Nikon Capture NXD vs Lightroom for Nikon cameras
Dec 21, 2015 13:14:36 #
Edia wrote:
I have a four year old camera and my only upgrades have been for better glass. My raw files (I always shoot Raw) are recognized by all available software. Adobe intentionally disabled 16 bit color depth layers on PSE as a marketing ploy. Adobe also added a couple of features to PSE and renamed it PSE 14. Paintshop Pro does work with 16 bit color depth.
As long as the old software works, great, upgrade the camera and you may need to upgrade your software. Upgrade the OS, and who knows, you might get stuck needing a new version as well.
You may be right about the 16 bit editing for PSE, can't blame them for taking advantage of the market ;) Or it could be more programming costs required then it was worth at the price point.
I have been using the Creative Cloud for almost 2 years now. For me, a hobbyist, it is fantastic. It has gotten me to learn Photoshop for more than just cropping ;) as well as doing as much as I can within Lightroom.
It is a bit of work, but not that much with all the tutorials available now, and it gets easier as it goes along ;)
Dec 21, 2015 17:32:37 #
I think you are mistaken. Capture NX, Capture NX2 and Capture NX-D all use non-destructive editing.
Dec 21, 2015 17:42:36 #
Pinenuts wrote:
I think you are mistaken. Capture NX, Capture NX2 and Capture NX-D all use non-destructive editing.
Please use "Quote Reply" when responding to a specific post so readers can better understand your post"
Thank you
Dec 21, 2015 18:25:49 #
Dave Tribiano wrote:
At a Nikon presentation they recommended Nikon Capture NXD over Lightroom because the Nikon program is all set up for the Nikon cameras and you lose a lot by going to a third party program. Would like to get the opinions of Hedgehog members. Thank you
Sone things to consider.
(1) if you shoot RAW format, (Nikon NEF format) you need to know that there are differences between RAW converters. I.e., differences between Adobe, Phase1, DXO, Rawtherapee, others, and also manuf software renderings. In theory the Nikon software would provide the highest fidelity converter for NEFs, yield the most accurate color, sharpness, and conversions, with the fewest artifacts. Canon the best for Canon RAW, Fuji for Fuji, etc. In practice the differences are subtle, you may not even see them, or you may find that you can see them and you prefer one RAW converter over the other. You should do your own comparisons. If you shoot JPEG format none of this will matter.
(2) Nikon software will provide post processing options for Nikon in-camera functions like picture control and in camera distortion correction, and Nikon camera white balance. In other words you can adjust these things after you shoot with RAW format, using the Nikon software. Note, You can do a custom white balance adj in aftermarket software too but you won't have the Nikon presets. This is a minor point but worth knowing. If you shoot JPEG format this will not matter.
(3) Camera manufacturers software can be clunky, slow, and and crash prone and Nikon software does nothing to change this trend.
(4) Nikon software is economical, the price is $0.00.
(5) Nikon does not make their living selling software, aftermarket companies do.
(6) Aftermarket programs can do a better job of cataloging and facilitating a "workflow". This can save time.
(7) Nikon software will only work for Nikon cameras. Aftermarket software works for multiple brands. Do you have phone cameras and would you like like to use your processing and cataloging software for them too?
All programs have learning curves. But if you shoot a lot of pictures an aftermarket program will ultimately save time. If you want the highest fidelity rendering for NEFs then you might want to suffer the manufs software, or at least use it for the initial rendering. So you may end up with more than one software in that workflow.
So it really depends on your end uses and preferences.
Dec 22, 2015 07:50:40 #
Pinenuts wrote:
I think you are mistaken. Capture NX, Capture NX2 and Capture NX-D all use non-destructive editing.
Yes they do, the create a .NKSC file (Nikon Side Car file) that gets placed in a different folder from what I can see, leaving the original NEF untouched.
Although they do appear incompatible with Adobe side car files - no surprise there ;) At least they leave the originals alone ;)
Dec 22, 2015 08:55:18 #
Dngallagher wrote:
Yes they do, the create a .NKSC file (Nikon Side Car file) that gets placed in a different folder from what I can see, leaving the original NEF untouched.
Although they do appear incompatible with Adobe side car files - no surprise there ;) At least they leave the originals alone ;)
Although they do appear incompatible with Adobe side car files - no surprise there ;) At least they leave the originals alone ;)
You are correct. I had forgotten about the side car files for Nikon. That was one of the reasons for using the Nikon editing software over the competition (excluding Adobe). As I said, I still use All of the Nikon software in addition to Adobe because each has it's strengths (or I just know how to use that particular mode better and haven't learned it in Adobe yet). I also like Portrait Studio for fine tuning portraits after working them in Lightroom. But, as with most software, you have to be careful not to go too far.
Dec 22, 2015 09:11:37 #
dcampbell52 wrote:
You are correct. I had forgotten about the side ca... (show quote)
I recall editing in View NX-2, then attempting to open the edited NEF in Aperture, and Aperture refusing to open the saved NEF from VIEW NX-2. I always assumed that the Nikon software wrote directly to the NEF files and was destructive.
Dec 22, 2015 09:33:03 #
sueyeisert wrote:
As a raw converter Nikon is best for for Nikon raw Nef and Canon is best for CR2. They know what makes up their raws and I easily see this shooting infrared.
Having used Nikon, Canon, Adobe raw converters in my opinion the camera maker's raw converter does it best. Its not that you can't achieve similar results in the other programs but it requires additional work.
I've used just about all the major editors over the years and now including LR and PS CC. I'm not an expert in a any of them (other than the easy ones) but all have some desirable features. I can use them sufficiently well to do what I need.
My preferred programs are Capture NX2, View NX2, View NXI, (depending on which computer I'm on) Capture NXD, CS6 and Win 10's Photos, not necessarily in order. I find myself switching back and forth as the need arises.
Not suggesting anyone do as I do...just saying what works for me.
Dec 22, 2015 11:25:18 #
joer wrote:
Having used Nikon, Canon, Adobe raw converters in ... (show quote)
FWIW : I prefer to try to stay current in all kinds of editors, and as you say, flip flop to what does the best. Currently for me, Lightroom is still my goto for conversion and editing, but I find every now and then I am going into Nikon software as well as Gimp.
Strangely enough, GIMP seems able to deal with the Nikon edits after View NX-2 inside a NEF file, at least the cropping.
Dec 22, 2015 14:31:37 #
Dave Tribiano wrote:
Thank you for responding. I am a rookie at this. I believe he said data was lost and he showed a few slides demonstrating this. Just bought Lightroom and now have to learn it which is a little intimidating to me. I have bought a few tutorials and hope to be on my way soon. I do enjoy your input as you are a regular.
A very good book that helps us to learn LR is titled Adobe Lightroom Classroom in a Book. Available at Amazon and other sources. These are great books. I highly recommend.
Dec 22, 2015 17:40:12 #
Dave Tribiano wrote:
At a Nikon presentation they recommended Nikon Capture NXD over Lightroom because the Nikon program is all set up for the Nikon cameras and you lose a lot by going to a third party program. Would like to get the opinions of Hedgehog members. Thank you
Dave, a good FREE website is http://www.anthonymorganti.com/
He has lots of start to finish tutorials on Lightroom etc and they are free.
Dec 22, 2015 17:48:24 #
Dngallagher wrote:
I recall editing in View NX-2, then attempting to open the edited NEF in Aperture, and Aperture refusing to open the saved NEF from VIEW NX-2. I always assumed that the Nikon software wrote directly to the NEF files and was destructive.
Yep I used to use that same workflow and experienced the same issue. Although the Nikon-ware at that time was supposed to be non-destructive it definitely wrote something to the file, and that also made it unreadable by Aperture. So if was non-destructive how come it was changing the file? It was A know issue.
Now with Aperture a lame duck, I have adopted LR & PS CC and I was hoping to be able to use one rending solution, but alas. Seems like the more things change... the more they stay the same. (Except Adobe actually wants photographers for customers and Apple gave us all the boot).
Dec 22, 2015 19:40:51 #
Dec 22, 2015 21:07:25 #
Dec 22, 2015 23:40:18 #
Any work done in Capture NXD cannot be moved to Photoshop. My guess is that it can't it Lightroom, either, but I can't specifically say so. Maybe somebody else knows.
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