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Nikon Custom Picture Control Presets

When shooting raw these settings will reflect the look of the embedded JPG seen on the back of the camera. You will still have to adjust in post.
edited November 2014

Dennis,
As Bob said, it only reflects on the embedded RAW jpeg and has no bearing on the RAW itself, which is governed by your WB and you need to adjust in post, however, have you read this article I posted about the Camera Profiles I use (only for Nikon) which to me gives a much better result from the get-go once you are in your RAW converter.
Cheers,
Trev
If you happen to use the Nikon raw converters (Nikon View NX2, Capture NX-D, or the now discontinued Capture NX-2), that software will detect the picture control you selected in camera for the NEF and use it as a default for the image. The software refers to it as 'recorded value' for the picture control setting. Since you shot it as NEF, you can change it if you want to something else.
If you don't use the Nikon converters (eg. Lightroom, Photoshop, DXO, Capture One, etc.), the choice in camera has no bearing whatsoever, and the software won't even know the existence of a Nikon proprietary picture control.
I find it helpful to select a picture control in camera that is typically close to how you might edit it, just so that the image displayed on the camera's LCD is somewhat close. I generally use a modified standard picture control, set for a little more sharpening than default, and I also bump up the saturation and contrast one notch each.
Thanks all for your advice.
Did a lot of researching and found a ton of valuable info. Going to try importing into LR using Vivid for now to see what I get.
Thanks again
Dennis,
I think you will be happy using the Camera Vivid on your Nikon files but read that link I gave above and change the contrast from Medium (default) to Linear as that profile will give darker contrast.
Trev, am I correct to understand that when I import into LR using Nikon Camera Vivid that when I view in 'Develop' none of the sliders would have moved? The image woiuld just come in more fully vivid ready for additional processing? Can I also apply Camera Vivid by adjusting the first pic and then synchronizing the balance or does that affect the image differently than doing it during import? Thanks in advance for your assistance. It is much appreciated!
David,
Yep, using Vivid (for Nikon files only as it's not available under the Camera Profile for Canon, etc.) will give you that extra boost colour and contrast.
You can absolutely do it both ways, sometimes when I start an import I may have forgotten to apply the preset, so I just wait until all imported, and on the first image apply the preset, then select all, and sync those settings so all the files you now have are the same as the preset. Just make sure you do not do any changes to exposure, WB as that will then be applied across the board.
It makes no difference if applied during or after import, it's the same preset.
Have fun.

Custom Nikon Picture Controls

On the D700 the AF options are A8 and A7; set them according to your liking. For exposure customization, I’ve set options B1, B2 and B3 to be 1-stop increments for ISO, and 1/2 stop increments for exposure control and compensation. This way, I can change my exposure with far fewer clicks. Insert the memory card into your Nikon camera and in the Camera menu, select Manage Picture Control. Select Load/Save and you’ll see any Picture Control files you’ve saved to the card and be prompted to add them to the camera. That’s all there is to it.

Nikon Picture Control Preset