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Level 3

598 points

I need opinions please

I have a Nikon D50. I shoot in Nikon NEF RAW and JPEG.

I have Photoshop CS. Don't use much.

I have Adobe Elements 4. Which I like very much over Photoshop.

I bought the Nikon Capture 4 software which I just find totally worthless. A waste of money.

I do make adjustments to my photos and then import into iPhoto, (6.0.4 as of last night). I don't use Adobe Bridge. It looks good, but I like iPhoto. I also like to use as much Apple software as possible.

I'm considering Aperature. It looks great from the Quicktime clips I've watched.

1-Has anyone used it with Nikon D50?

2-I have a PowerBook 1.67ghz AL with 1gig of ram. Will Aperature work fine with this setup?

3- Does Aperature also allow tweaking of JPEGS?

4-If I don't use RAM NEF can Aperature modify the JPEG's I shoot?

5-Can I then emilinate the use of iPhoto as my main stroage and display of photos? ANd just use Aperature?

6-Does Aperature have the same ability as iPhoto to order prints directly in the app?

7-Is Aperature an all around easier and better (subjective I know) application that Photoshop Elements 4?

Thanks

PowerBook AL 1.67ghz, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Jun 21, 2006 9:11 AM

21 replies

musicmaker Author

Level 3

598 points

Jul 5, 2006 6:39 AM in response to SierraDragon

Well I bought Aperature. I also put the 2 gigs of ram in my PB.

I have to say Aperature runs fine. No complaints at all. And the photos are so much better than when processed with Elements or Photoshop CS2. I'm meand by this control correction.

So all in all I'm very happy. Imported all my photos into Aperature. From the Original folder and I'm going through and reworking the exposures and colors. Archived my iPhoto Library and use Aperature exclusively.

Thanks for all the input and advice.

Jul 5, 2006 6:53 AM in response to musicmaker

musicmaker,

I used Aperture / D2X RAW on a PB15 1.25 and cant recommend it not even on the one you suggest unless you have the patience of a Saint and no deadlines. It works well on my G5 DP but then it should do after all the money I spent upgrading the RAM and Video card.

I have recently invested in a MBP 17" 2Gig RAM and Aperture works like a charm on that, infact it is better than my G5. Makes you think the software was intended for the Intel Mac in the first place.

Anyway Aperture is great so is Elements ver4 (perspective control on a small budget) but go for faster hardware when on the road or it may end in tears.

G5 DP 2.0 Mac OS X (10.4.6) G4 PB15 MBP 17' 2GB Nikon D2X

musicmaker Author

Level 3

598 points

Jul 5, 2006 7:01 AM in response to Philippine Swing

I have ti disagree and my hardware. Aperature works fine. Last night I spent little time adjusting the 75 raw photos of fireworks.

I work on my computer all day long. Aperature works fine. I'm never waiting with the beach ball cursor. I make adjustments and it's done. If it was different I would say. I use CS2 too. My Aperature library is a little of 5 gigs.

I can only speak on the specs of my computer. But overall after reading some posts I was hesitant. But I got curious and bought it and love Aperature.

Thanks everyone

Jul 5, 2006 7:04 AM in response to musicmaker

How strange, quite the reverse for me however there are more people out there with good results like you, so enjoy.

Jul 5, 2006 8:01 PM in response to Nicholas Dawes

Are you using RAW NEF file format? I just bought the
D2Xs and Aperture will not recognize the NEF files.
it says that they are in an unsupported format.

Yes; Aperture reads D2x NEF files just fine. However I use a D2x not a D2xs. Often it takes a few weeks for apps (PSCS2, Aperture, etc.) to support new cameras, and maybe the D2xs has a newer RAW format than the D2x. Make sure you have the latest OS and Aperture versions loaded (repairing Permissions before/after of course).

Note too that folks' performance varies a huge amount based on the quality of the system setup. Religiously repairing Permissions before/after installs, running Cocktail or 24/7 operation, not installing third party crap software, keeping hard drives below 85% full, quality RAM from quality vendors, etc. all contribute to make the difference between fast stable operation and slow flaky operation. Violating any one of those rules can be enough to screw the pooch.

Jul 6, 2006 6:06 PM in response to SierraDragon

SierraDragon,

I'm considering Aperture, but can't afford the ATI X 800XT. What sort of performance do you get with Aperure using your 9700 video card?

Thanks
Christian

I need opinions please