I just purchased a D300 and I'm having a difficult time with RAW files. I previously had a Nikon D50 and I used a program called "Raw Shooter Esentials" which doesn't work for D300 RAW. I also have PS2 which worked with my D50 RAW files but doesn't work with the D300 RAW either.
Nikon ViewNX came with the camera and will open the RAW files but it doesn't appear to be able to edit them at all. It just looks like it will convert the file to either JPG or TIFF.
Unfortunately, you need at least CS3 or Lightroom on the adobe side.
I find it hard to believe that Nikon would supply software with a camera that you can't really use though they also only supply trial versions so who knows.
You can use Adobe's free DNG converter to convert them to DNG, then edit them in a lot of different apps. I don't recall if RSP (or RSE) opened DNG, but I seem to think it did.
My recommendation--if you are willing to pay--is to go for Lightroom 2. It's really the true successor to RSP--even better (though not faster), since it supports spot editing and applying a graduated filter to adjust light (like using a Cokin filter, after the fact). It's a great way to handle a lot of RAW files quickly, just like Rawshooter!
Another option to consider would be Bibble, the lower end version is cheaper than Lightroom (<$100), and it does many of the same things.
Thanks a lot for the help. I loaded up CaptureNX2 trial version. It works ok but very slow. Of course I'm only running 1gb of RAM. I might also look into Bibble. I would like to buy lightroom but I pretty much drained the wallet with buying the D300.
You might also want to look at "ufraw". It has both Linux and Windows versions, and is open source. You can export to JPG once you have your adjustments made.
You only got a trial version of CaptureNX2? Mine came with the full version free when I got the D300. Mind you, it was when the camera first came out, maybe they are not offering it anymore.
Originally posted by bmartuch:
Thanks a lot for the help. I loaded up CaptureNX2 trial version. It works ok but very slow. Of course I'm only running 1gb of RAM. I might also look into Bibble. I would like to buy lightroom but I pretty much drained the wallet with buying the D300.
You only got a trial version of CaptureNX2? Mine came with the full version free when I got the D300. Mind you, it was when the camera first came out, maybe they are not offering it anymore.
Originally posted by bmartuch:
Thanks a lot for the help. I loaded up CaptureNX2 trial version. It works ok but very slow. Of course I'm only running 1gb of RAM. I might also look into Bibble. I would like to buy lightroom but I pretty much drained the wallet with buying the D300.
That is correct! My D300 came with a 60 day trial version. To buy it is $179.00.
That is correct! My D300 came with a 60 day trial version. To buy it is $179.00.
I'd double check the stuff that came with the camera just to be sure there wasn't a registration code in there somewhere. Seems odd they'd stop shipping that. Check around, including on the CD sleeve.
That is correct! My D300 came with a 60 day trial version. To buy it is $179.00.
I'd double check the stuff that came with the camera just to be sure there wasn't a registration code in there somewhere. Seems odd they'd stop shipping that. Check around, including on the CD sleeve.
I wish that were the case. Right on the front of the sleeve it says:
"CaptureNX2"
Trial Version
free trial for 60 days.
Even on the front of the CD itself it says: Free Trial 60 days.
my D90 did not come with CaptureNx....it had ViewNx and Nikon Transfer...
referencing kirbic's earlier comment about DNG conversion....it is legal to use ViewNx and convert to Tiff?
I'm honestly surprised that they stopped giving out full versions of Capture with the D300. I also think that's really lame. FYI Capture can hang a bit even on a pretty quick system as well, which is a bummer, but I like using it for general quick editing and preparation. Not sure if I like it $180 worth, because although I really like the interface and how fast you can do certain things, there are a whole slew of things there doesn't seem to be any way to do.
You might also want to look at "ufraw". It has both Linux and Windows versions, and is open source. You can export to JPG once you have your adjustments made.
Has anyone actually used this? I have been trying to download it, but I can't get it. The sourceforge site requires an account, which is fine, but I can't get it to register.
I'm honestly surprised that they stopped giving out full versions of Capture with the D300. I also think that's really lame. FYI Capture can hang a bit even on a pretty quick system as well, which is a bummer, but I like using it for general quick editing and preparation. Not sure if I like it $180 worth, because although I really like the interface and how fast you can do certain things, there are a whole slew of things there doesn't seem to be any way to do.
especially since theres a new version of it out now!
mine had it free
Bob, Capture NX 2 is the way to go (my personal opinion).
Make sure you have the latest version, as each one seems to be faster than the last.
Some of the benefits you would get with Capture NX that you will not get with other ones is direct camera settings (D-Lighting, Picture Control, CA control that corresponds to the lens, etc).
