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Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 Review
Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 is the ultimate sharpening tool, ranging in price from $329.00 for the "Complete Version" to $169.00 for the "Inkjet Edition". At such prices, one would have to think Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 should offer a clear advantage to other much less expensive sharpening options. In this respect, Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 does not disappoint. It is without question the most complete, effective sharpening tool available. Whether for web viewing or print, Nik Shapener Pro 2.0 is an invauable tool for those photographers who must produce the best image quality possible.
A Little Background
Up until the past few weeks, I have generally found that using the unsharp mask in Photoshop produced the most consistent results for me. I also occasionally used Nik Sharpener Pro 1.0, but found the flexibility in the original version to be lacking. When good, it was quite good, but too often I found the sharpening was off the mark, and for web settings, it only had a 3 choice option for sharpening level.
Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 has a number of significant upgrades. Following are some of the key differences:
Changes in Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0
16-bit
Now you can work on 16-bit images and sharpen them without having to reduce the image to 8-bits.
Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 Selective
A powerful new feature of Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 is the Selective tool. Use the Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 Selective tool to apply sharpening to your images using selective brush strokes.
Advanced Panel for more control
The Advanced Panel provides you with additional controls to set the amount of sharpening both to the entire image, as well as to specific areas within the image. The Advanced Panel consists of five sliders that can control the amount of sharpening applied to specific areas within the image.
Raw Presharpening
The RAW Presharpening filter is a new sharpening tool within Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 that was designed to enhance images converted from a RAW file format.
Larger Preview
The preview area allows you to see how the sharpening alters the image. With the larger preview area you see more of the image and get a better understanding of the results.
Analysis Modes
The two different overlay modes enable you to see a visual representation of the sharpening that will be applied to the image.
How Does It Work?
Nik Sharpener Pro 2.0 works as a plug-in in the following programs:
- Adobe Photoshop 5.5 through CS2
- Adobe Photoshop Elements 1 through 3.0
- Adobe PhotoDeluxe
- Adobe Photoshop LE
- Corel Paint Shop Pro
- Corel PHOTOPAINT
- Microsoft Digital Image Pro
- Ulead PhotoImpact
Conclusion
All of the gee whiz tools and claims would mean nothing if the product did not produce exceptional output. I have an Epson 2200 printer and printed an ISO 1600 print using the Epson print setting. After adjusting the parameters accordingly, the resulting prints were extraordinary...better than I usually achieve in one pass using Photoshop's unsharp mask. After using the selective sharpening tool, you'll wonder how you lived without it. I don't review too many products here on Dphoto. That's partially due to time constraints, and also due to the fact that I believe truly useful reviews should be done on products that are in "in the workflow".
Although it's not the least expensive option on the planet, I 100% recommend Nik Sharper Pro 2.0. It;s flexability and output quality is superb.
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