NEF post processing

kardo

kardo

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Name
Kardo Ayoub
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Hi everyone,

I always used to shoot Jpegs but I have now started shooting RAW NEF files with my new D300s.

I am new to this type of digital negative format so I was wondering if there is anywhere I can get a full explenation of the work flow and the basics steps you need to take to optimise images and exporting them.

I have downloaded Capture NX2 for now but maybe later I might have to use my Lightroom 2.6 till I buy the Capture NX key.

Also I tried to open the NEF files in Photoshop CS4 but I doesnt open it for some reson, anyone else has experience the same thing?

Thanks for your help.
 
If you do go back to Capture NX, then I'd recommend using the free View NX as well. It's much quicker as a NEF browser than Capture. You can also tag, star etc and do a very basic conversion to jpeg.

My workflow is:
Transfer NX - rename and tag files from card to PC. Transfer embeds tags into the NEF file.
View NX - "star" items that I want to process further
Convert starred files to jpeg - I'll then use these to see which files are worth further editing.
Process individual items in Capture NX2 that I want to spend some time on.
I'll finally put anything through CS3 that needs more intricate edits.

If you're happy with Lightroom, then the above all probably seems quite a faff, but I never got on with LR.
 
I use lightroom for its imorting and catalogue, and as a rough post processor. Capture NX2 is quirky to use but does give a much cleaner output than LR/ACR. If I need to go further then I have to resort to Adobe again and finish off in CS4 from a 16bit TIFF out of NX2.
 
Although I have Capture, it's too slow for me, although it does produce great detail, much like Canon's bundled software. I tried Aperture (I used to do everything in CS2) but have settled on LR2 because it's so easy to use and runs quickly on my mac.

Workflow for me is to import the files onto my mac; I do this manually, dragging off the card, because I just find it easier that way when shooting several jobs in one day. When I shoot one job per day then I use LR import. Just make sure everything goes in the same location and isn't moved after the import because the software won't find it.

Then I just browse through, delete anything suspect (to save HD space) and then do the do when it comes to processing; I have loads of presets for specific looks and some really handy presets to do batch sharpening etc.

Then for me it's just a case of exporting to a destination on m desktop from where I'll then do any additional stuff in CS3 (if needed - cloning and the like) before it goes over to my repro manager who then colour corrects for our printers. Generally I just export without doing additional processing.

Because I'm exporting to another team, I set everything to export as the original so the size stays the same. It's obviously going to be different if you're exporting for your own inkjet or for an online gallery like flickr.
 
Thank you guys for all your help.

Actually my friend just gave me Capture NX2, for free, because he doesnt use it anymore.
It looks great I just need to find some tutorials on it on how to use it. Beening a graphic designer the adobe interface is like a second language to me, the Capture Nx2 interface is different but seem to be fairly easy.
Just need to learn about the RAW processing techniques and organising my library.


Cheers
 
Capture NX2 is much faster than Capture NX, that does not mean that it superfast though!

One way to speed it up is to increase the cache size Click Edit \ Preferences \ Cache settings. It is 2GB by default, I use 15GB.

Use the Develop pane for
White Balance
Picture Control
Exp Comp
Highlight Protection
Shadow Protection
Colour Moiré Reduction
Image Dust Off
Vignette Control

However it is quicker to use the Edit pane for
Noise Reduction
Curves
Contrast
Saturation
Red-Eye Reduction

I normally use NX2 from start to finish with NEF & JPEG. The heal tool and Red-Eye Reduction are not brilliant however.

If you us it to edit a JPEG or TIFF you can save as a NEF, that does not mean that it is saved as a raw file but all the editing is non-destructive and you can go back and delete or change editing steps.

Lots of tips on the Nikon site and elsewhere on the internet.
 
I upgraded to a 300s recently. I've now got Capture 2.2.3 up & running again with the NEF files... I really like NX2 for quick'n'easy twiddling. It's sooo easy to use. I keep Adobe only for really special shots. To be honest, I don't get too many of them !!
 
Suvv said:
Capture NX2 is much faster than Capture NX, that does not mean that it superfast though!

One way to speed it up is to increase the cache size Click Edit \ Preferences \ Cache settings. It is 2GB by default, I use 15GB.

Use the Develop pane for
White Balance
Picture Control
Exp Comp
Highlight Protection
Shadow Protection
Colour Moiré Reduction
Image Dust Off
Vignette Control

However it is quicker to use the Edit pane for
Noise Reduction
Curves
Contrast
Saturation
Red-Eye Reduction

I normally use NX2 from start to finish with NEF & JPEG. The heal tool and Red-Eye Reduction are not brilliant however.

If you us it to edit a JPEG or TIFF you can save as a NEF, that does not mean that it is saved as a raw file but all the editing is non-destructive and you can go back and delete or change editing steps.

Lots of tips on the Nikon site and elsewhere on the internet.
Click to expand...


That is great thank you very much. will increase the cache and take it from there.

Thank you all for your help.
 
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