• Cooking up our own D2XMODE1

    As I wrote in a previous article, I was hesitant to use a D7000 because it doesn’t directly support the D2XMODE1 Picture Control, which I have come to value for my portrait work. After trying out the camera for a few days, it turns out that in addition to the D7000′s inability to load the D2XMODE1 as an optional picture control, ViewNX 2.x has disabled the ability to apply D2XMODE1 during conversion in post-processing.

    What to do, after writing in to Nikon to complain, without much hope that anything will come of my whining? Well, I went back through my archives and revived an old emulated D2XMODE1 picture control (PORTD2XM1) which I had based on the Portrait picture control. Then I made another attempt at creating an emulated D2XMODE1 control, this time titled D2XM1SIM (for simulated). Neither of these is exactly the same as D2XMODE1, but either of them does a credible job with portraits. Some samples for you to assess for yourself follow here, along with a link to download the picture controls at the bottom of the page.


    Cooking up our own D2XMODE1, by Eduardo Suastegui, wedding photographer and fine art photographerNikon’s D2XMODE1, created to reproduce the D2X’s color rendition; useful for portraits Cooking up our own D2XMODE1, by Eduardo Suastegui, wedding photographer and fine art photographerNikon’s Portrait, allegedly a newer version of D2XMODE1, but as discussed previously, not 100% the same
    Cooking up our own D2XMODE1, by Eduardo Suastegui, wedding photographer and fine art photographerEmulated D2XMODE1, based on Nikon’s Portrait picture control Cooking up our own D2XMODE1, by Eduardo Suastegui, wedding photographer and fine art photographerEmulated D2XMODE1, based on Nikon’s Neutral picture control, and a bit brighter in the midtones and shadows

    To download these two emulated D2XMODE1 picture controls, along with their tone curve (NTC) files, click here…

    Instructions for Picture control installation:

    1. Unzip the downloaded file into a folder of your choice.
    2. Insert a formatted, empty card in your card reader.
    3. Copy the resultant NIKON folder to the card.
    4. To install for use in ViewNX2 (or Capture NX2):
      • With the card still in the card reader, open Picture Control Utility.
      • Click the Import button, and select each picture control.
      • Close Picture Control Utility, and in NX2′s picture control drop-down list, verify that the new controls are now available for use.
    5. To install in your camera:
      • Insert the card in your Nikon DSLR.
      • Access the “Manage Picture Controls” menu and select the load options (consult your manual if necessary).
    No comments Equipment, Post-processing