====== NEF (Nikon RAW format) ======

NEF includes an embedded, full size, jpeg copy. Roughly equivalent to exporting using the "basic" (lower quality setting, 85% jpeg-quality). This jpeg contains no metadata though (it could be re-injected from the source NEF).

According to this blog post D200 produce exactly the same images (basic conversion vs embedded); my tests on a D60 show some difference (e.g. the image is slightly cropped).

===== Useful commands =====

Extraction of embedded jpg:
  $ exiftool -b -JpgFromRaw image.nef > image.jpg

Copy of exif data:
  $ exiftool -TagsFromFile source.nef target.jpg
Alternatively:
  $ exiv2 ex -e e source.nef # Extraction *
  $ mv source.exv target.exv # Names must match
  $ exiv2 in -i e target.jpg # Injection

  * Also: \\ <code>$ exiftool -exif -b source.nef > target.exv</code>

Comparison of images:
  $ compare -metric MSE source1.jpg source2.jpg diff.png
Also useful metric: ''PSNR''

Maker-specific extra detailed information (Lens model, shutter count, focus mode…):
  $ exiftool -nikon FILE.NEF|FILE.JPG

Extraction of ICC profile (In-camera files don't include them, at least on the D60; RAW processing software usually does embed them):
  $ exiftool -icc_profile -b FILE.JPG > profile.icc

Insertion of ICC profile (Required for embedded JPGs shot in AdobeRGB –Nikon's color mode II–):
  $ exiftool '-ICC_Profile<=InputFile.icc' FILE.JPG

==== History ====

  * 2009-07-10: Added exiftool's //-exif, -TagsFromFile, -nikon and -icc_profile//
  * 2009-06-19: Initial version

==== Useful references ====

  * [[http://www.sno.phy.queensu.ca/~phil/exiftool/metafiles.html|Metadata Sidecar Files]] (handling with exiftool)
  * [[http://regex.info/blog/2006-12-08/303|NEF, Color Space Settings, and Embedded JPGs]]

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Last update: July 10th 2009