Hello.

I was going to buy a copy of Nikon Capture so I can use NEF (RAW). I am now confused if I should just get the Capture 4.4 or go with the NX?

Hope somebody can shed some light on this before I press the order key.

Nikon Capture 4.4.2 Works well.

NX is too young. But if you will just play around, no hurry, get the NX.

Lastly, you need not spend a cent if all you want is to convert NEF to other PS-able format. There is a the Photo Project CD that came with your package. Convert there and continue you PP in PS.

On my photos, PS is only for framing and subsequent resizing for web posting.

This may help you decide.

Orig/NC/NX
http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/1097/orig0ie.th.jpg (http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=orig0ie.jpg) http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/876/nc1hz.th.jpg (http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nc1hz.jpg) http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/7598/nx6iy.th.jpg (http://img84.imageshack.us/my.php?image=nx6iy.jpg)

With NX, you can work as if you are working with PS but not that intensive.

NX is nikons 1st attempt to venture into photoshop-type image processing. i use nikon capture for levels, color, sharpening, white balance adjustments (advanced raw features). other than that, or if im still not satisfied with the result, photoshop na...

if u just wanna convert raw files, then sir roland is right, just use photo project which is included in the package...

As a side note... Rendering NEF files out of both Capture softwares produces noisier results than in Photoshop... Also, if you install Capture softwares in your computer, it automatically by default disables Adobe Camera Raw in your system; if you have CS2 installed that is... So in effect, everytime you open a raw file inside PS... You'll have the Nikon dialog instead. :)

... Original post edited taking into consideration that your D80 NEF is not yet supported by Capture 4.42 :Grin:

If you convert NEF to JPG using software other than the Nikon softwares, you will be excluding data that is unique to NEF such as custom curve, etc.

This is why I stated that you use at least the Picture Project that came with it to convert NEF files. (It is Picture Project, not Photo Project. :D)

FYI, for new Nikon DSLR's such as the D2Xs and the D80, Nikon Capture 4.4 is not a viable option because it doesn't support NEFs from those camera. Capture NX 1.01 is the only way to go if you have any of the two new Nikon DSLR.

FYI, for new Nikon DSLR's such as the D2Xs and the D80, Nikon Capture 4.4 is not a viable option because it doesn't support NEFs from those camera. Capture NX 1.01 is the only way to go if you have any of the two new Nikon DSLR.

Thanks for the reminder Orlando. :)

Right. I forgot that Nikon Capture 4.4.2 only support D2H and D2X with Firmware Version 2.0.

Therefore, Dave's choices now is only NX or the Picture Project. :D

Hokay... so NX it is.

So is it safe to assume that NX supports some of the features in Capture like uploading custom curves and stuff.

Of course it does. It IS By Nikon for Nikon... but I suggest you try it first for 30 Days. before buying it. It is extremely slow and crashes frequently when working with batch processing. Even in the simplest batch processing such as MASS NEF to JPG conversion, it can quit and send you back to square 1.

The software is not to blame. Nikon Capture was even worst when it first came out.

Do not loose the Picture Project, it's your safety net.

Hokay... so NX it is.

So is it safe to assume that NX supports some of the features in Capture like uploading custom curves and stuff.

And since you are working with NEF, I would suggest turning the sharpening to off and just do it in NX or Picture Project.

The AA or lowpass filter of D80 is so strong that your image may seem soft. But using the on board sharpening will introduce noise even at the lowest setting. If you really have to, set it to the lowest settings. If you are going to use the on board Noise Reduction, set it to Normal.

The point, it's NEF, all the in-camera processing can be done in NX or Picture Project.

Oh, AF and ISO problem must be fixed during the shot and it can't be fixed in NX or Picture Project. I guess RAW still has its limitations. :D :D :D

Ok.

I downloading NX now.

I also had to wait 3 months before Adobe Camera RAW & Aperture caught up with the 30D's RAW format as well.

hey guys, i'm a newbie here.
i have nikon capture editor ver. 4.4.0 loaded in my pc but i don't have instruction manual to use the software. therefore, i could hardly use it my projects. is there a website where i could get the manual from? foc if possible, he he he. big thanksl
btw, i'm using d70s. is nikon capture editor compatible w/ d70s?

Dave,

Did you consider Aperture as I read somewhere that you're a mac guy?

I use Aperture for NEF conversion, basic image adjustments and archiving. I export directly from Aperture to PSCS2 for more intensive post process work. My only encounter with Nikon software is Capture for tethering.

hey guys, i'm a newbie here.
i have nikon capture editor ver. 4.4.0 loaded in my pc but i don't have instruction manual to use the software. therefore, i could hardly use it my projects. is there a website where i could get the manual from? foc if possible, he he he. big thanksl
btw, i'm using d70s. is nikon capture editor compatible w/ d70s?

Floyd, you can download a PDF manual of your Nikon Capture version here (http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/nikonusa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=13614&p_created=1118667538&p_sid=Qg5yFRii&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=61&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9OCZwX3Byb2RzPTQyLDQ1JnBfY2F0cz0xODcmcF9 wdj0yLjQ1JnBfY3Y9MS4xODcmcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3Z XJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1).

Please note that original Nikon Capture software should come with an instruction manual, as well as other documentations. :Thinking:

And yes, the D70s is supported by version 4.4.0 ... current version now is 4.4.2, you can update online if your copy is authentic.

Ok.

I downloading NX now.

I also had to wait 3 months before Adobe Camera RAW & Aperture caught up with the 30D's RAW format as well.

dave,

i just read your thread...i pm'ed something interesting for you...:)

Floyd, you can download a PDF manual of your Nikon Capture version here (http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/nikonusa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=13614&p_created=1118667538&p_sid=Qg5yFRii&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=61&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9OCZwX3Byb2RzPTQyLDQ1JnBfY2F0cz0xODcmcF9 wdj0yLjQ1JnBfY3Y9MS4xODcmcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3Z XJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1).

Please note that original Nikon Capture software should come with an instruction manual, as well as other documentations. :Thinking:

And yes, the D70s is supported by version 4.4.0 ... current version now is 4.4.2, you can update online if your copy is authentic.

hi earl, big thanks. this is very interesting. i really hope i can learn these camara stuffs, this and that. i hope to learn more from you. cheers.

whew, i really thought photography is pretty easy and dirty cheap. it turned out to be otherwise. he he he.

Please note that original Nikon Capture software should come with an instruction manual, as well as other documentations. :Thinking:



Uhm, perhaps the operative word would be "original". :(

As a side note... Rendering NEF files out of both Capture softwares produces noisier results than in Photoshop... Also, if you install Capture softwares in your computer, it automatically by default disables Adobe Camera Raw in your system; if you have CS2 installed that is... So in effect, everytime you open a raw file inside PS... You'll have the Nikon dialog instead. :)

... Original post edited taking into consideration that your D80 NEF is not yet supported by Capture 4.42 :Grin:
As an additional note; If you are using CS2 and want to use the Adobe camera Raw in your system all you have to do is remove the Nikon NEF Plugin.8Bi located under [drive]\root\program files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS2\Plug-Ins\File Formats\

Floyd, you can download a PDF manual of your Nikon Capture version here (http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/nikonusa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=13614&p_created=1118667538&p_sid=Qg5yFRii&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=61&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9OCZwX3Byb2RzPTQyLDQ1JnBfY2F0cz0xODcmcF9 wdj0yLjQ1JnBfY3Y9MS4xODcmcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3Z XJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX3BhZ2U9MQ**&p_li=&p_topview=1).

Please note that original Nikon Capture software should come with an instruction manual, as well as other documentations. :Thinking:

And yes, the D70s is supported by version 4.4.0 ... current version now is 4.4.2, you can update online if your copy is authentic.


earl, i have downloaded the nikon capture manual. i already updated the software to version 4.4.2, too.
big thanks. i really appreciate your help. cheers.:)

now, its time for me to learn. arrrgh! no, somebody give me time! no, somebody teach me please, better. he he he.

As an additional note; If you are using CS2 and want to use the Adobe camera Raw in your system all you have to do is remove the Nikon NEF Plugin.8Bi located under [drive]\root\program files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS2\Plug-Ins\File Formats\

True... True... :)

earl, i have downloaded the nikon capture manual. i already updated the software to version 4.4.2, too.
big thanks. i really appreciate your help. cheers.:)

now, its time for me to learn. arrrgh! no, somebody give me time! no, somebody teach me please, better. he he he.
You're Welcome. :Grin: