What is your default photo viewer in windows? [Archive] - Digital Camera Resource Page Forums

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herc182

10-23-2007, 01:57 PM

TheWengler

10-23-2007, 02:03 PM

Are you talking about RAW files? For jpegs, just the picture/fax viewer. For RAW I use the viewing software that came with my Pentax. I believe there's a patch that will help you see the preview for thumbnails of some RAW files. I'm not sure which cameras are covered.

Rooz

10-23-2007, 02:08 PM

i now use ViewNX. its perfect for viewing any files including NEF. and its free.
nikon transfer from CD card --> opens automatically in View NX --> click on the photo to open in Capture NX, (or LR).

it's the link that was always missing.

herc182

10-23-2007, 02:44 PM

Hmmm....never heard of view nx. will try and Download it now.

Using microsoft office picture manager. THat seems much better than the default for windows so far!!

herc182

10-23-2007, 02:47 PM

Hey Rooz. Apparently the text was updated today? is that a new version? Just letting you know. Its version 1 for windows.

http://support.nikontech.com/cgi-bin/nikonusa.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=14370&p_created=1189015469&p_sid=8fZkuWOi&p_accessibility=0&p_lva=61&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9OSZwX3Byb2RzPTAmcF9jYXRzPTAmcF9wdj0mcF9 jdj0mcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1hbnN3ZXJzLnNlYXJjaF9ubCZwX 3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PXZpZXdueA**&p_li=&p_topview=1

thunderchase

10-23-2007, 03:17 PM

I'm using Fast Stone Image Viewer for three years now, and it's great! Almost perfect, since ACDSee became too slow. Plus, it has "sister" program called Photo Resizer which completely can replace Photoshop in basic photo editing, along with Viewer. Try them both, you will not regret!

Price? No price :) ...

Link: http://www.faststone.org/

herc182

10-23-2007, 03:21 PM

View NX rocks! Its really good for a free programme....
thanks Rooz.

thunderchase
I used faststone before. I agree it is good, but i think i prefer view NX now....

herc182

10-23-2007, 03:49 PM

Is there anyway you can get the thumbnails (in windows explorer) to be correctly orientated (i.e. portrait would appear portrait and not landscape so that you need to turn your head to see what it is!).

thanks

r3g

10-23-2007, 04:14 PM

I use windows image viewer for jpg, gif, etc. and adobe bridge for RAW or when Im working with big folders with a mixture of RAW and other file types.

K1W1

10-23-2007, 04:22 PM

jcon

10-23-2007, 04:33 PM

For anything other than NEFs I use Nero PhotoSnap Viewer as my default.

I can't stand Windows Picture and Fax Viewer

erichlund

10-23-2007, 04:58 PM

Another vote for ViewNX. It allows me to open the images directly into CaptureNX, which is my primary editor.

As an aside, I've run into something of a disturbing issue with Paint Shop Pro. If I'm working on an image in CaptureNX, then save it and try and open it in PSP without closing Capture, I usually find that PSP will sit there and repetitively try, unsuccessfully, to open the directory in it's browser bar. This goes on until I close both programs and open PSP by itself. I'm calling it a PSP bug, because it does not occur in the other direction.

I'll have to do some additional testing. It may be a common directory issue, or just a common file issue that can be solved by closing the file in NX before going to PSP. I've noticed it several times, but up to now, I have not formally tested it.

r3g

10-23-2007, 04:59 PM

I can't stand Windows Picture and Fax Viewer

Why not? Just wondering.

erichlund

10-23-2007, 05:10 PM

If I want really quick. Like I'm just looking for a particular image I just set the view in Windows Explorer to Thumnails and look at the directory. If you download and install the XP power toys there is one that allows you to resize the thumbnails. From memory I have mine set to 300 pixels wide.
If I want a quick full size view I usually use Windows picture viewer for jpegs.
If I actually want to manipulate the image it's Lightroom or CS2.

For those with Vista, the download is from Nikon (http://www.nikonimglib.com/nefcodec/). It's the Nikon RAW Codec, and allows you to see thumbnails and full images in the basic Microsoft Applications like Image Viewer and Microsoft Office Picture Manager.

e_dawg

10-23-2007, 06:28 PM

Irfanview

Irfan View is my favourite "lite" program for quick viewing of any image format except for RAW. Loads up instantly, can read tons of formats, can use .8BF filters, has high quality interpolation and resizing/resampling algorithms (Lanczos, bicubic, etc), and is freeware. http://www.irfanview.com

Picasa

Picasa is starting to become my favourite viewer / album + folder / image management program when I want to browse / sort through folders of thousands of images. Very fast, has decent image editing tools built-in as well. Freeware. http://picasa.google.com/

It is the local application that works well with the Picasaweb image hosting service from google. http://picasaweb.google.com/

The neat thing about the Picasa viewer and the online albums is that the program automatically resizes the pic to the biggest possible size for viewing from your original file so that everything is as big as your window without having to click through several layers just to load up medium, large, or original sizes.

The dynamic resizing algorithm makes your pics look fantastic, just like the originals no matter what size you're viewing them at (with limitations... pixel peeping at > 100% is obviously going to deteriorate very quickly), unlike most apps / services where the medium size can look totally different than the original.

It can also display RAW files and thumbnails. NEF, RAF, CRW, you name it. Slide show mode can show everything in that folder.

tim11

10-23-2007, 06:49 PM

I use Windows Picture and Fax Viewer for quick viewing.

jcon

10-23-2007, 08:03 PM

Why not? Just wondering.

It just loads slower. It seems to make the photo appear soft, until I click to zoom in, then zoom back out, that makes it look sharp like it should. Also, the colors are much more dull than they are in any other application I view photos with.

K1W1

10-23-2007, 09:22 PM

It just loads slower. It seems to make the photo appear soft, until I click to zoom in, then zoom back out, that makes it look sharp like it should. Also, the colors are much more dull than they are in any other application I view photos with.

Like most Microsoft utilities it's mediocre but IMO it does full fill the OP's original request for a quick viewer to simply look at images.
I'm surprised about the slow loading though on the PC's I use right clicking on a jpeg and selecting Windows Picture Viewer is much quicker than doing the same and selecting other appliactions.

jcon

10-23-2007, 10:16 PM

All I have to do is double click the photo and it loads up in Nero PhotoSnap Viewer VERY fast, its simpler than WP&FV.

So... Nero PhotoSnap Viewer ALSO addresses the OPs question.

SpecialK

10-23-2007, 10:27 PM

I use www.firehand.com Ember (pay version) though there is a freebie version that is good for organization with a directory tree on the left, and one or more windows of a directory of sizeable thumbnails...

The page won't load tonight, so maybe they went belly up :-)

Rooz

10-24-2007, 01:10 AM

one of the major benefits of NX is its full preview mode where the pic takes up pretty much the full screen. this is great to see focus accuracy etc. alot of other programs go from thumbnail size to a small preview which isn;t always as good as a nice large photo.

opening direct to CaptureNX aswell is fantastic. i'm pretty sure you can change that to open in another editor aside from NX aswell.

AMDnut

10-24-2007, 09:25 PM

The new ACDSee Pro2 is sweet, and seems less bloated than the older ACDSee...

Seems very fast (dual core and 3.0 GB of RAM helps!!!) and does a good job. I really like it for a basic viewer. Up until recently, I was a Fastone user as well.

jcon

10-24-2007, 11:08 PM

e_dawg

10-26-2007, 07:26 PM

You guys like ACDsee Pro 2 that much? It's pretty expensive for a viewer. $130? You're half way to Adobe Lightroom at this point.

jcon

10-26-2007, 08:59 PM

You guys like ACDsee Pro 2 that much? It's pretty expensive for a viewer. $130? You're half way to Adobe Lightroom at this point.

Its not just a "photo viewer" it also has a pretty decent editor as well. Go have a look.

However, if someone were to ask me where to spend $150. I wouldnt hesitate telling them to get Capture NX.

XaiLo

10-26-2007, 10:49 PM

Is this a twick question??? I've tried many a viewer one of my favorites is XnView. It has one option that I love well a set actually right click and you can do almost anything with an image. Especially appreciate the copy to folder option. Don't try opening NEF it takes a while otherwise this is a cool viewer that can open just about any file.

The new ACDSee is pretty cool too. but without the copy to folder option I still find the need to open XnView.

I just never got into Capture NX might have something to do with being acclimated to PhotoShop way of life for so long. I've seen great results from those who use it but it doesn't do it for me.

But the new love of my life has to be lightroom I'm still learning the ins and out of it but the camera raw options are like unreal post processing is about to become fun, well more fun. It's much more user friendly than ACR with a couple of tweaks that are impressive. It's everything I wished Adobe Bridge was. and it's fast woo-hoo!!! :D I like this one so much a mini review maybe in my future.:)

e_dawg

10-27-2007, 01:59 PM

Its not just a "photo viewer" it also has a pretty decent editor as well. Go have a look.

However, if someone were to ask me where to spend $150. I wouldnt hesitate telling them to get Capture NX.

Had a look jcon. Not bad. Pretty snazzy, and much more than a viewer. It has a lot of storage/management features and yes, some editing features. Personally though, it feels a bit like it's trying to be a jack of all trades and master of none.

I like the auto categories so I can see all my pics by aperture and focal length (but can you customize it and specify the exact focal length categories you want instead of just wideangle, normal, and telephoto?). Also wish they had the Lens category like Lightroom so i can see all pics that i took with the Sigma 10-20, for example (although if you have customizable focal length categories, this would accomplish the same thing).

Having said that, it's not really a light, fast, compact viewer per se. I think I'd rather use the money to save up for Lightroom myself.

Now, for those of you who have used Lightroom, ACDsee Pro 2, and Capture NX, how would you compare them? I have Capture NX and tried ACDsee Pro 2, but never used Lightroom before.

I love CNX's non-linear editing engine's ability to apply local adjustments with control point technology, pressure sensitive selection brushes, and linear and radial gradient selections, but it sucks with the viewing and file management.

jcon

10-27-2007, 03:22 PM

I agree with what you said. I dont use ACDSEE Pro 2 anymore, I was just agreeing that its much more improved than the previous version( Pro 9).

I have used all the major and popular editors and my personal ranking is as follows:

1: Capture NX(easily)
2a: Lightroom
2b: Photoshop CS3
4: ACDSEE Pro 2

I am sure the Lightroom users will take issue with me putting that at #2 but I REALLY love NX, its a wonderful program and works great for me.

Back on track with the topic.. I still use Nero PhotoSnap Viewer for simple default viewing, which allows me to go full screen with no borders in view.. its a great way to view an image!

rawpaw18

10-28-2007, 05:47 AM

I would like to take issue with Jason! :D Just kidding my friend.

Definitely download Lightroom and try it for yourself,
I had both Lightroom trials and NX at the same time, it helped with my decision. I chose Lightroom but wish I could of bought NX as well. They
both are very capable programs. At the time I did not shoot a lot of raw,
which is where NX is really supposed to shine. So maybe I missed out when
I compared the two. You really owe it to yourself to try multiple programs
to see which one you prefer.

Razr

10-28-2007, 06:09 AM

What do you use to see your photos in windows?
I dont want to open them in lightroom or bridge to see them. I want a quick viewer that just shows me the photos. Nothing fancy.
Any suggestions?

thanksFor RAW and .jpg, OLYMPUS MASTER2 in VISTA.
Everything else Windows Fax and picture viewer in XP2.