AZNikon Loc: Mesa, AZ

Have any of you used both of these programs? If so, which do you prefer? RAW & JPG comments also welcome in conjunction with their handling in these programs. I am torn and need guidance. Thanks, Bob

GordonB. Loc: St. Petersburg, Fl.

My suggestion is to read up on both programs and see which one suits your needs.
LR5 is used by many here including myself, but it doesn't offer the use of layers if you should want or need that feature. Many use LR in connection with either PS or Paint Shop Pro when other features are needed such as layers.

Good luck!
Gordon

GordonB. Loc: St. Petersburg, Fl.

PS - LR, PS, and PSP all will handle raw.
I realize that you asked about Capture NX2. I'm sorry, I know nothing about it, but I know many here will.

G.

dusty3d Loc: South Florida

I use both. LR is great for organization and some post processing. Since I enjoy PP I shoot RAW only. Lots of PP software out there. Many give free trials to test them, ie NIK, OnOne, Topaz. These are very good programs. I mostly do PP in Photoshop and many times from there I will use OnOne

amehta Loc: Boston

Capture NX2 has one really nice advantage: it can apply the jpeg settings of your camera as the starting point for additional post processing. It has another unusual feature, that further post processing instruction sets are stored in the original nef file, instead of a separate sidecar file. I haven't decided if that is good or bad. It has one major disadvantage: it cannot read raw files from other manufacturers. That was the deal breaker for me, even though I really wanted the first feature. So I went with LR4. I didn't like LR4, and now I use DxO Optics Pro 9, which I like better. But really, I think your first question is "Capture NX2 or not?", and if the answer is "not", then the second question would be, "LR5 or something else?"

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I have NX-2 but I have never used it. I use CS6, LR5, Aperture and NIX. I'm not very good at PP and keep thinking I'll find magic. I shoot RAW only. Good luck.

dusty3d Loc: South Florida

I forgot to add I usually transfer my photos into the computer using Nikon ViewNX 2. Place them in a folder then If I wish, I will then make copies for LR.

amehta Loc: Boston

I'm really raw at post processing too.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

I have NX2, iPhoto, and Elements 11 and find I do most of my work in either NX2 or Elements 11. I think NX2 is a very good start out program and it does 85% of my PP. The part it doesn't do elements does because most of that is on my Sony P & S.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

I use Capture NX2 for all my NEF files and Adobe Raw Converter for all the others.

I prefer not to use programs with cataloging features.

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

Nikon is currently beta testing Capture NX-D - an upgrade to NX2. You can download the beta trial from here;

http://beta.nikonimglib.com/

Nikon software will only work with Nikon files. Another option may be the very well rated Capture One from Phase One. I believe it is possible to download a free trial of this software as well.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

NX2 is only used for Nikon NEF,it will not read other raw formats. It's a good program if you have Nikon cameras,but you need to learn the program. It uses control points. It was developed by NIK for Nikon. It doesn't have all the modules that Lightroom has. You can try it free for 30 days. what exactly are you looking for?

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

Thanks

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

Capture NX2 duplicates the camera settings and probably is the closest to the results from using in camera processing to make jpg images. Colors and contrast will be closest to Nikon's intent. This is both good and bad because a raw file contains much more information that can be exploited to provide a much better quality image.

Lightroom is really 5 programs in one. A digital asset manager, a raw converter, GPS metadata manager, photobook publisher, slideshow and camera tethering utility, and output manager (to print or web).

Range of adjustment possible with the controls in Lightroom far exceed the capability in NX2. Plus, with plugins, you can produce a finished image that is considerably better than what is possible with NX2. Also, Nikon has not done an update to their software in a couple of years, other than adding support for their newest cameras.

Lastly, LR is a workflow oriented program, allowing you to apply presets and do batch processing to enable you to work more efficiently. For the money, LR is the best bang for the buck. And if you get the promo from Adobe that includes Photoshop for $10/month its really a no-brainer.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I've never used Capture, but I know that the Web is loaded with tutorials on LR. Anything you want to know about it is available with a few clicks.