Capture NX2 Reviewed

Let me be the first to say thanks.... now back to reading your review!...

Guy Moscoso
 
I hate the way Nikon sites make me feel stupid (I actually have a college degree!) but despite ALL of the info on how great the program is suppposed to be, isn't an idea about PRICE like number one or two on the list of things a jerk like me would want to know?

Anybody have an idea on what this is gonna cost to upgrade to? I wonder if I'm just an old fart or what. At 45 years old I simply get sooo tired clicking around a website to find out how much an item is gonna cost. It gets me sooo tired that something builds up inside me making me think "geee I WON'T even buy this product just to spite them"

It sounds like a stupid petty little rant, but am I alone on this? I don't get it. Aren't these sites supposed to build up interest and try to message you into wanting to buy the product?

Please, somebody hold my hand tell a slightly old guy what link to click on to find out how much this is gonna cost to upgrade to. I don't need an exact price just an estimate woud be nice.

Sites like Nikon's make me feel so old and stupid.

Guy Moscoso
 
tell me that they have learned that computer users actually use keyboards for interaction, eg, ALT F for File menu etc...

Or right click on a step in edit list, and press D button for eg. delete.
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Kevin
so many flowers, so little time sigh
the 'Art' of Aperture: a mini tutorial
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=23460691
http://www.rootminus1.com/freepics/thumbnails.php?album=68
http://www.rootminus1.com/freepics/index.php?cat=10032
http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d58/theronfamily/
 
From the Press Release:

Capture NX 2 will be available for purchase throughout the United States in late June 2008 with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $179.95 (full version) or $109.95 (upgrade). A 60-day free trial version will be available today for users who wish to experience all that Capture NX 2 offers.

--
Author, 'The Photographer's Guide to Capture NX2'

Author, 'The Photographer's Guide to Capture NX'
Visit my website at: http://www.luminescentphoto.com
 
Thanks Jason for the pricing. And Kevin yes, I really want to slap their kindergarten programmers (or at least stick my thumb in their eye) for not incorporating ANY NORMAL keyboard shortcuts.

So from putting two and two together, if ANY of those kyboard controls are re-introduced, then those keyboard features that always should have been there from the start are gonna cost another 100 bucks, and you get some neat featues to play with, too.

Why am I sooo pessimistic? I REALLY am a nice guy, honest. Sorry people, just let me blabber on in the corner like an old strange uncle everyone sort of ignores.

Guy Moscoso
 
some really, really exciting stuff to look forward to here.
enjoyed your write-up.

BTW, didn't notice if we can now, in edit list, move the steps up/down?

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Kevin
so many flowers, so little time sigh
the 'Art' of Aperture: a mini tutorial
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=23460691
http://www.rootminus1.com/freepics/thumbnails.php?album=68
http://www.rootminus1.com/freepics/index.php?cat=10032
http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d58/theronfamily/
 
My impression is largely positive.

I wonder what discount there will be on the upgrade price? I paid less than the SRP for the upgrade for my copy of NX 1.1. (and I could download 1.3 today for $119.95)

What happens at the end of a 60 day trial if you already have a legitimate copy of NX 1.3? Does NX2 drop out taking you back to 1.3 or do you lose the ability to upgrade by download to NX2 at the upgrade price if you take that route?

I might wait a while for the price to settle then use the 60 trial then finally upgrade. Is that a tenable strategy or will I then get stung for the full priced version?

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Chris Elliott

Nikon D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile

http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/
 
There are the usual slick presentations here:

http://www.capturenx.com/

And if you click on "download free trial" (and choose your continent) there is the option to download a manual as well as to download the free trial (At least there is for the US). I am downloading the manual now but will not touch the free trial at least until I know what it does to my ability to upgrade rather than purchase new. Logically NX2 should just fall way after 60 days leaving me 1.3 intact but who knows! There is nothing at the site above that I can find that tells me.

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Chris Elliott

Nikon D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile

http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/
 
To answer my own question at least in part.

"Capture NX2 is a complete and new version, and not an update for a previous version of Capture NX. Capture NX2 keycodes will be available from Nikon authorized dealers or from the Nikon Mall around June 20th."

http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/nikonusa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=61

And there is this on the UK site:

"Upgrading from Capture NX Version 1

Install the purchased copy of Capture NX 2 Upgrade and begin the install process. Both Capture NX version 1 and Capture NX 2 can be installed on the same computer at the same time.

"When activating an upgrade version, your Capture NX version 1 product key will be requested. First, enter your name, company (optional), and Capture NX 2 product key. You will then be prompted to enter your Capture NX version 1 product key. After entering both the Capture NX 2 and Capture NX version 1 product keys, your copy of Capture NX 2 will be activated and the application will open.

....

"Install Notes
  • It is not recommended to install both Nikon Capture and Capture NX 2 on the same computer as this may cause unexpected issues to occur. ..."
http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nikoneurope_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=24759&p_created=1211366062&p_sid=V34Nul5j&p_accessibility=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NjcmcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPTY0OSZwX3B2PSZwX2N2PTEuNjQ5JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfbmwmcF9wYWdlPTE*&p_li=&p_topview=1

That seems to say clearly it will not overwrite NX1.3 but I think I will wait a while for a more authoritative statement ortherwise I might get boxed in a corner with having to pay full upgrade price without any sort of discount that might appear when the market settles.

--
Chris Elliott

Nikon D Eighty + Fifty - Other equipment in Profile

http://PlacidoD.Zenfolio.com/
 
Thanks Jason,

Is there a chance of a future podcast with extra info?

I loved the possibility of having NR combined with Control Points. I think that will be a fantastic improvement for post processing allowing to be more aggressive in areas without details.

Also liked the end of the stupid pop-up windows. Really annoying opening a CP and having the pop up over it.

Some questions:
  • Exposure compensation selected with CPs (a la NR) is possible?
  • Is there a short cut keyboard combination to see/hide Selection Area?
  • Is it possible to copy & paste CPs or another edit steps between images without saving them? (imagine 10 pictures with a dust spot needing remotion exactly in the same point)
  • Will VewNX be able to display changes mande by Capture in NEFs?
Thanks again

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Nuni
 
  • Is it possible to copy & paste CPs or another edit steps between
images without saving them? (imagine 10 pictures with a dust spot
needing remotion exactly in the same point)
two ways to do ...

1. In batch mode, Ctrl-Click to select your images from browser, paste adjustments.

2. With image open in editor, right click on edit list, paste. Switch to next image (Ctrl-Tab) paste again.
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Kevin
so many flowers, so little time sigh
the 'Art' of Aperture: a mini tutorial
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=23460691
http://www.rootminus1.com/freepics/thumbnails.php?album=68
http://www.rootminus1.com/freepics/index.php?cat=10032
http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d58/theronfamily/
 
  • Is there a short cut keyboard combination to see/hide Selection Area?
I think so. Works quite neat.
Shift H - Show selection overlay
Shift M - show selection mask
Ctrl H - show active selection
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Kevin
so many flowers, so little time sigh
the 'Art' of Aperture: a mini tutorial
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=23460691
http://www.rootminus1.com/freepics/thumbnails.php?album=68
http://www.rootminus1.com/freepics/index.php?cat=10032
http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d58/theronfamily/
 
It sounds like there are some interesting updates in it. I'll have to give it a try. I had been using the addition and subtraction brushes to apply things like NR, sharpening, or level/curves to localized areas. I'm interested to see if the new selection control points handle that better or not.

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Craig
Nikon D80, 18-135mm, 70-300mm VR, 50mm 1.8, SB600, MB-D80
Manfrotto 190XDB tripod w/ 486RC2 Ball Head
Kenko 12/20/36mm Ext. Tubes
http://taallyn.zenfolio.com
http://4pphotoblog.blogspot.com/
 
Expect next week's podcast (12 June) to have full review. Both Rick and I were beta-testers, so we've had a long time to get familiar with NX2.

-Jason

--
Author, 'The Photographer's Guide to Capture NX2'

Author, 'The Photographer's Guide to Capture NX'
Visit my website at: http://www.luminescentphoto.com
 

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