To say that Nikon Capture NX (or Capture Nx2) is slow would be an understatement. The reason for its slowness is that it ships with older versions of certain Windows files which it uses. So all we need to do to make it run faster is to install the latest and greatest versions of these files. It really is that simple and it makes a significant difference. But why Nikon doesn’t document it or doesn’t do it by default is beyond me.
Here are the steps (Please read the whole post before proceeding with the install):
1. Download and install Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 with Service Pack 1 from this page on Microsoft’s site. Capture NX2 installer specifies that it needs .NET framework 2.0 but if you install .NET framework 3.5, you do not need .NET Framework 2.0 or any other earlier version.
Note: If you do not want to install .NET Framework 3.5 for any reason and want to use version 2.0 itself, download the latest version of 2.0 with SP1 from this page.
Install updates, if any, through Windows Update (in Internet Explorer). If you already have .NET framework installed (2.0 or later), use Windows Update to get the latest version. Reboot if prompted.
2. Download and install Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 SP1 Redistributable Package from this page on Microsoft’s site. It’s a very small download (only 4 MB). If you install this, you do not need Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable Package or any other earlier version. Capture NX2 ships with a very old version of this file (from 2005 or earlier) which is the main reason it runs slow.
3. Reboot your computer.
4. Install Nikon Capture NX (or NX2). If you have already installed it, you do not have to install it again. But if you are doing a fresh install, it’s better if you install it in the end.
5. Enjoy editing.
Dear Manish Bansal
Your page was very useful for me. I bought a new computer whith XP 64 and i could not install Nikon Capture NX. After installing Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 the problem was solved.
Thank you for the help.
Peter
Comment by Peter — February 27, 2009 @ 9:07 am |
Hello!
I had the same extremely (minutes per photo of 15 MB) s-l-o-w NX-2 experience and was about to remove the (officially bought….yes) program from my PC.
Then when I had my last photoshoot with some models, I just had to adjust the NEF pictures and needed NX-2. With a 300 or more photo’s I could see my retirement running in on me and probably loose a contract as well.
I frantically looked fo a solution and had a good feeling with your suggestions.
After following your steps, the program is runnig like Photoshop, Lightroom and the like.
Many THANKS for this advice. You saved an unhappy man from a nervous breakdown….;-)
Dick
Comment by D.Barends — May 25, 2009 @ 6:19 pm |
Manish –
I was “thisclose” to pitching Nikon Capture NX2 because I couldn’t take the unbelievable slowness of the program. I had recently purchased a Nikon D700 (my “dream camera”) and this software was turning every RAW .NEF photo I took into a nightmare. Thank God your weblog had the answers I needed to make Nikon Capture NX2 a more manageable program. All the best.
Comment by Chuck Miller — July 18, 2009 @ 2:28 pm |
I have tried your fix but still have the problems:
-can’t see all the thumbnails
-can’t close it, i need to use task manager,
any suggestions??
thanks
Comment by david — September 1, 2009 @ 10:30 pm |
David,
Few more details about your system would be very helpful like version of Capture NX, version of Windows etc.
Comment by Manish Bansal — September 2, 2009 @ 9:49 am |
You can get nikon capture nx2 really cheap from cameta.com for $119.95
Comment by Mike t — September 2, 2009 @ 10:33 pm |
Manisha, I have tried all the steps you mentioned and it still runs slow. I have a Vista x64 bit OS. I even downloaded Capture NX2.2.2. I am in the trial period and have a month left. I like capture NX2 over say LightRoom 2. But speed is a killer to me. There are things you could do in NX2 is quite unique and very good. LR2 can get you there but it is difficult. Any thoughts on how to speed up the load time of thumbnails, and edited images to appear quickly. Also when you project image on a full screen and zoom, it is incredibly slow as it sharpens blocks by blocks and takes several seconds if not minutes. My laptop has Intel Core2 Duo T6400 processor with 4G RAM. I don’t think power processor is an issue. My other applications are running very well, like LR2. Any thoughts and suggestion?
Comment by BP — November 7, 2009 @ 5:33 pm |
@BP:
Nikon has not yet certified Capture NX2 to run on Vista x64 or Windows x64. They recently issued an advisory saying that they would be issuing a new version soon which will be officially supported on 64-bit OSes. Until then, it’s best to stick with 32-bit OSes.
Comment by Manish Bansal — November 9, 2009 @ 9:01 am |