Mac OS X 10.5.7 Update Adds Raw Support for Aperture, iPhoto

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Leopard users receive a nice bump in Raw support with the latest Mac OS X 10.5.7 update. In addition to a slew of security fixes, network performance improvements, printing, and more, the are 14 additions to the supported Raw formats list. This additional Raw support is automatically tapped by Aperture, iPhoto, and Preview.

Additions in 10.5.7 include:

  • Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Canon EOS 50D
  • Canon PowerShot G10
  • Epson R-D1x
  • Pentax K2000/K-m
  • Leaf AFi-II 6
  • Leaf AFi-II 7
  • Leaf Aptus-II 6
  • Leaf Aptus-II 7
  • Leica M8.2
  • Nikon D3X
  • Nikon Coolpix P6000
  • Nikon D90
  • Sony DSLR-A900

I was disappointed that Raw support for the Olympus E-30 and some of my other favorite devices was not included in this update. But if you're working with one of the cameras in the list above, then you finally have fine-tuned Raw support in both Aperture and iPhoto.

You can grab Mac OS X 10.5.7 using Software Update on your Mac, or get it on the Apple Download page.


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7 Comments

No Leica D-Lux 4 yet? That's disappointing. I've been waiting months for this update. It's interesting to me, how Apple seemed to get the rhythm of RAW updates at some point last year, and now seems off-track again. These are the things that always make me question the reliability of my choice of going with Aperture versus options like Lightroom. Thanks...

Derrick,

There is some confusion about this RAW update in 10.5.7. Most, if not all, of the cameras on that list have been supported in 10.5.6 for several months since the last "RAW Compatibility Update." I know the G10 and 5D Mark II were, for example, as I've been working with them in Aperture for some time now.

Apple made the very wise decision to remove RAW updates from OS updates with Aperture 2 after us early Aperture users were originally forced to wait months for major OS updates in order to get simple camera support. RAW updates now come out as separate updates far more frequently, usually faster than Adobe Camera Raw even.

Why Apple made it a point to note RAW updates with 10.5.7 I'm not sure. However it appears all they've done is wrap up the RAW Compatibility updates from the last few months in this patch, and is the reason we don't see any new support.

That's exactly what they've done, Kip. They've rolled a lot of updates into the 10.5.7 update, include some of the Raw support. I think it's a good idea actually. Some folks, especially those new to Aperture, might have missed the separate Raw update, and now they will get it automatically with the OS refresh.

I think the bigger issue is that Apple seems to be slowing down again with new Raw support. There are many hot cameras on the market, such as the Canon T1i that don't have specific Raw support yet. I'm hoping they pick up the pace a bit.

Just for those keeping score, here's what's been included in the last two Raw Compatibility Updates from Apple:

2.4 (Dec. 2008) -
Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Canon PowerShot G10
Pentax K2000/K-m
Leaf AFi-II 6
Leaf AFi-II 7
Leaf Aptus-II 6
Leaf Aptus-II 7
Leica M8.2

2.5 (March 2009) -
- Nikon D3X
- Epson R-D1x

So there are new cameras supported in this update, such as the Nikon Coolpix P6000, Nikon D90, Sony DSLR-A900, and the Canon D50.

Maybe the limited flow of raw updates implies that the talent at Apple is working on Aperture 3.0. I'd like to see support for Panasonic cameras personally. I would also like to see retroactive support for old digital cameras such as the Canon G1. That way I can manage my thousands of old raw files without converting to DNG.

Chris, Apple most likely is working on Aperture 3. They're tight-lipped, as you know, but clearly have something good in the works.

And concerning Raw updates, I think it is a matter of engineering horsepower. It's a thankless job, really, keeping up with new cameras. But Aperture is so good... I'd hate to see people turn away from it just because their camera isn't supported.

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