How to convert Nikon NEF files to jpg in bulk?

How to convert Nikon NEF files to jpg in bulk? - 1

I'd use Lightroom, or there's a dedicated utility at the link. Your camera might have an option to record both at the same time, which would give better results.

You do NOT converts RAW image files.

You need to process them using a program like Adobe Lightroom and with it, you can batch process all the RAW image files you shot under the same lighting conditions using it.

The process is called "export". The processed RAW image files are exported as high resolution JPEG image files

Agree, WWBS. Using Lightroom, choose all of the images to be converted. Then choose export, select the various options, and that's it. I don't use Nikon. My camera shoots DNGs so I don't have to convert. You may have to first convert the images to DNG and then to JPEG. Not sure how Lightroom handles NEF files. You may want to check your manual to see if your camera has the option to shoot RAW files as DNG or NEF. If so, change it to DNG to future proof your images. If Nikon ever changes their NEF files, future software will not likely be able to open your current files. Which is why DNGs are a safer bet.

Try the software that came with the camera in the CD.

A CD came with your camera with a program called ViewNX2. They have a batch mode to convert raw to jpeg with whatever settings your camera used. If you don't have the CD, download the program from Nikon's web site for free.

NEF files also contain a low quality, but full resolution, jpeg image. You can use a free program called dcraw to extract the jpeg from the nef file. You can also use dcraw to do a conversion, but the results will be strange unless you really know what you're doing. Dcraw is a command line program, so you'll need some experience dealing with command line programs to use it.

Programs such as Lightroom have a nice export feature.