Powerful Raw File Merging for Lightroom Classic
Combine pixel-shifted raw files and reduce noise with frame averaging. Fast, free, and fully integrated into your Lightroom workflow.
What is Merge Raw?
Merge Raw allows you to combine a set of Pixel Shifted raw files into a single DNG or to do Multiple Exposures or Frame Averaging with non-pixel-shifted raw files.
Pixel Shift is when your camera takes 4 or 8 photos with the sensor moved slightly so each pixel captures red, green, and blue light instead of each pixel only capturing only one color. This results in reduced noise, less moire artifacts, and more accurate color. You can even capture 16 or 32 photos at half-pixel offsets to improve resolution and further reduce moire artifacts.
Frame Averaging is when you take multiple photos and merge them together for a cleaner image with less noise that can be sharpened more and printed larger. For example, merging four ISO 64 images gives you an effective ISO 16 image, pushing your Full Frame camera well into Medium Format quality!
Bonus Tools: Merge Raw also includes Remove Built-in Profile and Edit Raw in Photoshop for even more workflow flexibility.
Easy-to-use interface integrated directly into Lightroom Classic
Key Features
Pixel Shift Support
Full support for 4, 8, 16, and 32-shot pixel shift modes. Tested with Nikon cameras, produces better quality than NX Studio with faster processing.
Frame Averaging
Reduce noise by averaging multiple exposures. Merge four ISO 64 images for effective ISO 16 quality. Much faster than Photoshop's Smart Object method with 60% smaller files.
Multiple Blend Modes
Normal, Deghosting, Median, Lighten (star trails), and Darken modes. Smart deghosting automatically removes moving subjects while preserving sharp detail.
Flat Field Correction
Correct for uneven illumination, lens vignetting, and color shift when doing capture for art reproduction. Essential for museum-quality digitization and high-end copy work.
Raw-Native Processing
Works directly on raw data without demosaicing, producing sharper images with smaller file sizes. DNG output keeps all raw editing flexibility.
Lightning Fast
Multi-threaded processing is optimized for both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs. No more waiting for Photoshop to load layers!
Bonus Tools Included
Remove Built-In Profile
Some lens manufacturers mandate applying a lens profile for certain lenses. This can introduce pattern noise when doing image stacking in other tools. This plugin creates a DNG from your raw file with the profile removed.
Learn MoreEdit Raw in Photoshop
Develops your RAW file into a TIFF and opens it in Photoshop. When you hit save, it converts back to a DNG file that's 1/3 the size of a TIFF. Perfect for running tools like BackscatterXTerminator at any point in your workflow while keeping full raw editing flexibility.
Learn MoreDownload
Latest Version: 0.6.0
Released: November 23, 2025
Download Merge RawFree for macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon) and Windows (Intel & Arm64)
What's New in 0.6.0
- Add dark frame subtraction option
Quick Install Guide
Download & Extract
Download the latest version and extract the zip file.
Run Installer
Double-click the Install app. If macOS blocks it, right-click and choose Open.
Restart Lightroom
Restart Lightroom Classic to load the plugins.
Start Merging
Find Merge Raw in File → Plug-in Extras → Ryan's Raw Tools or right-click on images and look for Ryan's Raw Tools in the Export menu.
Compatibility
Platforms
- macOS (Intel & Apple Silicon)
- Windows (Intel & Arm64)
Software
- Lightroom Classic (required)
- Command-line interface available
Cameras Tested
- Nikon D850, Z8
- Canon R5
- Sony A7R IV
Color Filter Arrays
- RGGB (Nikon, Sony, Canon)
- Fuji X-Trans: Not supported
- Sigma Foveon: Not supported
Most modern RGGB cameras should work. Pixel shift currently only tested with Nikon. Contact me if you'd like to help test other cameras!
Tips for Best Results
- Use a steady tripod and solid tripod head
- Don't re-focus between exposures
- Turn off VR/IS on your lens, even with auto tripod mode
- Use a cable release or self timer
- Shoot in live view with silent mode, exposure delay, or mirror lock-up
- Prefer automatic bracketing over manual adjustments
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Merge Raw an HDR app?
While Merge Raw isn't a traditional HDR app, it increases your dynamic range by reducing noise and preserving shadow detail. For bracketed exposures within about 4 stops on a steady tripod, Merge Raw delivers benefits similar to Adobe Lightroom Photo Merge HDR, but faster and with higher quality output.
What if something moves between frames?
Merge Raw offers five blend modes to handle motion: Normal (blurs motion), Deghosting (freezes moving subjects), Median (deletes moving objects), Lighten (for multiple exposures on a dark background, star trails, and light painting), and Darken (for multiple exposures on light backgrounds).
What does it cost?
Merge Raw is completely free!
What are the limitations?
Merge Raw requires good shooting technique with a solid tripod. Image alignment is limited to small shifts and rotations. It's not a panorama stitching app. Currently only tested thoroughly on macOS, though Windows support is experimental.
Contact & Feedback
Merge Raw is developed by Ryan Mack in spare time for fun and personal use.
Feedback, bug reports, and test images from different camera models are greatly appreciated!
Please email me at <My Name> @ gmail.com with MergeRaw in the subject line.