Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

You'll miss out on Lightroom's digital asset management features. LR is the superior database program to manage your photo collections.

LR and Photoshop also integrate at a level not equaled by other raw editor/raster editor pairs. This can be a workflow issue that may concern you.

LR/PS support the widest possible range of third party plugin software and so provide an unequaled platform for access to the widest possible range of products and features.

LR/PS is the monopolistic giant in the industry and for that reason if you are looking for training/support materials there's a mountain out there focused on LR/PS as opposed to Capture One. This can be double-edged as a lot of what's out there is rubbish.

If you go down the C1 route you'll be adopting the best overall raw editor available. No one editor does it all so no matter what choice you make there has to be some win/lose. You'll have to decide how that balances out for you.

I started to teach Photoshop in the early 1990s. I continue to teach LR and PS and as such I'm required to be familiar with Adobe's software. Personally I have long ranked very high the goal of a raw workflow that is 100% non-destructive and non-linearly re-editable. With that in mind in 2011 I switched my personal work over to Capture One. I'm very pleased that I made that choice and although I have the latest version of LR/PS installed on my computer (job required) I'm not at all tempted to use them. I have some editing to do this morning and I will use C1. It's the best.

Joe

P.S. You're considering a choice between the two industry leader raw editors -- I wouldn't get distracted by the other stuff.

d3200prime

GIMP and it's FREE!

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

Are you aware that there's a free version of Capture One Express available to Nikon camera owners?

If the cost of the full version of Capture One Pro factors into your decision then are you aware that there's a less expensive version of the Pro level software that only functions with Nikon cameras?

Joe

TonyBrown

Thank you all for the responses. Plenty of food for thought. Is there anyone who Has extensive experience in Raw editing who is using Capture One Pro 20. If so I would be interested to hear what they think of it.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

It's my preferred raw editor. I use it daily and there's nothing I'd want to use instead -- using it right now in fact.

Joe

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

Actually, Capture One has layers as well, but not implemented in the same way as a raster editor. It's more like how layers are done in On1. Generally they are used as targeted local adjustment tools, rather than for blending, compositing, etc.

https://digital-photography-school.com/getting-started-with-layers-in-capture-one-pro/

PhotoDerek Loc: County Durham, UK.

Tony
as a fellow Nikon shooter (D5) and the trinity of lenses, have used NX-D as it is free, made by Nikon and updated regularly but it is not great. 2 years ago bought Photoshop elements, but the grass is always greener I asked a question of the Hogs recently regarding updating from Photoshop elements to some other post processing prog but made the decision to stay with Photoshop elements as I buy a one off subscription. I have a work flow sorted out with Photoshop elements and I am happy with my results. You may find that with the D850 you want in the future to upgrade to Lightroom etc but the monthly subscription and cloud storage are not to my liking. Maybe if I had a one off purchase of Lightroom then may upgrade. Post processing is very personal decision. Happy photography.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

I use:
PhotoScape X Pro - Organizer, downsizer, exporter, and all things misc.
Topaz (all AI products) DeNoise, Sharpen, Mask, Adjust, and Studio 2 - For VERY Specific tasks done to (my) near perfection.
Luminar 4 - Great for just about anything from one-click processing for event/travel photos. Or wonderful portraits and Sky Replacement.
Both Luminar 4 & Topaz AI products have an array of free high quality bite-sized and easy to follow YouTube videos.
I really Love all of the above products. I am reprocessing just about everything. My older marginal travel pics are becoming keepers.
Also, some of my once in a lifetime shots are (for me) looking brilliant (for my skill level).
Smile,
JimmyT Sends

PaulBrit Loc: Merlin, Southern Oregon

I asked a similar question a few weeks ago and settled on the DxO PhotoLab software. I find it comprehensive and have bought the Elite version at $149. Still learning it but no disappointments. Have posted yesterday on my blog some photographs of Utah.

Canisdirus

You want it free? Gimp or IrfanView.
If you aren't going in whole hog....that will satisfy you.

If you want to go the whole nine yards...I'd suggest the Adobe suite for 10 bucks a month.
It's comprehensive (very)...but you can bumble through even if you don't study on it.
It's updated free...you get cloud storage...
Well...you get a lot for that 10 bucks.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I have the photographer's package that includes lightroom and photoshop. Best $10.00 a month deal out there. Once you get to know them, you'll not go anywhere else.

papakatz45 Loc: South Florida-West Palm Beach

Photoshop Elements, OnOne

monroephoto

Adobe offers a relatively inexpensive subscription plan that couples Lightroom and Photoshop. I believe it’s about $10.00/month. Any upgrades to either program are included, and upgrades seem to occur multiple times a years. Lightroom is by far the easiest to learn and use. You will likely make 80% of your edits there. Photoshop is much more robust and does have a higher learning curve, but simple things like removing an object from your photograph can be accomplished with remarkable speed and simplicity. I am fairly sure that you can begin the subscription and cancel any time thereafter if it’s not working for you. Best of luck and success. Have fun!

nj53 Loc: Canon City, Colorado

hard to beat the LR classic & PS combo for $10 per month. adobe keeps improving it and upgrades a couple times per year. adobe is the big dog for a reason. there is a learning curve, but there are many free youtubers with good stuff to learn.

to each his own....

morkie1891

Having moved from PS, I have been using Capture One for a year and a half And now only use PS for stacking, panoramics or other compositing. C1 is an extraordinary raw converter. If you go with PS suggest you also get Tony Kuyper’s TK 7 action panel and a few of Sean Bagshaw’s videos - they will explain PS and save you months.