Using Nikon Capture NX2 as a JPEG editor in 16-bit mode.

L

lexus

New member
When I work jpegs in Adobe PS, my first action is "Open as Camera Raw" then I change the depth into 16-bit mode, use ACR's features if needed and "Open Image". So I can work in a wide range of light tones, expanding histogram for instance. However, I know very little about color mode (8 or 16 bit) in which CNX2 works. I can't find any explanation on the web. Nikon writes almost nothing about it in its manuals and guides. But that’s very important, isn’t it? Saying about CNX, people often focus on color profiles, color management but there is nothing on working color mode. So my question is "Do I have to convert my jpegs with PS into 16-bit tiffs before editing in CNX in order to obtain a proper working mode?" How to approach it?
 
Last edited:
S

stmv

Senior Member
interesting question,,, I used to use NX2 a fair amount, but slowly each version of CS got better, so now CS6 just works so well, that I have not opened NX2 in months,, also, I get mad that I had to pay NIKON even more money to get one that supports D800,, geesh,

anyway,, whenever i did use NX2,, I always opened it first, and just assumed it was in 16 bit mode, and saved in 16 bitmode.. now you got me wondering.
 
L

lexus

New member
Mike Hagen in his Nikon Capture NX 2 After the Shoot writes that "JPEGs are opened in Capture NX 2 in an 8-bit working environment". Here's a link to the containing preview: http://www.niksoftware.com/download..._guide/Nikon_Capture_NX_2_Sampler_Chapter.PDF.
I played with levels@curves on gradient.jpg in PS preceding(case 1) and not preceding(case 2) it by conversion into 16-bit. I also did exactly the same things on this file in CNX (case 3). Both 1 and 3 tests gave very similar results to each other and very different from 2 one. Now that’s very interesting.
 
Last edited:
Top