Comments about Nikon Nikon Capture NX2 Photo Editing Software, Full Version, for Macintosh & Windows:

There is only one software in the range of Capture NX2. In the same category Adobe Lightroom is a brilliant software (a little bit more expensive than Capture NX2) but it does not have the best understanding of NEF files. For that sort of price and light work, I still find Capture NX2 more interesting.

My only complain about Capture NX or NX2 is that they should be provided with whatever Nikon camera you buy. Leica for their cheapest Panasonic-like model used to provide an excellent light version of Adobe Photoshop. I wish Nikon would do the same.

Now, there is no point comparing Capture NX2 with Photoshop and Creative Suite. The reason why it is not as complete is because it is nowhere near as expensive and it does not target the same market either. Capture NX2 is perfect for the photographs who like to keep their photos realistic with a minimal amount of effects. It is not an editing software for the Jean-Michel Basquiat wannabe artists.

Capture NX and NX2 certainly offer the best value that money can buy for all Nikon camera users. For other camera brands of course, the better choice is Adobe Lightroom.

Comments about Nikon Nikon Capture NX2 Photo Editing Software, Full Version, for Macintosh & Windows:

Spend the money on Lightroom. This software is very disappointing.

Comments about Nikon Nikon Capture NX2 Photo Editing Software, Full Version, for Macintosh & Windows:

Sometimes will crash in Windows 7 Ulitmate 64 on i7 Intel processors, especially with larger NEF files of 16+MP cameras where files can grow to around 95MB in TIFFs. Seems written for older x386 systems than newer 64-bit ones. (This is with version 2.2.6).

No issues with Adobe CS5 or Lightroom 3.3 in comparison as they seem more suited to 64-bit operating systems and better memory handling.

Comments about Nikon Nikon Capture NX2 Photo Editing Software, Full Version, for Macintosh & Windows:

I needed a software to work with my Nikon raw images and NOX2 seem like right option, but I recommend to you use the trial version fist

Comments about Nikon Nikon Capture NX2 Photo Editing Software, Full Version, for Macintosh & Windows:

You can download a 60-day trial of ths program from Nikon to see if it fits your needs. It fit mine perfectly. It isn't a replacement for a full-featured photo editing program -- it is the front-end for working with the NEF data to get the initial file just the way you want it before you begin PhotoShopping. I especially like:

1. It is organized like the camera's menus, and allows me to make adjustments like I would have in my camera for various things (sharpness, contrast, auto-DLighting -- a very cool feature for recovering blown highlights BTW, noise smoothing, white balance, etc.) This makes the application very well-integrated with the camera and increases my understanding of the camera at the same time that I work on my photos.

2. It gives me the look that I expect when it converts the RAW data to JPEG. I tried using the PaintShopPro RAW support, and I found that the photos just plain looked different from the JPEGs I got in RAW+Fine JPEG mode when they were just converted from the camera. That makes it hard to develop a sense of what you're going to get from the importation. In RAW editors, the best surprise is no surprise.

3. Capture NX2 can automatically adjust for distortion and vignetting for any NIKON lens. Apparently, it reads the data in the EXIF section of the photo files. The MakeNote section includes a lot of obscure numerical arrays that presumably support these corrections in software that knows what to do with it. Capture NX2 knows what to do with it. I don't know whether third-party lens manufacturers support this. I presume that, if any do, Sigma and Tamron might on their Nikon-mount lenses. But I just don't know. And Nikon, of course, wants to encourage you to buy Nikon, so they say that results on auto-correction are "uncertain" with third-party lenses. I'd love to know if Tokina supports this, as my next lens will be from them.

4. There are some very nice UI touches in the NX2 software. Their auto retouch brush is the easiest retouching feature I've ever encountered, for example. Their control points are very easy to use, although less powerful than layers, which NX2 does not support.

5. NX2 is completely non-destructive. What that means is that the original NEF file is never changed -- instead, the program keeps track of the actions you have applied, and has a separate database of those things. You can always revert to the original file (or to the last changes file) by simply selecting that. It is very easy to roll back changes with this app.

The NX2 program is basically a toolkit for getting the basic photo that you want. You would then want to bring it into PhotoShop or PaintShopPro or what-have-you for the kinds of operations that you think of as "image processing" -- skin touch-ups, working with layers, etc. The thing that NX2 does is milk the most out of your RAW file so you're starting with a very good initial JPEG or TIFF photo file. In routine snapshot cases, that may be all you bother doing with the photo. But for the special photos you expect to massage to perfection, NX2 just provides a very good photo file to start your work on.

Comments about Nikon Nikon Capture NX2 Photo Editing Software, Full Version, for Macintosh & Windows:

Since purchasing my Nikon D90, I have tried a gamut of industry standard programs in addition to Capture NX2; Photoshop Elements 8, Lightroom 2, Lightroom 3 beta and various other odds and end programs to see what I think will be the best tools for my work. Even though I ended up also purchasing Elements 8, because Adobe had a rebate for it, and may purchase Lightroom 3 when it is released, Capture NX2 is still a "must have" application for me; it still feels like the best program to use with my D90, especially when working in NEF (RAW), and it excels in areas where the others do not. I particularly like it for preparing my photos for use by the other programs. Capture NX2 may not get the press that the Adobe products get, it's not as refined looking (I hope they'll work on that), but it is a very good and quite capable program.

Comments about Nikon Nikon Capture NX2 Photo Editing Software, Full Version, for Macintosh & Windows:

Great product.It dosent have layers...but I never could understand layers.Capture NX has point and click technology instead wich iam still learning but its easier to understand then layers...not sure if its as versitile though.

Comments about Nikon Nikon Capture NX2 Photo Editing Software, Full Version, for Macintosh & Windows:

very user friendly

Comments about Nikon Nikon Capture NX2 Photo Editing Software, Full Version, for Macintosh & Windows:

1. the 2.2 version does not work with MS XP and a AMD processor. You have to install 2.1 version

2. Buy "After The Shot" Nikon Capture NX2 buy Mike Hagen. It's an easier book to reference.

3. opening and closing the browser tab in the work area is a pain.

4. Excellant raw ajustments.

Comments about Nikon Nikon Capture NX2 Photo Editing Software, Full Version, for Macintosh & Windows:

Does what it says it will.

Comments about Nikon Nikon Capture NX2 Photo Editing Software, Full Version, for Macintosh & Windows:

Editing of photo for advanced hobby usage

Comments about Nikon Nikon Capture NX2 Photo Editing Software, Full Version, for Macintosh & Windows:

nice software also use light room and apture but for nikon raw image its the best and short learning curve

Comments about Nikon Nikon Capture NX2 Photo Editing Software, Full Version, for Macintosh & Windows:

I am tired of Adobe products that constantly get screwed up by software updates and windows issues. I tried the free trial that they offer for Capture NX2 and love the software. It has a natural flow and is easy to learn. I have been able to make every photo manipulation I have wanted to make in this software. I highly recomend it, especially for Nikon users who use the NEF image mode.