Nikon Capture

[Bonner]

After over two years of shooting with the D70, I made the move to the D80. I like the familiarity of the system, not the flash sync of 200, or the loss of "closest subject" focus mode. Anyway, I am setting up for a studio session and I notice that my Nikon Capture 6.2.1 does not communicate with the D80. The Nikon techs say I need the new Nikon Capture NX 1.0.1.

Anyone out there have a similar experience? -Jim

[cyclohexane]

Not only do you need Nikon Capture NX 1.0.1 ($150; $100 to upgrade from 4.4), but to shoot tethered you also need Nikon Camera Control Pro ($80).

[Max@Home]

R U serious ?

$180/$230 extra for the manufacturer's RAW converter & remote capturer ?

...makes me wonder...

If you substract that from the price of a 30D/400D, that both come with DPP and ZoomBrowser Remote Capture...

...outch...

...only *my* €0.02...

Max@Home

[Nikonfreak]

Originally Posted by Bonner

After over two years of shooting with the D70, I made the move to the D80. I like the familiarity of the system, not the flash sync of 200, or the loss of "closest subject" focus mode. Anyway, I am setting up for a studio session and I notice that my Nikon Capture 6.2.1 does not communicate with the D80. The Nikon techs say I need the new Nikon Capture NX 1.0.1.

Anyone out there have a similar experience? -Jim

During my brief, two week tour of duty with the D80, I thought I saw closest subject priority in the AF system. Might have been called something different.

I could be wrong (and I can't check now that I've returned the camera) but you might want to double check. * I think the only one you lose from the D200 is the group dynamic AF.

I have Nikon Capture, and I'm really trying to resist the urge to purchase Capture NX... (being sucked into the vortex slowly... or more accurately, my wallet is being sucked into the vortex)..

Julio

[cyclohexane]

Might have been called something different.

"Auto Area AF" is the new name; not sure how close it is to closest subject priority, but I assume it grabs the point of highest contrast like before. My uncle is adding a D80 to his stable (Nikon FE, Canon EOS 3, Contax N, Canon Rebel/300D), so I'll be able to check on that, eventually.

I'm really trying to resist the urge to purchase Capture NX...

Keep resisting it. Buy a SanDisk Extreme III 4.0 GB card for about the same amount of cash; it comes with Capture One LE from Phase One which is much better.

$180/$230 extra for the manufacturer's RAW converter & remote capturer

Max, I wish I was joking.

BTW, Nikon Capture NX is not just a "RAW converter", it's actually a "competitor" to Photoshop Elements (massive LOL), as it does most of what PSE can do. I spent about a month using Nikon Capture NX 1.0 instead of Photoshop CS (the original CS1) and ACR to see what it could do. If ACR could do color like NX, I'd bin NX immediately. Eventually, I ended up switching to using Capture One LE in tandem with Photoshop CS, as Capture One's output is good "enough", and I can take care of the rest with a gentle LAB curve in Photoshop CS. I still use the latest version of NX for small numbers of images when the outmost quality is needed, but all files get "finished" in Photoshop.

My take, if you don't have software: Get Capture One LE and Photoshop Elements. They'll probably take you further unless you really want that last 10% of image quality that Capture NX squeezes out. No one's complained to me yet when I've decided to let Capture One do the conversion instead of NX.

Nikon Camera Control Pro is pretty sweet (at least from the demo I used for a while), but I'm still wavering on whether to plunk down the money for it. It's a good program, but it should have come with the camera. Saves a lot of time inputing custom settings on the little screen on the back and does some other stuff too. Now to decide if it's $80 worth of convenience...

Also, Nikon View (the old free software) is now "Nikon View Pro", and costs money (no idea how much/haven't seen it available). Not sure what it does now, though it used to provide free RAW conversion. Picture Project is the current free piece of trash included with Nikon's cameras.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

Max, I wish I was joking.

My take, if you don't have software: Get Capture One LE and Photoshop Elements. They'll probably take you further unless you really want that last 10% of image quality that Capture NX squeezes out. No one's complained to me yet when I've decided to let Capture One do the conversion instead of NX.

...about the software-prices: time someone put that into the 'which body is cheaper' equations!

..about C-One-LE and PS Elements: that is -exactly- how I started, based on the suggestions of Mr. Petteri Sulonen:

http://www.prime-junta.net/pont/How_..._workflow.html

quote:

And, of course, while a RAW workflow program will take over some of the functions of Photoshop, you'll still need a photo editor. However, if you don't have Photoshop, and are editing your pictures with Photoshop Elements, it is my very strong and considered opinion that your money is better spent on, say, CaptureOne DSLR than the full Photoshop CS. The RAW workflow program will take over most of the functions the full Photoshop provides over CS (e.g. curves manipulation, 16-bit manipulation, finely controlled sharpening), so Elements will get you a great deal further.

unquote

...and since Elements 2.0 came with the Canon 10D...

...what was it about great minds again ?

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[Nikonfreak]

Long have I stated that if you pay $1500 for a DSLR, I believe that charging $1550 and selling a good software package with it, like Capture, is far better than nickel and diming us for the software.

I think Nikon would be far better in the long run.* I'm not a fan of working with CS2 for importing RAW files so I find myself using Nikon's software and then using CS2 to edit.

Julio

www.pbase.com/loansharkx

[Bonner]

Thanks to everyone out there.* I learned in one evening a heck of a lot more than in all the time I spent reading Nikon's MFQ's and tech info and the 24 hour response from Nikon USA. -Jim* www.Pbase.com/bonner01

[Bonner]

Camera Control Pro alone works! Tried the download and it communicated with my D80. In fact, the pictures appear faster than with Nikon Capture and go full screen on my laptop. I do not shoot RAW so I do not need NX. $70 at Nikon Mall.

Jim

[cyclohexane]

Sorry, I assumed you were shooting RAW when you mentioned Capture. Glad you saved some money there. =)

In fact, the pictures appear faster than with Nikon Capture and go full screen on my laptop.

I love the speed of Camera Control Pro, but I don't use it enough to justify buying it... yet.

[Jules]

Briefly, how does Nikon Camera Control Pro work? Do you use it before or after shooting, or both? What might its advantages be?

TIA,

[cyclohexane]

Nikon Camera Control Pro is used during shooting; you can control your camera using the computer, or use the controls on the camera.

[Bonner]

It is not unusual for me to take about 800 captures during a model session. The images go directly to my C drive on the laptop, connected to the camera. I can review the lighting, color, poses and shadows as the session progresses. Often I will point out things to the model and they love to see their work. I never control the camera with the computer but I will enlarge the images for closer looks, a quick mouse click onto the image!

It works on all the newest Nikon digital cameras...about $70 at the Nikon Mall online.

Jim