ViewNX & Photoshop Element vs. In-Camera Control/Adjustment

[frankie_frank1]

Comparing the use of in-camera controls to use of ViewNX to get limited adjustments from NEF

files to JPEG files, which one is better/flexible?

 

Can Photoshop Element adjust NEF files before converting to JPEG? Is it more flexible than Nikon's in-camera c

ontrols, say D90.�

[Peter_in_PA]

<p>Can you spring for Lightroom? I LOVE what it does with NEFs and giving you control over them.</p>

[thomas_kroljic1]

<p>I have PSE 6.0. I recently downloaded the latest plug-in from Adobe to handle my NEF files from my new Nikon D90 camera. This plug-in will allow you to open the NEF file in a RAW converter, do some basic adjustments and then save. Why not use the Capture NX2? You can try it out for 60 days for free. I did. I now use it for all my RAW processing of my D90 NEF files.</p>

[gdw]

<p>A personal opinion which I don't expect the PS crowd to second... Everyone that owns a Nikon should learn to use Capture NX.</p>

[chi_chen]

<p>PSE provides its Adobe Raw Camera plug-in that allows users to make fairly common raw file adjustments such as exposure, white balance, highlights, shadows, etc. This plug-in also allows users to adjust sharpening, but I never saw it made any difference. I will say the plug-in provides greater level of control than the D90 in-camera control. Keep in mind, some of the in-camera control such as Red Eye Removal, Filter effects, image overlay, Straighten, Distortion Control are not available from the Raw Camera plug-in. Some of the functions are available from the PSE itself. I will say PSE or other Photo application will give you more flexibility than the in-camera controls.<br>

I recently tried out ViewNx and noticed it captured a bit of extra sharpness from my raw files. Comparing side by side between ViewNx and PSE 7 with Raw Camera version 5.5, PSE images are always slightly softer. I recalled someone mentioned Adobe does not pull in the sharpening parameters from the files. I raised the sharpening in my D90 when the picutures were taken.<br>

I debated between staying with the ViewNx or upgrading to PSE7 (I own PSE5). I finally decided to upgrade mainly because PSE7 performs much faster than ViewNx with Raw file manipulation. Furthermore, PSE plug-in provides greater amount of controls than ViewNx. Nevertheless, ViewNx was free and came with the camera.</p>