Customer Reviews

Nikon Capture NX 2 Upgrade from Capture NX 1.x

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I own several Nikon cameras including one DSLR and have been using Capture NX for postprocessing work for some time. Capture NX has always represented fair value for the money (by comparison with Photoshop CS3, which triggered significant sticker shock when I priced it.) However, Capture NX wasn't perfect, there were a number of frustrating aspects to it.
I've been using the free trial version of Capture NX2 for two weeks now and I have to say, it fixes most of the problems of the previous version. Simple things like the autoretouch brouch make it much easier to clean up sensor dust spots, something that was a pain in the older version.
I'm still having problems with color profile setup for my HP photo printer, this still seems to be an area that needs work. But I certainly will purchase the upgrade and flip my trial copy to a paid copy when the upgrade option becomes available.

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!

Here I am, a Photoshop user for 7 years and raving about Nikon Capture NX 2. How did this happen? It's Adobe's fault. They sent me looking elsewhere after Bridge CS3 totally crashed on my computer. Bridge is junk software, as one internationally, well recognized Photoshop guru called it in a public forum. He was right.

So, I started looking. I got Capture NX free when I bought a Nikon D300. I tested it, compared it, and liked it. I bought the NX 2 upgrade and I couldn't be happier. Life is much simpler now.

So, what is my workflow? I use NX 2, and, if I need CS3, I use it. But I will not upgrade to CS4. NX 2 doesn't do everything, but if CS disappeared, I'd have no problems except for panoramas...but there are alternatives other than CS3.

Look, Photoshop is geared for designers; Capture NX 2 is geared for photograpers. Adobe, as far as I concerned, is not concerned about software screwups that impact only photograpers. They are big and they are non-responsive.

Finally, I dumped Adobe's Lightroom after testing their Lightroom 2 beta. Much ado about nothing. That's another reason I went for NX 2.

So, if you want to free yourself from Adobe's every-18-month upgrade and make great photos in half the time, go with NX 2.

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.

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.

As a Nikon D40x & D80 user/hobbyist, I enjoy photography not as a professional but as full-time relaxing hobby to commune with nature and this land. I like to produce for my enjoyment photos that make me happy and help me to remember the day and moment of the shot and experience.

Taking pictures of events and providing others copies of the photos and watching them enjoying the photos and them reacting with wows, that's a great shot, how did you do that, my head swells, my chest expands. I then tell them....it was made possible not by my savy or that extremely expensive program like Adobe Photoshop but by using the software that I use within my budget such as Corel Paint Shop Pro, Ulead PhotoImpact, Adobe Elements/Premier and my favorite of all, Nikon Capture NX.

Now I can say with great joy and pleasure, I have Nikon Capture NX 2....and wow. This program is great. The point control usages are great, great, and easy to use. When I received this software, I immediately went to work on some older photos, and I just could not believe how easier this program has become to work on my previous shots but with fantastic results. It's like zoom, zoom, zoom, slide and you are done. I know, taking great shots when you first shoot is the most important, but I now have a program that helps me to correct my shots on those times I do not spend to much time being articulate when shooting.

You now have just about all you need to come close to being a pro with pro results. I truly believe this software will take care of most of your needs. There is a minor stipend, and that is batch processing. Very slow. It is not a problem for me as I very seldom use batch processing but for those who do, this could be a draw-back for you. This software is a must for newbies, hobbyist, intermediates, and even the pros. The program not only works on Raw NEF, but will work on TIFF as well as JPEG. Also, do not forget to add the software NIK Efex Color Pro 3 that is available for Capture NX 2. You will be able to say look out Picaso, and Michelangelo?

Nikon Capture NX 2 is a great investment for those who point and shoot or for those who go all the way with DSLR from D40s, D80s, D3s, D700, etc and other cameras from Cannon, Minolta, etc. If you enjoy photography, this program will enhance your experience even more. Have a great day...better yet....a pleasant one.....click.....got the shot. See ya!

If you have a Nikon and you don't shoot RAW, and/or you don't use this software, you're not giving your camera the opportunity to do it's best work. Correcting White Balance mistakes is probably the most valuable feature. Then again, the totally non-destructitve edits are also a competitor for what's best in this package. But how about the ability to use control points to adjust just a segment of the picture? There's a lot to choose from. It's also very intuitive - you can make ok pictures into WOW pictures with just a few clicks without touching a manual. Also works great on JPG and TIFF formats. You don't have to have a Nikon DSLR, or shoot RAW to love this package, but it helps.

I upgraded to Nikon Capture NX2 and I'm very pleased with the new features as well as the improved workflow. Working with RAW and JPEG formats are each possible and straightforward. No one knows how to convert Nikon's RAW format better than Nikon.
I hope that the next version (NX3) will include a clone stamp (the auto brush in NX2 is nice for small fixes only in my opinion) and a panorama stitch.

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.

If you own a Nikon camera; then, this software is a must as it reads the RAW camera data perfectly with no modifications during download. None of the Adobe products have achieved this level of sophistication; but, they are working on it. The NX2 'Adjust' features are basic to processing your photo; then, if you feel further processing is needed, you can transfer it to that special program. For the price, NX2 cannot be beat.