NX2 vs Lightroom

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Archive 2008 · NX2 vs Lightroom

BluePixel
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p.2 #1 · NX2 vs Lightroom

Wow guy's! You are very passionate about photography. Talking about loyalty.
OK. Here is my vote:
1. Lightroom. Just because i like it.
2. Nikon. I like black lenses.
3. Mac. Just because it looks cool.
4. Audi. It's simply better then Bimmer and Merc.
5. I-Phone. I just like it.
6. huey. It's just small and cute.
7. Gitzo. Just because i have it.
8. Orange juice. Trust me, it's better then apple juice and pop.
9. Coffee. Definitely tastes better than sweet tea.

Aug 07, 2008 at 11:41 PM

phillip ino
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p.2 #2 · NX2 vs Lightroom

Having just made the move from Lightroom to NX2, I like the way that NX2 handles the Raw files better than Lightroom. Afterall, it's Nikon software for Nikon files. I wouldn't take my German car to a Japanese car mechanic.

Aug 07, 2008 at 11:55 PM

schwazche
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p.2 #3 · NX2 vs Lightroom

phillip ino wrote:
I wouldn't take my German car to a Japanese car mechanic.

Can't argue with that!

I will say that, as a lowly novice, I prefer (slightly) the way my D80's and D300's NEF and JPGs looked after simple lighting and contrast changes in NX2 vs. LR. But, I feel that I can more easily edit with LR and/or PS CS3.

Just my $.02

Brian

Aug 08, 2008 at 03:19 AM

John Hanon
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p.2 #4 · NX2 vs Lightroom

I dream of a world where NX2 would be merged with LR2.

I used to work in LR, but when I got NX with my D300 I decided to give it a serious look. I liked what I saw but LR was still my favorite. Then came NX2 and Jason's book...end of the story, I work in a nef centric world now and I am very happy.

Still use LR for the collection but all the rest is in NX2

Aug 08, 2008 at 10:06 AM

ytwong
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p.2 #5 · NX2 vs Lightroom

Mort54 wrote:
Threads like these are a joke. ......
The big difference, however, is in speed and useability, and here NX2 is appallingly bad. LR is several generations ahead in useability and speed (in fact, there's really no comparison in these categories).

The OP stated clearly, at the begining of his post, that "Aside from workflow..."

I think many NX/NX2 users have other raw converters as well, and many of them would say using LR2 for speed/volumns and NX for special processing. in fact, for someone who do not shoot huge number of pictures a day, using NX can actually save time. I actually hate the need for "Import" the pictures to LR2 (which i use mostly to handle non nikon files), and i don't like adjusting CA too.

people concern about split hair differences about lens, optimal aperture, whether filters ruin their lens quality etc... why the software that play a significant role in image "look" became unimportant? on top of that, it's the least expensive thing in the game, it cost not much more than a cheap 50mm lens.

Aug 08, 2008 at 10:24 AM

panos.v
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p.2 #6 · NX2 vs Lightroom

For me it is simple. NX might have better image quality but the speed and workflow with Lightroom is so much better I really cannot force myself to waste my time using NX. On my iMac, LR is a breeze, NX is just a load of ****. The difference to me, is like using a digital SLR vs a LF camera. Do I get better quality with the LF. Sure. Can I be bothered to use one? No.

Aug 08, 2008 at 10:31 AM

mholdef
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p.2 #7 · NX2 vs Lightroom

Thanks everyone for the very helpful comments. Appears that the only thing Lightroom offers above NX2 is workflow / speed.

I just picked up my D700 and 24-70 this Thursday and have been doing some shooting. Incredible camera!!! (I sold my Canon 5D and gear in exchange).

Unfortunately my computer needs its graphics card replaced and so will have to wait until Monday to open any files and see what the output is for real.

I'd like to throw in another question regarding DxO. Is it possible to use it in combination with NX2 upstream or downstream in the RAW workflow?

Mark

Aug 09, 2008 at 04:42 AM

glideslope
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p.2 #8 · NX2 vs Lightroom

BluePixel wrote:
Wow guy's! You are very passionate about photography. Talking about loyalty.
OK. Here is my vote:
1. Lightroom. Just because i like it.
2. Nikon. I like black lenses.
3. Mac. Just because it looks cool.
4. Audi. It's simply better then Bimmer and Merc.
5. I-Phone. I just like it.
6. huey. It's just small and cute.
7. Gitzo. Just because i have it.
8. Orange juice. Trust me, it's better then apple juice and pop.
9. Coffee. Definitely tastes better than sweet tea.

I'll agree with everything except the Audi. One cannot be Teutonic without a BMW. Period.

The real combo is Mac 10.5.4, Convert in NX 1.1.3, save Tiff. PP in Aperture 2.1 with the new Noise Ninja Plug in 2.0. Point Control IMO is no different in NX2.

Then again I'm very biased, and freely admit it.

Aug 09, 2008 at 10:57 AM

AJ Nadershahi
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p.2 #9 · NX2 vs Lightroom

Jack OBrien wrote:

FWIW, I have purchased and use or have used CS3, LightRoom, BibblePro, Capture 4.4, Capture NX, and Capture NX2. My statements aren't "brand loyalty instead of objective testing".

I have performed similar comparisons with the same list as yours, plus other packages such as Capture One, LightZone, (interesting concept of zone control), RawTherapee, which shows great promise with it's newest version. Still, Nikon NX continues to produce the best quality image from NEF raw files.

Edited on Aug 09, 2008 at 10:08 PM

Aug 09, 2008 at 10:08 PM

George61d
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p.2 #10 · NX2 vs Lightroom

To the OP.

The obvious conclusion out of all the responses is that you what ever tool suits your photographic desires. If you don't have any desires, or can't articulate them yet, then either tool will do. Both tools are available for free trial - and there are a gazillion tutorials available on the web. So try both and see which one suits you, but don't rush to conclusions as both tools take time to learn.

The only thing I would advise you on is that while you are experimenting with both pieces of software be aware that when you open a file in NX and view them at anything less than 100% the images are rendered sharper on the screen than in LR (and ACR) giving a false impression. So when you do an on screen comparison makes sure its at 100%, or better yet draw your conclusions from prints not on screen views.

I have a personal preference, but its irrelevant

Aug 10, 2008 at 01:41 PM

ReyGay
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p.2 #11 · NX2 vs Lightroom

I've used both. One complain I had with NX2, is that you can only open 20 files at a time, compared against with LR2. Yes NX2 is more accurate in the "golden glow" hours and it does represent how NEF files should look but when it comes to batch processing, boy what a headache. Browsing and image selection/rating is so much more "convenient" in LR2, not to mention the other advanced features that I hope was in NX2.

In short, I use both on appropriate times but I spend 90% more on LR2.

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Aug 10, 2008 at 02:14 PM

Jack OBrien
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p.2 #12 · NX2 vs Lightroom

ReyGay wrote:
I've used both. One complain I had with NX2, is that you can only open 20 files at a time, compared against with LR2. Yes NX2 is more accurate in the "golden glow" hours and it does represent how NEF files should look but when it comes to batch processing, boy what a headache. Browsing and image selection/rating is so much more "convenient" in LR2, not to mention the other advanced features that I hope was in NX2.

In short, I use both on appropriate times but I spend 90% more on LR2.

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Could you explain the headache of batch processing in NX2? and the inconvenience of browsing and image selection/rating? I read comments like this, and they are so far removed from my experience, I feel that I must be doing something horribly wrong. I use NX2's batch processing all the time and it's one the highlights of the software, IMO.

Aug 10, 2008 at 02:36 PM

Jack OBrien
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p.2 #13 · NX2 vs Lightroom

panos.v wrote:
For me it is simple. NX might have better image quality but the speed and workflow with Lightroom is so much better I really cannot force myself to waste my time using NX. On my iMac, LR is a breeze, NX is just a load of ****. The difference to me, is like using a digital SLR vs a LF camera. Do I get better quality with the LF. Sure. Can I be bothered to use one? No.

to my further amazement.....

I'm not a Mac user, and maybe NX is "just a load of ****" on a Mac, but that's just not the case on my quadcore wintel machine. NX2 is **fast**, so there's no waste of time. One person's experience does not a load of **** make.

Aug 10, 2008 at 02:41 PM

ReyGay
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p.2 #14 · NX2 vs Lightroom

Jack OBrien wrote:
ReyGay wrote:
I've used both. One complain I had with NX2, is that you can only open 20 files at a time, compared against with LR2. Yes NX2 is more accurate in the "golden glow" hours and it does represent how NEF files should look but when it comes to batch processing, boy what a headache. Browsing and image selection/rating is so much more "convenient" in LR2, not to mention the other advanced features that I hope was in NX2.

In short, I use both on appropriate times but I spend 90% more on LR2.

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Could you explain the headache of batch processing in NX2? and the inconvenience of browsing and image selection/rating? I read comments like this, and they are so far removed from my experience, I feel that I must be doing something horribly wrong. I use NX2's batch processing all the time and it's one the highlights of the software, IMO.

Hey Jack,

I didn't say NX2 is inconvenient in browsing and image selection/rating but I did say that LR2 is much more convenient, so that makes NX2 second best

. So why do I prefer LR2 more? If you have used LR2, which I assume you've had ~ in LR2, to do batch process, you can either load the whole folder or manually select them (either by clicking on the images or going through your "quick selection" folder).

I've noticed in NX2, to right click on the selected images, I'm not able to export them for processing, instead it has to be done thru the Batch menu and go through the whole folder or create my own (which is time consuming) or go thru the File menu and click Save-as.

Adding an image into my quick collection folder in LR2 is quickly done by pressing "B" and there's no need to create another folder, although in NX2, I can flick thru the "star" rating and filter out the unwanted ones later but I've alwys found LR2 to be more "convenient" on this matter.

Plus, LR2 has better gui imo. It feels as if I'm sifting thru my slide collection, which is cool

(to me). The raw files look neutral and has lots of room for processing. I can recover lost highlights in LR2 and colour & curve controls are more advanced (altho D-lighting in NX2 is really usefull sometimes).

Anyway, that's just me and many thousands of others who prefer LR2 over NX2.

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Edited on Aug 10, 2008 at 04:20 PM

Aug 10, 2008 at 03:53 PM

George61d
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p.2 #15 · NX2 vs Lightroom

For grins I thought it would be interesting to see who thought which image was opened in NX and which in LR 2.0.

These are both just opened from the NEF file, I have not altered anything in either app. I did set LR 2.0 to use the standard color profile for the D3.

So if you care to play say which one is opened in NX and why you think so.

what the heck lets try another one too

edit : - sorry finally figured out how to use the frame markup

Edited on Aug 10, 2008 at 04:36 PM

Aug 10, 2008 at 04:27 PM

ReyGay
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p.2 #16 · NX2 vs Lightroom

The Red chair on the left was on LR2 due to the better shadow detail (maybe).

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Aug 10, 2008 at 04:44 PM

Don Olson
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p.2 #17 · NX2 vs Lightroom

At the time LR 1 came out I dedicated myself to working both LR and NX. Using both as it were to compare. I found that my time with NX was getting less and less until it was just taking up space and I deleted it. I certainly nor others couldn't see any advantage in raw conversion or especially in printed form and NX was like the caopektate to my workflow.

For someone to say that NX2 is worlds above LR2 in processing ability is quite frankly ridicules. Any statement like that should be discounted out of hand. Just looking at the architecture between the two programs shows that to be a silly statement. Wishful Chevy vs. Ford thinking maybe but not much more than that realistically.

IIRC this same debate went on with NX and LR1 with almost the same things said. My own findings at that time AFTER reading all the books and doing my research and using both side by side with the same files that NX was so ponderous and ineptly written as not to be worth the time downloading it or the disk space it took up and there certainly wasn't any advantage in the final printed quality.

To be fair now that NX2 is out I will give it a good try and compare with LR2 and see if it fits in with what I need to do. I'm not sure though how NX2 could be better/more convenient/more intuitive in importing, tagging, sorting and saving to multiple locations. Developing and converting with camera profiles and the ability to tweak those. If I do my part with composition and exposure click on the first in a series and shift/click on the last, hit sync. and bam, it's all done, saved and cataloged. I can print my selections in any form I wish from there or if I want the X-fer between CS3 and LR in either direction is seamless and without drama.

It really all comes down to comfort level and what one is used to working with and more importantly what one likes to work with. For me a program is like any other tool. If I see that I get an advantage using NX2 over LR2 I'll use it. If I or my customers don't see an improvement it will be dumped like NX was.

Aug 10, 2008 at 07:00 PM

James Johnson
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p.2 #18 · NX2 vs Lightroom

John Hanon

I could not agree more. If LR2 rendered nefs as well as NX2 I would use LR2 for almost all my workflow. I have LR2 and really like the interface and the way it is organized but have not used it much. I currently have NX2 for nef processing, Microsoft Expression Media for DAM and CS3 for composting and detailed adjustments. I'm an intermediate photog and have operational knowledge of these products. I use MME for DAM, keywording, and the fact that it renders the jpg from the nef. I use NX2 as I prefer the "look" of nefs that come out of it. LR2 has the DAM, keywording, limited adjusting, and print capability to meet my needs. If it rendered as well as NX2 I would probably use it and dump MME and NX2. I'm no pro but I do care about how my images look. I'm sure if I was experenced in digital photography to a greater extent I could make LR2 render nefs to look as NX2 does.
Just my thoughts...

Scrambled or not

Edited by James Johnson on Aug 10, 2008 at 01:38 PM GMT

Edited on Aug 10, 2008 at 07:38 PM

Aug 10, 2008 at 07:26 PM

George61d
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p.2 #19 · NX2 vs Lightroom

So james - take the challenge. Tell me which of the above shots were rendered by NX.

Aug 10, 2008 at 07:31 PM

eaglewolf
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p.2 #20 · NX2 vs Lightroom

I haven't tried Lightroom, but I couldn't warm up to NX that came with my D300. Maybe I'll give NX2 a shot and see if I can get into that product. While others may think these threads are pointless, I rather enjoy hearing about different things I might try to make my photography experience better.

Remember, there have been those that feel the 16-85 is every bit as good in IQ as the 17-55 in most cases. I'm not sure I buy that, but for the price I think that is a good testament to the work that went into making the 16-85 shine. As far as software in concerned, it is good to hear of good experiences with NX2. I've been with CS2(PC)/CS3(Mac) for a while and would like other options. Either LR or NX2 might be a good choice.

Thanks for the input Jack, as well as others who contributed.

David

Aug 10, 2008 at 07:31 PM

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