Nikon Capture NX

[huynhie]

It appears that digitalreview.ca have a Nikon Capture NX review/first look.

The best news is that it contains the following:

"Selective tools are a new set of features added to Nikon Capture NX. The selective tools in Capture NX enable you to apply over 25 different enhancements. You can use the Brush tool to paint in or paint out an enhancement, the Lasso and Marquee tools to create traditional selections, or the Gradient tool to gradually add or remove an effect."

[stubbsy]

Thanks Andrew

I'm waiting to see what this is like. It will be interesting to see how the Nik Color Efex tools work with it since the same company has worked on both products.

[pippin88]

Sounds interesting.

Nikon Capture has some features (that Stubbsy showed me) that just blow photoshop away.

Eg:
Filters actually being filters that you can adjust, rearrange and remove later.


Now it looks like it'll get some of the things I used photoshop for. (cloning etc.)

[Bob G]

First glance this looks pretty good.

As long as the pricing is reasonable I will probably upgrade.

Bob G

[stubbsy]

Also of note from this older article (mostly PR stuff):

Using algorithms matching the optical properties of the Nikkor lenses used, Aberration, Vignette and Fisheye (AF DX Fisheye Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8G ED) distortions can be corrected quickly and simply within Nikon Capture NX to prepare the purest image file before creative editing commences. A new Barrel Distortion function has been added to complete a suite of specialist tools designed for the highest optical demands.

[NikonUser]

I'm just hoping it's not so much of a memory hog as Capture 4.4 and it runs a little faster.

Paul

[Dink]

Nikon Capture has some features (that Stubbsy showed me) that just blow photoshop away.

Eg:
Filters actually being filters that you can adjust, rearrange and remove later.

I am interested to know what you mean by this.

Not picking at you or anything but i am curious as to why you believe Nikon Capture is able to do things photoshop isnt??

[stubbsy]

Dink

In photoshop if you apply 5 filters to an image, you can't decide to leave, say filter 1, 2,4 and 5 unchanged and go back and edit filter #2 and reapply it's settings. In Nikon Capture each and every filter can be turned on, off, reordered or it's settings edited and reapplied to the image at any time. Even after the raw image has been saved and reopened. This is with both the built in filters and, more importantly the Nik Color Efex filters see screenshot below.

[Dink]

I will freely admit that i dont use Nikon Capture at all any more for post processing images but i am still not sure why you believe you cant do those things in Photoshop.
I use ACR to open all my images in Photoshop and mainly use adjustment layers for doing most of my work. They are non destructive ie. dont change the original image, can be turned on and off at will and reordered etc.

If I achieve an image i am happy with then and only then do i flatten it or merge down the layers and if it is being printed i usually just print the PSD file but everything i do is still able to be adjusted to taste and without changing any of the underlying pixels in the original image.
One of the main reasons that dont use Nikon Capture any more is that it doubled my workcycle, I can achieve far more in Photoshop than what I could in Capture.

I am not a photographer by trade, more graphic design but i do a large amount of photography in the course of my work. I was actually taught by one of the members on this forum, Matt K, one of the main reasons i joined up and I still dont consider myself to be that flash but i am learning and this board is a massive font of knowledge.

Hence the reason why i asked, maybe Capture does have a place in my workflow but to be honest the only thing i have seen so far that i cant do as easily in Photoshop is the Fish-eye conversion.
Please if people do use both and prefer Capture over Photoshop post the reasons why. It might save others struggling to learn a program that even the experts admit that they dont know everything about.

[pippin88]

Dink (not from OCAU are you?)

I used Raw Shooter Essentials for my inital conversion, then into photoshop for levels and resizing etc.

I often want to compare two different versions, or just tweak it slightly and this seems much easier in NC. You can edit the filters later - AFAIK I can't go back and adjust the levels I've applied in PS.

I did recently, however, discover the make from history point function in PS which would be handy for comparisons.

In the end I want to move to using one program for Raw to print pretty much. I'm not satisfied with ACR, and from most of what I've heard, NC actually offers the best RAW conversion. It does have it's downsides - it's a bit clunky and resource hungry, but it appears to be improving.

I've got 2gb of ram of the way, so will be giving NC a proper look in soon (previously PC wasn't up to it).

[sirhc55]

Dink - like you I am a graphic designer with the added advantage of 12 years of digital imaging. I have tried NC but find it very slow and non-intuitive. Photoshop, on the other hand, is the preferred choice of designers who are also in the digital imaging field.

Personally I think the name says it all, ”Photoshop”

[Dink]

Dink (not from OCAU are you?)

Yes, but not that Dink. Plantdink on OCAU, other guy had already stolen my name

Levels can be adjusted by an Adjustment layer as well. You can then readjust to taste by using this way rather than the "destructive" way of using ctrl L, which applies the levels directly to the image.

Using the history palatte and snapshots is another way as well.

For the most part, people here dont need to learn to use Photoshop as NC probably does all they will ever need for the amateur photographer (not being insulting here). Photoshop is not an easy program to learn, after 12 months use every day for work i have only barely scratched the surface and if you dont have someone to offer tips, like the Post Processing forum, you will end up pulling your hair out. And even then there is at least 5 different ways to achieve the same end result.

I have tried most of the post processing programs available and to my eye i cant tell the difference between any of them. I am trying to simplify my already complicated workflow. I will use daily Photoshop, Dreamweaver suite, Illustrator, Indesign, Premiere, After Effects and the list goes on.
Bear in mind that most of my photography is taken to be used in a much larger product, and often wont resemble the original image in any way or will only be a certain part of the original image.

I am not big noting myself, just trying to see if there is a real benefit to NC. Must admit i am off Nikon in that it isnt a free product when you purchase the camera anyway. For what you pay for the camera and what the product actually is, it should be free.

[huynhie]

Dink,

Welcome to the forum, you've got a great teacher in Matt. There is no denying that Photoshop is an outstanding product with a feature list that not many if any product can match. Having said that, it also has a price that not many people can afford/justify. Even though Nikon capture is not free, it is cheaper than Photoshop. There are people who use Raw Shooter Essential's which is a free program to convert thier Raw images to JPG, this program allows very basic adjustment's but it's quick, simple and free.

I use a combination of Photoshop and Nikon Capture depending on whether I require a simple RAW conversion (Nikon Capture) or whether my images require abit more work to fix up (Photoshop). I see an advantage using both software.

[stubbsy]

Dink

I use Photoshop as well, but as I say you can't EDIT a filter even in layers. Once it's applied that's it. In NC If I decide I want to change say the size of a vignette blur, then I just click the filter, choose edit and I see the settings originally applied which I am then free to change. To do the same thing in Photoshop is way more complicated since you basically start over again, even with layers and without your original settings. Both programs have their place and so I also have the same Nik Color Efex filters for use in Photoshop.

[nito]

I am interested in the prog, but wont be buying it here. NC is three times the price of OS markets and NX will be the same.

[Dink]

Cheers for enlightening me Stubbsy, I had misunderstood what exactly you were getting at. We are looking at this from 2 very different perspectives, Photographer and Graphic Designer (Multimedia Technician to be more correct)

I am still not at all satisified with NC, even it you believe that it has the ability to do some things that PS cant. I can assure you that changing a filter effect in Photoshop isnt that big a deal and i dont proceed past something like that without being happy with it as soon as i apply it. I am also a big fan of the history tab and will take a snapshot before important changes are made. This allows me to go back there if i screwed it up or the client doesnt like it and saves redoing the project from the beginning.

Granted, being able to change a filter like it isnt there is good but like I was hinting at before there are many ways to skin a cat. I am sure that when we meet in person we will have many discussions as to what the better program is, its like the cameras themselves, each to their own.

[stubbsy]

Dink

Photoshop is the better program. NC is a niche product. Both have their places. I don't think there'd be much for us to argue over

[pippin88]

Had a play with NC 4.4 last night.

Very pleased with my results.

Wasn't doing anything that isn't possible in PS, but it was certainly easier for me in NC. Probably because it is organised and designed solely with photos / raw processing in mind.

Found curves much much much easier to deal with.
Outputing was also easy, because I didn't have to permanent resize simply scale for output.

Results here: http://dslrusers.com/viewtopic.php?t=17541

[kurros]

Does anyone know how Nikon handles upgrade pricing? I am a new user and am curious if I should drop the $99 on 4.4 or wait for NX to ship.

[Bob G]

I.m pretty sure NX in not available as an upgrade - so we'll be up for full price of new software.

Bob G

[Michael]

I use both NC and photoshop, I find some things are better tweaked in raw while other things are easier to do in photoshop, It will certainly be interesting to have a play around with when it comes out though.

[huynhie]

Here is another link, this time even more in-depth

[stubbsy]

Andrew

Thanks. The control point stuff sounds both interesting AND complicated. It will be interesting to see how it works in practice.

[huynhie]

Peter, we'll see about the control point when we can get our hands on the software later on, it does look promissing at the moment. I have really grown to like the Nik plug-ins alot even the Sharpener pro 2, so much so that I have been using PSCS to do all my processing recently.

[nito]

I dont have NC but will be think of NX. Looks interesting to use a prelim edit prog followed by a more rigorous PS treatment.

[firsty]

pricing has been released

quote from Rob Galbraith's site
"In the U.S., the manufacturer's suggested list price (MSRP) for Capture NX will be US$174.95. The expected street price is US$149.95. Owners of Capture 4.x will be able to purchase Capture NX for US$89.95, and the upgrade will be available exclusively through Nikon USA's online outlet, Nikon Mall. Nikon Mall will also sell non-upgrade copies of the new program, for US$149.95. Owners of a version of Capture prior to 4.0 will have to pay full freight for Capture NX. Nikon USA will make available a 30-day trial version of Capture NX as well."

good to see that and upgrade option is available

rest of article can be seen here

[birddog114]

I would like to see what Nikon Camera Control and Authentication doing.
I'm very interested in the second: Authentication and D2Xs, I have a project for using both of them.

[LostDingo]

I would like to see what Nikon Camera Control and Authentication doing.
I'm very interested in the second: Authentication and D2Xs, I have a project for using both of them.

I may have misunderstood when reading but it appeared to me the "Authnetication" is basically to show image has not been manipulated?

[birddog114]

I would like to see what Nikon Camera Control and Authentication doing.
I'm very interested in the second: Authentication and D2Xs, I have a project for using both of them.

I may have misunderstood when reading but it appeared to me the "Authnetication" is basically to show image has not been manipulated?

LostDingo,
Yes, It's and the photo is protected, if it's a true wordings.
I'm doing some works (projects) and require these things.
I'm not going to upgrade to the new D2Xs myself, but my clients wants to see how far it goes.
Perhaps a new D2Xs for me to play around before hand it to my client.

[LostDingo]

LostDingo,
Yes, It's and the photo is protected, if it's a true wordings.
I'm doing some works (projects) and require these things.
I'm not going to upgrade to the new D2Xs myself, but my clients wants to see how far it goes.
Perhaps a new D2Xs for me to play around before hand it to my client.

I upgraded my D2x last night.....it now has an "s" on it...only cost $1 for the paint pen

[birddog114]

LostDingo,
Yes, It's and the photo is protected, if it's a true wordings.
I'm doing some works (projects) and require these things.
I'm not going to upgrade to the new D2Xs myself, but my clients wants to see how far it goes.
Perhaps a new D2Xs for me to play around before hand it to my client.

I upgraded my D2x last night.....it now has an "s" on it...only cost $1 for the paint pen

Cost me $0.01, coz the pen is already on my desk, and the Taxman pays for it, part of our office supplies.

[LostDingo]

LostDingo,
Yes, It's and the photo is protected, if it's a true wordings.
I'm doing some works (projects) and require these things.
I'm not going to upgrade to the new D2Xs myself, but my clients wants to see how far it goes.
Perhaps a new D2Xs for me to play around before hand it to my client.

I upgraded my D2x last night.....it now has an "s" on it...only cost $1 for the paint pen

Cost me $0.01, coz the pen is already on my desk, and the Taxman pays for it, part of our office supplies.

just have to one up me huh

I am so content with my new "s" I have also added an "s" to my 70-200 VRs....I have the only "s" version in the country

[birddog114]

LostDingo,
Yes, It's and the photo is protected, if it's a true wordings.
I'm doing some works (projects) and require these things.
I'm not going to upgrade to the new D2Xs myself, but my clients wants to see how far it goes.
Perhaps a new D2Xs for me to play around before hand it to my client.

I upgraded my D2x last night.....it now has an "s" on it...only cost $1 for the paint pen

Cost me $0.01, coz the pen is already on my desk, and the Taxman pays for it, part of our office supplies.

just have to one up me huh

I am so content with my new "s" I have also added an "s" to my 70-200 VRs....I have the only "s" version in the country

I have a new "s" on my new Patrol too
Same other "s" on my underwear

[LostDingo]

I think we need an "s" thread or "s" section now

[JGP]

I was very happy to see this thread as I have been interested in NX since I heard about it. I have been using 4.x for several months now and it has served me adequately, however as one reviewer said, NC 4.X was not very intuitive.

I read the 2 reviews of NX and for me it looks very promising. And contrary to another posters impression, "CONTROL POINTS" look very simple to use, a no brainer almost.
I guess we will have to see.

I agree with the price of the cameras this software should come for free, but Im ecstatic that they will be offering an upgrade pricing for those of us that recently bought NC 4.X.

I do hope however that the manual and doccumentation that comes with NX is a bit more comprehensive the the 4.x material. The explanation that the curves button is used to adjust the curves and the like was just not adequate.

Im excited, it will be on my buy list as soon as it comes out.

I like things simple and propritary.

Hopefully this will simplify some editing issues

[huynhie]

As the release date draws nearer more previews appear.