Software for NEF?

[richard_laepple]

Being rather new to digital with a D70 I have so far only made JPGs.

Now I'd like to test the possibilities with RAW/NEF files. I have PS

6.0, 2-3 smaller tools and Nikon View on my PC. My question is: is it

worth buying the new Nikon software (Capture or PictureProject) to

handle NEF? Ok, I can use Nikon View to create TIFF-files. But maybe

NEF compatible software has more advantages? In other words: NEF or

TIFF, what's better? I don't want to update on PS CS because of the

costs.

[sergio_ortega7]

I've been trying out the Capture 4.1 (30-day free trial offer, on the PP disk that comes with your D70) and it's very nice to work with. As a Raw editor it's excellent. I also use the PS CS, and it's also very good; I'm used to working with Photoshop and appreciate all the capabilities.

 

I'm not sure if I'll buy the Nikon software when the trial runs out, every time I use it it reminds me how many days remain. So I have to decide soon.

 

If it's a matter of cost, go with the Nikon Capture 4.1. It costs about $100. The CS is five-six times more.

[ellis_vener_photography]

If you can try out Nikon Capture I think that is a very good way to go, after all the

algorithms used in th "raw' converter are a custom fit with NEF files.

 

The ACR (Adobe Camera Raw) portion of Photoshop CS does a very fine job as well. if you

have a legal copy of Photoshop 6 the upgrade to CS is about $169.00

[aardvarko]

or $150 if you're a member of the NPPA :)

[cooper8168]

If you are at all familiar with your Photoshop, I find that switching to Capture is a bit of a

drag. For this reason, I agree with Ellis that CS is great. If you are unfamiliar with

either, I think Capture is a fine and cost-effective solution. But since you already have PS,

the upgrade doesn't cost much more than Capture and PS is a far superior app, IMO.

[john_koontz]

You don't really need Capture. PictureProject is free. That being said, I can't stand using PictureProject. A little too limited by my tastes - both in picture manipulation and file management. I bought Capture and enjoy using. Be warned - it's a memory hog.

[michael erlich]

I use PS CS. As mentioned, the upgrade is not much more expensive than Nikon

Capture. I tried a trial version of Capture, and it works well, but it's sooooooo slow on

my Mac G4 it drives me nuts!

[brent1]

Just convert to Tiff. Its free. NEF is uncompressed... Tiff is uncompressed. No difference in image quality. PS 6 will work with Tiff's, not NEF's. Case Closed.

 

brent

[richard_laepple]

Clear answer, thanks Brent. Thanks to you all! Richard

[aardvarko]

Nikon View installs a Photoshop-compatible NEF reading plugin into your Photoshop plugins directory, which works just fine with 6; I use it.

[richard_laepple]

Chris, that's great. Thanks for this advice. I only had to copy the plug-in by hand into the PS directory because I installed PS 6.0 after Nikon View. But no problem. It works here too!