Nikon Capture NX-D available as free download from 15 July

On top of the new Nikon D810 camera, Nikon today also announced that it will release the official version of Capture NX-D, its new processing and adjustment software application for RAW images captured with a Nikon digital camera, for free download beginning 15 July.

Capture NX-D is the replacement of Nikon Capture NX2, albeit with limited functionality and a completely new approach (e.g., propriety sidecar files for storing your edits).

For me (and many many others), this was a reason to switch to another software solution (see my earlier blog on this). For others, it may, however, offer enough as a raw converter. It definitely offers much more than View NX2, so people using that application may certainly be thrilled by the new and free (!) Capture NX-D.

Capture NX-D offers raw development of images captured in by Nikon digital SLR cameras, Nikon 1 advanced cameras with interchangeable lenses, and COOLPIX compact cameras that support this capability. The application will be available for download, free of charge and it will already have support for the new Nikon D810 DSLR, also announced today.

The good thing is that Nikon has listened to the ideas and requests of users of the beta version, so the final version will have improvements to the user interface, and the ways in which adjustments are applied, for example, to white balance. Nikon plans to keep listening to user request and will continuously update the software and improve image processing and operation. One of the first things the plan to offer is the return of the automatic retouch brush. This was actually one of the tools I would have missed most in NX-D.

As of 15 July, you will be able to download Capture NX-D from the Nikon imaging website.