Mac User

[waltersun64]

Hi Folks,
Sorry for a major "beginners" question...
I am a Mac users (Leopard OS) and wish to use RAW files wit Apple Aperture.

I format the Flash to Mac OS via Disk Utility but each time I put my card into my D300, it reformats it to FAT32 for Windows.
How do I set up the D300 to shoot RAW in Mac OS format?
Thanks,
Walter

 

[djl45140]

I always just format the card in my D300. Right now Aperture doesn't "see" D300 RAW files. You can shoot RAW+JPEG and when update for Leopard comes out (probably very soon) Aperture will display the RAW files
--
Dan

 

[Hocus Pocus]

Hi Walter - I'm enjoying my MacBook Pro. Unfortunately, the camera doesn't know how to save files in anything but FAT32 -- hence its offers to reformat to conform to FAT32.

It's not a big deal, though. Image processing programs on the Mac will read JPEGs, TIFF, and RAW files on FAT32 just fine. So no problem there.

 

[waltersun64]

Hi,

I am a bit confused. I called Apple Support (paid an arm and a leg so better use it) and they told me D100 & D200 are supported but not D300....
I guess I have to wait for new Leopard update.
To my understanding Apple reads FAT32 files but just not the Nikon D300 NEF....

I can do RAW & JPEG but then I am looking at total of 14MB+ - per photo set... too big....
I guess I have to wait and see....
Thanks,
Walter

 

[Hocus Pocus]

Ahhh, I see where you're coming from now.

I didn't realize that you were also wondering about Aperture compatibility. Hmm. That's a great utility -- really is. Alas, I use Adobe's Lightroom so I'd have to take Apple's word at that. If I had to guess, an update for Aperture can't be too far off?

8 GB CF cards does take the sting out of the file sizes. I get about 350-ish shots at my settings per 8 GB CF card. With two of them, I can last a full day shooting; often don't exceed a single card.

 

[waltersun64]

Thanks for the advise. I bought a 4GB Flash and thought it would be more than enough... guess not!
How is Lightroom? Major learning curve or is it like Aperture?
Thanks,
Walter

 

[Vladimir Kouznetsov]

Walter,

It's pretty simple. With respect to card format, it makes absolutely no difference. Just let your camera format it and your Mac will read it (whether you connect your camera to your computer or use a card reader).

The other question is reading Nikon RAW files in Aperture. Apple's OS has built-in recognition of RAW formats of most major cameras - so, for example, you can even open RAW files in Apple's Preview utility application. The problem is that because the D300 is very new, they have not provided an update that would allow your OS to read the D300's RAW files. So, for the time being your only option is to use the NX software supplied with your D300. As soon as Apple releases an update for the D300, you will be able to import your D300 files into Aperture.

Kind of annoying, if you ask me, but it is what it is...

Hope this helps.

 

[waltersun64]

Hi Vladimir,
The only problem is the Nikon NX does not work with Leopard....
They say they are working on it.....

 

[Hocus Pocus]

Oh, sorry, didn't see this until just now. I've done a trial version of recent Aperture, does seem nice. Seems like similar learning curve. Possibly a bit easier with Aperture.

Aperture is good stuff. I'd find using either Aperture or LR just as comfortable. Why did I pick LR in the end? That's a story of its own. Still, Aperture's decent.