aidy ledgard , Jul 19, 2008; 06:10 a.m.
Hi all,does anyone know why my RAW images taken with my d300 end up darker when converted to jpeg? i'm using
faststone image viewer. your thoughts/suggestions most appreciated,regards aidy.
Elliot Bernstein 
, Jul 19, 2008; 06:28 a.m.
Different RAW converter program process the image differently from each other. Using Nikon software like Capture NX will eliminate this issue.
aidy ledgard , Jul 19, 2008; 06:49 a.m.
Thanks Elliot. I might have to purchase capture nx then.
Elliot Bernstein , Jul 19, 2008; 07:35 a.m.
Hans Janssen , Jul 19, 2008; 07:35 a.m.
You should have had Capture NX with your camera.
aidy ledgard , Jul 19, 2008; 07:42 a.m.
nope,didn't get capture nx with camera, i don't think it's included with camera purchase in u.k.
Richard Williams , Jul 19, 2008; 08:04 a.m.
It was included for a while, but I think they've stopped doing it now. But you should have View NX in the box (or there's a free download). This includes a basic raw converter (like the one in CNX, but with fewer adjustments).
aidy ledgard , Jul 19, 2008; 08:13 a.m.
Hi rich, yes that's right i have view nx. i've just downloaded the trial version of capture nx and it has indeed cured the problem of darkened images,good stuff and thankyou to all responses,regards aidy.
Mendel Leisk 
, Jul 19, 2008; 10:12 a.m.
"Hi all,does anyone know why my RAW images taken with my d300 end up darker when converted to jpeg?"
I think you mean "are darker than if I shoot the same scene with the same settings with my camera set to jpeg output".
Food for thought: no one has ever viewed a raw file. Your darker output when using raw workflow is due to your raw file interpretting software varying from your in-camera jpeg creation software.
Lex (perpendicularity consultant) Jenkins 
, Jul 20, 2008; 12:07 a.m.
Aidy, of the freebie software I've tried that can handle Nikon raw files Faststone was my least favorite. Just not very intuitive and the rendering was odd. If the budget is tight, try Irfanview. It's not as good as Nikon's own software for raw, but isn't bad and it's very quick and efficient. Not a very versatile editor, tho', just an image file handler/viewer. It also enables saving to a variety of formats.
Picasa can handle most camera raw but is much more limited in saves and does odd things with some raw files (white balance, etc.).
Keith Reeder 
, Jul 20, 2008; 02:10 p.m.
Raw Therapee is an *excellent* (free) dedicated RAW converter which is night-and-day better Irfanview, Faststone, Picasa et al - and indeed, better in terms of end results than some of the biggest "big hitters".
aidy ledgard , Jul 27, 2008; 06:07 p.m.
Hi,i've just revisited this post,Lex, i know what you mean about FASTONE, when i view an image as the picture whole,i.e. not at any magnification, the picture looks ever so slightly blurred/edges not razor sharp,then once i use the zoom tool the picture looks more clear,it is annoying!
Keith, i will check out Raw Therapee,thanks all,aid.
