Buggy Nikon Capture 3 software

[John Swenson]

The Nikon Cature 3.00 trial software that came with my D100 has a serious bug that can cause NC3 to freeze when saving .NEF files on Windows.

I've tried NC3 on three separate Windows XP PCs and it has locked up on me on all three when saving NEF files that I have edited. What's so bad is it locks up the entire PC (forcing a hard reboot), not just NC3!

Maybe this is why Nikon still has not released NC3 in the U.S. (I can't find it available yet anywhere).

Has anyone else had a problem with NC3 freezing their PC after they edit a NEF file and then try to save the file?

I am certain this is a software bug in Nikon Capture 3.00 and not

Windows XP. NC3 is the only one of dozens of Windows apps I use that freezes like this on any of the Windows XP computers I have.

I called Nikon tech support to complain, but got a customer service rep who seemed confused about my complaint, and refused to escalate me to their Level 2 support.

Until Nikon fixes NC3, IMHO it is unusable for Windows XP users.

John Swenson

 

[David Schmidt]

Same issue for me!
I finally just uninstalled it!

The Nikon Cature 3.00 trial software that came with my D100 has a
serious bug that can cause NC3 to freeze when saving .NEF files on
Windows.

I've tried NC3 on three separate Windows XP PCs and it has locked
up on me on all three when saving NEF files that I have edited.
What's so bad is it locks up the entire PC (forcing a hard reboot),
not just NC3!

Maybe this is why Nikon still has not released NC3 in the U.S. (I
can't find it available yet anywhere).

Has anyone else had a problem with NC3 freezing their PC after they
edit a NEF file and then try to save the file?

I am certain this is a software bug in Nikon Capture 3.00 and not
Windows XP. NC3 is the only one of dozens of Windows apps I use
that freezes like this on any of the Windows XP computers I have.

I called Nikon tech support to complain, but got a customer service
rep who seemed confused about my complaint, and refused to escalate
me to their Level 2 support.

Until Nikon fixes NC3, IMHO it is unusable for Windows XP users.

John Swenson

 

[Mike Tichon]

I haven't had the problem at all. I run the XP home edition.

--
Mike Tichon

 

[e-cicada]

I have been using the trial verison of Nikon Capture 3 for the last 5 days on two different machines (one desktop, one notebook). The desktop is running Windows XP Professional and the Notebook is running Windows 2000.

I have also run Camera Control controlling my D100. I have downloaded, edited and saved NEF files as well as JPEG files. I never had any problem or machine hang-up on either PC.

NC3 is much easier to use when comparing to PS, in my opinion. I intend to purchase it and it costs USD115 in HK.

Same issue for me!
I finally just uninstalled it!

 

[John Swenson]

I wish I knew why you have no problems running NC3 and I do. Since the second poster also has had problems, I don't think I'm alone, however.

Anyone else having trouble like this with NC3?

I have also run Camera Control controlling my D100. I have
downloaded, edited and saved NEF files as well as JPEG files. I
never had any problem or machine hang-up on either PC.

NC3 is much easier to use when comparing to PS, in my opinion. I
intend to purchase it and it costs USD115 in HK.

Same issue for me!
I finally just uninstalled it!

 

[eric_j_h]

Windows 2000 Pro is fine with NC3 too. I've ordered the program on the basis of the free download.

 

[John Swenson]

Are you using Nikon Capture version 3.00? I've heard Nikon might have issued a version 3.01 upgrade already. If so, I wonder if that fixes the bugs I'm experiencing on Windows XP.

I'll be interested to see what the final release version is. Has anyone managed to buy the non-trial version of NC3 yet in the U.S.? In Europe?

Windows 2000 Pro is fine with NC3 too. I've ordered the program on
the basis of the free download.

 

[Geir Atle Ward]

I have been using the trial verison of Nikon Capture 3 for the last
5 days on two different machines (one desktop, one notebook). The
desktop is running Windows XP Professional and the Notebook is
running Windows 2000.

I have also run Camera Control controlling my D100. I have
downloaded, edited and saved NEF files as well as JPEG files. I
never had any problem or machine hang-up on either PC.

Same for me. I use Win2000 on my desktop (AMD Athlon) and WinXP HE on the laptop (AMD Duron). Haven't had any problem with Capture, but the slideshow (in Nikon View) doesn't work on the laptop, but it works fine on the desktop.
No doubt I will buy Cap3 when it's available.
Geir Atle

 

[alfred_schiele]

Hi

I run the XP home edition too but have freeze problems either with the standard nikon software as well as with NC3...

But I can cancel the NC3 process (or other nikon software) without problems, it does not affect the OS at all.

Looks like some threads in NC3 not terminating proper or at least after a ridiculous long time...

Regard, A. Schiele

I haven't had the problem at all. I run the XP home edition.

 

[Ron Hildebrand]

Maybe this is why Nikon still has not released NC3 in the U.S. (I
can't find it available yet anywhere).

Capture 3 is indeed available in the US. The trial version is the final release version. You call Nikon to get a code that will release the timed 30-day expiration. They also send a hard copy of the manual and a disk for those who have installed the trial from the Web site.

The bonus is that if you bought Capture 2 from February (5th, I think) on, you get a free upgrade. Capture 2 owners who purchased C2 before Feb get a $99.95 upgrade price. Call Nikon for details.

For those looking to download C3, it is available here, just go to "software downloads":

http://www.nikonusa.com/usa_tech_center/dtc_options.jsp?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25205pdp

The C3 download page also gives the phone number to call for purchase and upgrade details.

Ron

 

[Fergus Hammond]

John, I'm using the full (i.e. not a trial) version of Capture 3.0.0 on Windows XP Professional. I can't duplicate the problem you're having and I've been using Capture extensively (I only shoot RAW). I usually save modified NEFs as TIFFs but I've also just resaved the file as a NEF. Both methods - and the batch conversion tool - work fine for me.

BTW, the full version of Capture 3.0.0 has been available for a while. Here's the revelant portion of the Capture readme file:

"This trial version of Nikon Capture 3 is fully functional but will expire 30 days after installation and first use. Should you wish to purchase a licensed version of Nikon Capture, please contact your local Nikon dealer or call 1-800-NIKON-UX (1-800-645-6689) to purchase the unlock code. Unlock codes can be purchased from 9am to 9pm Monday to Saturday. The code will unlock this trial version and it will become the equivalent of the full version. Nikon will ship a printed manual and an install CD after you purchase the unlock code."

Regards,
Fergus

I'll be interested to see what the final release version is. Has
anyone managed to buy the non-trial version of NC3 yet in the U.S.?
In Europe?

Windows 2000 Pro is fine with NC3 too. I've ordered the program on
the basis of the free download.

 

[Eric Chiu106844]

John,

I've bought the software yesterday in Hong Kong. It works fine at my PC. No problem at all. The version no of the product is 3.0.0.

Eric

I'll be interested to see what the final release version is. Has
anyone managed to buy the non-trial version of NC3 yet in the U.S.?
In Europe?

Windows 2000 Pro is fine with NC3 too. I've ordered the program on
the basis of the free download.

 

[Doyle46883]

Luckyly I don't have this problem but there appears to be some kind of software conflict with the Windows version. Seem related to saving files. Besides this freezing issue there is also an issue with saving nef file being corrupted so that when you open them again in NC 3 you can no longer edit them and they have a blue cast.

I would guess that some other software that can read Nef files is the culprit here.

I know you don’t what to hear this but if you sure all the Nikon stuff was removed from the registry and the Nikon folder in the Common Files folder was removed when you uninstalled all the Nikon software before you installed NC 3 then as I see it you have two options.

Reformat your hard drive and reinstall Windows. Check NC 3 after each new software install to see if you can find the conflict. And it may be that you will never find the conflict. Just the way it is with the wonderful world of Windows.

Or, you could keep digging for that needle in a hay stack that is causing the problem. Most likely it is a dll file causing a conflict when you are saving your NEF files. Or possibly a bad color profile. If you have any other software that reads NEF files I would check that first and remove it if you can.

The Nikon Cature 3.00 trial software that came with my D100 has a
serious bug that can cause NC3 to freeze when saving .NEF files on
Windows.

I've tried NC3 on three separate Windows XP PCs and it has locked
up on me on all three when saving NEF files that I have edited.
What's so bad is it locks up the entire PC (forcing a hard reboot),
not just NC3!

Maybe this is why Nikon still has not released NC3 in the U.S. (I
can't find it available yet anywhere).

Has anyone else had a problem with NC3 freezing their PC after they
edit a NEF file and then try to save the file?

I am certain this is a software bug in Nikon Capture 3.00 and not
Windows XP. NC3 is the only one of dozens of Windows apps I use
that freezes like this on any of the Windows XP computers I have.

I called Nikon tech support to complain, but got a customer service
rep who seemed confused about my complaint, and refused to escalate
me to their Level 2 support.

Until Nikon fixes NC3, IMHO it is unusable for Windows XP users.

John Swenson

 

[John Swenson]

Alfred -- This is the exact problem I have been having with Nikon Capture 3. You are the second person on this thread to confirm the problem of NC3 freezing after stalling for a very long time.

I can sometimes hit ctrl-atl-del in Windows XP and cancel NC3 when it stalls, like you describe, but it's stalls for so long and makes everything go so slooooow that I usually just reboot my PC instead.

I was starting to wonder if I didn't have some sort of highly unusual software combination on my Windows XP PCs that was causing a problem no one else was experiencing with NC3.

I think Nikon needs to some more software testing on this application. They released it too early and are using customers as beta testers, IMHO. I'll bet they rushed NC3 out the door early because the D100 was ready to ship and the trial CD needed to be in the box with every camera.

I run the XP home edition too but have freeze problems either with
the standard nikon software as well as with NC3...

But I can cancel the NC3 process (or other nikon software) without
problems, it does not affect the OS at all.

Looks like some threads in NC3 not terminating proper or at least
after a ridiculous long time...

Regard, A. Schiele

I haven't had the problem at all. I run the XP home edition.

 

[John Swenson]

Here's some more information that I didn't mention earlier about how serious this bug is in NC3:

When I'm saving a NEF file in NC3 and NC3 freezes, then I am forced to reboot my PC. After I reboot, the NEF file I was working on is still there, but it has 0 bytes. NC3 destroys the file!

After I permanently lost one good picture this way, I quickly learned my lesson. Now I only work with copies of NEF files in NC3.

I am not impressed with Nikon's Windows software. Great quality control on their cameras, lousy quality conrol on their software.

I have had similar problems with the Nikon Scan software that came with my Coolscan IV film scanner.

I would guess that some other software that can read Nef files is
the culprit here.

I know you don’t what to hear this but if you sure all the Nikon
stuff was removed from the registry and the Nikon folder in the
Common Files folder was removed when you uninstalled all the Nikon
software before you installed NC 3 then as I see it you have two
options.

Reformat your hard drive and reinstall Windows. Check NC 3 after
each new software install to see if you can find the conflict. And
it may be that you will never find the conflict. Just the way it is
with the wonderful world of Windows.

Or, you could keep digging for that needle in a hay stack that is
causing the problem. Most likely it is a dll file causing a
conflict when you are saving your NEF files. Or possibly a bad
color profile. If you have any other software that reads NEF files
I would check that first and remove it if you can.

The Nikon Cature 3.00 trial software that came with my D100 has a
serious bug that can cause NC3 to freeze when saving .NEF files on
Windows.

I've tried NC3 on three separate Windows XP PCs and it has locked
up on me on all three when saving NEF files that I have edited.
What's so bad is it locks up the entire PC (forcing a hard reboot),
not just NC3!

Maybe this is why Nikon still has not released NC3 in the U.S. (I
can't find it available yet anywhere).

Has anyone else had a problem with NC3 freezing their PC after they
edit a NEF file and then try to save the file?

I am certain this is a software bug in Nikon Capture 3.00 and not
Windows XP. NC3 is the only one of dozens of Windows apps I use
that freezes like this on any of the Windows XP computers I have.

I called Nikon tech support to complain, but got a customer service
rep who seemed confused about my complaint, and refused to escalate
me to their Level 2 support.

Until Nikon fixes NC3, IMHO it is unusable for Windows XP users.

John Swenson

 

[John Swenson]

I've been trying to buy the NC3 software from B&H and they are continuously out of stock, so I didn't think the software was available in the US yet. I'll put in my order somewhere and get on the waiting list. I'd rather not pay the full price Nikon is charging.

Maybe this is why Nikon still has not released NC3 in the U.S. (I
can't find it available yet anywhere).

Capture 3 is indeed available in the US. The trial version is
the final release version. You call Nikon to get a code that will
release the timed 30-day expiration. They also send a hard copy of
the manual and a disk for those who have installed the trial from
the Web site.

The bonus is that if you bought Capture 2 from February (5th, I
think) on, you get a free upgrade. Capture 2 owners who purchased
C2 before Feb get a $99.95 upgrade price. Call Nikon for details.

For those looking to download C3, it is available here, just go to
"software downloads":

http://www.nikonusa.com/usa_tech_center/dtc_options.jsp?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25205pdp

The C3 download page also gives the phone number to call for
purchase and upgrade details.

Ron

 

[Doyle46883]

I guess you didn't get my point. NC 3 is not the problem. It's your Windows installation, your hardware or some other piece of software (probably dll files) that are the cause of your problem.

Most of us are using NC 3 without any problems.

When I'm saving a NEF file in NC3 and NC3 freezes, then I am forced
to reboot my PC. After I reboot, the NEF file I was working on is
still there, but it has 0 bytes. NC3 destroys the file!

After I permanently lost one good picture this way, I quickly
learned my lesson. Now I only work with copies of NEF files in NC3.

I am not impressed with Nikon's Windows software. Great quality
control on their cameras, lousy quality conrol on their software.

I have had similar problems with the Nikon Scan software that came
with my Coolscan IV film scanner.

I would guess that some other software that can read Nef files is
the culprit here.

I know you don’t what to hear this but if you sure all the Nikon
stuff was removed from the registry and the Nikon folder in the
Common Files folder was removed when you uninstalled all the Nikon
software before you installed NC 3 then as I see it you have two
options.

Reformat your hard drive and reinstall Windows. Check NC 3 after
each new software install to see if you can find the conflict. And
it may be that you will never find the conflict. Just the way it is
with the wonderful world of Windows.

Or, you could keep digging for that needle in a hay stack that is
causing the problem. Most likely it is a dll file causing a
conflict when you are saving your NEF files. Or possibly a bad
color profile. If you have any other software that reads NEF files
I would check that first and remove it if you can.

The Nikon Cature 3.00 trial software that came with my D100 has a
serious bug that can cause NC3 to freeze when saving .NEF files on
Windows.

I've tried NC3 on three separate Windows XP PCs and it has locked
up on me on all three when saving NEF files that I have edited.
What's so bad is it locks up the entire PC (forcing a hard reboot),
not just NC3!

Maybe this is why Nikon still has not released NC3 in the U.S. (I
can't find it available yet anywhere).

Has anyone else had a problem with NC3 freezing their PC after they
edit a NEF file and then try to save the file?

I am certain this is a software bug in Nikon Capture 3.00 and not
Windows XP. NC3 is the only one of dozens of Windows apps I use
that freezes like this on any of the Windows XP computers I have.

I called Nikon tech support to complain, but got a customer service
rep who seemed confused about my complaint, and refused to escalate
me to their Level 2 support.

Until Nikon fixes NC3, IMHO it is unusable for Windows XP users.

John Swenson

 

[John Swenson]

With due respect to you, I disagree. I'm convinced NC3 is the problem, not Windows or some other Windows application. There are only two apps on my PC that can read NEF files, and both are from Nikon: NC3 and Nikon View 5. I also have the Nikon plugin that allows me to open NEF files in Photoshop 7.

So I don't see how the problem could be with another app that reads NEF files.

I've been using Windows for a decade now, and am a very advanced user when it comes to using and understanding Windows applications. I haven't had apps freeze my whole PC like this since before Windows 2000, back in the Win 98/Win 95 days. Two other users on this thread have confirmed they have the same problem with NC3.

There are tens of thousands of different configurations of hardware and software that can interact to create bugs. Obviously NC3 doesn't have problems on many Windows installations, since a lot of NC3 users say it is running fine on their Win 2000 or Win XP systems.

But the fact that NC3 causes some Windows XP systems to freeze means that Nikon didn't test the software thoroughly enough before releasing it.

Since I have reproduced this freezing problem on 3 separate Windows XP PCs, I'm certain it's an NC3 problem. The software is unstable.

Most of us are using NC 3 without any problems.

When I'm saving a NEF file in NC3 and NC3 freezes, then I am forced
to reboot my PC. After I reboot, the NEF file I was working on is
still there, but it has 0 bytes. NC3 destroys the file!

After I permanently lost one good picture this way, I quickly
learned my lesson. Now I only work with copies of NEF files in NC3.

I am not impressed with Nikon's Windows software. Great quality
control on their cameras, lousy quality conrol on their software.

I have had similar problems with the Nikon Scan software that came
with my Coolscan IV film scanner.

I would guess that some other software that can read Nef files is
the culprit here.

I know you don’t what to hear this but if you sure all the Nikon
stuff was removed from the registry and the Nikon folder in the
Common Files folder was removed when you uninstalled all the Nikon
software before you installed NC 3 then as I see it you have two
options.

Reformat your hard drive and reinstall Windows. Check NC 3 after
each new software install to see if you can find the conflict. And
it may be that you will never find the conflict. Just the way it is
with the wonderful world of Windows.

Or, you could keep digging for that needle in a hay stack that is
causing the problem. Most likely it is a dll file causing a
conflict when you are saving your NEF files. Or possibly a bad
color profile. If you have any other software that reads NEF files
I would check that first and remove it if you can.

The Nikon Cature 3.00 trial software that came with my D100 has a
serious bug that can cause NC3 to freeze when saving .NEF files on
Windows.

I've tried NC3 on three separate Windows XP PCs and it has locked
up on me on all three when saving NEF files that I have edited.
What's so bad is it locks up the entire PC (forcing a hard reboot),
not just NC3!

Maybe this is why Nikon still has not released NC3 in the U.S. (I
can't find it available yet anywhere).

Has anyone else had a problem with NC3 freezing their PC after they
edit a NEF file and then try to save the file?

I am certain this is a software bug in Nikon Capture 3.00 and not
Windows XP. NC3 is the only one of dozens of Windows apps I use
that freezes like this on any of the Windows XP computers I have.

I called Nikon tech support to complain, but got a customer service
rep who seemed confused about my complaint, and refused to escalate
me to their Level 2 support.

Until Nikon fixes NC3, IMHO it is unusable for Windows XP users.

John Swenson

 

[alfred_schiele]

Hi

Well, I could argue some things... but it is really not more.

I have a mass of 1GB RAM and it is known that XP does not really like this (-;

It looks as well that the nikons image engine refreshes images from a file by "little square subframes" that seem to freeze instead of continuing the refresh. I get this quickly after some zooming and scrolling around or using the bird's eye in NC3. Maybe there is something wrong in the virtual memory management, either in XP and/or Nikons software.

The rest seems to work ok.

regards, A. Schiele

Alfred -- This is the exact problem I have been having with Nikon
Capture 3. You are the second person on this thread to confirm the
problem of NC3 freezing after stalling for a very long time.

I can sometimes hit ctrl-atl-del in Windows XP and cancel NC3 when
it stalls, like you describe, but it's stalls for so long and makes
everything go so slooooow that I usually just reboot my PC instead.

Well, I never rebooted my PC for this. Open the XP task manager and simply kill the nikon process. Didn't really feel a dramatic slowdown either.

I was starting to wonder if I didn't have some sort of highly
unusual software combination on my Windows XP PCs that was causing
a problem no one else was experiencing with NC3.

Hmmm, I am using a non optimized, preconficured cheapo from a tech store and in general it runs ok.

I think Nikon needs to some more software testing on this
application. They released it too early and are using customers as
beta testers, IMHO. I'll bet they rushed NC3 out the door early
because the D100 was ready to ship and the trial CD needed to be in
the box with every camera.

You might be right here. But who is willing to wait for the new D100 and to pay more for a perfectly error free tested software... Everything is always a rush with such things, before they are outdated... 8)=

Regards, A. Schiele.

 

[Doyle46883]

I still think you have other issues. You may be right that Nikon did not test it well enough on XP. Did you try it with other OS versions?

On the same hardware that W2K ran without a problem XP continuesly froze for me. I think XP for what ever reason has problems with certain hardware combinations. Dual processor? 1GB or RAM?

I saw no advantage in running XP (just Xtra Pain) so I went back to W2K.

So I don't see how the problem could be with another app that reads
NEF files.

I've been using Windows for a decade now, and am a very advanced
user when it comes to using and understanding Windows applications.
I haven't had apps freeze my whole PC like this since before
Windows 2000, back in the Win 98/Win 95 days. Two other users on
this thread have confirmed they have the same problem with NC3.

There are tens of thousands of different configurations of hardware
and software that can interact to create bugs. Obviously NC3
doesn't have problems on many Windows installations, since a lot of
NC3 users say it is running fine on their Win 2000 or Win XP
systems.

But the fact that NC3 causes some Windows XP systems to freeze
means that Nikon didn't test the software thoroughly enough before
releasing it.

Since I have reproduced this freezing problem on 3 separate Windows
XP PCs, I'm certain it's an NC3 problem. The software is unstable.

Most of us are using NC 3 without any problems.

When I'm saving a NEF file in NC3 and NC3 freezes, then I am forced
to reboot my PC. After I reboot, the NEF file I was working on is
still there, but it has 0 bytes. NC3 destroys the file!

After I permanently lost one good picture this way, I quickly
learned my lesson. Now I only work with copies of NEF files in NC3.

I am not impressed with Nikon's Windows software. Great quality
control on their cameras, lousy quality conrol on their software.

I have had similar problems with the Nikon Scan software that came
with my Coolscan IV film scanner.

I would guess that some other software that can read Nef files is
the culprit here.

I know you don’t what to hear this but if you sure all the Nikon
stuff was removed from the registry and the Nikon folder in the
Common Files folder was removed when you uninstalled all the Nikon
software before you installed NC 3 then as I see it you have two
options.

Reformat your hard drive and reinstall Windows. Check NC 3 after
each new software install to see if you can find the conflict. And
it may be that you will never find the conflict. Just the way it is
with the wonderful world of Windows.

Or, you could keep digging for that needle in a hay stack that is
causing the problem. Most likely it is a dll file causing a
conflict when you are saving your NEF files. Or possibly a bad
color profile. If you have any other software that reads NEF files
I would check that first and remove it if you can.

The Nikon Cature 3.00 trial software that came with my D100 has a
serious bug that can cause NC3 to freeze when saving .NEF files on
Windows.

I've tried NC3 on three separate Windows XP PCs and it has locked
up on me on all three when saving NEF files that I have edited.
What's so bad is it locks up the entire PC (forcing a hard reboot),
not just NC3!

Maybe this is why Nikon still has not released NC3 in the U.S. (I
can't find it available yet anywhere).

Has anyone else had a problem with NC3 freezing their PC after they
edit a NEF file and then try to save the file?

I am certain this is a software bug in Nikon Capture 3.00 and not
Windows XP. NC3 is the only one of dozens of Windows apps I use
that freezes like this on any of the Windows XP computers I have.

I called Nikon tech support to complain, but got a customer service
rep who seemed confused about my complaint, and refused to escalate
me to their Level 2 support.

Until Nikon fixes NC3, IMHO it is unusable for Windows XP users.

John Swenson