OpenRAW

I own the copyright to my images. With a digital camera, the data file is the image. All of the image file, including the as-shot white balance belongs to me, not the camera manufacturer. I want choices in how I process that file, including converters from multiple sources with different algorithms. Nikon's argument that they are protecting the integrity of the NEF format is specious. They apparently want to ameliorate their inabilty to compete by closing their format. I will switch to Canon or revert to film before I succumb to this tactic. And, I will buy no new Nikon equipment as long as they have the policy of encryptic ANY portion of their NEF files. Raw files should be documented because they belong to the photographer, not the camera manufacturer.

I'm not sure it will take until 2008 for Nikon to win the the Darwin Award. I'm likely to give them my personal version this year.