p.1 #3 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
Well, you see, I use B&W conversions for more than just B&W and the way is does conversions and the ability for me to use the Upoint technology to isolate adjustments seamlessly, it is well worth it if it increases my business.
I will be recommending it to others, but each will need to use the trial to tell if it will do what they need.
p.1 #6 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
There are a few ways I have tried B&W conversion and I haven't tried any comparison methods, but I would be interested in what can be achieved via the Nik plugin and the new PS CS3 B&W adj layer/Lightroom B&W with individually adjustable channels; or using the channel mixer to get results.
I think the plugin goes right for the jugular and makes conversions based on the most popular effects most seek to achieve with B&W vs a layering process in PS that really doesn't know inherently what we are after in good B&W.
One thing I noticed about this Nik plugin is the "structure" slider. This thing is amazing. It is like a contrast enhancement tool, but doesn't plug shadows, or blow out highlights. It simply provides better shaping to all components (i.e. undulations on a golf course hold, or in the clouds all at the same time). I have yet to see anything do what this slider does in all the plugins I have tried (and I have tried all the top ones).
Gary, nice photo by the way and I think that is a top notch conversion.
p.1 #7 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
Thanks everyone for your posts. I just downloaded it and was wondering if anyone else has tried it yet. Really looking forward to seeing how well it integrates into Apple Aperture. Also, if you are a member of NAPP, you get $50 off the price thru 21 Sept 2008.
Update: Wow, what a nice package. Used it a little last night on some recent IR photos and am very happy w/ it's integrations w/ PS and Aperture.
p.1 #8 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
Great product but it has memory leaks in the Aperture plug-in. Slow to open, and it gets worse each additional time you launch the plug-in. Took almost 10 minutes to load on a Mac Pro w/ 8 Gig of Ram the last time I used it. Totally unacceptable. Even though it is expensive, I would buy it, it's that good, but not till the Aperture plug-in is fixed. From PS it seems fine though.
p.1 #9 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
Update: Nik emailed me and told me to download version 1.001 saying it would fix the slow performance problems I was encountering when using it from Aperture. Will report back once I've had a chance to try the update.
p.1 #10 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
I really like it for the PC and it should arrive some time this week. Nik software is the gift that keeps on giving... ColorEfx 2 and 3 have been very useful for a number of projects I have done.
p.1 #12 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
It's an incredible product. I'm going thru many of the images I've taken the last couple of years and seeing them in a whole new way as black and whites images via Silver Efex. Release 1.001 certainly did fix the slow performance problem when launched from Apple Aperture. It is very fast now when launched from Photoshop or Aperture.
It's running around $169 now from major online retailers, or $150 via their website if you are a member of NAPP. Highly recommended.
p.1 #13 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
well,,,, I looked at their web site and played with it a bit, but fail to see that if would give me anything beyond what I get from PS CS3. I impression - and I hope this does not insult you - is that it is a product designed and marketed for folks who have not used PS much or who have not figured out PS. just my impressionsssssssss
regards, tom
p.1 #14 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
I've used Black&White Pro by Image Factory. Anyone else use it? I'd be curious to know if anyone has compared Silver Efex results to the Image Factory plugin.
Aug 22, 2008 at 06:35 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #15 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
The Alien Skin Exposure 2 is excellent. But rather expensive also
p.1 #16 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
Steve, Lars, et al - - - so what do I get with any BW plug in that is better that PS?
same result but quicker?
does things that PS does not? what?
or?
appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
oh, I assume you have used PS BW and can answer my questions.
many thanks, tom
p.1 #17 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
Well, first of all you get grian in a way that photoshop hardly can reproduce on it's own manually, or am I wrong?
Secondly you get a more intuitive way of editing your BW-images, both when it comes to simulating film experiences (i for one, like delta400 look, so I often use that, and tweak from there) and editing parts of the image.
p.1 #18 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
Tom,
On the Nik website, there are 8 or 10 quick tutorials/demos that you can watch that steps you thru all the things that Silver Efex Pro does. You may want to look at some or all of them. It really is quite powerful and to me, gives me much more control over the conversion than ps does. Check them out and let us know what you think.
jeff
Aug 25, 2008 at 09:16 AM
Lars Johnsson Offline • • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
p.1 #19 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
tomandmarj wrote:
Steve, Lars, et al - - - so what do I get with any BW plug in that is better that PS?
same result but quicker?
does things that PS does not? what?
or?
appreciate you sharing your knowledge.
oh, I assume you have used PS BW and can answer my questions.
many thanks, tom
If you are very very good with PS, you can do everything without plugins. But how easy it is to do simulate the look of an Ilford HP5 plus 400 with grain off And there are hundred of film looks in the Alien Skin plugin that I often use. It's also very quick and easy to use a good plugin. there are also hundreds of different looks that you would never think of if only using PS.
But most of the really good plugins cost a bit of money also
p.1 #20 · Silver efex by Nik - anyone checking it out?
many,many thanks for the responses; I appreciate your reasoning.
I'm of the newer digital school, and while I use to shoot lots of ilford, it was all travel-vacation shots with lots of contrast. so I guess I'll continue to play with PS.
best regards, tom
