Photo editing & management software

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Binky Rawfiles

New member
Dear D7100 forum members, since upgrading to the D7100 from the D7000 (what a difference, by the way!), Photoshop CS5 no longer recognises the camera's RAW files. So, I know I won't be the first person to ask about my options, but this has led me to a related question: should I consider moving to a new system for editing & storing?

SInce moving over to Macs for our PR and marketing business, several years ago, I have only used iPhoto (yes, I know) for all out digital photos. Since buying Adobe CS5 a few years back iPhoto was used for editing and storing, with Photoshop for more significant edits. But, now that I can't edit the RAW (without using Adobe's DNG application) I am faced with having to upgrade to CS6 but this is an expensive option.

With Apple's new Photos app, now part of OS X 10.10.3 (not yet upgraded), I am concerned that with Photos there is a significant loss of functionality (although a lot of photo magazines have given good reviews). With Aperture now being discontinued this avenue is now closed.

So, I am at the crossroads or intersection and would be very grateful for any thoughts and suggestions.

This is my first post in Nikonites and I am very much looking forward to getting involved here.

Thank you, in advace, for your help. Apologies if I have missed any other similar posts/threads; I am sure I am not the first person to be in this situation.

Binky
 
S

SteveH

Senior Member
Welcome to the forum!
Your D7100 files won't be recognised because the Adobe Camera RAW install will be out of date, and I'm not sure the latest version will work with CS5. The most popular editing software (I haven't actually counted, this is an estimate!) is Lightroom / Photoshop which have just been updated to new versions. Both are available as a single one off payment, or monthly subscription (which gets all upgrades to new versions)
 
J

J-see

Senior Member
Many people pick the "Photoshop - Lightroom" combination since it is pretty cheap if you pay per month. If you want standalone, you're out of luck with Photoshop but can still buy a standalone version of Lightroom.

You can also use the free editor of Nikon: Capture NX-D or go the route of the less known but often as competent (open source) editors.

I personally work solely with RAWTherapee and it does all it needs to do very well. It however does no management of any kind.
 
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B

Binky Rawfiles

New member
Thank you for your speedy responses, which are very much appreciated. Your comments and suggestions are very useful and will really help me to decide which direction to go in. Kind regards, Binky
 
I

Ironwood

Senior Member
Welcome to the forum Binky.

I am still using Apple Aperture, but I am looking at my options to change to a different system, the Lightroom/PS pay per month looks like what I will go to, it seems to be the popular choice.
 
N

NIKONIAN_DREAMWEAVER

Senior Member
Binky Rawfiles said:
Dear D7100 forum members, since upgrading to the D7100 from the D7000 (what a difference, by the way!), Photoshop CS5 no longer recognises the camera's RAW files. So, I know I won't be the first person to ask about my options, but this has led me to a related question: should I consider moving to a new system for editing & storing?

SInce moving over to Macs for our PR and marketing business, several years ago, I have only used iPhoto (yes, I know) for all out digital photos. Since buying Adobe CS5 a few years back iPhoto was used for editing and storing, with Photoshop for more significant edits. But, now that I can't edit the RAW (without using Adobe's DNG application) I am faced with having to upgrade to CS6 but this is an expensive option.

With Apple's new Photos app, now part of OS X 10.10.3 (not yet upgraded), I am concerned that with Photos there is a significant loss of functionality (although a lot of photo magazines have given good reviews). With Aperture now being discontinued this avenue is now closed.

So, I am at the crossroads or intersection and would be very grateful for any thoughts and suggestions.

This is my first post in Nikonites and I am very much looking forward to getting involved here.

Thank you, in advace, for your help. Apologies if I have missed any other similar posts/threads; I am sure I am not the first person to be in this situation.

Binky
Click to expand...

Binky Rawfiles said:
Dear D7100 forum members, since upgrading to the D7100 from the D7000 (what a difference, by the way!), Photoshop CS5 no longer recognises the camera's RAW files. So, I know I won't be the first person to ask about my options, but this has led me to a related question: should I consider moving to a new system for editing & storing?

SInce moving over to Macs for our PR and marketing business, several years ago, I have only used iPhoto (yes, I know) for all out digital photos. Since buying Adobe CS5 a few years back iPhoto was used for editing and storing, with Photoshop for more significant edits. But, now that I can't edit the RAW (without using Adobe's DNG application) I am faced with having to upgrade to CS6 but this is an expensive option.

With Apple's new Photos app, now part of OS X 10.10.3 (not yet upgraded), I am concerned that with Photos there is a significant loss of functionality (although a lot of photo magazines have given good reviews). With Aperture now being discontinued this avenue is now closed.

So, I am at the crossroads or intersection and would be very grateful for any thoughts and suggestions.

This is my first post in Nikonites and I am very much looking forward to getting involved here.

Thank you, in advace, for your help. Apologies if I have missed any other similar posts/threads; I am sure I am not the first person to be in this situation.

Binky
Click to expand...

Hi Binky,

I recommend Nikon Capture NX2. It's great with the D7100. It's powerful. It's a static release at this point, meaning it will not be upgraded in the future, but it's good software and very easy to use. I like the fact that it doesn't have a separate file management database, (like lightroom) because every PC in the world has great file management capabilities (including Apple). I just don't need another file management system on top of my operating system.

Nobody knows the firmware for your D7100 like Nikon does. And Nikon doesn't license out their proprietary firmware spec's, so Adobe and others are 'reverse engineering' and in my opinion, that's not ideal.

I do all my work in NX2. I never need photoshop (I have it) or anything else. I shoot RAW and I can view my camera settings (in NX2) exactly as they were intended when the images were in my camera. Lightroom has some issues with this.

The price has gone up (NX2). It used to be $79 at B&H. Now it's $179.
Nikon Capture NX 2 Photo Editing Software 25385 B&H Photo Video

As others have said, you can use Capture NXD, it's free, currently.
Nikon Capture NX-D RAW Processing Software | Software for Nikon Digital Cameras
 
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