This subject is being discussed in another thread, but not this question specifically, I don't think. I currently have LR 2.4 and am using it for raw conversion, PP, and the great library functions. I've read so many great things about NX2 RAW conversion, most importantly, its ability to correct for the particular camera/lens combination on that particular image. For example, I have the new Nikon 10-24 DX lens and would like to correct for the barrel distortion in photos of buildings and other images where there are curved lines that need to be corrected in PP.

So, would my simplest solution be to use NX2 to import the NEF from the card, do most of the corrections in it, then import the file into lightroom? If so, would I import the corrected NEF, or would I need to save as a TIFF file when importing into LR2, then do any final tweaks there? I have tried the DXO trial version and was fairly impressed with it's ability to correct for my lens/camera combination (in this case my D300 and 18-200), but there is no module available for the new 10-20 yet. Does NX2 apply some of these same corrections for various lens/camera combinations?

There are so many programs out there to do what I'm trying to accomplish, it gets overwhelming trying to choose. I'm very happy with LR2 with regards to most things, but would like the ability to correct for things inherent to the 10-24 and 18-200 (plus a 50 1.8 and the older 70-300 D EDIF).

Any help or advice would be appreciated!!

Terry Crain

I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

If using Capture NX2 you need to save the NEF as a TIFF-file before importing to Lightroom.

An alternative is PTLens which can function as an external editor for Lightroom.
http://epaperpress.com/ptlens/

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

NX2 not only can correct lens distortion for Nikon lenses automatically, it also corrects CA automatically and will provide 2 versions of defished files from your fisheye also automatically. While you can continue to complete all your processing in NX2, making any adjustments to the camera settings you made when you took the image, if you want to do that work in LR, although it can't read those camera settings,you must send a TIFF file to that program. NX2 has an "open with" command that will automatically open a 16 bit TIFF in LR that reflects your corrected NEF. The reason you cannot send the correct NEF file is LR can't see the list of changes you made and therefore will only see the unprocessed NEF, not exactly what you want.

Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery

"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"

Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!

Thanks...so, is there any down side to sending the file as a TIFF to LR? I would guess that you could then do a DNG file to preserve the equivalent to having the original NEF in LR. OR, would it be advisable to save the original NEF, after tweaking it in NX2, to a different directory and/or hard drive? What would be the ideal way to handle this, in your opinion? Thanks in advance!

Terry Crain

I think a photography class should be a requirement in all educational programs because it makes you see the world rather than just look at it.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

As a matter of my work flow. I ALWAYS save a completed NEF file. If I do any work in CS4 Extended (in my case no LR), I move the 16 bit TIFF complete any work I am doing and save the TIFF. If I plan to post to the web I do a web conversion and post an 8 bit JPEG. I do not use DNG, so I can't comment on that. I do know DNG can convert your original unprocessed NEF, but I do not know if you can DNG a TIFF.

Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery

"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"

Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!

Unfortunately, there is no ideal way to handle this. The major problem is that the TIF is a new and disconnected version of your image. If you decide you want to make any further adjustments to your NEF with NX2, you have to export a new TIF and start over again in LR2 with any adjustments you've done in that part of your workflow. I haven't tried it, but I think that NX2 can edit TIFs once you generate one.

It would be really nice if Adobe software would add the ability to see NX2 edits and treat NEFs as smart objects, but I wouldn't hold my breath for that. It seems clear that Nikon/Nik don't really want to enable that. I sure hope that future releases of NX2 (I guess I'm really talking about at least NX3 here) provide some way to fit better into a workflow that includes other software.

I am (im)patiently waiting for Photomechanic to add the cataloging function to their software. They have done alot of great work to enable and enhance a NEF-based workflow. In fact, if it wasn't for PM, I most certainly would have given up on NX2 a long time ago.

Danny
A Nikonian in North Carolina

NX2 can edit TIFF and JPEG files and save the edit steps to a new NEF, but you don't get the full control you get starting with a RAW image. For example if you open a JPEG you cannot adjust exposure.

Bob Baldassano
My Nikonians Gallery

"Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the
camera"

Retirement is a gift of time - Don't waste it!