Any Capture NX2 Users?

[Light Artisan]

I just ordered a copy today, not sure if it will replace Lightroom or be 'in addition to' Lightroom at this point, but I have read so many comments on how much sharper the photos are and how much better the color rendition is that I had to try it out.

It will take some getting used to, but I do like the output better.

 

[RichinTX]

I use it because it does allow access to the 'in camera' settings and correction for lens distortion. I've added ColorEfex as a plugin (best when used sparingly) and really like the control point technology for finer control over the image.

Things I don't like:
It's (as noted elsewhere) a resource, e.g., memory pig. I have 8GB of ram on a quad core processor and a 78 MB TIFF can result in an out of memory error. Say what?
It doesn't get updated often.
When it crashes it crashes ugly, i.e., you've just spent 10 minutes getting all your CPs in just the right places, click save...and it crashes.

In my workflow I identify photos I like with Bridge (don't have lightroom...maybe someday) and post edit in CNX2. I find the UI in CX2 leaves a lot to be desired for window resizing, closing, etc., Bridge is just easier.

If I've got some brackets to play with (HDR on occasion for highlight recovery) I apply the changes in CNX2 for distortion, CA, etc, then export as 16 bit TIFF to PS4 to the HDR Efex Pro (Nik software again). (I wonder if HDREP would read the changes made to the NEFs by CNX2? Hmmm...must try that).

I think you'll like it, just be sure to save "early and often".

 

[Light Artisan]

Thanks for the extra info, that's good to know... I think the setting up the windows how I like them will take the most time, and you say when it crashes you lose all that?

 

[Tee]

Did you try the free trial? I would honestly recommend doing the 60 day free trial before entering the product key code just to make sure you like it. I initially found NX2 appealing. I really dug the U-point technology and the Nikon centric in camera settings were nice as well. However, it is a machine hog and when doing actions such as high pass, my computer froze and would have to reboot. I also had a hard time developing my workflow. I found I had to work from the top of the right column down and if I wanted go back, my applications would erase or not save or it became jumbled. Although, that could've been user error.

I tried as many free trials of editing software in determining what I would buy. My budget allowed me to buy LR3 and I combined that with NIK Software's ultimate collection. Nik has U-point technology (love that feature & same as in NX2) as well as great programs for sharpening and noise reduction (doesn't give you that creamy fake look that LR3's noise reduction feature does) along with silver efex and color efex. You can download free trials of those programs as well.

In short, since you already have LR, I'd recommend adding NIK's collection and sell NX2.

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Nikon is not a software development company. I cannot stand NX2. It makes the RAW files look like JPEGS, I just cannot stand the sharpening algorithms in that crap. It hogs memory, runs slowly, the UI is about as counterintuitive as photoshop, it just blows my mind why anyone uses it except for the purpose of making their NEF's look like JPEGS.

 

[tirediron]

I've used NX since version 0.0. The UI is horrible, it is a resource hog, but for all that I like it. I'll respectfully disagree with Switch on it's making .NEF files look like .jpgs. I've never known it to crash, and don't find it any more resource-intensive than CS4. I frequently use it on my fairly average laptop with good results.