NX2 Capture

[bracken81]

Am new to digital processing... and have recently acquired a Nikon D600 for landscape purposes primary.

Have downloaded the free trial of NX2 Capture and am finding my way around with the help of the "After the Shoot" book by Mike Hagen.

I am finding the software helpful for the subtle changes that I would want to make (adding saturation to a sky etc). I don't wish to make anything other than subtle enhancements to my images.

But as a newcome to these pieces of software I just wondered if I am going down the right path.... as LR4 seems much more supported in terms of tutorials etc on the internet! And NX2 seems much less mentionned!

Thanks!

 

[Suvv]

I use Capture NX2 for 95% of my post processing
As it is most useful for Nikon files and it is a bit slow for bulk processing it is not as popular as some of the photoshop programs.
However the fact that it reads and applies all raw camera settings non-destructively, you can save different versions in the same file, it has U Points, you do not have to worry about layers etc. and it has the best raw conversion means that it is the best for NEF files.
The healing tool is not great on larger objects and it does not have a clone tool - if I need those then I export as a TIFF into Photoshop Elements.
For the changes that you mention it will do all you need and more. There are quite a few tutorials on the internet, some of the Capture NX ones are relevant to NX2 and the Hagen book is quite good.
Have a look at http://dptnt.com/2008/09/the-ultimate-nikon-capture-nx-and-nx2-resource-guide/

You may want to download Nikon View NX2 which is a stripped down version of Capture NX2, it does not have any selection tools so may not do what you want but it has the advantage of being free!

 

[jezgb]

As above, I use CNX2 for most of my post processing.

As stated, the "dust removal" tool is excellent but it's no substitute for a proper clone tool for larger areas, although it does sometimes surprise me and do exactly what I wanted and not what I expected it to!

Occasionally layers are useful too, which aren't supported.

So for all round use, CNX2 still needs another tool occasionally. I use Elements, but I only need it for maybe 2% of the images I take - CNX2 performs perfectly for the other 98%.

It's often claimed to be the best thing out there for converting Nikon RAW files, but I haven't done any tests myself to prove or disprove this.

 

[Unijak]

I also use NX2 for all my NEF conversion and most of my processing.

As well as utilising the superb U Point tech, I find that using the 'quick fix' section as a starting point allows brightening of shadows with the least introduction of noise or artifacts better than any other software I've used - Adobe Camera Raw included.

I also use NX2 for all my image reduction as I find the resampling algorithm gives a more pleasing result than Photoshop's. Once I've taken the image as far as I want to in NX2, then Photoshop has all the other tools necessary.

Save your image in NX2 as a 16-bit TIFF to open in PS and job's a goodun', and also save a NEF copy if you like with all your selective adjustments intact.