Capture NX2 Released

[plawrence]

Nikon has released today version 2.0 of Capture NX.

A 60-day free trial version of Capture NX2 can be downloaded from the following link:
http://nikonimglib.com/cnx2/

Nikon has created a website for Capture NX with a flash demo of the new version:
http://www.capturenx.com/

I've downloaded the trial version and will be testing it sometime tomorrow.

- Peter

[plawrence]

According the Nikon USA press release, Capture NX2 will retail for $179.95.  Users of Capture NX 1.x will be able to upgrade to 2.0 for $109.95.

While the free trial version is available starting today, Capture NX2 (including the upgrade version) will be available to purchase sometime in late June according to Nikon USA.

- Peter

[ksmed]

Just bought the Capture NX less than 2 months ago. Price $150 now +upgrade $110- total $260.
At least Nikon could give us the healing tool upgrading Capture NX1.3.

Kjeld

[mburke]

I just downloaded NX2. I have an older PC, P4, 1.5 ghz, 1.5 g ram, 2 hard drives. It seems to run just fine. I haven't done any batching, but I seldom do. I tried some Dlighting and in the Better Quality mode it was fine.  All the enhancements seem really nice. It downloaded and started up just fine. I'm pretty excited by the first go around. I also downloaded Jason O'Dell's e-book. It is a great resource for learning the program.

When I first open a pic it takes about 10-12 seconds (D200 raw). After the first opening and it has been cached it takes about 7 seconds. While most of my edits are instant the d lighting and sharpening and the like take about 2-3 seconds. I can certainly live with this.

Mike

[NikosR]

diglloyd, robgalbraith and outbackphoto all have initial reviews of NX2.

Just a comment on those reviews. All reviewers rightly point out one of the major flaws of NX2 (and the versions before it) namely slow saving of NEF files even if minor changes have been done thus minor additional metadata have to be embedded.

This is actually true but I believe the reason for it is, partly, the fact that NX updates the embedded JPG image in the file also. This is something quite unique to NX. Whether it is worth the additional time spent saving the file will depend on the individual user.

[lbalbinot]

I tryed and I really like it. The best thing is that dual monitors are supported, so I can drag the picture to one monitor and work with the settings on the other.

There are some interface changes that I couldn't get used to yet (the settings open on the steps window and the advanced options are all embedded there). I noticed that now I can turn off an intermediary step without having to turn off all the following steps. And there's support for CA removal from non-NEF files!

Also, the selection control point is really good. I had no use for it yet, but it works very well, just like the color control points.

Overall, I think it's a little slower than 1.3. And yes, it still takes a long time to save the NEFs!

Luis