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Nikon Capture NX vs. LightRoom
- Thread starter Jin L.
- Start date
MadSaid
Forum Enthusiast
I have no experience with NC. I used NikonView. When I moved to Lightroom I saved lots of time. I work about at least 5 times faster than before.
Said
There is a new version of NX on the Nikon website, which you can download for 30 days' trial, and which is said to give improved handling speeds. I originally bought PS because older versions of NX were really S L O W, but so far the new version is indeed much better and its speed now seems to be similar to PS. Another thing to check is the help files, which in the older version of NX were poor, but I have not done that yet for the new version.
It is best to try both yourself for the 30 days' trial periods and then choose, because a lot depends on how you work and so how little things affect you.
It is best to try both yourself for the 30 days' trial periods and then choose, because a lot depends on how you work and so how little things affect you.
JasonOdell
Senior Member
If you can get Lightroom for $100, then I'd go for it.
However, you cannot really do an "apples to apples" comparison between Lightroom and NX. NX is ONLY a photo editor/ RAW converter. Lightroom is an entire workflow application.
Lightroom and NX differ in the way they process Nikon NEF files. NX uses your in-camera settings, Lightroom does not. NX stores changes to the NEF inside the NEF itself, Lightroom creates sidecar files.
Lightroom is much faster for batch processing, but many people find that NX has a superior NEF rendering engine. Your preferences may vary.
-Jason
--
Author, 'The Photographer's Guide to Capture NX'
Visit my website at: http://www.luminescentphoto.com
However, you cannot really do an "apples to apples" comparison between Lightroom and NX. NX is ONLY a photo editor/ RAW converter. Lightroom is an entire workflow application.
Lightroom and NX differ in the way they process Nikon NEF files. NX uses your in-camera settings, Lightroom does not. NX stores changes to the NEF inside the NEF itself, Lightroom creates sidecar files.
Lightroom is much faster for batch processing, but many people find that NX has a superior NEF rendering engine. Your preferences may vary.
-Jason
--
Author, 'The Photographer's Guide to Capture NX'
Visit my website at: http://www.luminescentphoto.com
Jin L.:
Here are the links.
Capture NX: http://capturenx.com/
Lightroom: http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/photoshoplightroom/
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BRJR....(My cameras & lenses are listed in my profile)
Hades
Forum Enthusiast
Like I said in my post regarding the time reset on your PC. It does work with "some" softwares. Doing this worked for Lightroom. I purchased NX and if I had to do it again I would not. Lightroom for me is a much better software.
Cheers
--
Nikon D Fifty
Nikon Fifty mm F1.4
Sigma 24-70 F2.8
Nikon Seventy - Three Hundred VR
Nikon SB- Six Hundred
Cheers
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Nikon D Fifty
Nikon Fifty mm F1.4
Sigma 24-70 F2.8
Nikon Seventy - Three Hundred VR
Nikon SB- Six Hundred
Ron LHeureux
Senior Member
Nice, I downloaded the trial version of Capture NX. I never wanted to fool with Photoshop or Elements, but NX is very user friendly and fun. Even when PPing jpegs.(Mac version) Guess I'll have to spring for the real deal in a month.
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Ron
D40
18-55
55-200VR
50mm f1.8
SB400
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Ron
D40
18-55
55-200VR
50mm f1.8
SB400
lockandload
Leading Member
Just try in NX to go back to a family wedding that you shot last summer and find all the pictures of cousin Karen, remove the big pimple on her chin and adjust them all for lighting and cropping etc. print them out on your little 4x6 printer. You just can't do it very easily. Its a snap in lightroom. People talk about the benefits of NX image quality over lightroom and I never could see it. When you know how to fix an image in lightroom it takes all of about 10 seconds to do most of the processing. I compared the images from both and most looked better coming from lightroom. Who ever thought up that interface in NX must have never processed a picture in their life. Looks like something that they took off the space shuttle to adjust the robotic arm or something.
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http://www.pbase.com/ronkeele
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http://www.pbase.com/ronkeele
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BRJR....(My cameras & lenses are listed in my profile)
Hades:
1. I keep updated versions of Nikon CaptureNX, Apple Aperture and Adobe Lightroom on my computer.
2. But, for me, Lightroom without question is the best program; and, that why, like Adobe CS3, it will be the more popular and useful to most "professional photographers" and other people that are serious in having the most extensive and complete professional image editing and management software at their command.
3. And, yes, NX is great with NEF files (mostly because Nikon restricts 3d party access) ---- but, to me there's far more that Adobe Lightroom & CS3 can do, that I no longer have much need for NX or Aperture. Still, I find it advantageous to keep them on my computer, so I can at least confirm for myself things I constantly see in Forums regarding these programs.
--
BRJR....(My cameras & lenses are listed in my profile)
Allen George
Senior Member
But I can see the difference in rendering. I find a subtler gradation in tones and better detail (though this varies from photo to photo); I've tried various LR presets, tried to roll my own, but never got close to NX.
I like LR's workflow and layout, but for me NX is the converter of choice.
--
Photographs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allengeorge/
Terminal Musings: http://www.allengeorge.com
I like LR's workflow and layout, but for me NX is the converter of choice.
--
Photographs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allengeorge/
Terminal Musings: http://www.allengeorge.com
Ron LHeureux
Senior Member
I'm not a pro or semi pro like many of you folks. Just looking for something more flexable that Picture Project. Capture NX looks like a good alternative. Today I watched an intoduction to Apple's '08 ilife. The new iPhoto is a giant leap over the current edition. It actually lets you adjust several parameters, including curves and gives a rgb histogram. I doubt is will address RAW files, though. This may be a cheaper and friendlier solution to my needs. I'll have to get to an Apple store for a look see. It will give me a chance to see the new iMacs, they look amazing. LOL,
Ron
D40
18-55
55-200VR
50mm f1.8
SB400
Ron
D40
18-55
55-200VR
50mm f1.8
SB400
Ron LHeureux
Senior Member
I went to the Apple store to check out the new iMac and iPhoto '08. The computer was a nice refinement of the previous model. The 24" is a thing of beauty and desktop acreage. The glass screen makes it look like and iPod video player. iPhoto looked to be a vast improvement over the current edition. It's not as flexible as Capture NX, but pretty good. The photo storage system is nothing short of amazing, though!
I apologise to you PC guys for the boring thread! Have fun!
--
Ron
D40
18-55
55-200VR
50mm f1.8
SB400
I apologise to you PC guys for the boring thread! Have fun!
--
Ron
D40
18-55
55-200VR
50mm f1.8
SB400
I would echo what others have said. Get the trials of both.
I am now trying Lightroom and it looks rather promising. I have had NX for a while and love how it applies all the settings in RAW but Lightroom may be my next purchase.
I need the 30 days to make sure though as I need to work through RAW files and see how easily I can do it compared to the rather quick NX stuff I normally do.
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Stujoe - Camera User
http://www.DigitalPhotoPeople.com
.
I am now trying Lightroom and it looks rather promising. I have had NX for a while and love how it applies all the settings in RAW but Lightroom may be my next purchase.
I need the 30 days to make sure though as I need to work through RAW files and see how easily I can do it compared to the rather quick NX stuff I normally do.
--
Stujoe - Camera User
http://www.DigitalPhotoPeople.com
.
LitoD80
Senior Member
I batch convert the NEF files to 16 bit TIFF files with MX. The rest is done in CS3.
--
Lito
D80 ~ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ~ 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 VR ~ 50mm f/1.4 ~ SB-26 ~
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Lito
D80 ~ 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 ~ 55-200mm f/4.5-5.6 VR ~ 50mm f/1.4 ~ SB-26 ~
lockandload:
1. And, whether one likes it or not, no other programs can do all that either Adobe Lightroom or CS3 can do singularly; and, especially when the two are used together as intended !!
2. Now, I am aware that a some do not need, want, or understand all these features, or will take the time to learn them ------ but, for me, they certainly are nice to have for times you do want or need them.
3. Why any serious amateur or photographer hobbyist would not have the interest or want to use or want to learn an "industry standard" for photography, remains beyond my understanding.
4. And, Adobe Photoshop CS3 Extended, is similarly fast becoming the standard in manufacturing, the medical professions, architecture, engineering, and scientific research.
5. In my Area, Adobe Photoshop, is the standard software editing program approved for use even in "high-school" level photography classes/courses, no matter which camera the participants decide to purchase and use.
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BRJR....(My cameras & lenses are listed in my profile)
I haven't tried NX. But Lightroom has been a major disappointment for three reasons.
1. I have about 5,000 photos and Lightroom is very slow when browsing through the photos.
2. Printing is hit or miss as far as colors. Sometimes it prints okay, and sometimes the colors are faded. I'm sure this is some software selection item within LR. But I've used several other photo software with no such issues including Elements, Acdsee, and Photo Impact. Don't know why setting are so mysterious in LR.
3. The program freezes up often enough. NO such problem with any of the above programs.
1. I have about 5,000 photos and Lightroom is very slow when browsing through the photos.
2. Printing is hit or miss as far as colors. Sometimes it prints okay, and sometimes the colors are faded. I'm sure this is some software selection item within LR. But I've used several other photo software with no such issues including Elements, Acdsee, and Photo Impact. Don't know why setting are so mysterious in LR.
3. The program freezes up often enough. NO such problem with any of the above programs.
Ron LHeureux
Senior Member
I think your choices depend on you definition of serious. Everybody doesn't necessarily have the same goal in photgraphy. What's pleasing to one's eye often isn't to another's. Hence, a horse race!
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Ron
D40
18-55
55-200VR
50mm f1.8
SB400
--
Ron
D40
18-55
55-200VR
50mm f1.8
SB400
Bill McKenney
Leading Member
Interesting thread for this amateur.
Currently I batch my NEF files through DXO, converting to JPG (not DNG) and then import into PSE. I'll be changing software soon and I'm wondering if I could batch process through NX, then use Lightroom. does that make sense?
Currently I batch my NEF files through DXO, converting to JPG (not DNG) and then import into PSE. I'll be changing software soon and I'm wondering if I could batch process through NX, then use Lightroom. does that make sense?
Allen George
Senior Member
Yes, you'd be able to batch process through NX without issues. I find 1.2 to be quite nice with batch processing (if you're not doing NR or D-Lighting).
But why would you use LR after that for JPGs? Am I misunderstanding your process?
--
Photographs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allengeorge/
Terminal Musings: http://www.allengeorge.com
But why would you use LR after that for JPGs? Am I misunderstanding your process?
--
Photographs: http://www.flickr.com/photos/allengeorge/
Terminal Musings: http://www.allengeorge.com
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