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Repair NEF Files With Microsoft Camera Codec Pack/DISM/SFC


NEF files are RAW image file used exclusively by Nikon cameras. File corrupts due to internal error in camera, virus attack, bad cable, corrupt system files and many other issues.

What is NEF ?


NEF Nikon Electronic Format developed by Nicon Inc. It is also known as RAW image file or digital negatives. It stores unprocessed image information captured by camera sensors. It also stores meta data of image such as information about lens, settings etc. It contains much more information as compared to image file formats JPEG or TIFF.

Note: Camera processing such as adjustment of hue, tone, sharpening and white balance are not applied permanently to NEF file. These adjustments are stored as instruction set within the file.

Programs Used To Open NEF Files :


  • Adobe Photoshop CC 2015
  • Google Picasa
  • FreeCAD
  • Nikon ViewNX
  • Microsoft Windows Photos
  • IrfanView
  • GIMP
  • Able RAWer

Causes of Corruption


  • Memory card corruption.
  • Use of corrupted storage media
  • Internal error in camera used for capturing image
  • Interruption while transferring NEF file to other device
  • Capturing photos from camera when battery is low
  • Virus attack
  • Unexpected camera shut down
  • Bad cable or card reader
  • Corrupt System files

Read more to repair NEF files and resolve all above causes of error.

Common Errors


  • "Unable to open NEF file in Photoshop"
  • "NEF Unexpected End-of-File Error"
  • "Memory card error"
  • "Unrecognizable image file format"
  • "Disk drive is corrupted and not accessible"
  • "No Picture Preview"

Repair NEF Files


Solution #

Troubleshoot Error "Unable to open NEF file in Photoshop" follow :

Cause :

Version of photoshop is not supported.

Method 1 Repair NEF Files:

Convert NEF to DNG (digital negative) File format using online free converters.

Note: DNG support all versions of photoshop.

Method 2 :

Update Photoshop camera RAW plugin.


Solution #

Resolve "Memory card Error" and restore NEF files by following :

  • Using card reader connect memory card to the system.
  • Press windows key and Q.
  • From menu displayed select option command prompt.
  • Right click command prompt and select "Run as administrator".
  • Type command :
    chkdsk /f driveletter:

Solution #

Repair System files using DISM and fix NEF files

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) command line tool developed by Microsoft. It repairs corrupted component files.

  • In search box type command prompt.

  • Select command prompt option from menu. Right click and choose "Run as administrator".

  • In command prompt type "DISM/Online/ Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth" and press enter key.


Solution # "No Picture Preview"

User try to open NEF file using windows photo gallery then error occurs :

User go to File >> select Make a copy option, error message.displayed:

"An error is preventing Photo Gallery from saving this photo. Error code: 0x88982f61"

Resolution to Repair NEF Files:

Note : Microsoft Camera Codec Pack support devices from manufacturers such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, Olympus, Pentax, Leica, Konica Minolta, Epson and Panasonic.


Alternate solution to recover corrupted NEF files :

Use online available softwares for recovering image :

iCare Recovery is a free software available. It recovers the NEF files in case :

  • Corrupted storage media used such as digital camera SD memory card, USB drive.
  • Hard disk crash
  • Virus attack
  • Unexpected camera shut down
  • Accidental delete

Step 1 : Download the software to repair NEF file.

Step 2 : Choose Deep Scan Recovery option.

Step 3 : Select device to rebuild NEF file.


Precautions to avoid corruption :


  • Never mishandle camera or memory card.
  • Never capture pictures when battery is low.
  • Safely remove memory card before removing it.
  • Always use anti-virus and scan the storage devices before using it.

Conclusion


In this article we have discussed about NEF file format, causes of corruption, common errors . We also explored how to repair NEF files manually and precautions to avoid corruption.