Z RAW processing with Mac OS

[PLShutterbug]

I saw yesterday that NX Studio is available for MacOS - as a Windows user I never paid attention to it and didn’t think it was available.

I am contemplating a new PC and thinking about a Mac due to its reported superior graphics processing power. How does NX Studio work on Macs?

 

[sjackson462016]

So far so good. Using M4 Mac mini with 48 gigs of RAM. I have only used NX Studio to process Z6 iii pixel shift files. I'm taking 32 pictures for the pixel shift and after transferring them to an SSD card I use NX Studio to combine them into a single file which I then open in Photoshop. I'm not unhappy with the performance for that sequence. I can't say much about anything else since I haven't done anything else.

Steve

 

[PLShutterbug]

So far so good. Using M4 Mac mini with 48 gigs of RAM. I have only used NX Studio to process Z6 iii pixel shift files. I'm taking 32 pictures for the pixel shift and after transferring them to an SSD card I use NX Studio to combine them into a single file which I then open in Photoshop. I'm not unhappy with the performance for that sequence. I can't say much about anything else since I haven't done anything else.

Steve

Thanks! Pixel shift, and focus stacking in Affinity, are two big things I want to be sure speed up vs. Windows.

How about viewing a folder full of files in NX? Do they appear reasonably fast?

What if you have edited a RAW file and now you are re-displaying it? That really slows down NX on Windows.

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

What specs are you considering?

 

[PLShutterbug]

What specs are you considering?

Mac Mini, M4 Pro, 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB Memory, 512GB SSD.

 

[sjackson462016]

Depends on how many files are in the folder of course. I wouldn't say it's blazingly fast, certainly it isn't as fast as Fast Raw Viewer, but I don't think it's much different than say Adobe Bridge. I don't put a timer to these things, but right now there isn't any program that I use that isn't fast on this Mac mini. I am not disappointed in the least.

Please remember my experience is limited to the week or two I've been using NX. It is not my primary tool for processing. Though I do believe for simple editing it gives a real nice rendition that I kind of like and might explore a bit more. But I can't see it replacing LR or Photoshop for me.

Remember my mini is the M4 pro with 48 gigs of RAM, a 1 TB SSD, with a very fast external SSD. I have a lot going on with this little beast and it has never disappointed me. I used to use Windows, but left that world about 7 years ago and have never looked back.

 

[ClintGryke]

What specs are you considering?

Mac Mini, M4 Pro, 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB Memory, 512GB SSD.

An important thing to consider is that it is not possible to upgrade most Macs nowadays so consider going for more universal memory. I’d suggest the 48GB model for decent future proofing. You will get away with 512GB SSD if you are happy to use external SSDs as well. Also consider the 14 core CPU, 20 core GPU over the baseline model for graphics performance and future proofing.

I occasionally use NX Studio but I mainly use Adobe software for stills. Any slowness in NX Studio will be down to the inherent slowness of the app itself rather than the speed of any of these M4 Macs.

Just to add, NX Studio is fine for generating previews of a folder of raw images on my M1 MacBook Pro for the purpose of culling. It's the processing itself where it becomes cumbersome - slow response of the sliders, few in-built keyboard shortcuts, lack of customisation etc.

And as mentioned above, there is Bridge which is also free and has improved a lot in recent years in terms of speed.

 

[FujLiver]

I saw yesterday that NX Studio is available for MacOS - as a Windows user I never paid attention to it and didn’t think it was available.

I am contemplating a new PC and thinking about a Mac due to its reported superior graphics processing power. How does NX Studio work on Macs?

get a mac if you want to, they are lovely computers, but I dont think they are any more powerful then PCs for graphic editing.

I just bought a Dell G16 with 32gb, Nvidia 4070 and i9-13xxx with 24 cores, 8 main and 16 efficiency. I see 48 threads of processing, and can use the web browser, run lightroom and play Valorant at max quality all at the same time

 

[Kazmarov]

Fine on my Macs (Sequoia 15.6). The application is still clunky. Still I use it for the control point tech which works well. NR could be better & linked to control points but all that has nothing to do with running on a Mac!

 

[Pierre Lagarde]

I saw yesterday that NX Studio is available for MacOS - as a Windows user I never paid attention to it and didn’t think it was available.

I am contemplating a new PC and thinking about a Mac due to its reported superior graphics processing power. How does NX Studio work on Macs?

First I'm a long time Mac user...

and even then, I won't consider swapping OS just for NX Studio, as it's kind of slow and limited anyway.

If I was to invest in a new hardware+OS configuration, I would also consider setting and investing in a "more serious" raw processing workflow.

And if you're at ease with Windows, I'd look before what's available with your usual OS and upgrade hardware for it.

Now, if you can't resist to the beauty and simplicity (at least, seemingly) of Macs, any model from M1 apple silicon will be fast enough for raw photo processing (as long as you don't use some fancy AI overkill features though).

M4 all look great though, so if your budget allows, why not. But still, investing in such a "killing" configuration would be more relevant if you also invest in a better raw processing software and plan to use this configuration also for some other new activities where such powerful hardware would be needed.

I stopped at M2 for the moment, and already find it overkill for just photography... and I also do music recording/engineering with it.

Anyway, likely, a good monitor would be a priority to also consider in a new hardware configuration.

 

[Hal Wilson]

I saw yesterday that NX Studio is available for MacOS - as a Windows user I never paid attention to it and didn’t think it was available.

I am contemplating a new PC and thinking about a Mac due to its reported superior graphics processing power. How does NX Studio work on Macs?

I much prefer Adobe Lightroom Classic, as that's what i've been using for over 13 years now. I use a 2021 M1 iMac with 16Gb RAM, and it's more than adequate. Even GPU-hungry functions like DeNoise AI are still fine. The newer machines will be even quicker. Multiple layers in huge Photoshop files are fine. It all works as well as I need it to, and still has more to give. No complaints at all, even after 4 years and now dealing with 45Mp files. NX Studio will also be absolutely fine on any new Mac. Macs are kind of made for apps like these.

 

[Leonard Shepherd]

Nikon NX has been available for Macs for more than 15 years.

Apart from being free and the best software to initially open Nikon raw files it is a little slow and clunky.

Compared to more advanced pay-for software it is more limited as to what it can do.

 

[sirhawkeye64]

I saw yesterday that NX Studio is available for MacOS - as a Windows user I never paid attention to it and didn’t think it was available.

I am contemplating a new PC and thinking about a Mac due to its reported superior graphics processing power. How does NX Studio work on Macs?

My only concern going the Mac route is that upgrading is sometimes limited, like the SSD and video card especially. Now while you can't generally upgrade video cards on laptops for example (windows) you can generally add more memory and storage, and to me, that's one reason I stay with Windows (that and my company uses Windows and I'd like to not have to carry two laptops when I travel). I can see some good arguments for Apple/Mac but upgrading your system is going to be the biggest potential hurdle in the future, I went with a Lenovo Legion gaming laptop last year (about $1000 on sale) but I can cram the thing full of memory and storage (about 64GB of memory and up to 8TB of storage -- 2x4TB NVMEs -- based on currently what's available that fits in the laptop). While the Legion I bought isn't the highest-end model, I was more concerned with storage and memory than processor speed or even graphics (it has an RTX 4060 8GB card which I think will serve me well for the next 4-5 years, which I consider to be the "useful" life of this laptop).

Now even with all that, NX Studio on Windows Id on't feel is all that fast. It's better than on my previous computer (which was a bit less) but part of this I think is how NX Studio is coded and that it doesn't utilize as much (if any) of the GPU that Adobe products to, which I think help speed up Adobe products.

But at the end of the day, future upgardes are going to be the one thing you need to ask yourself -- I'm not sure if the new Macs let you upgrade storage or not but if not, you may need to buy for the future in the case of a Mac (which is generally the case for most of them). I like to upgrade as I need to, so one reason why Apple/macs sort of don't work for me (at least their laptops).

--
* PLEASE NOTE: I generally unsubscribe from forums/comments after a period of time has passed, so if I do not respond, that is likely the reason. *

 

[Pshots23]

I saw yesterday that NX Studio is available for MacOS - as a Windows user I never paid attention to it and didn’t think it was available.

I am contemplating a new PC and thinking about a Mac due to its reported superior graphics processing power. How does NX Studio work on Macs?

get a mac if you want to, they are lovely computers, but I dont think they are any more powerful then PCs for graphic editing.

I just bought a Dell G16 with 32gb, Nvidia 4070 and i9-13xxx with 24 cores, 8 main and 16 efficiency. I see 48 threads of processing, and can use the web browser, run lightroom and play Valorant at max quality all at the same time

But have you tried focus stacking a set of pixel shifted images? I think you will be very surprised how poorly your computer will do in that situation. Speaking from experience of course.

That being said, I am a PC guy myself, just pointing that out because it is a very specific and intense operation that OP is asking about, and like you, I thought my computer would be blazing fast doing it since I have a similarly spec computer. 32GB of RAM is not enough for what OP is asking.

 

[Blisqua]

What specs are you considering?

Mac Mini, M4 Pro, 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB Memory, 512GB SSD.

That is a tiny drive. Even a 2TB SSD will fill up before you know it.

I like my iPhone and iPad Pro, but Apple tends to neglect MacOS. What makes you think the graphics could be superior on a commodity product like an Apple desktop computer?

Consider that gamers demand the most from their workstations and almost always use Windows.

 

[PLShutterbug]

What specs are you considering?

Mac Mini, M4 Pro, 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB Memory, 512GB SSD.

That is a tiny drive. Even a 2TB SSD will fill up before you know it.

I keep everything except immediate work files on my 10TB SAN.

 

[Terrible Photographer]

I saw yesterday that NX Studio is available for MacOS - as a Windows user I never paid attention to it and didn’t think it was available.

I am contemplating a new PC and thinking about a Mac due to its reported superior graphics processing power. How does NX Studio work on Macs?

Apple's integrated GPU's can't match a dedicated card unless you need gobs and gobs of VRAM.

I remember they said the M1 Ultra was comparable to a 3090, and when you look at tests, it's closer to a 3050.

I own a fair tear of Apple stuff, and you get an Apple for better color management and being able to use iMessages from your desktop. That's about it.

 

[PLShutterbug]

Thanks. I decided to keep my Dell. Ironically, the guy who was going to buy it ended up buying a MacBook Pro that is about 5 years old.

 

[SoCalAngler]

What specs are you considering?

Mac Mini, M4 Pro, 12-core CPU, 16-core GPU, 24GB Memory, 512GB SSD.

That is a tiny drive. Even a 2TB SSD will fill up before you know it.

Depends on how one manages their data.

I don't keep everything.

23 years of digital photography and my entire library is less than 250GB.

I like my iPhone and iPad Pro, but Apple tends to neglect MacOS. What makes you think the graphics could be superior on a commodity product like an Apple desktop computer?

Consider that gamers demand the most from their workstations and almost always use Windows.

 

[FujLiver]

I saw yesterday that NX Studio is available for MacOS - as a Windows user I never paid attention to it and didn’t think it was available.

I am contemplating a new PC and thinking about a Mac due to its reported superior graphics processing power. How does NX Studio work on Macs?

get a mac if you want to, they are lovely computers, but I dont think they are any more powerful then PCs for graphic editing.

I just bought a Dell G16 with 32gb, Nvidia 4070 and i9-13xxx with 24 cores, 8 main and 16 efficiency. I see 48 threads of processing, and can use the web browser, run lightroom and play Valorant at max quality all at the same time

But have you tried focus stacking a set of pixel shifted images? I think you will be very surprised how poorly your computer will do in that situation. Speaking from experience of course.

That being said, I am a PC guy myself, just pointing that out because it is a very specific and intense operation that OP is asking about, and like you, I thought my computer would be blazing fast doing it since I have a similarly spec computer. 32GB of RAM is not enough for what OP is asking.

I didn't appreciate that, thanks.

I don't use pixel shifting at the moment, maybe in the future.

I did have a M2 generation mac pro laptop and loved it (although it was heavy).

Ultimately I gave it up as I wanted a light laptop and to play games, neither of which are good for Apple (although the air is light).

I ended up getting:

1. the G16 for games and general use

2. A custom desktop I made for photo editing, which still has a i5-13xxx series and 32gb,

3. and a new lightweight microsoft surface pro with the elite-x arm ship, which is fabulous and fast. Its very fast for adobe lightroom as well, although I only use it for photo editing when on holiday.

I might try a mac in the future, who knows!