ViewNX2 and Lightroom 4 help

[I3igcircle]

I have a D600 and have been using the included viewing software for unloading to my PC.

I just purchased Lightroom 4 and am wondering if it is best to keep importing with viewNX and then open the files from LR4 or should I just stop using ViewNX and import and edit with LR4 solely.

Do I have a reason to keep viewNX or use it?

Thank you for your time and help,

N

 

[BackdoorArts]

Lightroom is at its best when used as an organizational tool, so I would us it to do everything, from importing to editing. There are some great tutorials on YouTube on how to use the cataloging and publishing features in LR4. Take the leap and don't look back.

I still have ViewNX2 on my PC, but haven't opened it in ages. Maybe it's time for me to get rid of it? LOL

 

[§am]

I have both too, but not had a chance to do anything much with LR.
I primarily use ViewNX2 to quickly bulk add copyright info etc to my pics

 

[I3igcircle]

That was my thinking also, I just don't want to lose information or something that LR4 can't des cipher from the NEF files.

Do you import them from camera to LR4 and convert to adobes DNG file?

I am a noob to editing etc just got my camera and don't want to unknowingly lose/convert something I will wish I hadn't done later.

Cheers

 

[BackdoorArts]

I originally kept them as NEF files, but had heard that converting was easier/better since DNG files were more compatible. Truth is, it probably doesn't matter, but try and make as informed a decision as you can early and on stick to it. I had heard something about DNG's being slightly smaller in size, but that's not the case in my experience, so maybe you want to stick with NEF's. Regardless, you do not lose information.

The only potential issue - and this is a Lightroom vs. ViewNX issue - is support for new camera models if Nikon updates the NEF format. For example, I would expect the version of ViewNX that ships with the D7100 to support the RAW file format from that camera, or that there would at least be an update that you can download. Adobe Camera RAW updates often lag behind the camera by weeks, and sometimes months, so if you're picking up a brand new model then you may not be able to work with it right away, which is certainly a drag.

 

[sam49]

I am also interested in this post I have only just started shooting in raw format, and I have used ViewNX2 to edit the raw files, but I have now got a trial version of lightroom and I have started using and up to now I quite like lightroom.

So after editing in lightroom as far a I can see I believe the photos stay in the NEF format, or am I wrong in this assumption.

 

[stmv]

I use Adobe CS6 for my raw editing, what happens, is that it saves the sliders/values in a file so that if you reload, it keeps all the sliders where you last have them, but then converts the file to its PSD format, and you choose what format to save out, but NEF is not one of them. but like I said, it keeps the settings so reloading from the original NEF, picks up the file, and you start the raw editing right where you left off.

 

[Fred Kingston_RIP]

Lightroom is totally non-destructive... That means it does NOT save any RAW file as anything... All it's exporting and converting functions happen without making any changes to the RAW files...

LR will convert and save as DNG files... DNG is an open format without compression. RAW (in Nikon's case, NEF) is not an open format... It's proprietary to Nikon... That means, if for whatever reason, 20 years from now, Nikon changes their format and no longer supports their current NEF format, other vendors will still be able to open and support the DNG format...

 

[BackdoorArts]

I use Adobe CS6 for my raw editing, what happens, is that it saves the sliders/values in a file so that if you reload, it keeps all the sliders where you last have them, but then converts the file to its PSD format, and you choose what format to save out, but NEF is not one of them. but like I said, it keeps the settings so reloading from the original NEF, picks up the file, and you start the raw editing right where you left off.

Lightroom does that too, and saves it with your RAW file (either format) so no need to do a file conversion.

 

[Dave_W]

There really is nothing that ViewNX does that Lightroom doesn't do better. ViewNX is so limited in its scope compared to LR and LR can deal with formats like DNG whereas NX cannot, given the choice I would migrate over to LR and avoid NX altogether. In addition, metadata exists as a "sidecar" file in the NEF format and as a result can become detached from the main NEF file. DNG, on the other hand, incorporates the metadata within the DNG file itself.

 

[stmv]

mmm maybe I should load in my trial LR software,, I already use CS6, and NX2, and ViewNX2, and well, I have my own system of filing, and not sure what I would gain over CS6. I personally don't like other tools orgainizing my folders. putting things in sub folders, sometimes making it harder when I am trying to access the file NOT using their software.

I always find software programs wanting to make it harder to use their competitors software. I found Coral really a pain to use. Really intrusive software.

 

[Fred Kingston_RIP]

LR doesn't arbitrarily organize your files into some LR default system of folders... You create the folder structure for LR to use, so whatever folder structure you're currently using can be setup in LR and you can continue to use whatever structure suits you...

 

[I3igcircle]

So when I import to LR I should convert all my files to adobe DNG is what is being suggested?

I read elsewhere about the metadata separation thing elsewhere with NEF and if I don't lose any possible functionality then will start importing as DNG.

Also then any modifications done in processing doesn't actually change the original DNG correct? The original will be as is still and then I can save a second copy with the changes done and in what ever format ie JPEG.

 

[Fred Kingston_RIP]

Basically, Yes... I also, upon import, copy my NEF files to a separate hard drive as a backup... this way, if something ever goes wrong, I can always go back to a second(backup) copy of the NEF file...

 

[WhiteLight]

The only reason I use view nx is cos it's a light platform and it's very helpful when I travel. I have an ancient Sony Vaio on which I can't afford to use light room... Apart from that there is absolutely no need for view nx unless you do no editing.
About dng, no I don't convert to dng nor do I use this format at all... I don't think I will unless nikon changes their standards. There's quite a bit on the flip side of dng that won't invite me in that direction

Sent from my Incredible S using Tapatalk 2

 

[sam49]

LR will convert and save as DNG files... DNG is an open format without compression. RAW (in Nikon's case, NEF) is not an open format... It's proprietary to Nikon... That means, if for whatever reason, 20 years from now, Nikon changes their format and no longer supports their current NEF format, other vendors will still be able to open and support the DNG format...

Fred I understand your post but if Nikon changes the raw file format in the future to a new raw format, then lightroom will still be able to edit the old NEF files, as well as the new Nikon format, so would it be better the save a copy to DNG on another hard drive then you will have the best of both worlds.

 

[Fred Kingston_RIP]

I actually do save both on a separate hard drive... I'm a belt and suspenders man...