April 25, 2005

  • OpenRAW, web site devoted to the issue of open source/open standard RAW file formats for digital photography.

    Recently, Nikon announced that its new RAW file format (NEF) would contain encrypted white balance data. This meant developers had to get a license in order to get ahold of white balance information in NEF files... Why did they do this? Good question. It's largely irrelevant information, since the white balance can be guessed or set externally to the file itself, so it's more a legal roadblock than a technical one. Nikon seems to want to exert licensing controls over its users' digital workflow, and/or extort licensing fees from, say, Adobe.

    It's a stupid move for Nikon, but it puts the need for an open standard RAW format into sharp relief.

Comments (3)

  • Yeah, I was just hearing about that today. I didn't really understand it. I mean, why would photo files NEED encryption. And if you're going to encrypt it, then why can't they be easily decrypted? And why would they need to extort Adobe? Does this mean that if I buy a Nikon and use their new NEF raw file format, that my Adobe products won't recognize it as a valid image type?

    I really don't get it, I guess.

  • Hardware companies do stupid shit for no apparent reason. All this move does is solidify my resolve to go Cannon when I can finally afford a good digital SLR.

  • I'm going NEITHER.

    Hey, I saw this incredible image today and thought of you. My jaw was literally on the floor...

    http://www.rednova.com/news/space/146163/hubble_space_telescope_celebrates_15th_anniversary/index.html

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