SURPRISE! MAC OS now appears to support Nikon Z8 RAW files!
- Thread starter James C.
- Start date
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News Flash..Apple is Wrong!
One 24" M1 iMac has/had Ventura and Z8 support.
One 24" M1 iMac has Ventura and no Z8 support.
One 16" MBookPro M1 has Sonoma and no Z8 support.
Just updated 1st iMac above and checking again later.
One 24" M1 iMac has/had Ventura and Z8 support.
One 24" M1 iMac has Ventura and no Z8 support.
One 16" MBookPro M1 has Sonoma and no Z8 support.
Just updated 1st iMac above and checking again later.
Marsha Jane
Active member
Z8 raw imports to my iPad Pro with OS 17.2. However, it does not import to Apple native photos on my iMac OS Ventura, 13.6.4 . It does import into Lightroom, though.
Robert Ardinger
Active member
After my last post, I noticed the earlier post that had the system screen shot of the Mac with the T2 chip that did not have Z8 support also had the odd Z fc/Zfc dual listing, so there goes my theory about one being the Zf.
I don’t have a Z8 or Zf but found downloadable raw files for both and the Z8 has listed support and as expected the thumbnails show the image.
The raw Zf files are not listed as being supported and in fact the thumbnails for the Zf files on my computer (2023 mini/M2 pro) do not have the thumbnail image, they just show the aperture graphic and the letters NEF.
I updated to Sonoma 2 days ago so I am assuming I am fully up to date. I usually manually (not automatically) install the security updates/bug fixes as they become available but after one update for Big Sur knocked out the OS's access to .icc printing profiles, I tend to wait to see if any issues pop up first.
I don’t have a Z8 or Zf but found downloadable raw files for both and the Z8 has listed support and as expected the thumbnails show the image.
The raw Zf files are not listed as being supported and in fact the thumbnails for the Zf files on my computer (2023 mini/M2 pro) do not have the thumbnail image, they just show the aperture graphic and the letters NEF.
I updated to Sonoma 2 days ago so I am assuming I am fully up to date. I usually manually (not automatically) install the security updates/bug fixes as they become available but after one update for Big Sur knocked out the OS's access to .icc printing profiles, I tend to wait to see if any issues pop up first.
John_H
New member
I’m using a 2014 Mac mini. Using Monterey.
I agree. I find it very difficult to believe that the T2 chip would have any effect on RAW configurations. Apple support has not always been right about things. I think they’re reaching for an answer that doesn’t make any sense. But what do I know
nikonshooter
New member
My friend's 2021 Macbook Pro M1 shows Z8 support whereas my 2021 Macbook Pro M1 Max doesn't (both are on Ventura 13.6.4). Guess we have to escalate this at Apple, it clearly doesn't make any sense what their support said.
M1 MBP 14 up to date Sonoma…and I have Z8 support
James C.
Active member
I'm running on a 2019 27" iMac, Intel i9 CPU with 24 GB RAM, Radeon Pro Vega 48 8 GB graphics card.
I have updated all my desktop and laptops--all M1 or M2 to Sonoma 14.3.1.
One iMac 24" M1 has support and the same one with 8GB (not 16GB) does not.
I have just been on the phone with Senior Tech Support--it is 'above their pay grade'.
It seems that the only way to move this up the ladder is to send a letter to corporate or use their 'Feedback Form'. I was sent the link for this and just sent it though.
The fact that Z8 support appears at all for various OS; including Ventura and Sonoma, confirms that Nikon sent Apple the appropriate 'System Files'. And Apple has provided this, to many, as part of their system's Raw Support.
But not all and not for identical devices.
I also sent a copy to my Nikon Contact.
Let's see what happens.
One iMac 24" M1 has support and the same one with 8GB (not 16GB) does not.
I have just been on the phone with Senior Tech Support--it is 'above their pay grade'.
It seems that the only way to move this up the ladder is to send a letter to corporate or use their 'Feedback Form'. I was sent the link for this and just sent it though.
The fact that Z8 support appears at all for various OS; including Ventura and Sonoma, confirms that Nikon sent Apple the appropriate 'System Files'. And Apple has provided this, to many, as part of their system's Raw Support.
But not all and not for identical devices.
I also sent a copy to my Nikon Contact.
Let's see what happens.
James C.
Active member
That seems weird. Why/How could Apple have created something in 2019 that interferes with a device created in 2023, AND only interferes with said device on SOME of its computers?
Who knows?
rgbiv
New member
Thanks for the great news...But it only recognizes Lossless Raw. Does not support HE* nor HE.
I have an M1 MacBook Pro and now have Z8 Raw support for Photos in Sonoma 14.3.1.
Anyone else find that?
Thanks!
I have an M1 MacBook Pro and now have Z8 Raw support for Photos in Sonoma 14.3.1.
Anyone else find that?
Thanks!
You are lucky that it is recognizing your Z8 Lossless. It is haphazard coverage for most. HE* and HE are not supported.
nikonshooter
New member
Great find! My System Files 'updated' somehow over the last two days and my M1 MBookPro now supports Z8.
This now puts this issue and thread to bed.
Thank you.
nikonshooter
New member
Had to reboot my machine to make it work in the end (even though the camera was listed) but I'm also happy to see this issue resolved for good now.
Stavrosbbb
New member
I noticed today on Nikon Rumours that Apple Os Sonoma 14.3.1 is finally recognizing RAW images from Nikon Z8 in the Photos program. I checked it out and my mac os is now able to use my Nikon Z8 images without my having to use the Nikon Transfer or editing software. Someday I may take a look at Lightroom and Photoshop but for now I am back in the Apple camp.
Yezdi
Well-known member
My 2019 2.7GhZ Quad Core Intel i7 MacBook Pro (16GB RAM) also was having the same issue. Under System Report, RAW Support for Z8 was not visible. I too spoke to Apple Support in SG and they were very helpful and were able to resolve the issue. The solution was as follows.
1. If you have imported RAW files from your Z8 into Photos before the Mac OS Sonoma 14.2.1 update was released, to delete them from Photos and shut down the application.
2, Next we updated my MacBook Pro to the Sonoma 14.3.1 update.
3. Even after updating it still did not show Z8 RAW Support in the Systems Report.
4. Then we launched Photos and re-imported the Z8 RAW files into Photos. Now the thumb nails were visible as normal in Photos, instead of the blank white rectangles I was seeing earlier.
5. Once the import was completed we checked the System Report once again and voila... Z8 appeared into RAW Support.
The apple support guy said that this issue was also seen when Z9 RAW support was added a year ago.
1. If you have imported RAW files from your Z8 into Photos before the Mac OS Sonoma 14.2.1 update was released, to delete them from Photos and shut down the application.
2, Next we updated my MacBook Pro to the Sonoma 14.3.1 update.
3. Even after updating it still did not show Z8 RAW Support in the Systems Report.
4. Then we launched Photos and re-imported the Z8 RAW files into Photos. Now the thumb nails were visible as normal in Photos, instead of the blank white rectangles I was seeing earlier.
5. Once the import was completed we checked the System Report once again and voila... Z8 appeared into RAW Support.
The apple support guy said that this issue was also seen when Z9 RAW support was added a year ago.
In my case, the preview app briefly shows the embedded jpg image but then changes to a scramble when, I assume, attempting to display the raw image.
Lucky you! My 2017 27” retina display iMac is not compatible with Sonoma. If I want Apple’s latest software update I will have to pay $2.5K for a new computer.
For z8 compatibility it doesn’t matter which Mac OS you use. I use a 2014 Mac Mini with Monterey as the Mac OS and it updated to Z8 RAW automatically. Make sure under System preferences you have that check off in security pane.Lucky you! My 2017 27” retina display iMac is not compatible with Sonoma. If I want Apple’s latest software update I will have to pay $2.5K for a new computer.
Just goes to show you that persistence pays off. That previous explanation by Apple about a T2 chip preventing access to Z8 files made no sense. Great news for all you 2019 Mac owners.
Hey Ralph, It’s not there. I have Ventura 13.6.4 which is up to date for my 2017 27” retina display unit. I tried to download Sonoma so I could load Z8/raw. Apple’s site said my computer is not compatible with Sonoma. All the other 2017 models are…. Go figure..