Nikon Capture NX 2 Upgrade from Capture NX 1.x by Nikon
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Digital camera reviews of Nikon Capture NX 2 Upgrade from Capture NX 1.x
Digital camera Review: An essential tool for Nikon digital photographers
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using Nikon Capture NX since its first release, and it just keeps getting better. Nikon Capture NX2 is a major upgrade from NX 1.X, and it is a worthy and significant improvement.
Basically, Nikon Capture NX2 is a full-featured digital photograph processing program that provides a "digital darkroom" for digital photographers who want to manipulate digital photographs. Its real strength is its ability to process NEF (Nikon Electronic Format) photographs, (also sometimes called RAW) and it does this better than any other program. Basically, if you shoot in NEF format (rather than say, JPEG) the various settings of the photograph (i.e. exposure setting, white balance setting, sharpness setting) are done in software within each image. Capture NX2 allows the photographer to change these settings AFTER SHOOTING. The changes one makes to NEF images in this manner are non-destructive; that is, the changes do not degrade the image with compression loss as is the case when changes are made to JPEG images. Put simply, Capture NX2 gives the digital photographer much more power and flexibility than an elaborate darkroom gave to film photographers--those fortunate few that had one at all. Capture NX2 probably has more features for processing NEF images than any other program, and this is its particular strength.
But it does not end there. NX2 has many other features. It allows batch processing of images, and simultaneous processing of such images according to particular settings. So, for example, if you took a couple of hundred shots in NEF, and decided upon certain white balance, sharpness, and exposure modifications for these images, rather than having to process each image individually, NX2 will allow them to be processed as a batch. The software is easy and intuitive.
Nikon Capture NX2 also continues the development of it U Point technology. This is an easy and intuitive way to manipulate the color of images that is far simpler and easier to learn than Photoshop's layer mssks.
Capture NX2 has many other features such as aberration adjustments, vignetting adjustments, blemish and dust corrections, etc. All very useful at times.
One feature of the NX2 upgrade is an improved workflow menu. The Nikon design team clearly listened to its user base, and there were a few complaints about the placement of some of the menus in the earlier version of NX. I think that the workflow for Capture NX2 will please almost everyone--the tools are right there for us to use, and I found that I was able to go right to work without reference to the manual. Good job Nikon.
Nikon Capture NX2 appears to run in a very stable manner in Windows Vista. Using my Intel 1.6 Dual Core notebook computer (4GB DRAM) the program is stable, snappy, and quick. Vista users will appreciate this program. Users should know that NX2, like its predecessors and in common with most digital imaging programs, runs better with more DRAM. While it requires at least 1GB DRAM, it improves remarkably if you upgrade to at lest 2GB. I run 4GB DRAM.
This is an essential tool for any Nikon digital photographer who shoots in NEF format, and with such a powerful tool available, I never shoot in any other format. This program is a winner!
Digital camera Review: As Advertised
Summary: 4 Stars
The Capture NX2 Upgrade was as advertised. It loaded up on my desktop without trouble. The stated feature enhancements work. This software is not a substitute for Elements; Photoshop; or Paint Shop Pro, but is a very useful tool,especially with .NEF files from Nikon digital cameras.
I am happy with the printing interface. The controls are not as intuitive as Elements 7, but that just takes some time to get used to navigating the NX2 menu.
Digital camera Review: Best color enhancement software ever
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, I haven't purchased NX2 just yet, but I will because if it's better than NX ver. 1 then it's the bomb. The the color control point method is just the best thing I have ever used after using PS CS2,3. I will continue to use PS CS3 for surgery and Gaussian blur, and layers and so forth, but until PS builds a tool that does not leave traces of color correction boundaries, then Nikon Capture X will be my main tool for color enhancement and correction. Theres nothing else that comes close and I doubt if Nikons management realizes what a competitive tool they have.Digital camera Review: Definately worth the money
Summary: 5 Stars
I had Capture NX1 and used it for all of my photo editing. I upgraded to Capture NX2 and enjoy the new improvements. For me, I found it to be very user friendly. This program is so like many things in life. You will get out of it anly what you put into it. Your time invested in reading the manual and learning the program will pay divends in both time and workflow.Digital camera Review: Excellent product that saves time
Summary: 5 Stars
I shoot Nikon Digital SLR cameras in RAW and Fuji point-and-shoot cameras which create JPEG files. This product works well with both types of files and it has saved a significant amount of time when it comes to enhancing photos. I began using Nikon software with my purchase of Nikon Capture. I also use PhotoShop CS2. However, I found that Nikon Capture saved significant time concerning the creation of masks and layers. I believe I have reduced the use of PhotoShop by about 90% since purchasing Nikon Capture and I have quit using Adobe Lightroom. I find that Nikon Capture and Nikon ViewNX (free) fill most of my digital photo processing needs. The new Nikon Capture 2 is an improvement over Nikon Capture as it adds the ability to do minor touch-up to selected parts of the photo and its use requires fewer clicks with the addition of the new Quick Fix feature. A print problem with the first release of Nikon Capture 2 was recently fixed with an upgrade so be sure and get the free upgrade if you purchase this product and you end up with the first release of Nikon Capture 2.