What Plug-Ins Does Everybody Like/Use?

Jim's "Favorite CS5 Features" post got me wondering, what plug-ins do people like to use?

Mine:
-Noise Ninja
-PhotoTools Pro

I'm thinking on Nik Silver Efex for B&W, but maybe CS5 offers enough leverage now... any thoughts?

HeyPaul, I use the Nik Sofware programs and love them. I go right to Color Efex Pro for processing and then into Nik's Viveza for fine tuning, and only use Photoshop for cloning, croping, and resizing. If you decide to buy the Silver Efex Pro or any of Nik's programs, let me know as I can get you, or anyone interested great prices from Nik with my coupon code, as they are having a Black Friday Sale next week.

Another vote for the Nik Software plugins. Especially nice now that they have released the 64 bit versions so you can take full advantage of 64 bit CS5. I use Dfine for noise reduction, Color efex Pro if necessary, and Nik Sharpener for output sharpening.

I too love Nik. Check out the entire package price at B&H.

A third vote for the Nik Software plugins. Dfine, Viveza, and Color efex Pro. Really streamline my workflow.

I fourth the vote for Nik Software (Dfine, Viveza, and Silver Efex, HDR eFex). I also use OnOne Software (FocalPoint, Perfect Resize).

I use them in Aperture. Don't use PS.

Since CS5, I have found my need for plug-ins much reduced. I like a streamlined and simple workflow and will only resort to plug-ins for artistic reasons or if I've got a real severe problem. That said, when I do use anything, I use Noise Ninja on occasion and have found it to be totally adequate. The new Topaz noise reduction looks promising but I've not played with it much. I did not find Dfine to offer significant improvement relative to its much higher cost. I do vote for SilverEfex though from Nik and Viveza too. Problem with Nik is that the products are at the high end of the cost scale IMHO and I wish they would offer smaller "package deals" where one could perhaps buy only 2 or 3 products instead of having to buy the entire suite to get significant savings. Maybe Mike's discount is an answer!
JR

Paul, Lately I do most of my adjustment in Lightroom but I also like the Topaz filters.

Mike, How good is your NIK discount code? Does it beat the NAPP 15% discount?

Hey Jim, go here to see the Black Friday Sale prices and code on my blog. Nik Sale

About all I use anymore is Topaz DeNoise. The tools in CS5 are so powerful, that I just don't need anything else.

My goodness, Nik software is appearing to be the unanimous favorite on NPN! I'm fairly comfortable with doing advanced/extended work on images, but sometimes it'd be nice to have a plug-in do what you were hoping to achieve. I think I need to seriously investigate Silver Efex and Color Efex. Mike, thanks for the Moats code!

I have Neat Image as plug-in in CS2. I have the standalone version, as well. It's a nice program.

--P

Thanks Cindy, good info. I hear a lot of good things about Topaz, but Neat Image is a new one to me, Preston's reply is the first I've heard about it. I watched the tutorial about Viveza 2, and WOW, how easy it makes local adjustments! I think that's my next investment.

Hey Paul. yes the Viveza 2 is amazing, as you saw, you have pin point adjustments with exposure and color, and no having to create layers and masked that you have to do in photoshop, huge time saver and very effective.

Mike,

Are you still working in .jpeg only? Does Nik offer good RAW conversions?

Hey Luke you do your RAW conversion before it goes to Nik, same as you would before you start processing in photoshop, and you bet I'm still shooting with Jpeg.

Mike, do you use Nik for Lightroom or for Photoshop. I see significant price difference between the two packages and waondering whether there is any feature differences?

Hey Arnab, I use photoshop elements, and there shouldn't be any difference in the programs whether you are using photoshop or lightroom.

I use Topaz adjust, dejpeg, and noise. They have worked well for me in Elements...

But now, I've decided to take you up on your BlackFr. code and get the Complete Collection .. Also, it's nice to hear that such a terrific photographer still uses Elements, like I do!!

Thanks,

Thanks Lucy, elements is a great program. The Black Fr sale starts tomorrow (Wednesday the 24th thru Tuesday the 30th)

"...there shouldn't be any difference in the programs whether you are using photoshop or lightroom."

Except for the fact that when you open them in PS, you can take advantage of using a layer based workflow with the filters.

Just getting into the NIK programs. It'll take some learning but I like what I see so far.

there shouldn't be any difference in the programs whether you are using photoshop or lightroom.

Except for the fact that when you open them in PS, you can take advantage of using a layer based workflow with the filters.

Also, in Photoshop you have the option of saving the NIK layer as a SmartObject.
That allows you to edit the layer at later date with all your NIK plugin settings restored.

For anyone curious about the NIK plugins, I highly recommend checking out their site for the free online training videos and webinars. I think they are setting a standard for the industry.

Hi Mike,

THANK YOU for alerting me to the NIK sale! I bought the complete package....unfortunately, it was still expensive as I have a 64 Bit and had to get the Ultimate version.

But, IT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY! In fact, I am going to uninstall my noise ware programs, that I've been using. I'm hooked.

This suite enables me to delay the $$$ for a good SLR and lenses.. I really optimizes my Canon SX10 IS photos.

The only problem I've found is realizing that the control point encompasses the entire photo, until you manually scale it down. I wish it were the other way around.

I did get Viveza 2, this thing could be my new best friend, lol!