CS3 vs. Capture NX

I use both. I prefer CS3's interface and speed but like NX's RAW options. Tough choice.

Both offer free trials, from 1 month for CS3 to 2 months for NX2. Try them out for youself!

Hi Rick! Since you have been in photography just for a year that means we are about the same level. I've been using AF and digital since 1986. I have tried Lightroom, Capture and now I'm learning NX2. First of all if you are using Capture you should download Capture 2 trial version, it is much much better and that also goes with NX. I never really tried NX 1 because some computer problems but NX 2 runs great on my comp. That said, to get the best you can straight out of your camera I found the hard way that you have NX. If you can set up Lightroom or Aperture in a way that comes close to what you are expecting out of your D300 either one of these 2 applications are really easy to use compare to NX but I could never get a setting I really like, but that is me just not being able to. other people use it and they are happy with it. I never touch PS CS3. I have it in my office but for other purposes at work. I really like my pictures to be as close as I can get them to the real thing I saw when I took them, so I don't get into manipulating them. Some guys do great works of art with PS but I considered to be another art based in photography. If you like that PS is also a must have. At the moment that's all that came out from my head.... you will get better opinions for more professional people here! Nice to have you back, good luck. Rene'

I use CS2 and have used PS7 for quite some time. CS2 will not directly let me use D300 files, so I must upgrade or CS3 or buy NX2. About the same cost for either. CS2 offers much more in editing than NX does, it depends if you need the features or not, specify what you want your software to do and I am sure you will get a better idea of what is best for you.

To clarify, CS2 will not let me edit NEF files directly, NX does. So my quandry has been upgrade to CS3 or buy NX2. I have been trying the trial version of NX2, nice but doesn't have the features of CS2 or even CS3 for that matter. I don't think you can go wrong with NX2 but it depends on whether it will do all you would like in a software package.

Rick NX and PS are so wildly different products that you really should try out the demo versions of both. Once you used the programs intensely it will be obvious to you what you need.

Sorry... that's funny! i meant 2006! digital wasn't that great in 1986!

until you figure what CS2/3 features you *need*, you can't really make that decision. seems like many people use CSx a lot less these days. if you fit into that group, then perhaps NX2, export to TIFF and work in PS w/ the TIFF.

A lot of us use some version of NX and some version of PS in tandem. IMHO, NX gives the best raw conversions, has has some great quick fixes, and does the neat control point stuff, but PS is otherwise a much more sophisticated editor, and is perhaps the best thing to get if you're going to invest a significant amount of time in learning about image editing. You mention NX 1.3 - is that the full version? One popular workflow is to use NX in place of ACR (as Howard mentions), and PS for downstream editing. For this type of work, the benefits in upgrading to NX2 could be quite limited (though NX2 does have a better browser and some additional tools), and your money might be better spent on upgrading to a full version of PS. Note also that 'CS4' is probably only a few months away - there are already betas for some components of the next Creative Suite (though not yet PS itself).

Hi Rick, welcome to the forum and digital photography. It is fun, isn't it? I have Photoshop CS2 and Capture NX2. I found that Capture NX converts my NEF files into TIFF files far better than my ability allows me to do so in Photoshop CS2. I was hooked the first time I tried Capture NX. My curiosity in Capture NX occurred after reading numerous postings here about what a great job it does in converting NEF files. And it does!

Capture NX does some things that Photoshop doesn't do, and Photoshop does some things that NX doesn't do. Like the others have said, you could download trial versions and see how you like them.

You said, "One thing Ive learned in my first year of photography is that great focus, clarity and sharpness are the most important to me personally." In reference to that statement, I hope you are using a good tripod whenever possible. Also, there is a program that I use to "sharpen" my photos, Photo Kit Sharpener. I highly recommend it. It also gives me much better results that I would get without that program's assistance. http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/software/pk-sharpener.shtml

Richard, you don't mention if you're a student. If you are, or for others who are students, Adobe offers an Education Version of Photoshop that is a lower price if you're a student. I am a student and I have an Education Version, and I don't know what the difference is between the Education Version and the usual version.