Please help improve my workflow

[Spooky]

I currently shoot RAW and use Nikon capture 4.2 for adjusting WB and exposure.

I find I do often need to adjust exposure and occassionaly I get the WB wrong as well so for these reasons I want to continue to shoot RAW for now.

This means I currently have two processes, run everything through NC for exposure and WB and conversion to jpeg and then through photoshop for cropping, touchups etc.

I like NC and find the WB and exposure controls easy to use. However it takes between 7 and 10 seconds to open an image and when you are dealing with 300 images this is just too long.

I know about batching but because the shots I take often vary I can't apply a single batch process to fix the exposure across all images.

What is the best alternative to NC? I want something that will give good quality results, will allow easy exposure and WB adjustment and runs quickly?

Advice appreciated.

[big pix]

You can setup an action for batch processing in PSCS raw and do small groups that have been shot under the same conditions. Try a site called Russell Browns Techniques for PSCS

hope this helps

cheers
bp

[Onyx]

http://www.d70users.net/viewtopic.php?t=4727

Pixmantec RawShooter Essentials. Give it a go, it's free - with the "trail edition" so far I've not noticed any features being stripped, adware, or time expiry.

I was initially hesitant as I was familiar with NC's interface, but this RawShooter was made by the same person responsible for CaptureOne or some other higher end commerical raw converter that's highly regarded by pros for efficiency and performance. Many threads on DPReview forums sings its praises - if you can weave through the trolls.

[Spooky]

Thanks for the tips guys.

Onyx

I have spent a couple of hours going through the RSE manual and trying out the functions and while I haven't actually done much image work to evaluate its results I do like the interface and the workflow options very much. It is also much quicker than NC.

Just a question about the slideshow. When I click the slidshow icon RSE dissappears to the taskbar and cannot be restored. In Task Manager it is showing as running but it is not. I have to end process to stop it which is does promptly. Is this a known issue? I use Win 2000 Pro.

thanks

[yeocsa]

Hi,

IMO, Nikon Capture is still the way to go. Nikon Capture can also do batch processing. Alternatively, Each time you modify all the images, there is an asterisk appearing next to the thumbnail. When you exit Nikon Capture, you can let it save all the files with all your adjustments. It is best to use Capture to adjust WB and exposure. Nikon Capture lets you transfer the image to PS for further processing.

Once you are proficient with Nikon Capture, you will find that you only need to do a little touch up in PS and certain processing that Nikon Capture does not have. Examples, cloning, feathering, healing etc..

If your pictures are well taken, you don't need too much work.

regards,

Arthur

[Onyx]

Spooky, I haven't come across the issue you cited, but it does seem like s/w bug with RSE.

Arthur - with the latest controversy over metadata being potentially encrypted, I would seriously reconsider saving over an out of camera NEF. An out of camera NEF may have a better chance of surviving software/converter updates in 5-10 yrs time than one saved over in Capture 4 today. Of course, it might not make a difference today...

A NEF is not a NEF, and there are differences in software saving algorithms that concern me -

eg. make two copies of a NEF image. Open one file in Nikon View. Rotate it 90 degrees and save. Open the other (identical) file in Capture. Rotate it identically 90 degrees and save. Why have you now got two wildy different NEF filesizes? What info is lost to accomodate the diffence in sizes? Which one is "correct"?

RSE saves all changes to NEFs in a separate folder, and does not modify the existing files. It's much faster in practical use than Capture, and offer far more flexible batch options - and once you conquered over the initial learning curve (which you had to do with Capture as well), you will find it's more conducive to workflow productivity.

[Spooky]

I looked through the Pixamantec forums and found a post with the same problem I had. The guy posted he solved the problem by:


"I have just changed the memory configuration on the motherboard.

Now the slide show works"


What does he mean by that do you think?

[stubbsy]

I have to say I looked at RSE and wasn't overly excited, although I only tried it for about 30 minutes and a small batch of pics.

I use NC with the Nik ColorEfex Pro filters for NC and Nikon View for thumbnailing etc and find I rarely need to go near PS. Exceptions are things like cloning or any other image editing.