sevencrossing said:
Beware, while LR3 is cross platform and can be loaded on a Mac or a PC, a copy of CS5 is dedicated to one or the other
CS5 is expensive, unless you do a lot of manipulation, you might consider LR3 plus elements ( O dear, are we going to get told off for straying off topic )

+1.
I still work on CS3, pity that the D7K NEF files can't be opened with it :(

Very good point sevencrossing once its on a PC you are screwed if you switch to an Apple so buy you new Apple first whatever you do otherwise kiss your $800-1000 CS5 goodbye or continue using it on old PC...

kanuck said:
You mentioned switching from PC to mac. Get Lightroom for sure to start! Any plans on CS4 or CS5? It really is the best as they say.

Beware, while LR3 is cross platform and can be loaded on a Mac or a PC, a copy of CS5 is dedicated to one or the other
CS5 is expensive, unless you do a lot of manipulation, you might consider LR3 plus elements ( O dear, are we going to get told off for straying off topic )

Yes this has occurred with me in the past back when I used to use a D300. Its definately a Picassa problem. On a side note, corner fix is an excellent program for fixing red fringes on images that I have to use for my Leica with 15mm Voigtlander shots. It will be fixed when the firmware is issued next month, but as a free download, corner fix gets the job done.

Patrickdowns, just curious will you upgrade your image software? You mentioned switching from PC to mac. Get Lightroom for sure to start! Any plans on CS4 or CS5? It really is the best as they say.

Your problem is not with the camera but with Picasa. I see the same problem with my NEF files out from my D7K. (On other RAW viewers/converters this problem is not shown.). Using IrFanView viewer this problem does not exist, also using Adobe Lightroom as mentioned in other messages above.
Note: It is not fair to compare the expensive commercial tools with the free ones.

sevencrossing said:
may be we need a new thread "things to stay away from"

+1 (And do not allow adding NR to this thread).

CaryTheLabelGuy said:
Back on topic, I would stay far away from Picasa.

may be we need a new thread "things to stay away from"

CaryTheLabelGuy said:
I actually love Capture NX2 for raw editing and conversion. I output a .tiff file from the raw and do all artistic edits in CS5(using several third party plugins like Nikon ColorEFX Pro, Topaz...etc). The workflow is a little combersome, but the results are fantastic!

Back on topic, I would stay far away from Picasa.

Yup! Same here too.

I actually love Capture NX2 for raw editing and conversion. I output a .tiff file from the raw and do all artistic edits in CS5(using several third party plugins like Nikon ColorEFX Pro, Topaz...etc). The workflow is a little combersome, but the results are fantastic!

Back on topic, I would stay far away from Picasa.

bjrichus said:
Some also don't like the results of the raw to jpg conversion in NX2 and I'm not going to go there with this thread but would LOVE to hear what people say about that, so might start another if our esteemed terminator is ok with that?

There are plenty of "What's The Best Editing Software" and "JPEG vs RAW" threads. I don't think we need another one. PM me if I'm misunderstanding what you are asking.

patrickdowns said:
@bjrichus: Thanks. Off topic...I am glad that hi-fi gear doesn't go obsolete nearly as fast as digital photo gear.

$$$$$$.... need mo' munny :)

Gotta say a few things...

Whenever you have a problem with editing software - especially stuff like raw processing - use the original manufacturers software as a reference against which you can measure everything else. I know a lot of Nikon users don't like NX2 but it's what Nikon ship with these cameras now, so if anything WILL work as advertized, it's going to be NX2.

I know a lot of Nikon users don't like NX2, and using something like Photoshop CS5 or other more complex software does deliver more but with a steep(er) learning curve. That's because NX2 simply does less and has no or *almost* no add-in 3rd party stuff to use than just about any other editing software package. Some also don't like the results of the raw to jpg conversion in NX2 and I'm not going to go there with this thread but would LOVE to hear what people say about that, so might start another if our esteemed terminator is ok with that?

I know Picasa is free (so is NX2, well, it comes in the box with Nikon dSLR cameras) and Picasa looks prettier than NX2 (or in my view, CS5) but those are not the things to look for when it comes to deciding which program is 'going to work for you'. The Dollar (or Pound, or Euro), saved relating to image processing is (unless you have no other option) a bit like buying lowest grade used lenses with scratches and other 'dings' on them; a bad idea.

Oh yes... I used to lust after Celestion Ditton 25 floor standing speakers. They made my guts vibrate to the bass in the same way as a live concert did. I had a Rogers KT88 valve/tube amp to drive them and the sound was wonderful. Then along came transistors. Two and a half decades after getting rid of that combo, I realize that sometimes the upgrades don't always deliver upgraded results.

Whatever you use... ENJOY!

I have the same issue, but only use picasa for a preview of composition so it's fine. Picasa generally makes my RAW files look horrible though.

You are not supposed to use Picasa to edit RAW files . You can view them ; Picasa opens them in its own tweaked way but it is nowhere close to what the image should look like and it surely is not the RAW version.

Underexpose a photo 2 stops and then view the RAW in Picasa / compare with its JPEG . You will see how Picasa adjusts / corrects the exposure in its own mind - it shouldn't be doing so in a RAW file

I view edit raw photos from my 7000 in picasa with no problems

fine in CS5 and LR3

given you are were having sharpness problems
i would have a look at your monitor

Updated the thread title to more accurately reflect the problem.

Thanks guys! You are awesome! I will have my computer/software upgraded asap, I hope. I APPRECIATE the quick feedback. REALLY.

@bjrichus: Thanks. Off topic...I am glad that hi-fi gear doesn't go obsolete nearly as fast as digital photo gear. I haven't had the budget to upgrade the stereo for years, but the old Vandersteens (I'd like the newest 2CEs--still among the best bang for the buck-- though there are some other good choices now)and McCormick amp works well still, along with the passive line stage. All 13+ years old, bought like-new at 1/2 price. I want to upgrade to a digital music server (ipod w/dock and DAC or Mac Mini). $$$$$$.... need mo' munny :)

It's a known issue with Picasa

Are you seeing the magenta line on a print or on your computer screen? Download NikonView NX2 from Nikon and use that to view your files. It's a free download.

http://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/17278
scroll down to the bottom of the page and click "I agree-Begin Download" button.

Look at this slice converted to jpg in Adobe.

http://www.petram.org/images/DSC_1830-RAWfile_LookatRightEdge.jpg

Just to top part of the image, but full width. No problems.

I don't see any problem.

Looks great in NX2 as well.

Nice bit of classic Hi-Fi gear by the way...

I just opened the file in Photoshop Elements 9 and it is fine.

I would be suspicious of Picasa in this case.

Hi:

I just got a new D7000, and I've been mainly doing lens testing. I've been shooting Raw + jpegs, but just started looking at the RAW files and see something strange:

The right hand border of each file/image is bordered by a strip of magenta... would be maybe an 1/8" wide on a 11x14 print. Is this normal? Why would it be so? It's a pain to have to crop this out all the time...I shoot full-frame or try to, much of the time.

Here's a link to a NEF file in my public Dropbox folder. Would one of you RAW experts be willing to open it up and give an opinion?
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/18586748/DSC_1830-RAWfile_LookatRightEdge.NEF

The jpegs don't have this border. Caveat: I am looking at the raw files in Picasa...I am going from PC to Mac very soon, and so haven't gotten Lightroom or Photo Mechanic yet, and haven't installed the Nikon raw software either. Maybe this is a Picasa quirk? I want to return the camera while I still can, if there's a problem. I can post more files if you need me to.

Thanks!