Apple gets raw support for Nikon D90, other SLRs
Apple's photography software now can accommodate raw images from some newer digital cameras through the release of Digital Camera Raw Compatibility Update 2.3.
Specifically, the update to iPhoto '08 and Aperture 2 means that the photography software can deal with raw images from three prominent new digital SLR (single-lens reflex) cameras: Canon's midrange EOS 50D, Nikon's video-enabled midrange D90, and Sony's ambitious 24-megapixel full-frame Alpha DSLR-A900.
Also supported is Nikon's high-end compact camera, the Coolpix P6000.
Raw images are taken directly from higher-end cameras with no in-camera processing into a JPEG. That means photographers get more flexibility when it comes to exposure, white balance, sharpening, and other options, but also that photos require manual processing.
For software companies, supporting raw formats requires either that they have to figure out a host of proprietary raw formats, because each camera model has its own, or rely on the manufacturers themselves to support release codecs supporting the cameras. Adobe Systems and Apple take the former route; Microsoft takes the latter.
To check if your camera is supported, see Apple's list of raw-format camera support. Adobe's raw-support list is a little longer, including support for Pentax's newest entry-level model, the K2000, the esoteric Fujifilm FinePix IS Pro, and Olympus' latest ultrazoom, the SP-565 UZ.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
"Well if you have old photos taken with an old digital camera buy a new camera and re-take the photos. Don't you know new cameras are better than than old one's"
Apple needs to add the hundreds of legacy formats (most of which worked fine on Tiger) rather than this drip drip few at a time. Photo's are not like firewire you can't just suddenly say we are only supporting current image formats!
And I guess iPhoto (and possibly Apature) look like you will only get support if you are on the latest version. Apple do love to get you spending more and more money to keep things working.
And normally Apple is very very careful at supporting in new versions all the formats older versions had supported.
This is in no way excuse, but you have to recall that whole Aperture 1.x dev team was sent packing for producing rather unusable piece of the software. Aperture 2.x is completely new development, thus it seems that older format support can't be simply ported over from Aperture 1.x.
- by Vegaman_Dan November 5, 2008 9:35 AM PST
- I'm pleased to see Apple add this to their consumer product operating system. I wish we could use more RAW data from photos across all platforms.
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