Nik Collection 5
Amateur Photographer|August 16, 2022
This long-standing suite of editing plug-ins has been updated again by its owner, DxO. Geoff Harris sees what the new version offers and whether it's worth existing users upgrading
Geoff Harris
Nik Collection 5

The Nik Collection has been around since the days of Britpop, so it's lasted longer than Oasis and Blur. Having passed through several owners since appearing in the late '90s, it's now in the hands of imaging specialist DxO. As with the Gallagher brothers, it's never out of the spotlight for long, and the latest version offers some key updates. Version 5 builds on the many virtues of its predecessor, including updates to the Color Efex and Analog Efex plug-ins, improvements to the suite's local adjustment/U Point technology and interface tweaks.

That said, there are some significant new additions, including ClearView, which reduces the effects of fog and haze. More classic analogue presets and other filters have also been added.

Suite talking

To recap, the Nik Collection suite includes eight plug-ins, which integrate with Photoshop, Lightroom and DxO's PhotoLab, while also working as standalone applications. Perhaps the best known is Silver Efex, which for many photographers remains the gold standard for black & white conversion, or adding a huge array of mono effects. Color Efex works in a similar way with colour images and effects, while Analog Efex is where you go for old-school film stylings. HDR Efex Pro and Perspective Efex are self-explanatory, the latter now able to fix distortion on a lot more camera and lens combos. Meanwhile Viveza enhances and corrects colours and tones, Dfine is a noise-reduction tool, and there are also sharpening tools. You also get DxO PhotoLab 5 Essential, a pared-down raw editor which employs DxO's Optics Modules for lens correction and U-Point technology for local adjustments. That's quite a lot of firepower for £135 (£69 to upgrade), equivalent to subscribing to Lightroom and Photoshop for just over a year. Even so, that's quite a big financial commitment for many in these straitened times, so is the new version worth it?

Color Efex

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 16, 2022 من Amateur Photographer.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة August 16, 2022 من Amateur Photographer.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER مشاهدة الكل
Calling The Shots: A Queer History of Photography
Amateur Photographer

Calling The Shots: A Queer History of Photography

Offering an unprecedented view of photographic history through a queer lens, this is a wonderful and powerful book, says

time-read
1 min  |
November 26, 2024
Large-aperture standard zoom, too
Amateur Photographer

Large-aperture standard zoom, too

SONY has also revealed a new premium standard zoom, the FE 28-70mm F2 GM.

time-read
1 min  |
November 26, 2024
Super-fast, high-res Sony Alpha Ai II
Amateur Photographer

Super-fast, high-res Sony Alpha Ai II

SONY has announced its new professional full-frame flagship camera, the Alpha A1 II.

time-read
1 min  |
November 26, 2024
39 awesome accessories
Amateur Photographer

39 awesome accessories

Our round-up of the best accessories we've used and reviewed this year, along with some old favourites. There's something here for every budget, starting from just £7, including tripods, bags, filters and much more

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 26, 2024
Such a thing as society
Amateur Photographer

Such a thing as society

This autumn sees the launch of a major new book and exhibition devoted to examining the multiplicities of photography during 1980s Britain. Peter Dench finds out more

time-read
6 mins  |
November 26, 2024
Join Club
Amateur Photographer

Join Club

The sociable Canvey Island Photographic Club is keen to grow its in-person meet ups

time-read
2 mins  |
November 26, 2024
Capturing flight
Amateur Photographer

Capturing flight

Winners and finalists of Bird Photographer of the Year share their tips for success with Hollie Latham Hucker

time-read
10 mins  |
November 26, 2024
140 years of change
Amateur Photographer

140 years of change

AP has become the world’s oldest surviving consumer photo magazine because we have moved with the times, says Nigel Atherton

time-read
2 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Preserving history in platinum
Amateur Photographer

Preserving history in platinum

A deep dive into the meticulous art of platinum printing, and the collaboration between the Royal Geographical Society and Salto Ulbeek. Mike Crawford explores how they brought historical photographs to life with enduring beauty and precision

time-read
7 mins  |
September 24, 2024
Life in the past lane
Amateur Photographer

Life in the past lane

What was life like for an amateur photographer in 1884? John Wade takes a trip back in time

time-read
3 mins  |
September 24, 2024