Two different programs for different purposes. Capture is a RAW converter (which Photoshop also has built in) and Photoshop is an image editing program. I suggest that you experiment with both, but focus on learning Photoshop because it's not limited to just working on D70 files and it's compatible with the rest of the imaging world.

Larry - I knew the purpose of the Capture - just wasn't sure if the RAW conversion was in Photoshop too. What version of Photo shop is recommended for a budding photographer? Would welcome your thoughts on that! Thanks!

Always the latest which is CS2. It's better than CS was. Each version gets better from the perspective of digital photography.

But Photoshop is very expensive for a first time purchase and you can do most of the same things combining Capture with Elements. Elements has a few limits like not having curves or the ability to create and run actions.

One thing you can do with Capture is control the camera remotely through a long USB cable, saving the images onto the computer instead of a memory card.

Larry - thanks for your advice. I actually got both the Capture and Photoshop CS2 for Christmas - was thinking of returning one... hence my question here.

Dawn

Capture is only $100 and you can live without it. Photoshop is a $600 program but it's a full editing program and learning it will remain with you for years through any digital camera you upgrade to. I'm in a unique position where I have both, and find that it's convenient to have Capture there when I need it, but I work with Photoshop for about 10 hours a day and couldn't live without it.

Larry - Can you recommend a good book on learning the CS2 software? I will probably keep the Capture... it isn't spendy and I might end up using it eventually when I start shooting in RAW. For now I am still shooting in JPEG-fine.

Dawn

If you have the boxed version, it also contains the manual. If you only have the CD, the manual is on the CD as a PDF.

If you decide to shoot RAW, or just get into using File Browser and creating actions, I recommend the Bruce Fraser book called Camera RAW with Adobe Photoshop CS2

Larry - Thanks for the rec. I do have the manual that came with it - but I like to read other books as well - that may be "lighter" - if you know what I mean!

Dawn

Dawn,
One book I would recommend is available on line,and tho is geared towards the use of the D70,will give you more insight and knowledge of digital capture and editing than you will find in backpack full of "expert advice" The book is by Peter Inova,and the title is DSLR:Nikon D70.A google search will hook you up,I am confident you will not be dissapointed
Bon Aperture

Scott kelby has a book for CS2 that is informative, whilst still being "Light".
I have both Capture and CS2, and have been irritated by Capture; it's slow and not very intuitive, though it gets good reviews for the quality of it's raw conversions. I find Bridge a wonderful replacement for iPhoto, though I miss the ease of printing and e-mailing photos in iPhoto.

Any skills you acquire in Photoshop will be of value, even if you move to other programs; the manipulations will be similar.

Work on a copy and play with the tools; and when that copy is hopeless, make another and start over. The joys of digital.

Bron