I have never used NX but I’m curious about it. What advantage does NX offer over just using Bridge, ACR and Photoshop or Lightroom?
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http://www.ianbullphotography.com
Ian
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Ian
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What advantage does NX offer?
- Thread starter Ianp
- Start date
Mostly that it uses the camera settings and reproduces the in camera look precisely, something the other tools cannot do. Some believe it processes the raw file better than any other raw processor although I think it's a tight race on that one. Image quality is mostly the NX calling card. It certainly isn't asset management, speed, batch processing, editing, speed, etc.
Pedro Dias
Senior Member
Unmatched raw conversion. None of the others come close to the IQ you can pull out of NX.
If raw conversion is not your thing, then nothing.
If metadata tagging is your thing, then nothing.
If cataloging is your thing, then nothing.
But the IQ is the reason why I bought NX2, and why I won't / can't use LR.
If only nik could provide us with a catalog software. I often send them support requests asking for this, and I have yet to receive a reply - they simply ignore me, as nikon (too) often does.
If raw conversion is not your thing, then nothing.
If metadata tagging is your thing, then nothing.
If cataloging is your thing, then nothing.
But the IQ is the reason why I bought NX2, and why I won't / can't use LR.
If only nik could provide us with a catalog software. I often send them support requests asking for this, and I have yet to receive a reply - they simply ignore me, as nikon (too) often does.
Harrythephot
Leading Member
The best Raw conversion from Nef files.
Easier to get the colours right, whereas Lightroom / ACR is frequently muddy.
Poor browsing, quirky interface.
Slow workflow
Infuriating features, such as turning off all subsequent adjustments if you go back to change an earlier setting.
Occasional lockups and crashes.
I really do want to like it, but for weddings, I have to accept the compromise and use LR. For other work, it is NX without a doubt.
Easier to get the colours right, whereas Lightroom / ACR is frequently muddy.
Poor browsing, quirky interface.
Slow workflow
Infuriating features, such as turning off all subsequent adjustments if you go back to change an earlier setting.
Occasional lockups and crashes.
I really do want to like it, but for weddings, I have to accept the compromise and use LR. For other work, it is NX without a doubt.
Colin Dutton
Forum Enthusiast
I used to use ACR/Lightroom and was happy enough until I saw the results with NX2. Specifically, it pulls out more detail, especially in textures like wood. I find the colours, greens in particular, are less 'mushy', better separated somehow. No more jagged reds at night (car lights, traffic lights etc). No CA to deal with. And great control of local colours/brightness with control points. You need to invest some time in learning how it works but you'll be rewarded.
Now I just use Lightroom for archiving.
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http://www.colinduttonphotography.com
Now I just use Lightroom for archiving.
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http://www.colinduttonphotography.com
Basically a sharpening issue. No real improvement in accutance.
You can get similar colors in any modern RAW converter. Defaults in NX are a bit more conservative than ACR.
This is where NX works better than ACR - better control of CA and complex abberations. Not hugely better, but better.
Radial gradients in layers for those of the Photoshop persuasion. I find that trying to do complicated post processing in NX is nerve wrackingly slow and clumsy compared to Photoshop, but it may well be that I grew up on PS and it's second nature to me. NX clearly does work in this regard but even it's most ardent supporters tend to agree that the interface was designed by sleep deprived rabid elves with a wicked hangover.
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RG
http://www.lostrange.com
Thanks for the input everyone. The thought of getting greater IQ is very tempting but the idea of dealing with slow quirky software worries me. Maybe it’ll be worth it to download the trial version and try it out.
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http://www.ianbullphotography.com
Ian
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http://www.ianbullphotography.com
Ian
Kaj E
Forum Pro
Can be changed in settings so all adjustments are retained at all times.
Haven't experienced a single one of those since installing the present version.
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Kind regards
Kaj
http://www.pbase.com/kaj_e
WSSA member
It's about time we started to take photography seriously and treat it as a hobby.- Elliott Erwitt
this is what you will get with a thread like this.
My personal (perhaps opinionated) view is that there is no such beast as "the best" RAW converter.
Nevertheless you will find many answers with the drift that NX2 (or some other converter) is simply the best.
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Did I mention that the current Formula 1 Ferrari is the best car ever? Did you watch the first race this season? Unfortunately it is not so excellent in plowing a field or driving your kids to school.
So go and try out the free test versions of the many converters and see what fits your needs best.
If you are no expert my guess is that the best converter is the one you are most familiar with.
My personal (perhaps opinionated) view is that there is no such beast as "the best" RAW converter.
Nevertheless you will find many answers with the drift that NX2 (or some other converter) is simply the best.
------------
Did I mention that the current Formula 1 Ferrari is the best car ever? Did you watch the first race this season? Unfortunately it is not so excellent in plowing a field or driving your kids to school.
So go and try out the free test versions of the many converters and see what fits your needs best.
If you are no expert my guess is that the best converter is the one you are most familiar with.
Kaj E
Forum Pro
I am a long time PS user, but i have to disagree on this. NX2 gives better detail. Apparently better demosaicing.
Similar is not close enough for me.
Funny, as a long time PS user I have to disagree on this one also. The control points are fast and intuitive and give very photographic results. Still for some things I continue in PS (complex sharpening routines, transformations like correction of converging verticals, clone stamp etc.). The interface is not bad once you get used to it.
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Kind regards
Kaj
http://www.pbase.com/kaj_e
WSSA member
It's about time we started to take photography seriously and treat it as a hobby.- Elliott Erwitt
jb_va2001
Veteran Member
Few advantages IMHO. I droppped NX as it no longer added any value in my workflow.
Adobe doesn't recognize all the Nikon proprietary settings in a NEF file. Settings like the as-shot WB are preserved in ACR/PS/LR. Other settings, like from Picture Control (Vivid, Neutral, etc), are ignored. Most LR/PS users get around this by creating and saving profiles that they apply to the NEF when they open/import the file with ACR/PS or LR. It's quick & easy.
Granted, a few years ago NX was much better at NEF conversions than ACR. That is no longer true, in experienced hands, either NX or ACR/PS/LR will do a great job for you today. Beware the advice some NX fans here offer. Much of it is out dated, they haven't used ACR in years. Others assume that NX being a Nikon product should work much better and they never really tried to become proficient at ACR/PS/LR. Again, in experienced hands, either product will give you excellent NEF conversations.
I became frustrated with the Nikon suite of products (& 3rd parties) you needed to try to accomplish the same thing as Adobe provided in LR. Adobe has a much smoother professional workflow. Adobe also has a far better software support ecosystem; NAPP, books, videos, websites, local training classes, etc.
As I said, I bought and paid for NX. Several years ago I loved it's NEF conversions and tolerated the bugs and slow performance. NX is still on my computer. I just don't use it any more.
Cheers,
JB
Adobe doesn't recognize all the Nikon proprietary settings in a NEF file. Settings like the as-shot WB are preserved in ACR/PS/LR. Other settings, like from Picture Control (Vivid, Neutral, etc), are ignored. Most LR/PS users get around this by creating and saving profiles that they apply to the NEF when they open/import the file with ACR/PS or LR. It's quick & easy.
Granted, a few years ago NX was much better at NEF conversions than ACR. That is no longer true, in experienced hands, either NX or ACR/PS/LR will do a great job for you today. Beware the advice some NX fans here offer. Much of it is out dated, they haven't used ACR in years. Others assume that NX being a Nikon product should work much better and they never really tried to become proficient at ACR/PS/LR. Again, in experienced hands, either product will give you excellent NEF conversations.
I became frustrated with the Nikon suite of products (& 3rd parties) you needed to try to accomplish the same thing as Adobe provided in LR. Adobe has a much smoother professional workflow. Adobe also has a far better software support ecosystem; NAPP, books, videos, websites, local training classes, etc.
As I said, I bought and paid for NX. Several years ago I loved it's NEF conversions and tolerated the bugs and slow performance. NX is still on my computer. I just don't use it any more.
Cheers,
JB
A note here. When moving the size slider of a control point you see a circle describing the radius affected. That doesn't mean that the selection is a circle. With control points you can make very quick very efficient and complex selections with very natural looking results which can't be done with just a radial gradient. A quick example:
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Panagiotis
Lihkin
Senior Member
The control points offer fantastic control over the outcome. They are much more efficient than layers in PS. I was an avid PS user, but once I realized the potential of Capture NX2's control points, I have dropped PS in favor of NX2. I still use PS for some stuff (perspective correction etc), but find that NX2 is amazing for RAW conversion once you know how to use it to its potential.
Cheers,
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Nikhil
http://www.lihkin.net
Harrythephot
Leading Member
I had not seen the option for it and found the resetting of adjustments to be one of my major annoyances with it.
I have carried out a few tests today and have to disagree with Walter (I am very opinionated and therefore give my opinion which is exactly what we all do on these forums), but CaptureNX renders a great deal more fine detail, especially in highlights and shaded areas than Lightroom or ACR.
I always find that LR / ACR blocks up shadows and adds colour to the darker tones, so a grooms suit will generally take on a strong blue tint in LR, but will remain completely neutral in NX.
Still. Lightroom has a great workflow, which trumps it other numerous defects.
I have carried out a few tests today and have to disagree with Walter (I am very opinionated and therefore give my opinion which is exactly what we all do on these forums), but CaptureNX renders a great deal more fine detail, especially in highlights and shaded areas than Lightroom or ACR.
I always find that LR / ACR blocks up shadows and adds colour to the darker tones, so a grooms suit will generally take on a strong blue tint in LR, but will remain completely neutral in NX.
Still. Lightroom has a great workflow, which trumps it other numerous defects.
...as a supplement to CS4 and Elements.
I really like the Control Point system, and the touchup brush works well for simple spot or unwanted object removal.
The sharpening algorythm is different from ACR...I've found that using similar settings in NX2 results in oversharpening.
So far , it seems stable on my system...I've noted others mentioned crashing. I also have Mike Hagen's book "After The Shoot" which I plan to read carefully to see what the program can and cannot do, but mainly to get used to that very different interface and workflow.
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Tom, Ohio USA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zuikosan/
http://tbower.zenfolio.com/
'One should not LIVE in the past, but one should never FORGET the past'.
'Did you ever get the feeling that the world was a tuxedo and you were a pair of brown shoes?'
---George Gobel, 1969
I really like the Control Point system, and the touchup brush works well for simple spot or unwanted object removal.
The sharpening algorythm is different from ACR...I've found that using similar settings in NX2 results in oversharpening.
So far , it seems stable on my system...I've noted others mentioned crashing. I also have Mike Hagen's book "After The Shoot" which I plan to read carefully to see what the program can and cannot do, but mainly to get used to that very different interface and workflow.
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Tom, Ohio USA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zuikosan/
http://tbower.zenfolio.com/
'One should not LIVE in the past, but one should never FORGET the past'.
'Did you ever get the feeling that the world was a tuxedo and you were a pair of brown shoes?'
---George Gobel, 1969
Kaj E
Forum Pro
The values are not identical. A radius of 5 in NX equals a radius of 1 in PS, and an amount of 20 in NX equals an amount of 100 in PS. That is about the conclusion I have arrived at.
Good book for new users, and also contains some typically unnoticed tips for seasoned users.
The help section in NX is also worth a good read through.
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Kind regards
Kaj
http://www.pbase.com/kaj_e
WSSA member
It's about time we started to take photography seriously and treat it as a hobby.- Elliott Erwitt
All of the major RAW converters offer free downloadable trials.
Wait for a week of bad weather and try 'em all.
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RG
http://www.lostrange.com
Wait for a week of bad weather and try 'em all.
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RG
http://www.lostrange.com
Don't laugh but I learned the basics of Control Points from that little "quick start" guide that came with my boxed version. Actually it's well written and can at least get a NX newbie doing some basic and productive editing quickly.
I shoot NEF exclusively and that was one of the reasons I decided to try NX2...that and $50 OFF! I've read in this thread and many others that NX's NEF processing is superior to that of other RAW processors.
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Tom, Ohio USA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zuikosan/
http://tbower.zenfolio.com/
'One should not LIVE in the past, but one should never FORGET the past'.
'Did you ever get the feeling that the world was a tuxedo and you were a pair of brown shoes?'
---George Gobel, 1969
I shoot NEF exclusively and that was one of the reasons I decided to try NX2...that and $50 OFF! I've read in this thread and many others that NX's NEF processing is superior to that of other RAW processors.
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Tom, Ohio USA
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zuikosan/
http://tbower.zenfolio.com/
'One should not LIVE in the past, but one should never FORGET the past'.
'Did you ever get the feeling that the world was a tuxedo and you were a pair of brown shoes?'
---George Gobel, 1969
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