Nikon's Cature NX-D and ViewNX-I
Dec 1, 2018 11:12:09 #
New to post processing. Any experience or recommendations regarding these free programs from Nikon? Thanks.
Dec 1, 2018 11:26:54 #
MHO....
If they come from Nikon, both will be good.
The choice of where to start with post processing can be awkward. I think (IMHO!) there are two tracks.
Track 1 is starting with any of the many programs that fill up the market. There are a lot and many here can attest to their value.
Track 2 is getting on the mainstream. That means the $10/month subscription plan at Adobe. The software is not better, but the learning opportunities are so abundant that you get to enjoy the endless process.
No matter what you pick, put the blinders on and stay on track. It is the jumping from one to another that leads to joyless slow progress.
In other words, I'm sure that I can find a broad choice of fantastic "Lightroom for Beginners" courses, books and tutorials. Finding Capture NX-D courses will be far more limited.
If they come from Nikon, both will be good.
The choice of where to start with post processing can be awkward. I think (IMHO!) there are two tracks.
Track 1 is starting with any of the many programs that fill up the market. There are a lot and many here can attest to their value.
Track 2 is getting on the mainstream. That means the $10/month subscription plan at Adobe. The software is not better, but the learning opportunities are so abundant that you get to enjoy the endless process.
No matter what you pick, put the blinders on and stay on track. It is the jumping from one to another that leads to joyless slow progress.
In other words, I'm sure that I can find a broad choice of fantastic "Lightroom for Beginners" courses, books and tutorials. Finding Capture NX-D courses will be far more limited.
Dec 1, 2018 11:26:58 #
At one time I was a regular user of Nikon Capture 2, but once they rolled out the D version I abandoned it in favor of Lightroom. A MUCH better choice, for me anyway. Best of luck.
Dec 1, 2018 11:34:07 #
SAVH
Loc: La Jolla, CA
I, too, used Capture NX-2 for years before it stopped being supported. It was free, fairly straightforward, and sufficiently capable to do what I needed initially. When it stopped working well, I shifted to the subscription to Adobe and have been very pleased with it. I agree that it offers significantly more flexibility as well as the option to add on plug-ins. If you are happy with the basic post processing (and I was for years) you may find Capture NX-D all you will ever need.
Scotty
Scotty
Dec 2, 2018 05:54:33 #
I use both programs with no problems. Simple, straight forward and free.
Dec 2, 2018 06:54:44 #
My preference has been Capture NX-2 for a long time, even though I have and also use Photoshop. The newest version of NX-D is better than the first version of that program and I use it, too. I don't really think you can go wrong with Capture, especially if you can still get it for free.
Dec 2, 2018 07:22:12 #
bsprague wrote:
MHO.... br br If they come from Nikon, both will ... (show quote)
My thoughts exactly. Most photo processing applications today have very similar features. The answer to your question also relates to your level of use. Are you a professional, advanced amateur or snapshot shooter?
Dec 2, 2018 09:00:01 #
I used NX-2 because the newer NX-I/NX-D is kind of confusing for me. Both of these choices are good for RAW conversion. If you need to do more then something like Photoshop is better.
Dec 2, 2018 09:34:08 #
olemikey
Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida
I also use NX-2 all the time, and have no complaints (maybe I'm just so comfortable with it, no need to look further). I work hard for good SOOC, so my processing is usually just some minor exposure adjustments, some sharpening, play with contrast/highlights/shadows, etc. When NX-2 fails to do what I need, I'll look into some of the others. For now, for free, it's OK by me!
Dec 2, 2018 22:29:44 #
refees, For free, it's tough to beat what NXD and NXI have to offer a good photographer (or a not so good photographer). As long as you have enough RAM for your machine and work at learning how to use the program, Nikon and other non-pay software can delivery great results. Nikon software is better than it used to be; the newest version squashed bugs we didn't care for. It's true that Nikon was never renowned for their software since they're an optical company first, camera company second, with their software coming in at a distant third place.
Comparing Nikon's software or other freeware or open-source editing programs, to the big A's subscription-based plan is disingenuous, but whatever one likes, paid or not, if one has any compliant about any aspect of a program, IMO they should not pay for it, and remove it from their machine.
There are YouTube videos and enough information on the internet to make almost any program work well for you, as long as you devote enough time to learning how editing works. All software does pretty much the same thing in varying degrees. You can learn to you and enjoy Nikon's software (or others, without ever once being required to log in or log out of accounts. You can install them on your machines without invasive, restriction or processes wanting to phone home every time you click on the program.
Other free programs, such as GIMP, Darktable, Digikam, LightZone, etc, like Nikon's can be configured any way you like to fit what you want to do. They share characteristics without being the same and you get out of any of them whatever you devote. Like photography, it's your time and your money (or not) that's involved.
You might want to check out ON1 Raw (at version 2019) and Skylum's Luminar and Aurora HDR. You can get them on sale at various times and to many, they are just as relevant as anything the big A sells. We have and use all of these to some extent, so give yourself a month or two to see what you come up with. Enjoy and happy shooting. sv
Comparing Nikon's software or other freeware or open-source editing programs, to the big A's subscription-based plan is disingenuous, but whatever one likes, paid or not, if one has any compliant about any aspect of a program, IMO they should not pay for it, and remove it from their machine.
There are YouTube videos and enough information on the internet to make almost any program work well for you, as long as you devote enough time to learning how editing works. All software does pretty much the same thing in varying degrees. You can learn to you and enjoy Nikon's software (or others, without ever once being required to log in or log out of accounts. You can install them on your machines without invasive, restriction or processes wanting to phone home every time you click on the program.
Other free programs, such as GIMP, Darktable, Digikam, LightZone, etc, like Nikon's can be configured any way you like to fit what you want to do. They share characteristics without being the same and you get out of any of them whatever you devote. Like photography, it's your time and your money (or not) that's involved.
You might want to check out ON1 Raw (at version 2019) and Skylum's Luminar and Aurora HDR. You can get them on sale at various times and to many, they are just as relevant as anything the big A sells. We have and use all of these to some extent, so give yourself a month or two to see what you come up with. Enjoy and happy shooting. sv
Dec 3, 2018 08:19:10 #
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