Nikon responds to NEF and WB

[georgie]

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0504/05042203nikonnefresponse.asp

(if this has been posted elsewhere please delete )

[Aussie Dave]

am I reading this incorrectly, or does it sound like Software Developers that apply for the SDK from Nikon (and are granted it) will be allowed to utilise the SDK, which will in turn let them read & work with the encrypted WB ??

For those developers that do not apply, or who are turned down, the encryption will be Nikon's way of making them illegally obtain it ??? And a potential law suit to follow....

If this is the case, Adobe will surely be granted access to the SDK and everyone's concerns will be over.....

[MHD]

this is the interesting part

With each introduction of a new Nikon digital Single Lens Reflex model, Nikon updates the available SDK selection to provide new information; this is the situation with the D2X, D2Hs and D50 models. As stated above, application for the Nikon SDK is possible for bona fide software companies that send Nikon a written application for the SDK. Once approved, the SDK is provided to the developer at no charge and they are authorized to use it.

This statement can either read as good or bad...
It all depends on the attitude Nikon take, I hope they will release the SDK to open source programmers...

But I fear, that due to the free nature of OS, that nikon would be hesitant as it would undercut the sales of NC

[KerryPierce]

AFAICT, Adobe has already obtained the SDK and rejected its use. The SDK requires license agreements and use of Nikon libraries. You can be sure that both the license and the libraries will restrict, prohibit any 3rd party application from besting what Capture does.

I own Breeze Browser, by Chris Breeze. It's a very cool app, but doesn't have the raw utilities for Nikon that it does for Canon. Chris refuses to use Nikon's SDK and apparently has decided not to put a lot of effort into reverse engineering the file. Since the SDK is free, it doesn't take much to figure that it's so restrictive, that nobody will use it seriously.

In Nikon's statement, it is pretty clear that they consider the NEF file to be their property, not the photographer's. They put in the encryption to "protect" the photographer.... I have serious heartburn with both of those ideas. The file is mine and I don't need a nanny. I'll make my own mistakes, thank you very much, Mr. Nikon-san.... BTW, they mention that the d50 files will also be encrypted, but make no mention of the d70s nor the firmware update for the d70. Dunno if that means anything though.

The bottom line is both good and bad. Nikon responded more quickly than I anticipated, meaning that the heat is very intense. That's good. The bad part is that they did not say that they would not sue Adobe or any other 3rd party software vendor that reverse engineered the file.

So, we're no better off today than we were yesterday..... I hope this doesn't drag out for months. I don't have that much time before I need to make a decision.

[atencati]

what a carefully worded response this is.

If read carefully with regards to photoshop, Nikon is referring to THEIR adobe plugin....which is limiting worthless CRAP:!:

They almost explicitly state that images may only be editied in tiff or jpg, not raw format.

hmm...still not convinced. Nikon has said nothing, only deflected criticism by saying anyone that is approved can have the SDK, but t is neaar impossible to get approved. My brother and I tried, and yes, he is a bonafide software developer for 10+ years now.

I'm too tired for this game.....

A

[atencati]

This statement can either read as good or bad...
It all depends on the attitude Nikon take, I hope they will release the SDK to open source programmers...

missed this.....It will never happen. They guard this with their lives. Filing my taxes was easier than meeting the terms of thier SDK. Basically, the liscense agreement states you will not even discuss what you are working on with anyone unless Nikon approves it first. So, no collaboration between developers, etc. They mean to stop all outside development for NEF

[ishman]

Check out this link.

http://news.com.com/Nikons+photo+encryp ... g=nefd.pop

http://www.cybercom.net/~dcoffin/

http://bibblelabs.com/

it seems there are means for third-party like Adobe and others to make use of the RAW files. if Nikon does not give in...

Cheers!

[MHD]

I use dcRaw