CNET Editors' review
This photo editor competes at the highest level, but is easy enough to use for the home hobbyist. Capture NX 2, published by Nikon, has redesigned how photographers edit their images. This new work flow relies on sliders, control points, and a unique merging of the "previous actions" and "layers" windows.
All major and minor photo editing techniques are here, from black and white conversion to a retouching paintbrush. The sliders make color correction easy, and because all other alterations are applied on a radius emanating from a control point, the edits naturally look uniform. An effective and easy-to-use masking tool lets users determine a more specific shape for changes. The program also includes a Soft Proof tool at the bottom of every open image, allowing for easy print-to-paper configuration.
A customizable window layout rounds out the program's tools, with the image browser naturally integrated with all the other tools. Capture NX is a Nikon product, though, and so non-Nikon RAW format images can only be used in it once they've been converted to TIFF. Otherwise, the program supports TIFF-16, TIFF-8, JPG, and Nikon's proprietary RAW format, NEF. Although it will probably appeal most to Nikon users, photographers of all levels and interests should check out this excellent photo editor.
Publisher's Description
From Nikon:
CaptureNX 2 improves upon Nikon's original photo editing software, designed for photographers by photographers. Color Control Points let you select and adjust the color by pointing, clicking and adjusting a slider or two. Capture NX offers 25 adjustments for users of JPEG & TIF images and additional RAW functions for those who shot Nikon Electronic File (NEF) RAW images in their cameras. The all-new Selection Control Point allows you to point, click, and choose any specific area you'd like to affect with one of 26 other adjustments. The Auto Retouch Brush is a tool designed for quick and easy repairs and retouching of unwanted dust spots, blemishes and other distracting picture elements. Just choose the size of the brush, paint over the area to be repaired and the image is fixed.
Capture NX 2 continues a near-decade long history of allowing users to send their images to almost any other imaging software that can handle TIFF files with just one step. All changes will be applied to the TIFF then handed off to the other program. The NEF remains intact.
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All versions:
3.9 starsout of 7 votes
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"excellent editing software"
Version: Capture NX 2.2.6
Pros
U point technology is flippin' brilliant
It's fast for editing. You can make a decent image very good, very quickly
It's flexible. You can do a whole lot of good editing.Cons
The software just isn't as slick as Aperture or Lightroom
It doesn't serve as an image manager at all.Summary
I use Apple Aperture and NX 2. NX 2 is a brilliant editor--better than Aperture, Lightroom or Dx0 in my opinion. The U point technology makes THAT big of a difference. However Nikon needs to work on work-flow management. Importing, storing, accessing and retrieving and processing files are all part of the workflow--not just editing, and NX doesn't really do any of that. Aperture and Lightroom make life easy... you import, edit, store, print and publish all from one place.
Using Capture NX2 I have to
a) import into View NX
b) evaluate my images (delete the crap ones)
c) edit those I want to keep in Capture NX2
d) backup my NEF files
e) convert my edited images to TIFF
f) import to Aperture
d) sort, store, process as I will.
If I'm never going to tweak the edits, that's great. If I am, its a real pain because if I want to use NX2 I have to tweak the TIFF or find the original NEF. I don't really want to keep two images...
If I did this in Apertureall I would do would be:
a)import into Aperture
b) sort and select those to edit
c) edit
d) do whatever I want with the finished RAW files (email, print, upload to facebook)
e) auto backup with a vault
If I want to tweak the image, I do so with the RAW file.
If I were a pro, I'm afraid the NX2 workflow would simply be too cumbersome. However since I'm a classic "prosumer," I can live with it. I don't take THAT many pictures, but I like to edit the particularly good ones.
Having said that, if I ever think that Aperture's editing gets as good, I'll move in a second. Nikon watch out! Better yet, do something about the rest of the work-flow. -
"Great program. Especially for Nikon camera."
Version: Capture NX 2.2.0
Pros
Processes NEF files,with possibility of picture's updating after shooting. Has all necessary tools for professional processing of various formats.Simple and clear options.Good works on Vista and 7 Windows OS.
Cons
A little slowly opens on low-power computers.
Summary
I do not like to change a picture synthetic digital programs.Therefore I do not use Photoshop.But Nikon Capture NX bribes its possibility of natural processing of a photo after shooting in NEF format.This program reads out information of Nikon camera and allows to correct it without synthetic changes.Who can understand is better Nikon than itself Nikon!This convenient program can work and with other formats. Thus quality of a picture is more tremendous also. It is difficult to me to describe than Nikon Capture NX processes pictures, than other programs is better. It is just necessary to see it. In the program it is possible to installing a set of the filters simulating natural (and expensive!) professional optical filters.
It quickly and effectively!Nikon Capture NX completely corresponds to quality Nikon pro. cameras.It is undoubtedly made by the people expert in a photo.Besides Nikon has good tradition to listen to opinion of photographers.Responses of known photographers are easy for finding in the Internet. -
"nikon nx review"
Version: Capture NX 2.2.0
Pros
This program has a user-friendly interface with optional quick fix workflow.
Cons
The program has limited compatibility with non-Nikon RAW image formats
Summary
This program has good help features, but nothing else makes it stand out.
I high recommend you another software
It?s name is Photo Editorx Visit here photo-editing-software.anlatbana.net -
"ADOBE SHOULD DO THE HONORABLE THING...."
Version: Capture NX 2.2.0
Pros
This puts Photoshop Elements 8 to shame; it actually comes with a manual. It's so easy to do color corrections on scans of old slides or prints; once you have one corrected, you can do the whole batch effortlessly using your saved adjustments.
Cons
I haven't found any cons yet. The funniest thing about it is that their manual is printed in black and white, but some of their example pictures require color to see what they are talking about, so someone's mind wasn't on business.
Summary
It is easy and much more intuitive than PE8. It doesn't freeze like PE8 (and most other programs) on my 64-bit Vista Not Responding system.
I ought to note that I bought it at **********; the total price, including shipping, was $130.12, so that's not as bad as what you see listed here. As far as it being for Nikon cameras, I don't own a Nikon camera. I bought it because of the fact that I inherited a bunch of old slides, prints and Polaroid (and the old Kodak) instant pictures that had to be corrected and it takes forever with PE8, and I have yet to get satisfactory results. With this program, as long as you have some reference colors--like Army olive green on a new jeep in a Korean War photo--so you know what to correct it to, Nikon makes it easy. The Adobe people should all resign in disgrace.
Updated on Jul 2, 2010 -
"The really great program!"
Version: Capture NX 2.2.0
Pros
I have experience of photographing more than 20 years.And I and many of my colleagues (professional photographers) in delight from NX2. I think it the program is necessary for all owners of Nikon cameras.
Cons
A little brakes on the weak computer.
Summary
The excellent program for those who does not wish to spoil a picture with distortions (photoshop etc.). I use this program not only with Nikon's pictures.
I use NX 2 with Windows Vista and now with Windows 7 - well work! -
"Not PS but still very good"
Version: Capture NX 2.2.0
Pros
Decent software, not too expensive, workflow is easy enough to understand
Cons
Not PS so doesn't really have all the capabilities that some people are used to. In this price range, might be better of with Paint Shop Pro.
Summary
A useful tool for a somewhat limited audience, if you're not using a Nikon there's not much here to hold your attention.
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"hands off"
Version: Capture NX 2.2.0
Pros
The user surface looks very very nice.
The name Nikon sounds very appealing.
Cons
Massed up my doubble Monitor (Vista)! found no way to recover.
Wants to be online: wonder what for?
My dinosaur "Arcsoft Foto Studio"
has more possibilities (just compare the menues)
I kicked out the trial version after 4 days.
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