09-05-2010, 11:10 AM
[quote name='Vieux loup' timestamp='1283679243' post='2498']
Thank you Wim and Brightcolours. That put things nicely in perspective <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' /> and should permit me to make a final decision, inasmuch as any decision is really final <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' /> But at least I should be able to start the process of getting up to date on digital photo. I read so much about PP! Do I have to buy special software or does Nikon supply the necessary software? If I have to buy, what do you recommend? I probably (famous last words)will never enlarge anything beyond A3 and a lot of my output will be smaller than A4. But I would like to learn how to get the most out of it of course. That brings me to the next question <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I have a Canon Pixma MP830 that prints up to A4. Is it able to produce nice quality or do I need to get a better printer or do I send away for printing? Thanks again in advance for your help. I must say I find this forum amazing in the way the members are willing to really help. Kind regards, encouraged wolf!
[/quote]
Software.... That is an expensive issue.
Canon gives you a good complete RAW converter and remote USB control software with its cameras, Nikon expects you to pay for both. Nikon Capture NX 2 costs between 100 and 200 euros (not sure), and can give good results for RAW processing. Not everybody is a fan of that software, though, as it has the last attractive interface and it comparatively very slow.
Apple's Aperture and Adobe's Lightroom (both at version 3) have started to make many friends the last 2 years. They are powerful and fast RAW converters with many extras, and specifically designed to have a fast and intuitive workflow.
Those are a nice starting point, both are very friendly and competitively priced for what they offer.
To get even more advanced in processing, only Photoshop really is a choice. I see Photoshop as an extra, not a replacement for the RAW processor. Even though Photoshop's own RAW processor has improved in big steps the last few years. But photoshop is an expensive piece of software, and it has an intimidatingly steep learning curve.
So... I would suggest to either get Nikon's own Nikon capture 2 NX (I personally would not bother though), or Adobe Lightroom 3 or Aperture 3 (if you have a Mac, for Windows only Lightroom is an option). And make that a start in your RAW processing.
Shooting JPEG also does not exclude PP... but the 8bit per channel does put a bit of a limit to what you can achieve. For JPEG PP Photoshop is best. But I believe that Lightroom also can do quite a lot with JPEGs, and Aperture.
Thank you Wim and Brightcolours. That put things nicely in perspective <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='
' /> and should permit me to make a final decision, inasmuch as any decision is really final <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> But at least I should be able to start the process of getting up to date on digital photo. I read so much about PP! Do I have to buy special software or does Nikon supply the necessary software? If I have to buy, what do you recommend? I probably (famous last words)will never enlarge anything beyond A3 and a lot of my output will be smaller than A4. But I would like to learn how to get the most out of it of course. That brings me to the next question <img src='http://forum.photozone.de/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I have a Canon Pixma MP830 that prints up to A4. Is it able to produce nice quality or do I need to get a better printer or do I send away for printing? Thanks again in advance for your help. I must say I find this forum amazing in the way the members are willing to really help. Kind regards, encouraged wolf![/quote]
Software.... That is an expensive issue.
Canon gives you a good complete RAW converter and remote USB control software with its cameras, Nikon expects you to pay for both. Nikon Capture NX 2 costs between 100 and 200 euros (not sure), and can give good results for RAW processing. Not everybody is a fan of that software, though, as it has the last attractive interface and it comparatively very slow.
Apple's Aperture and Adobe's Lightroom (both at version 3) have started to make many friends the last 2 years. They are powerful and fast RAW converters with many extras, and specifically designed to have a fast and intuitive workflow.
Those are a nice starting point, both are very friendly and competitively priced for what they offer.
To get even more advanced in processing, only Photoshop really is a choice. I see Photoshop as an extra, not a replacement for the RAW processor. Even though Photoshop's own RAW processor has improved in big steps the last few years. But photoshop is an expensive piece of software, and it has an intimidatingly steep learning curve.
So... I would suggest to either get Nikon's own Nikon capture 2 NX (I personally would not bother though), or Adobe Lightroom 3 or Aperture 3 (if you have a Mac, for Windows only Lightroom is an option). And make that a start in your RAW processing.
Shooting JPEG also does not exclude PP... but the 8bit per channel does put a bit of a limit to what you can achieve. For JPEG PP Photoshop is best. But I believe that Lightroom also can do quite a lot with JPEGs, and Aperture.