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View Full Version : Review of Nikon Capture NX in "Amateur Photographer" mag


Radiohead
20-06-2006, 08:39
Out today - a big 5 page review - here's the summary:

"I have really only scratched the surface of what this new software application offers the user, but I have included the all the principal new features. I can’t comment on how fast or slow the program as as this is a Beta version, but even so it has proved quicker to use on my Mac G4 than the full version of Capture 4 is.

I am massively impressed with Capture NX, and especially with the ease of use that U-Point technology and Colour Control points bring to what is usually a complex selection process. I am, in fact, so impressed with NX that I have been processing images from others cameras and scanners with it. So long as you have a TIFF or JPEG to work with, NX will make selections and localised adjustments much easier and more convincing. There does appear to be a limit to the size of the image that can be processed with this Beta version, but I’m not sure what it is yet – certainly well beyond the file size that can be produced by the D2x.

Nikon suggested some time agoi that this is a package for photographers in general rather than just Nikon photographers. I agree with this entirely, but think it is a little unlikely that non-Nikon users will buy it. At a proposed price of £120 I think it’s worth buying just for the U-Point controls, and even if you only own Canon cameras.

Nikon’s Capture NX is a really excellent package that provides exceptional facilities and functions for manipulating and preparing images from any source. The depth of control is greater than in any other RAW conversion package that I have used so far, and the direct tailoring of features and workflow for photographic purposes makes it stand out from the host of graphics-based programs already on the market. It does not offer all that Photoshop does, but neither does it try to, or need to. What is does offer is what the photographer requires, in a smooth and efficient working environment. A cloning tool is the only missing element."

I think he likes it.

emeyedeejay
20-06-2006, 08:45
Certainly seems to like it - and it is sounding very good... let's hope we are not disappointed.

Thanks for the summary there RH :thumbs:

[returns to Camera forum to start new thread titled: New image format leaked - JOEG - anybody know anything about it?]



;)

Radiohead
20-06-2006, 08:53
ahem

sideshowbob
20-06-2006, 09:17
Sounds good. Let's hope it is more user friendly and responsive than NC was.

AdminSpod
20-06-2006, 10:27
ahem

Arsenal!

Boink!
20-06-2006, 12:21
Ah, the old jokes are the best.

pkr
20-06-2006, 12:39
Sounds very good, but why oh why leave out a cloning tool?

DeadKenny
20-06-2006, 19:51
Cloning involves pixel based edits, whereas Capture is primarily an adjustment package which saves basically a list of the adjustments rather than editing the image. Not impossible to do but I would guess they'd have to add layer support and the NEF files would get bigger to accommodate the extra edit information which would slow down processing to render the edits (as it has to first load the raw part, then apply each of the edits in turn, each time you open the file).

Fozzybear
22-06-2006, 04:58
I must try and get a copy of this mag, this looks very interesting. I've just started trying RAW rather than JPG, using Nikon View, and might buy NX if it does turn out to be good. I've tried some of the other RAW programs and haven't got on with them at all. Nikon View seems to work ok for me, but could be improved a lot!

DeadKenny
22-06-2006, 12:31
Nikon View is pretty poor compared to Capture and NX is supposed to be a lot better than Capture. View is a different beast anyway as it's more of a cataloguing package (which Capture isn't too good at). For that kind of thing ACDSee seems miles better than all the rest in the field having recently been playing about with it.

emeyedeejay
22-06-2006, 12:46
Acdsee is ace :thumbs:

FishBoy
22-06-2006, 14:40
How about compared to Adobe Camera Raw, is NX looking like a better buy?

Fozzybear
22-06-2006, 15:39
Nikon View is pretty poor compared to Capture and NX is supposed to be a lot better than Capture. View is a different beast anyway as it's more of a cataloguing package (which Capture isn't too good at). For that kind of thing ACDSee seems miles better than all the rest in the field having recently been playing about with it.

Yeah, I'm not using the cataloguing stuff in View, just the RAW processing. I know that it's not that good for RAW in terms of, well pretty much everything really, but I can get images from it that I am reasonably happy with, which I can't really say about the other convertors I've used. I'll have to install my trial version of Capture and have a play.

kez
22-06-2006, 16:18
Acdsee is ace :thumbs:

version 3.1 is anyway. i've hated every version since, and refuse to upgrade :razz:

:p

Fozzybear
24-06-2006, 07:59
I managed to get a copy of AP last night - NX looks very good from that preview! Will be very interested in this. I notice there's no mention of camera control, is that being split off to a separate product?

pkr
24-06-2006, 08:29
I notice there's no mention of camera control, is that being split off to a separate product?

Yes. Nikon annonced it earlier in the week. £29 ish.

DeadKenny
24-06-2006, 11:45
I guess maybe that's because it's a Nikon specific feature, whereas they appear to be trying to shift Capture into a generic camera market. Not sure how many Canon owners would buy a product with Nikon branded on it though ;)

emeyedeejay
24-06-2006, 12:04
version 3.1 is anyway. i've hated every version since, and refuse to upgrade :razz:

:p

Whereas I've grown along with it :thumbs:

I think (:thinking: ) I got into it at v4