Suggestions please, CS5, LR2 or something else?

04/12/2010 02:10:05 PM · #1

I need to decide wether or not to buy CS5 or LightRoom 2... Right now I have been using PSE6 but just finished up my LR2 trial. Now they release CS5. Any suggestions on which way to go? I liked the Raw editing in LR2 but still found myself opening the images up in PSE6 after the fact. Maybe I just need to learn how to use it better. I need something to organize events, edit and send them to my website for people to view and order. Which program would you suggest? And I am a Mac user.

Also I really haven't found a good way of sorting files. I usually dump my originals to an external HD then import to LR2 (was importing to iPhoto before I started shooting raw) then I will select photos and export them to various folders under my main photo folder. Then I will import them to iPhoto so that I can export certain albums to facebook. This really seems redundant and there must be a smarter way for me to do this. Please help.

-Joshua

photodude

04/12/2010 02:14:28 PM · #2

LR2 is shortly going to be LR3, so I wouldnt buy now. There is a public Beta of LR3 that you can download and play with - it shouldnt be too long until the new version becomes available

04/12/2010 02:19:21 PM · #3

Originally posted by photodude:

LR2 is shortly going to be LR3, so I wouldnt buy now. There is a public Beta of LR3 that you can download and play with - it shouldnt be too long until the new version becomes available

I am not good with having multiple options... sigh, what are your thoughts on CS5... or I shoud say cs4 since 5 hasn't been released yet. I need something that I can use to edit multiple images and file them and upload to my site, a good raw converter would be nice as well but I am debating wether or not to just return to shooting jpeg, especially since I plan on doing a lot of sports.

04/12/2010 02:22:21 PM · #4

Why are you dumping originals to an HD first and then import to LR2? Just import directly from memory card in camera to LR. If you set it up right, you'll back up all the files (read originals that will never be touched and can be used for challenge proof if necessary).

I have CS4 but only use it for spot editing and sometimes Lucis Art (Topaz in a way) if needed. I then 'loan' the image out from LR; do my edit and save it. It will then appear as an updated file in LR. Dodging & burning is also possible in LR and I do it often for real estate photos. But this particular task is easier and quicker (at least for me) in CS4. iPhoto is not in use here (yes, I'm also a Mac'cer).

I haven't tried CS5 yet but I'm sure it won't be a substitute for LR. If you need to find a solution to file handling/storing I would definitely go with LR.

04/12/2010 02:27:46 PM · #5

Originally posted by TrollMan:

Thanks, I think I am just missing out on a lot of what LR has to offer and it is really just a lack of knowledge that is messing me up. One thing I have a quick question with though, in LR when I import it converts to dng, that isn't an original file in terms of dpc so how would I do it so that I retain my untouched cr2 file? Do you know of any good books that you would suggest on LR?

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

04/12/2010 02:35:26 PM · #6

Originally posted by jminso:

Originally posted by TrollMan:
Why are you dumping originals to an HD first and then import to LR2? Just import directly from memory card in camera to LR. If you set it up right, you'll back up all the files (read originals that will never be touched and can be used for challenge proof if necessary).

I have CS4 but only use it for spot editing and sometimes Lucis Art (Topaz in a way) if needed. I then 'loan' the image out from LR; do my edit and save it. It will then appear as an updated file in LR. Dodging & burning is also possible in LR and I do it often for real estate photos. But this particular task is easier and quicker (at least for me) in CS4. iPhoto is not in use here (yes, I'm also a Mac'cer).

I haven't tried CS5 yet but I'm sure it won't be a substitute for LR. If you need to find a solution to file handling/storing I would definitely go with LR.

Thanks, I think I am just missing out on a lot of what LR has to offer and it is really just a lack of knowledge that is messing me up. One thing I have a quick question with though, in LR when I import it converts to dng, that isn't an original file in terms of dpc so how would I do it so that I retain my untouched cr2 file? Do you know of any good books that you would suggest on LR?

In the import dialog when importing from your camera memory card make sure you check the "import to:" checkbox. You can then define a disk and path (for example your external disk). The files that goes there are the RAW files. And these wont change either when you edit the imported files.

LindaLee

Canon EOS-40D

04/12/2010 02:38:34 PM · #7

My opinion is that if you mostly need light -moderate editing, archiving and data management - the LR would be the choice.

If you do lots of heavy editing, digital manipulation, etc, then CS5 is most definitely the way to go.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G

04/12/2010 02:45:04 PM · #8

Originally posted by LindaLee:

Yeah the only heavy editing I usually do is for dpc and even that is a rarity. Most of my editing is just sharpening, clarity, white balance, exposure and cropping.

JamesA

Nikon D800

04/12/2010 02:52:42 PM · #9

For raw editing I use Capture one and i love it.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/12/2010 03:16:02 PM · #10

Originally posted by jminso:

And I am a Mac user.

-Joshua

Before you decide you should also read reviews of just-released Aperture 3 ...

04/12/2010 03:19:38 PM · #11

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by jminso:
And I am a Mac user.

-Joshua

Before you decide you should also read reviews of just-released Aperture 3 ...

Ahhh... more choices. Not sure so many options are better lol. Thanks for the tip, I will check into that as well.

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/12/2010 03:23:52 PM · #12

Originally posted by jminso:

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by jminso:
And I am a Mac user.

-Joshua

Before you decide you should also read reviews of just-released Aperture 3 ...

Ahhh... more choices. Not sure so many options are better lol. Thanks for the tip, I will check into that as well.

And then there's Capture One Pro by Phase One. :) I personally love this software and use it for setting WB as well as black/white point.
ETA: And it also serves the purpose as a RAW converter in my case...

Message edited by author 2010-04-12 15:27:36.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

04/12/2010 03:24:55 PM · #13

Photoshop has the advantage of having a familiar interface. AFAIK the main thing the other two offer beyond editing is cataloging/file management, with tagging and linbraries and such. If you take care of that "manually" like I do, then PS would seem the most logical choice. The other two programs offer some quite different functions, and will probably require some significant time and training to get up to speed.

If you now use iPhoto to catalog your photos, then I think you can port all of that over to Aperture.

salmiakki

Apple iPhone 16 Pro

Sony Sonnar T* 35mm f/2.8 ZA

04/12/2010 03:35:43 PM · #14

Originally posted by GeneralE:

If you now use iPhoto to catalog your photos, then I think you can port all of that over to Aperture.

Yes, you can, really easily. I just upgraded to Aperture 3 this last weekend and it is really a huge improvement over version 2. I prefer it to lightroom which I have tried. Some good new editing features in Aperture 3 too. I upgraded a couple of years ago from Elements to CS3, but honestly it was not worth the money. I do little in CS3 that could not be done in Elements.

Aperture 3 has built-in upload facilities for Flickr and Facebook. Take a look at it, you may like it. And I believe it is $100 cheaper than Lightroom.

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

04/12/2010 04:01:46 PM · #15

I've just started using Aperture. I've been doing similar edits in LR 2 and Aperture 3 and am finding Aperture 3 easier to use. Who knows what LR 3 will bring to the table. I haven't tried the beta version.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/12/2010 04:30:45 PM · #16

If you have an Apple store nearby you should be able to try out Aperture. Or maybe there's a demo/trial version available ...

DCNUTTER

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

04/12/2010 05:20:59 PM · #17

Originally posted by GeneralE:

If you have an Apple store nearby you should be able to try out Aperture. Or maybe there's a demo/trial version available ...

I would recommend Lightroom over Aperture any day, but it's a matter of preference I suppose. Before LR 2+ came out Aperture had the advantage, but not since the release of LR 2 and now LR 3 is out or coming out soon.

If I had to choose between LR or Photoshop I'd definitely go with Photoshop because it include Adobe Camera RAW which enables one to do the majority of important functions that LR provides, and on top of that Photoshop has features that can't be accomplished in LR or Aperture for that matter.

04/12/2010 05:25:14 PM · #18

Originally posted by GeneralE:

If you have an Apple store nearby you should be able to try out Aperture. Or maybe there's a demo/trial version available ...

I have Aperture as well but have trouble getting friends with it. But then gain; I have trouble getting friends with a lot of things! :)

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G

04/12/2010 05:26:41 PM · #19

Thank you for all of the replies. I am downloading Aperture trial now so I will give that a go and see what I think. Then I will decide between Aperture, LR and CS5 although not sure I need the extra power(it is nice though) that CS5 offers or the $300-$400 price difference.

JamesA

Nikon D800

04/12/2010 05:51:15 PM · #20

Originally posted by jminso:

Id try capture one too, they have a trial.