Recommendations for photo editing programs: Last week I upgraded from Vista to Windows 8. I was using Elements 7 and Nikon Capture NX2 with great success. I cannot use Capture NX2...

Nikonuser Loc: South Dakota

Last week I upgraded from Vista to Windows 8. I was using Elements 7 and Nikon Capture NX2 with great success. I cannot use Capture NX2 until Nikon updates it for Windows 8 (maybe in 6 months) and Elements 7 will not open RAW NEF files anymore even though I installed the plug in. For the time being should I buy a copy of Lightroom or the latest Elements or something else. Not sure if these work with Windows 8. Have thousands of RAW files that I have to edit.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

I think you will really like Lightroom. If you need more add Elements 11. I can't imagine they won't work with your Windows as they have been writing for Microsoft for ever. You could look up the operating requirements at Adobe or download a 30-day free trial- you will know for sure then and can try LR out as a bonus.

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Just Googled operating system requirements for LR. One listed is Windows 8.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

Lightroom has more independent color adjustments over pse. But pse give more altering capabilities.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Light editing? (Exposure, contrast, color saturation, sharpening, leveling, cropping)

Detailed editing? (cloning, layering, batch white balancing, etc.)

Nikonuser Loc: South Dakota

Thanks for all the replies. Will still be using Capture NX2 when it finally works as I am very used to it. Might get the latest Lightroom and keep both. Usually Google stuff, but, I needed "expert" opinions. Thanks again.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

LR4 download it and try it out for free for 30 days...just be prepared to buy it at the end...

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

Watch some utube videos on lightroom plus you can watch adobe tv on pse an lightroom.

jdventer Loc: Wallingford, CT, USA

Nikonuser wrote:

Thanks for all the replies. Will still be using Capture NX2 when it finally works as I am very used to it. Might get the latest Lightroom and keep both. Usually Google stuff, but, I needed "expert" opinions. Thanks again.

If you are going to be using Capture in the long run I think a current version of Elements would be the way to go due to the shorter learning curve. I'm not sure how well LR plays with Capture.

pounder35 Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

Nikonuser wrote:

Thanks for all the replies. Will still be using Capture NX2 when it finally works as I am very used to it. Might get the latest Lightroom and keep both. Usually Google stuff, but, I needed "expert" opinions. Thanks again.

Just don't do like me and have five different editing programs on your computer and jump around between them and never get good at one. :roll: I pretty much stick with Elements 10 now with Windows 7. :thumbup:

CBL19six9 Loc: Horseshoe Bay, Texas

I use Capture NX2 down to PS CS6 and have always thought it couldn't get any better but, having said that and having been around here for awhile, I'm starting to think I'm missing out not having LR. Sorry, don't mean to add a question to a question but I am sticking by my combo as a recomendation .... but maybe a LR trial is in order

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Nikonuser wrote:

Last week I upgraded from Vista to Windows 8. I was using Elements 7 and Nikon Capture NX2 with great success. I cannot use Capture NX2 until Nikon updates it for Windows 8 (maybe in 6 months) and Elements 7 will not open RAW NEF files anymore even though I installed the plug in. For the time being should I buy a copy of Lightroom or the latest Elements or something else. Not sure if these work with Windows 8. Have thousands of RAW files that I have to edit.

You may want to try a free program until Capture NX is ported to Windows 8.
Here is a list of available programs (I like Gimp):
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best-free-digital-editor.htm

Nikonuser Loc: South Dakota

Thanks for all the info and advice from all. I managed to get my old PSE 7 to accept NEF files with the 8bi plug in, and, have also downloaded View NX2 which of course works with RAW files from Nikon. Will continue to use these unless and until Capture NX2 is updated. If not, will definitely try Lightroom, as I have heard so much good about it. Again, many thanks.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Downloading the Acrobat DNG Converter may be a useful step in storing what most consider to be RAW data:
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=5374