Viewing .HIF files

[stateit]

I've downloaded the HEIF Image Extension pack from the MS Store, purchased the HEVC Video Extensions from MS Store.

I still cannot view my Sony .HIF files either natively through Photos app, or Photoshop.

I thought it may be becasue they wer 10-bit .HIFs, so I tried with some 8-bit .HIFs.

Still nada, nothing, zilch.

With Sony Imaging Desktop I can view them, having downloaded and installed their .HIF viewer codec which they shoehorn into their program.

But still can't view them natively in Windows, or PS.

Any ideas?

--
https://sullivangeorge.photo

 

[CAcreeks]

I've downloaded the HEIF Image Extension pack from the MS Store, purchased the HEVC Video Extensions from MS Store.

I still cannot view my Sony .HIF files either natively through Photos app, or Photoshop.

I thought it may be because they were 10-bit .HIFs, so I tried with some 8-bit .HIFs.

Still nada, nothing, zilch.

With Sony Imaging Desktop I can view them, having downloaded and installed their .HIF viewer codec which they shoehorn into their program.

But still can't view them natively in Windows, or PS. Any ideas?

It's a new format. Sony has a free converter that you can download.

Are these the same as HEIF files? Are they suffixed HIF? Seems so:

Characteristics of HEIF format | Sony

In addition to recording images in the JPEG format, which comes as standard with conventional cameras, you can record images in the newly featured HEIF format.

support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp

I just asked in DPreview's A7iv comments section whether this Sony camera (or others) can produce the same HEIF/HEIC effects as an iPhone - 3D, panning, or short motion.

GIMP can open HEIC files from the iPhone, though not with support for effects. If I can find a Sony HEIF file, I will try it.

I'm very interested in this format, because I believe it eliminates the need to shoot Raw, which will potentially save a lot of storage space.

 

[stateit]

I'm very interested in this format, because I believe it eliminates the need to shoot Raw, which will potentially save a lot of storage space.

You believe wrongly, or certainly do if you think 10-bit and 8-bit HIFs are like RAWs.

They don't strike in White Balance for starters, and are lower bitrate than a RAW file.

You might think I'm a tw@t, but I can spend several hours or more tweaking a file to get what I'm trying to desire. And still fail.

I'm still dissatisfied with this, and I know it couldn't have been done with HIF or JPG:



...

BUT NEVERTHELESS... I still want to know how to access .HIFs on my PC!!!



--
https://sullivangeorge.photo

 

[CAcreeks]

I'm very interested in this format, because I believe it eliminates the need to shoot Raw, which will potentially save a lot of storage space.

You believe wrongly, or certainly do if you think 10-bit and 8-bit HIFs are like RAWs.

They don't strike in White Balance for starters, and are lower bitrate than a RAW file.

White Balance is easy to adjust in post. I don't buy that argument at all.

With 10-bit and HDR, I feel HEIC/HEIF might have enough information to edit without the lossiness you get with 8-bit JPEG. Too soon to tell.

Additionally, I'm interested in 3D, short motion, and panning effects (in that order).

You might think I'm a tw@t, but I can spend several hours or more tweaking a file to get what I'm trying to desire. And still fail.

Mostly I treat photographs as memories, not as art, so I wouldn't do what you do. But you have every right to over-edit (sorry for the value judgment) and enjoy yourself.

I'm still dissatisfied with this, and I know it couldn't have been done with HIF or JPG:



BUT NEVERTHELESS... I still want to know how to access .HIFs on my PC!!!

To save you time downloading GIMP and trying it out, would you agree to post a HIF file so I can try editing it? You'll have to use Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive. HIF is not a posting type allowed here.

 

[david31]

Imaging Edge Desktop | Application that develops photos and enables remote shooting. | Imaging Edge (sony.net)

Sony Image Edge Destop gives you a viewer and editor which will convert the file to other formats.