click on the links in the thread and let the page load, you should see a box with "click here to start download" this will download an ncp file to your computer.
you will then have to put this file on the root directory of the camera flash card and upload it to your camera.
Don't mean to hijack this thread, but is there a similar guide as to how to import downloaded picture controls into NX? Can't get it to work, the programme seems to expect them to come via a CF card
Thanks Nikonbaz.
When I download the file, it has a ".txt" extension: VELVIA.NCP.txt. Should I delete the ".txt" extention before putting it in the CF card? Or just leave it alone? Much appreciated!
Manny
Richard.P wrote:
Don't mean to hijack this thread, but is there a similar guide as to how to import downloaded picture controls into NX? Can't get it to work, the programme seems to expect them to come via a CF card
You'll need to have them on the card, I think the folder needs to be named Nikon, and in the root of the drive, but once you do the import, they'll stay put for other photos. (already formatted the card since I did it)
Wow NightOwl, there was really no need for you to go to all the trouble with screenshots Thanks, I did indeed get a step further - but the next thing is, I can't seem to open the downloaded NCP file to extract the actual picture controls
Richard, I already had them I remember they needed to be in a folder on the card, maybe called Nikon? Aha, found it, John Hanon had posted it in previous threads:
"Put your CF card in a card reader, start NX, open a NEF file, open picture control (under Base Adjustments/Camera Adjustments) click on the icon on the left of Reset button and choose "Load Custom Picture Control Settings et voilą the files should appear and the rest will be history
On your CF card create a directory called NIKON in the root directory, then in that directory create a sub directory and call it CUSTOMPC, then transfer Raymond's curves into that subdirectory."
Thanks for all your trouble, but it's no use - my PC won't open the NCP file to extract the picture controls (NOP files if I remember correctly). So, I haven't got the picture control to put into the CUSTOMPC directory. Worked when downloading the D2Xmodes from Nikon, but not now
Right I have to hold up my hand and call myself a stupid A**E. I forgot I renamed the backup file so it was easier to remember what it was.
try this procedure to get them to work
open up the flash card and copy the ncp file to the custompc folder, now rename the file to PICCON01.ncp
Then go into the manage picture control menu on the camera - then load/save - copy to camera - and you should see something like 01 FUJI ASTIA on the menu.
press ok and then assign it a spare slot - you should now find it as an option in the set picture control menu. To load in the others just rename them PICCON0*.ncp where * is the next number in the sequence.
Clear as mud i know but if you get stuck i will try and help you out.
Sorry for any hours of frustration caused by my mistake - its old age you know !
Got it! Thanks ever so much for all the time you've taken over this - especially since I downloaded the picture controls out of curiosity more than anything else (being too young to have seen these films in everyday use). And the clod is sitting on this end
The look is indeed quite different if these are true approximations. Lower contrast, lower saturation and higher brightness (gamma?) are the first things that meet the eye, compared with my custom arsenal. The closest thing I have is my deliberately wacky "colour-shifted 1970s neg" picture control Not implying anything about these though, they're certainly viable alternatives.
Do these custom curves work well? I'd love to get a Velvia-look for some of my photos but whenever I try pushing up the colour saturation in the camera all my Reds turn to Pink (the other colours are fine but I can't seem to keep Reds looking "red").
Mark, I've never had a problem with saturation and reds. Nikonbaz's Velvia picture control is actually less saturated than my custom curves, but then I never used Velvia. Try downloading it and see, otherwise try and mod your own in the NX picture control utility.
Thanks, I did indeed get a step further - but the next thing is, I can't seem to open the downloaded NCP file to extract the actual picture controls 
