packaged software or not

[marten_holmes]

Hi

I'm using a D70 and have been shooting JPEGs, I want to now start learning to

shoot RAW. I don't have a RAW Converter so need to buy one. However, I'm also

about to buy a new body, possible D70s, does it come with a package Converter

these days?

 

Thanks, in advance.

 

Marten

[ShunCheung]

NikonView may be a bit primitive but it is free. If you use PhotoShop CS2, there is Adobe Camera RAW with no addition charge.

[eric friedemann]

Nikon Technical Services has told me that the same RAW conversion algorithm is used with all the Nikon software products. So Nikon View, is free and would do a fine job of RAW conversion; its just awfully slow:

 

 

http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=276

 

 

I've been trying Bibble Pro 4.9. Its a little pricey at $130, but I like the way it converts Nikon RAW images, its quite fast, it has some nice extras and its really easy to do batch conversion:

 

 

http://www.bibblelabs.com/

 

 

The less-expensive-than-PSCS2 Photoshop Elements programs will also support RAW files. I'm just not as fond of Adobe's RAW conversion compared to Nikon's and Bibble's.

[crabseye]

Does CaptureNX do anything useful that photo editors like PShot Elements 4 and PictureWindowPro do not do?

[adw]

Download Adobe's free lightroom beta. Still free for another 4 months or so. The best I have

used.

[joseph_smith3]

I use Nikon View to browse and view my images and decide on which oines I keep. I do my processing in Nikon Capture 4.4.2. I do all of my shooting with a D 200 and I shoot in NEF uncompressed. I also own PS 7 but do not use it very much. I will probably upgrade Cpature to Capture NX one of these days. Make sure you have enough pc power for Capture or Capture NX. Joe Smith

[marten_holmes]

Thanks guys, that gives me some stuff to think about and look up. BTW if you think things are expensive your side of the pond - try buying here in the UK!

[klix]

Rawshooter Essentials 2006 is FREE. Just download it from pixmantec.com.

[ian_scotland]

I've been using Capture NX for a while now and find it so much easier to use that any of the other converter referred to in the thread. The big advantage is that changes are held in a separate file, with the original RAW image unchanged. The Control Point system is - as far as I'm aware - unique, and so easy that even a dodo like me can produce great results. Hope this helps. Ian

[marten_holmes]

Ian, as one dodo to another, I like simple! The more I learn about photography the more I realise how little I know. The learning curves are big enough that anything that makes life simpler hits the spot for me.

[adw]

Marten, if theres a lot you want to buy get it from the states and make the most of our two-

dollar-pound!