October 31, 2008
Thanks Hayo,
I have seen your posts at least on these boards, and on the Nikonians boards. At the outset, let me apologize for the LENGTH of this post.
My current "experiences" with the Nikon cameras go back to the middle of 1993. From there, it has been "all downhill" (in the best sense of the words) with Nikon equipment. This reminds me of a story about when I was pointing my Nikon (properly equipped with its "very apparent" long lens) at a nearby waterfall, waiting for the sun to come out from behind a cloud. Suddenly, I heard a "very official voice" behind me, asking "hey, do you have a license for that cannon?". Turning around, I saw a Sheriff-friend in an official SUV with all his lights flashing, and with a big grin on his face. I turned back to the waterfall, replying in my-then-loud voice: "That's no Canon, it's a Nikon". The next thing I heard was a short, loud "whelp" from the SUV siren, and the big-engine-rev-up as the very-official-looking SUV proceeded down the road. A TRUE STORY.
Your comments regarding "learning" PhotoMechanic are well taken. I finally jumped in and "got wet" yesterday, and am just now starting that whole learning-process (of course, the first step was to download the user manual - the "downloading" was the easy part - now I've got to read the manual and understand what it all means). Surprisingly, that process is underway, and I have already figured out (with some telephone help of the kind PM folks in Oregon) how to "rename" the many "NEF" and "JPEG" files within the countless computer folders, and how to apply the stationary pad metadata to those files [a couple of "bugs" here, but that too shall pass].
My experiences with the Macs go back even a few more years to the late 1980's. I am not really concerned about "learning" the Mac OSX upgrade. As a matter of fact, I ordered Leopard earlier today.
I have been using Capture NX going on two years now. Before Capture NX, I had been using Photoshop (and then on to CS2). Then I heard about Jason Odell's "Photographers Guide to Capture NX" book. And, as I followed the selfless contributions made by Jason Odell about Capture NX on the Nikonian boards, I was very impressed by his careful and persuasive analysis of the need for PhotoMechanic in order to get the most out of Capture NX. And that brings us "full-circle", back to PhotoMechanic.
It is always humorous how Jason deals with those who complain about the cost of PhotoMechanic. While paying "lip service" to those complaints, and empathizing with those wanting a "cheaper" alternative [there's something very telling about that word - "cheaper"], Jason has consistently told those complainers about how the PhotoMechanic program actually saves more in time than it costs in money [although I have never seen Jason write about the saved professional fees (doctors, etc) as a result of PM removing so much aggravation associated with the whole "DAM" process]. Another sagacious observation from Jason.
Others can say what they want about the PhotoMechanic program. All I can say is "neat", "smooth", "classy", "intuitive", "helpful", "time-saving", "professional" ……… Well, I could go on and on, but you get the point(s). And, this post is long enough (really, too long) already.
From the PhotoMechanic manual, it is clear that I have only begun to scratch the surface with PM. And, the good Lord willing, I can become familiar with all the PM basics before the end of the year [I hope it's not that long before I upgrade the CNX software]. That [the PM basics] will only come with using PM to help organize the lots of "resting" (and even forgotten) images ready to meet their newest software-friend.
With all that said (and I apologize for the verbosity), I would be making a terrible "faux pas" if I did not recognize the outstanding job that the Camera Bits people are doing to first "build", and second "maintain", and third "improve", the PhotoMechanics program. In addition to the invaluable help of Kirk (who we all see virtually every day on these boards), Dennis has assembled a relatively small, but very dedicated, "team" out there in Oregon. Since "taking the plunge" yesterday, I have made the acquaintance of "Katie" and "Jerry" at the PM offices. It really is amazing, but they are both just as anxious to help over the telephone, as Kirk is on these boards. Without a doubt, the way that the Camera Bits people work together in servicing all of us is the epitome of how a software company (or any other business, for that matter) ought to treat its customers.
THANK YOU, Dennis, and Kirk, and Katie, and Jerry, and all the other Camera Bits folks. KEEP UP THE OUTSTANDING WORK!!!!!
Just call me ………
SHAMMY
