Lightroom Purchasing query

[steveatesh]

I was going to get LR 5 but I've learned that LR 6 is due out in March, apparently with some good performance improvements etc.

However, if I could get LR 5 at a good discount on Black Friday / Cyber Monday I might be tempted but the Adobe site only appears to be offering LR via Creative Cloud (with Photoshop) and it does not offer LR as a stand alone package, lifetime licence (ie the old fashioned way!)

LR 5 is currently showing around £98 at Amazon which I believe is the licence and download.

Questions then:

Does Adobe actually sell Lightroom as a stand alone package or only with their CC monthly subscription?
Is LR 6 likely to be available stand alone or is it heading down the subscription route too?
Does Adobe offer a free upgrade for users who buy one version and then the next version is released shortly afterwards? If so how long between the two events is allowed?

Not sure what to do with this one - I don't want to go down the CC route and if LR 6 went that way I don't want to miss the chance of a lifetime licence on LR5.

Any advice appreciated please. Just an enthusiast.

[Gemm]

If you are buying LR5, then I'd look on ebay. Recent new Canon gear came with free LR5, so many people (including myself) ended up with an extra copy. I sold mine on ebay and did see many others were doing the same.

[RobDickinson]

Lightroom is and I thnk will remain a stand alone product.

No one would subscribe to CC just for lightroom, and it is their low end product.

[Nimby]

It's easy to miss the standalone purchase option. Go to http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/photoshop-lightro... and scroll down all the way to bottom right.

[pilbeam_mp62]

Nimby said:

It's easy to miss the standalone purchase option. Go to http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/photoshop-lightro... and scroll down all the way to bottom right.

That is the Upgrade only - I don't think the OP has a version of Lightroom already, so he will need to pay more than that for LR5..

Here is the full version:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CLD7Y4O/ref=...

I have LR4 and I am considering upgrading to LR5 for the improved book creation functionality. Specifically, LR5 allows you to create custom pages which you can then use when you make a book. LR4 has very limited ability to change the Blurb templates - only changing the padding of the text and picture frames.

If I were the OP, I would take the plunge and buy LR5 - there is plenty to learn in there and it would be a shame to wait several months before getting to grips with it.

Edited by pilbeam_mp62 on Friday 28th November 18:06

[steveatesh]

pilbeam_mp62 said:

That is the Upgrade only - I don't think the OP has a version of Lightroom already, so he will need to pay more than that for LR5..

Here is the full version:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00CLD7Y4O/ref=...

I have LR4 and I am considering upgrading to LR5 for the improved book creation functionality. Specifically, LR5 allows you to create custom pages which you can then use when you make a book. LR4 has very limited ability to change the Blurb templates - only changing the padding of the text and picture frames.

If I were the OP, I would take the plunge and buy LR5 - there is plenty to learn in there and it would be a shame to wait several months before getting to grips with it.

[/footnote]

Thanks for that, I am very tempted to be honest. Only thing holding me back is that the next (improved) version is only 3 months away!

Thanks everybody else, decisions decisions!

Edited by steveatesh on Friday 28th November 21:42

[Nimby]

pilbeam_mp62 said:

That is the Upgrade only - I don't think the OP has a version of Lightroom already, so he will need to pay more than that for LR5..

It's for either. Click "Buy Now" then in My Cart click "edit" and you can toggle between the upgrade and full. Amazon is a bit cheaper though ...

[steveatesh]

Nimby said:

It's for either. Click "Buy Now" then in My Cart click "edit" and you can toggle between the upgrade and full. Amazon is a bit cheaper though ...

For better or worse I'm going to go with LR 5 now and start to learn how to use it. If LR 6 or 7 are substantial upgrades then I'll do that later.

My man thinking is working on the fact that there is never a right time to buy any technology as it changes all the time.That will get me through the buyers remorse when LR 6 comes out

[RenesisEvo]

I'd hold fire - just a tiny bit.

http://uk.camelcamelcamel.com/Adobe-Photoshop-Ligh...

It might be £98 now but the price has dropped - I picked it up the last time it dropped to £78; whilst previously I couldn't have done better, it's certainly not been cheaper since.

If you're a complete novice to it, Digital Camera mag did a 'Teach Yourself Lightroom' DVD that covers everything, although not in enormous depth. Buying one issue of the magazine meant I got a fairly hefty reduction.

LR6 would need to be a long way ahead of 5 for me to consider upgrading, I'm certain I'm not using it to its potential yet. I've really enjoying using it and worth every penny IMO.