Capture Raw Conversion

[the foto fanatic]

I knew that I shouldn't have started this.

I've never used Capture NX for PP. Even when I got a free version with my D300, I stuck to using Lightroom and Photoshop.

The recent release of Capture NX2 didn't tempt me either, but reading a few of the recent posts here that have said that Capture NX gives the best Raw conversion made me try it for that reason.

Here is a photo from my niece's wedding converted in Lightroom and then saved as a JPEG.



Now, here is the same original, converted in Capture NX2 and saved as a JPEG. No different treatment save for a slightly tighter crop that was unintentional and shouldn't matter for the purpose of this exercise.



Now I am thinking that Capture NX does do a better job with the Raw conversion. Better skin tones are obvious here (you can click for larger images if you like), and other comparisons seem to indicate a better tonal range and more accurate colours.

Now what do I do?

[Glen]

I agree Trevor, the skintones look far better, especially on the bridesmaids

[kiwi]

My madness, as I agree that Capture NX renders Nikon NEF files better than any other tool. I'm not Robinson Crusoe thinking that of course, Adobe do not have access to the NEF file data.

Anyhow, I still use LR for library functions and also for mass processing JPEG files (sports etc). I'm trying to use LR exclusively but still find myself finishing off the commercial shots in PS3 unfortunately - I'm going to get Kelby's book so I can try to learn more about LR in PP.

But, in contrastm, with all RAW files requiring PP I am using Capture NX

It's not just the better tonality and colours - I really like the preview of changes I can make to the Picture Controls used. To me that helps getting it in-camera right if that makes any sense.

To me though PS3 still offers far more options for spot healing etc etc so I find myself still saving the RAW as a TIFF and opening up some shots in PS3 just to complete the process.

Madness I know. If I found I could use just one software tool for everything that'd be great.

[the foto fanatic]

Yes, that's the madness. No photo-editing software is exactly cheap. Then you find that you need a few of them!

Lightroom is great for organising and global PP. PS3 does give greater control for selection and repair of portions of the image.

But it all starts with the Raw conversion.

I'm off to re-read stubbsy's Lightroom workflow, and ATJ's Lightroom review.

[kiwi]

I've read ATJ's excellent review, I don't have a link to other other one - have you ?

[ATJ]

stubbsy's workflow: viewtopic.php?f=48&t=31538

[the foto fanatic]

There is also this resource, currently about $25 for an eBook download, that looks to be a quite comprehensive "how to" manual for Capture NX2:

http://www.luminescentphoto.com/

[Jeff]

I agree Capture NX does a better job.

Jeff

[StarForge]

Just adding my voice to the chorus, I completely agree that Capture NX is best for converting NEF files to JPG. I always put my NEFs through Capture NX2 before importing into Aperture.

[carla_d]

me too. nothing compares to capture nx.

[ozboyerp]

Agree as Glen,

The skin tone is much better..