hello,
I am using Lightroom perpetual licenses for quite a few years, current using v6.14 and thinking about upgrade. I don't want "monthly subscription" Lightroom, and like to try other software which is close or similar to Lightroom's functions (batch raw to jpg export, with noise reduction and other adjustments).
I googled online and looks like "Skylum Luminar Neo" is nearest. Do you have any user experience with this software to share, any suggestions or recommendations?
Thanks.
hchen5965 wrote:
hello,
I am using Lightroom perpetual licenses for quite a few years, current using v6.14 and thinking about upgrade. I don't want "monthly subscription" Lightroom, and like to try other software which is close or similar to Lightroom's functions (batch raw to jpg export, with noise reduction and other adjustments).
I googled online and looks like "Skylum Luminar Neo" is nearest. Do you have any user experience with this software to share, any suggestions or recommendations?
Thanks.
The jump from v6.14 to current, is quite significant ... have you tried the current version yet?
If you're already well acclimated to LR, the subscription of Luminar might save you a few pennies a day (i.e. $5 / month less on their two year pre-pay = 0.17/day), but ... hmmmm, if that $0.17 is actually your best move ... particularly as a current LR user.
RustyBug wrote:
The jump from v6.14 to current, is quite significant ... have you tried the current version yet?
If you're already well acclimated to LR, the subscription of Luminar might save you a few pennies a day (i.e. $5 / month less on their two year pre-pay = 0.17/day), but ... hmmmm, if that $0.17 is actually your best move ... particularly as a current LR user.
Just sayin' ...
Hi, thanks for reply.
I am thinking to buy perpetual "Skylum Luminar Neo" license, currently it is $199 per copy. I haven't tried the new version of LR yet.
In addition to Luminar, there's On1 Photo Raw and DXO Photolab. The processing, lens corrections, and noise reduction in DXO are top notch while On1 offers more in the way of features and presets. On1 is also about to release a new version of their noise reduction. Might be worth downloading demos or all 3 and see which you prefer.
hchen5965 wrote:
Hi, thanks for reply.
I am thinking to buy perpetual "Skylum Luminar Neo" license, currently it is $199 per copy. I haven't tried the new version of LR yet.
Understood ... just might want to consider what you're walking away from, before you walk away.
I'll point out the obvious, the cost of LR's subscription is equal to two Starbucks coffees per month. For that you get PS along for the ride and continual updates which have been very regular throughout each of the last number of years. Definitely agree with @RustyBug, you should carefully consider what you'd be walking away from before you make a jump.
It's long past time to give up on the aversion to subscriptions. I get it, I was the same way years ago. However, you have to face the fact that software needs to constantly evolve to keep up with changes in the camera technology, and developing and supporting software isn't free. Adobe has been quite active at keeping their software updated quickly, and has been adding a lot of great new features. The price of the subscription is extremely reasonable for the value you get, and you might be blown away at how much it has improved since 6.14--that's positively ancient in software terms.
schlotz wrote:
I'll point out the obvious, the cost of LR's subscription is equal to two Starbucks coffees per month. For that you get PS along for the ride and continual updates which have been very regular throughout each of the last number of years. Definitely agree with @RustyBug@, you should carefully consider what you'd be walking away from before you make a jump.
This this this this this this this this.
The amount of value I get from LR and PS for a stupid $10 a month is IMMENSE. There are so many features in LR now that I have requested over the years that it's allllllmost the only app I need, but having PS included in the price closes the loop. LR Mobile is getting better and better too.
And after a tip, a grande from SBux is $7. I know because I'm drinking one right now
Why are you thinking about an upgrade if LR6.14 is still working for you? Will you get a new camera, new computer, etc.? You mentioned batch exports, so it sounds like you might be using LR for more than processing a few images here and there.
If that's the case then I agree with the others that updating to the current subscription version is likely worthwhile due to the massive feature improvements since LR6. I know because I was in the same situation at the end of 2022 when I updated to new cameras and they were no longer directly supported in LR6. And in my case a number of new features in LR have made for a more efficient workflow when processing larger quantities of images.
The other option you might consider, if your camera is too new to be supported by LR6, is using Adobe's DNG Converter app to convert your camera's RAW files to DNG, which will then be possible to process in LR6. It adds additional steps to the process and generates a second set of files to store alongside the original RAW files. But it does potentially save you $10/month.
BTW, you can also buy the LR Classic license on an annual basis. There isn't really that much of a difference between annual and monthly, but it's worth reading the fine print in part because the monthly option doesn't really allow you to cancel at any time without penalty, IIRC. It's at least an option if you prefer to pay in one shot rather than seeing the recurring monthly charges on your CC statements.
I know you said you didn't want subscription but a few members made a few points. Not sure if you are interested or even have one. The $10 photo plan comes with a personal website called Portfolio. It can be integrated with Lightroom or you can just upload files from you computer.
Previously I used Zenfolio which was overkill for my needs but I liked their layout. When I subscribed to the Adobe plan dropping Zenfolio basically paid for it. Great if you want to display or share photos with family, etc. I believe you can create up to five personal sites.
It will be hard to replace Lightroom's DAM if you need or want that. Otherwise ON1 would be of interest to me if I dropped Adobe. It does come with Noise Reduction AI. NoNoise which is v2 now.
Currently v6.14 read in all my cameras raw files. I am thinking about upgrading because I am over the fence for newer mirrorless camera. Not to mention, a few of my cameras were bought here.
After reading all the comments and replies, I believe it is better to go with new LR subscription plan and stick to my presets.
If I can afford $1k camera and lens, $10/month for LR is no brainer.
Thanks you all for your help.
rscheffler wrote:
Why are you thinking about an upgrade if LR6.14 is still working for you? Will you get a new camera, new computer, etc.? You mentioned batch exports, so it sounds like you might be using LR for more than processing a few images here and there.
If that's the case then I agree with the others that updating to the current subscription version is likely worthwhile due to the massive feature improvements since LR6. I know because I was in the same situation at the end of 2022 when I updated to new cameras and they were no longer directly supported in LR6. And in my case a number of new features in LR have made for a more efficient workflow when processing larger quantities of images.
The other option you might consider, if your camera is too new to be supported by LR6, is using Adobe's DNG Converter app to convert your camera's RAW files to DNG, which will then be possible to process in LR6. It adds additional steps to the process and generates a second set of files to store alongside the original RAW files. But it does potentially save you $10/month.
BTW, you can also buy the LR Classic license on an annual basis. There isn't really that much of a difference between annual and monthly, but it's worth reading the fine print in part because the monthly option doesn't really allow you to cancel at any time without penalty, IIRC. It's at least an option if you prefer to pay in one shot rather than seeing the recurring monthly charges on your CC statements. ...Show more →
hchen5965 wrote:
Currently v6.14 read in all my cameras raw files. I am thinking about upgrading because I am over the fence for newer mirrorless camera. Not to mention, a few of my cameras were bought here.
After reading all the comments and replies, I believe it is better to go with new LR subscription plan and stick to my presets.
If I can afford $1k camera and lens, $10/month for LR is no brainer.
Thanks you all for your help.
You will notice 2 versions of Lightroom.
Lightroom Classic or LrC. That is the similar to LR6 and requires local file storage. Version 13 now.
Lightroom or Lr. The is newer desktop app but is the cloud/local file storage version. It is not as robust as LrC. Version 7.
I'd start with LrC because you will have quite the learning curve with all the new features. Explore Lr later if you are interested. I've never even installed it because I was never interested in file cloud storage. Lr was full cloud storage from 2017 until last fall when the new version (7) became a local/cloud storage hybrid.
Providing you with the tiresome but truthful answer: Get over it. Subscripe to the Adobe plan. Assuming your time is worth minimum wage, you'll be dollars ahead and speaking the language that the rest of the community is speaking in your workflow.
I have no problem with subscription software (I pay hundreds of dollars annually in software subscriptions) but I have big problems with Adobe as a company and in all my years using Adobe software (since the late 1980s) I never once had a satisfactory customer experience. I switched from Lightroom to Capture One a few years ago and am pretty happy with it; I haven't upgraded to the latest version but the one I have (version 23) does everything I need and is stable. I never use lens profiles and don't often upgrade cameras so I should be able to use this version until an OS or computer upgrade requires me to get a newer one.
I am checking out Nitro, the new app developed by the former lead developer for Aperture, Apple Photos, and other Apple apps, and it provides most of what I'd need; I like the interface, but worry about longevity since this appears to be a largely one-person effort. The main thing I'd miss is more precise color grading that I can do in Capture One.
I've also used Darktable on and off for years, mainly when I was using Linux but it also works on Mac. It has a steep learning curve and is pretty clunky, but it's free and open source; if you're willing to invest 5-10 years in learning how to use it, it could be a good option. You can get going immediately by following other people's workflows, but if you really want to understand all the controls and how they work, you have to do a lot of research and learning. One of Darktable's former star developers, Aurelien Pierre, has released his own app derived from Darktable, called Ansel. It improves on Darktable in many ways, but is still far from intuitive.
As others noted above, another option to consider is ON-1. I got it for a bargain price a few years back and mostly enjoy it, mainly when I want to do more manipulation than I normally do. ON-1 (and Luminar) seem to be aimed at people who like to transform and manipulate their photos with AI, presets, LUTs, special effects, sky replacements, etc., which is not normally what I do but I occasionally use it when I want a particular effect.
Affinity Photo is more like Photoshop than Lightroom; reportedly they are working on a DAM app, which would be interesting if it ever comes out but they've been working on it for a long time.
RoamingScott wrote:
This this this this this this this this.
The amount of value I get from LR and PS for a stupid $10 a month is IMMENSE. There are so many features in LR now that I have requested over the years that it's allllllmost the only app I need, but having PS included in the price closes the loop. LR Mobile is getting better and better too.
And after a tip, a grande from SBux is $7. I know because I'm drinking one right now
Hard pass on subscriptions. I was was very slow to upgrade to LR6 and was just about to reach that version when the announcement came that LR was going subscription. I dropped Adobe forever that moment. Never, not one time, will I ever rent software. I was a use of LR since day 1 and they forever lost me as a customer the moment they tried to get my cash every month.
LR5 came out in 2013 and I'm still using it, 11 years later. I've saved $1300 and counting by not renting software from Adobe. I'll keep running LR5 until it finally breaks, but I have it installed on a Mac M2 so I am good for many, many more years.
There are no known words, in any language, that can accurately express the level of hatred I have for Adobe.
rattymouse wrote:
Hard pass on subscriptions. I was was very slow to upgrade to LR6 and was just about to reach that version when the announcement came that LR was going subscription. I dropped Adobe forever that moment. Never, not one time, will I ever rent software. I was a use of LR since day 1 and they forever lost me as a customer the moment they tried to get my cash every month.
LR5 came out in 2013 and I'm still using it, 11 years later. I've saved $1300 and counting by not renting software from Adobe. I'll keep running LR5 until it finally breaks, but I have it installed on a Mac M2 so I am good for many, many more years.
There are no known words, in any language, that can accurately express the level of hatred I have for Adobe.
Using an archaic, out of support version isn't an option for anyone shooting RAW with a semi recent camera or lens.
My time is worth more to me than ranting endlessly against modernity at the expense of costing me convenience. Everyone has to do their own math, though. If you have old gear and your old software still works, that's great.
Yet you continue to use their product. If I hated a company that much I wouldn't use anything, even old software. There are a number of products as good as Lightroom and would run much better than LR 5 and offer modern tech. But you have to actually value software.
rattymouse wrote:
Hard pass on subscriptions. I was was very slow to upgrade to LR6 and was just about to reach that version when the announcement came that LR was going subscription. I dropped Adobe forever that moment. Never, not one time, will I ever rent software. I was a use of LR since day 1 and they forever lost me as a customer the moment they tried to get my cash every month.
LR5 came out in 2013 and I'm still using it, 11 years later. I've saved $1300 and counting by not renting software from Adobe. I'll keep running LR5 until it finally breaks, but I have it installed on a Mac M2 so I am good for many, many more years.
There are no known words, in any language, that can accurately express the level of hatred I have for Adobe.
