Nikon User - Which to try first

AlfyB

AlfyB

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Name
Ian
Edit My Images
Yes
Since getting my D7000, I've been processing all my RAW files using ViewNX2 and the GIMP. I've been a big fan of GIMP and ViewNX2 but I'm finding I'm spending more and more time with them which is something I don't really want to do as I sit in front of a pc all day at work.

So, I'm thinking of trying both CaptureNX2 and LR3 with the aim of seeing if I can achieve better looking images after processing and/or process the files in less time.

I'd like to hear the thoughts/opinions of anyone that has used both applications or suggestions of which one to try first?

Thanks
 
I open RAW files in Capture and do any base adjustments that are needed ie exposure, WB etc
I then save as a TIFF and do the rest of the editing in Photoshop.
 
There are different workflow techniques depending upon what you want to achieve...

I tend to import everything into Aperture and work from there unless I particularly want to use Adobe Capture Raw to do the initial processing on an image. I try and get everything about right in Aperture, and then export to PS for any additional processing, if it's needed. Doing that creates a PS 'version' of the image in the Aperture library, so it's all kept in one place.
 
Some say that CaptureNX2 is the only way to work with Nikon raws, and I would agree that the results from CaptureNX are very good indeed. However the software itself is very clunky in my opinon. Personally I would tend to think that just using Lightroom would give you a far better workflow solution. You can then use GIMP for all those photoshoppy things that you can't do in lightroom - although you may well find that lightroom is all you need.

There's no reason why you can't use both CaptureNX and Lightroom, but it will mean extra steps in your workflow, which I believe you're trying to avoid.
 
The workflow issue is something that I've not really worried about till now. I normally have a quick scan through the images I've taken, choose the best few and work on those one by one.

Initially, this made me think that capture nx may be my best fit. However, I then considered that the reason I only process a few is mainly minimising time infront of the pc. If LR speeds up the whole workflow maybe I'd process more shots.

For every positive of either of these applications, I seem to find something in the other that balances it out. I'm finding it a tough decision.
 
I use both although not usually together. Its usually Lightroom for events when I've got a lot of images to process in a hurry and nx2 for just a few for example when I've been out landscaping.
They're both great in their own way and both have their own particular strengths and weaknesses but they do compliment each other.
 
If you find you're applying the same adjustments to all your raw images, LR3 has a batch process feature which can apply them in one hit to all the pictures.
 
I have always used View NX2 for browsing and Capture NX2 for editing and it seems to work really well.
I've tried Lightroom 3 trial but some of the colours don't seem quite "right" compared with using the Nikon software. For example some colours seem to take on a "dayglo" appearance when using non Nikon software.
Another thing I quite like is that any edits are actually encoded within the actual RAW file rather than having to rely on a separate catalogue file.
 
Thanks for the replies. It does sound like capture nx is going to be my best initial option and then maybe follow it up with Lightroom at a later stage.
 
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