Lightroom 5 and Creative Cloud

[Reef Bass]

Anybody tried the new version of Lightroom yet? Any "must have" new features? Worth the upgrade?

I'm wondering if this won't be the last version that consumers will be able to purchase without a monthly Creative Cloud subscription.

I confess I'm not thrilled about the prospect of being billed every month for a piece of software I'd rather just purchase and be done being billed. The first year even at $10 / month for access to a single product such as Lightroom (versus $30 / mo. for multiple app access) would be $120, which is already more than the $79 upgrade cost.

I hear that one would always have access to the latest version and latest features, but I am not always connected to the internet. Plus it just feels to me like a way for Adobe to grab more cash from their loyal followers.

Anyone feel differently about a Creative Cloud subscription?

 

[jroovers]

Haven't tried it... I'm still using LR3 as my MacBook doesn't support LR4. LR3, combined with using CS5 for stacking and stitching panoramas, works fine for my processing. I would continue to use these programs over paying a per month subscription fee, which is ridiculous IMO, regardless of whatever new features they have.

 

[IslandCrow]

From what I've heard, Adobe doesn't seem to have any near term plans to move Lightroom to the CC, though they could always change their mind in the future. Though I haven't tried it, I'm not a big fan of the CC concept either, but just so you know, you will still have access to Photoshop even if you aren't always connected to the internet. The full program is still installed on your hard drive. Think of it like using an antivirus program. It occasionally downloads updates, and will stop working once your subscription period is up, but it still works even if you aren't connected to the internet. I don't know for sure if Adobe CC works exactly like that, but you do not lose it just because you're not currently connected to the web.

 

[Reef Bass]

From what I've heard, Adobe doesn't seem to have any near term plans to move Lightroom to the CC, though they could always change their mind in the future.

The email I got from Adobe reads "Creative Cloud for photographers ... Make details stand out with all new Smart Sharpen in Photoshop. Organize with Lightroom."

Clicking on the link talks about Creative Cloud for photographers starting at $29.99 per month.

 

[Reef Bass]

Think of it like using an antivirus program. It occasionally downloads updates, and will stop working once your subscription period is up, but it still works even if you aren't connected to the internet. I don't know for sure if Adobe CC works exactly like that, but you do not lose it just because you're not currently connected to the web.

I hear that and that would work for me. My concern is that when one fires up the app, it would check for subscription validity and not proceed if that couldn't happen, even if it's just because one doesn't have an active internet connection.

On a separate note, the "all new smart sharpen" which is being touted for Photoshop is also a new feature bullet point for Lightroom 5.

As an amateur photographer, having an older but still functioning full version of Photoshop, I will most likely upgrade from LR 4 to LR 5 and hold off embracing the monthly subscription cost of Creative Cloud (3 months worth would already cover the cost of the LR upgrade) until I have a compelling reason to do so.

If it were my business I'd be less concerned with cost and more concerned with latest features, so subscribing to CC would make more sense.

 

[jroovers]

As an amateur photographer, LR3 suffices for 99.5% of what I do... I rarely use CS5. If it were for business, I agree, different story... and the cost would be tax deductible.