IDguy Loc: Idaho

Interested in observations from anyone who has tried at least two of above. I am proficient with Lightroom but just exploring the other two. At the moment I am preferring Lightroom but that is likely because I am proficient with it and don't know the other two yet.

Just downloaded NS Studio so least knowledgeable about it. The terminology differs so I can't yet figure out how to do some things like lower highlights and make local exposure adjustments. I expect it has those capabilities.

I most like the clarity and haze reduction and local adjustment features of Lightroom so will have to see if others can do the same.

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

I can't help as I use Photoshop. I am going to download the new studio and try it. I'm sure there will be plenty of answers coming up soon.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

I find it useful as NEF files are properly rendered in Nikon's software and then I use process in Other Apps to send it to Photoshop as TIFF files. NX Studio also uses U-Point technology just like the Nik collection. It lacks a DAM system like Lightroom has, but that is not a problem for me. For free software I have no complaints, if I had to purchase it I would not.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I don't use Lightroom but have used the Nikon software forever for simple raw development. If I need layers or more complicated things I use Luminar4 and Affinity Photo. I like the raw development of the Nikon software because it likes the camera files due to being built by and for them. I also like the Nik control points.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Assume “it” is NS Studio?

What is “U-Point”?

What is DAM? ( Digital Asset Management? ) If so I kind of like the idea of not having to import to a catalog. I thought I saw NS Studio enables filtering and maybe keywording.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Dam or lack of Dam means you retain control of where your pics are. I prefere it. Many don't. Control points allow you to adjust contrast color brightness ect in a area defined by you quickly and easily without layers.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Working with the help file to figure out how to do that. One thing I really like in Lightroom is the radial filter. I often use it on eyes. I also like the ability to reduce highlights and increase shadow exposures. Haven't found that yet in either of the alternatives.

Since the Nikon one is free many may like it. I'm sure it can do most of what needs to be done with some learning. It might have limitation with RAW files from other camera makes.

I also got Corel After Shot for "free" (with $1200 lens purchase from Adorama). It appears reasonable if you wanted to buy about...about the same as Adobe Photoshop Elements.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

The new Nikon software will do shadows and highlights. Also curves and such for cold and light. Nik control points allow very good control of color brightness contrast ect in a defined by you area. Shadows and highlights are controlled by a slider in the same tad with the other exposure controls.

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

StevenG Loc: Long Island, NY

I’m new to Nikon (just purchased a Z6ii) and know nothing about their software. Will it work as a plug in to LR and Ps?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

No. The software works on the original Nikon specific RAW files. In a more complex and less efficient workflow, you would edit your NEF in the Nikon software and export that edited result as a 16-bit TIFF and then 'finish' the image in LR and / or PS. Canon's DPP software is the same workflow and functionality. The benefit is the vendor's software does a good to great job, just with less bells & whistles & bulk-image efficiency of commercial third-party software.

photoman43

I have downloaded Studdio, used it yeaterday and compared it to its previous products, Nikon View NX-i and Nikon Capture NX-D.

I love using its built in browser (former View NX-i) to quickly view and cull (delete) images that are not keepers. It renders in imbedded Jpeg in NEF files much faster than other programs I have used. And to delete an image it is a one step process. Just hit the delete key on a windows keyboard. I use it a lot as I have 1000-2000 images to go thru from a single day of shooting.

To process a NEF image you have most of the global adjustments available to you in other programs, but not all of them, like Clarity and Clearview, etc. It does have Control Points for local adjustments where you can adjust warmth, color and brightness for a portion of an image, like the face of a bird that needs a touch of light. This is maybe its best feature for a free raw processor. It will read all of the info you may have set in camera using Picture Controls. This is a big benefit if you are a Jpeg shooter of a RAW shooter if you do such adjustments in camera. The Control Point feature in DXO-PL4 is more powerful.

You can Crop, Straighten, and do Perspective Control. You can Export images(Tiffs or jpegs) to a file folder of your choice. And if the Tiff needs more work do that in LR or PS or another program.

Nikon uses NKSC as its sidecar files. It also allows info to be written to the file. Whether that written info is available to another program will have to be tested. Other programs will not read the NKSC data files. This is a feature I do not like, but that applies to almost all software of this type.

In my opinion, if you take mostly accurate images in camera, Studio might be the only program you will need. It comes with a pretty good on line Help function and a pdf version that can be downloaded. It is about 300 pages.

Download and try it out. Its Free.

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Thanks. I’m working through the Help.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

In NX Studio you use Highlight Protection and Shadow Protection. Active D-Lighting also applies a form of HDR adjustments dynamically.

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Joe Christina (Jchristina.com) just published a 20 minute You Tube review of Nikon Studio software. Very helpful.