The latest version of Capture NX-D, Nikon’s in-house RAW converter, is available free of charge. The program works with Windows Vista and OS X. The software works only with Nikon RAWs – but also corrects JPEGs and TIFFs. Although there is no database-based editing, patches and changes can be dropped into Sidecard files so they can be undone later.
Conclusion
The interface is based on the usual standards: left navigation, right tools and in the header switches for view modes, tools and output. The toolbar is a bit habituated and offers all the editing possibilities necessary for the photocorrection. Instead of simple solutions, Nikon uses gradation curves and co., But combines them with equally frequent good automatics and templates. "Picture Control", for example, has a slide control and seven templates for rich colors and beautiful contrasts. Details from bright and dark areas bring the Active D-Lighting, known from Nikon cameras, to the forefront - or users can change the camera setting in Capture NX-D afterwards.
Local corrections are missing, unlike the predecessor, completely. The previous version was still produced in cooperation with Nik Software (now Google), which used their U-points for local adjustments. The current version is obviously a stripped-down and slightly customized Silkypix Developer Studio.
The program is ambivalent in terms of performance: the response speed is clearly noticeable depending on the effect. The export of 24 MP RAWs is OK with approximately 9 seconds per image. Color noise disappears completely from the ISO-3200 photo only at relatively high settings. The program receives a good deal of detail when removing luminance noises, but coarse spots remain visible even in high settings.
The quality of the RAW conversion convinces, otherwise the free program tools for selective corrections as well as an image management are missing. Other free solutions like RawTherapee or Darktable offer much more. The reaction rate could be better, but the export is good.
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