OpenRAW

As a professional Nikon user, I am for an openly documented RAW file format to enable any third party developer to produce high quality and efficient software to convert my D2X NEF files. An efficient and reliable workflow is as important to me as the future ability to be able to read all MY original image files.
Nikon, in my personal opinion, has singularly failed to produce any software since the launch of the D1, which is both fast AND reliable for the conversion of its proprietary NEF format files.
I have recently purchased two Nikon D2X camera bodies at a cost of almost £7000 and do not expect further financial outlay for sub-standard software to be able to extract the best quality from what are admittedly excellent cameras.
The encryption/part-encryption of RAW files from any camera manufacturer places a restriction on the photographer's creative choices and will potentially lead to unreadable files in the future. As Brian Leonard has already stated, the manufacturers supply the means to capture an image and that image is the intellectual property of the photographer. An encrypted file format, requiring proprietary software places undue restriction on access to MY images.
I urge all major manufacturers to openly document their RAW file formats, to allow third party developers the ability to create fast and reliable software and give the freedom of choice to the photographer.
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http://www.pmsphoto.co.uk