Customer Reviews

Nikon Capture 4 Software for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras and Coolpix 8800, 8700, and 8400

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Capture 4.4 is the ultimate post-processing program for processing NEF (Nikon Electronic Format) photos, also known as "RAW" format photos. For those not familiar with RAW format, essentially a RAW format photo file enables the photographer to make post-shot changes to a photo to a much greater extent than is possible when shooting conventional JPEG file shots. So, for example, if one wishes to adjust the exposure on a RAW photo, you can do so and the effect is essentially the same, within the range of a couple of F/stops, as though you had shot the picture that way in the first place (there are exceptions to this beyond the scope of this review). The same is true for many other settings, such as Color Mode (SRGB versus Adobe, for example), White Balance, Sharpening, etc. You can modify some of these to some extent on JPEGs, but when you do there is always a loss of data--while there is no such loss when modifying RAW files. The bottom line is that if you botch a setting shooting RAW files you are much more likely to be able to salvage the photo if you shot RAW, as compared to if you shot JPEG. If you are shooting a wedding or some other critical event where failure is not an option, only a VERY competent expert would not opt to shoot RAW, in my opinion at least.

I am explaining this, because it helps to explain what you are getting with Capture 4.4. Capture 4.4 is the ultimate program for modifying the settings that RAW files are designed to allow the modification of. It is Nikon's own program for modifying Nikon Electronic Format (RAW) files, and it is unsurpassed by third parties for this purpose. This is NOT a substitute for Photoshop or its competitors. Capture 4.4 does not give you the cloning tool and the other huge host of artistic modification tools that one finds in Photoshop. (It does have a cropping tool and a few other basic tools along this line, but nothing like Photoshop). The real purpose of Capture 4.4 is to control the "levers" i.e. exposure, sharpening, etc. that the RAW mode was designed to provide when post-processing RAW (and to a limited extent JPEG) photos. Some photographers, myself included, use Capture 4.4 for this purpose, and then may use Photoshop if there are any detailed changes to the photo that need to be done. Capture 4.4 really complements, rather than competes with, programs like Photoshop.

The main gripe most users have with Capture 4.4 is that it is a clunky memory hog, and it is somewhat slow. This is a program that will use every bit of your computer's processing power. The user interface is on the clunky side too, although it is not all that bad. I personally found that I could get up to speed pretty fast with this program without using the manual much.

I give this one 5 stars for utility and 3 stars for being a memory hog with a clunky interface, rounding out to 4 stars. Future upgrades will doubtless cure the technical issues with this program. But for the Nikon photographer shooting RAW files, this program is a "must have" in my opinion. Highly recommended.

If you've spent the money on a Nikon camera that takes NEF (RAW) format, and you are a serious photographer, you should spend the money on this product.

The power of Capture is awesome and the user interface is very intuitive--unlike Adobe Photoshop/Elements. Best of all, any changes that you make to a NEF file can be undone, so your original image is always available.

The bad news is that the program has a nasty habit of crashing, so save your changes frequently and be prepared to reload as needed. Another problem that I have had is that Nikon technical support is not at all knowledgeable about the software. If your question is not one of the basic ones for which Nikon can email back a "canned response" you are on your own. The manual is pretty good, and as noted above, the program generally does what you expect it to do. Never the less, Nikon should support it better and improve the reliablity of the software.

There can be difficulties getting this software installed on your computer, and it needs to be installed in SAFE MODE in some instances. However, Nikon USA have a superb support facility, and I strongly recommend you contact them if you experiene any difficulties. Photoshop CS2 has a RAW converter function, but Nikon Capture 4.4 is far superior. The settings available in this product allow you to correct almost any error made in-camera - a photographer's dream. The "capture" element of the software however, would be a whole lot better if it allowed you to see on your computer screen the composition you would normally see through the viewfinder. There is now a new version available, Nikon Capture NX - it will sell as an upgrade if you already have Nikon Capture 4.4

This software allows not only tethered remote control of my camera (Nikon D70) for long time-lapse photography, but tethered remote or studio shoots using my notebook and wireless Ethernet connection. It also allows installing a custom curve, a basic requirement for the D70 to prevent that 'dark' look that is so common. When used with Adobe Bridge, custom raw adjustments are also semi-automated (do the first one, make it the default, and the rest follow along) completing the bulk of the digital work flow in a proactive, automated fashion. Nikon Capture also allows the custom file naming during shooting, not after the fact. Clients can see in real-time how their images are coming out, so I know when the client has what they're looking for 'in the can' during the shoot and not well after the fact. I don't even need a card in the camera as the computer becomes the mass storage device, saving the step of downloading. The only downside is speed. It is slower shooting this way, but a USB 2.0 port might ease that problem some. It does make me pick my shot's more carefully which is yielding better overall results.

for the price, the gains in workflow are incredible. the ability to completely circumvent the memory car and see the pictures on the full sized computer screen are well worth the asking price. just make sure you get a long enough usb cable, I myself procured a 15 ft usb extension cable in anticipation of this product.

onto my review

the software is a lil sluggish compared to iphoto or photoshopCS2 at actually batch processing conversions. What really makes this software worth the money however is the camera control software. through the usb cable (assuming you upgrade the firmware to version 2.0) you can cotrol all the settings on the camera and use it as a remote shutter. This is absoloutly ideal in a studio environment where you get the most efficient workflow possible. This extends to the field assumng you have a laptop.

to get the maximum use of this sotware aside from the camera itself(duh)
I highly reccomend the following
AC adapter -(usb tends to drain the batteries on my d70 not asoloutly neccessary but useful in an indoor studio)
extra batteries - (see above)
tripod - to take advantage of software controller
laptop - (take your workflow anywhere)
usb extension cable - the longer the better

Designed to compete against Adobe Elements in the Prosumer range of the digital editing market, Capture 4 is a solid product: it does just about every thing its competitors do.

As a life long Nikon user, I was looking forward to this software due to a series of enhanced features that apply specifically to Nikon files (NEFs). However, it lacks one basic feature that has relegated it to "seldom used" application status on my PC. Capture 4 does not allow the user to convert color photos into B&W -- a basic and often-used function. You can do so in another Nikon program (Nikon View) but why do users have to load and use two programs to accomplish a task that is a) commonly used by many photographers b) bundled in even the most rudimentary shareware editing software c) is technically a breeze.

I like this software. It's generally inuitive and works well. But I can't overlook the B&W conversion issue. It's key for me. Until this feature is added as a free upgrade, I'll continue to use and recommend Photoshop Elements.

I have Adobe Photoshop CS2 and used its RAW processor. Nikon Capture is a more complete and subtle processor for RAW. Very usesfull for processing my D70 images.

In my opinion Capture does a better job of initial adjustment to a photo (NEF or JPEG) than photoshop and it is much easier to use. There are no masks or complicated steps to adjust sharpness, hue, saturation, etc. You just click on a spot you want corrected and adjust the corresponding sliders that appear. Two downsides: You have to set your photo printer as the default- there is no printer list (why I don't know at this stage). Second, there are no tools to heal or make other effects as with PS. But that is not the purpose of Capture. It is designed to work with other programs by first preparing your raw or jpeg, and it does a great (and best of all) easy job of it far better than Photoshop alone.

I originally purchased this to work with my D50... But when I got rid of that and upgraded to my D80, it became useless... Now I need to purchase an even more expensive Capture NX just to make it work with my new camera.

A good product if it works with your camera. It was nice that it included both a Mac AND a Windows version on the CD.

I purchased this product from the Specs given, It would not even install on the new Intel Macs. After calling Nikon support they advised there was nothing that they could do, that I would just have to wait and see if they was going to provide an upgrade to this product. Yet their specs only called for OS 10.3.1 or Later and 256 MB of ram. Not one word here or on their web site in the specs about this not working on the new Macs. They later sent me a link to their FAQ page about the Intel Macs. Luckily I had a power book that I could install it on so my dollars were not a total loss. BEWARE IF YOU HAVE A NEW INTEL MAC. UPDATE Nikon refunded my money for this item since their web site ws not clear on the equipment, The new Capture NX works with the Intel machines.