Editing Software - Nikon Capture NX2

[Quaker]

Does anyone use this as a main editing tool?

I don't have it myself but I was wondering what folk think. I currently use CS4 but a mate of mine is singing the praises of Capture NX2 like there is no tomorrow.

 

[psenior1]

I use it but only really to convert from RAW-TIFF, mainly because I don't like the way LR2 handles D700 and D3 RAW files (even with the correct profiles) - they always looks very flat compared to what NX2 produces.

Its not a bad editor, not the most user friendly-personally I don't see that you would gain anything over CS4...

 

[EdinburghGary]

Does anyone use this as a main editing tool?

I don't have it myself but I was wondering what folk think. I currently use CS4 but a mate of mine is singing the praises of Capture NX2 like there is no tomorrow.

I use it for 95% of my editing. The program is absolutely unbelievable. Could not live without it. IMO, it really takes your Nikon files to a level not easily achievable in CS4 (based on MY cs4 knowledge).

G.

 

[Tyke Tiler]

Definitely the best NEF processing tool available but IMO hugely let down with painfully slow and awkward mechanics.

Advanced edits still have to be performed in photoshop (i.e layers and masking) and the batch processing is no where near as fast and as simple as Lightroom or similar photo management programs.

The largest issue when editing a raw file with non proprietary software (Nikon = NX2 & Canon = DPP) is the camera profiles/calibration or camera control information is ignored , Camera Standard, Vivid etc and Active D lighting.

As far as I understand, with the exception of ADR, it's basically a tone curve and interpretation of colour.

I've found a few ways around Lightroom and PS's ignorance of the additional camera control files that accompany NEF with:

http://labs.adobe.com/wiki/index.php/DNG_Profiles

These nearly match NX2's rendering identically and it's more than enough for me.
Lightroom and CS4 are much better suited to my workflow, which can consist of processing thousands of images at a time. I think I'd just about have a nervous breakdown if I had to use NX2 for that kind of batch

 

[Suvv]

I use it for 90% - 95% of my editing.
Can be a bit slow but the results are great. The control points mean that you do not need layers and masking for most edits.
Batch processing is best done while you go to lunch!
Download a trial and see for yourself.

 

[Quaker]

I use it for 95% of my editing. The program is absolutely unbelievable. Could not live without it. IMO, it really takes your Nikon files to a level not easily achievable in CS4 (based on MY cs4 knowledge).

G.

You sound just like my mate!

 

[Quaker]

I use it for 90% - 95% of my editing.
Can be a bit slow but the results are great. The control points mean that you do not need layers and masking for most edits.

Download a trial and see for yourself.

I may just do that, thanks.

 

[Tyke Tiler]

The control points mean that you do not need layers and masking for most edits.

Completely disagree, control points are extremely limited and far too basic in comparison to what's on offer in PS.

Batch processing is best done while you go to lunch!

Assuming that every file needs the same adjustments, personally I find batch processing involves a hell of a lot more than applying the same action.