastStone Image Viewer. If you want to edit NEF photos, you should try professional tools as Adobe Photoshop or CorelDraw.