Do I jump? Adobe offer

[cirks]

I stupidly didn't take up an Adobe offer last year when they were selling CS3 cheaply (it was around £160). However, they've currently got another offer on with CS4 at £278 and Lightroom at £160.
I'm still using Elements 4 and there are some things in CS that I would like to be able to use (eg Channel mixers, curves, patch tool etc) which would are missing from Elements 4. One reason for the channel mixer is that good B&W conversions in PSE I always find lacking (I know PSE7 is better). Otherwise PSE does most of what I need.

So, is it really worth spending the £278 vs £60 odd for PSE7 and is Lightroom that much better than continuing to use RawShooter?.

Sorry that some of this has been answered before but I definately couldn't justify CS at its full £500+ price.

[Rich-UK]

Donwload the 30 day trial and use it. If after 30 days you miss the features, buy it!

[cirks]

Rich-UK said:

If after 30 days....

Offer finishes on the 28th so I need to use a lot over the next few days really....

[andy-xr]

I dont know your eligibility to get prices like that, but Lightroom is definately worth the money.

[_dobbo_]

Any more info on the offer? Is it available to us proles or do you have to meet some sort of elgibility criteria?

[MartinP]

Someone on my college course found this site selling CS3 Extended for £40 (they are also selling CS2 at £15):

http://www.a1softwaresales.biz/acatalog/Photoshop_...

I couldn't see any mention of these being student versions or other limitations. Best to check the web site thoroughly just to make sure though.

[cirks]

_dobbo_ said:

Any more info on the offer? Is it available to us proles or do you have to meet some sort of elgibility criteria?

I'm only a normal plebeian like you My copy of Elements is registered with Adobe and I get emails from them every so often which are either marketing stuff or offers. The email simply states that its an offer for existing Elements users. The Lightroom part of the deal I think is a generic one if you buy CS4 or one of their other big products at the same time.

[_dobbo_]

MartinP said:

Someone on my college course found this site selling CS3 Extended for £40 (they are also selling CS2 at £15).

I can't see how that is possibly legit.... Did the person on your course buy from them?

Edited by _dobbo_ on Wednesday 18th February 17:56

[MartinP]

I agree it does sound too good to be true, but if it is then I'll be kicking myself for recently buying CS4 Extended student version for £130...

It's a couple more weeks until my next college day but I'll ask if anyone actually bought a copy.

[miniman]

MartinP said:

Someone on my college course found this site selling CS3 Extended for £40 (they are also selling CS2 at £15):

http://www.a1softwaresales.biz/acatalog/Photoshop_...

I couldn't see any mention of these being student versions or other limitations. Best to check the web site thoroughly just to make sure though.

Give them a ring and check. Oh wait, they don't list a contact number. But they do have a useful FAQ section.

FAQ said:

Q - Where is the serial number located on the CS3 product?

A - Please browse the DVD itself, the serial number is located in the folder marked serial number.

Nice and legit, then.

[Tycho]

MartinP said:

Someone on my college course found this site selling CS3 Extended for £40 (they are also selling CS2 at £15):

http://www.a1softwaresales.biz/acatalog/Photoshop_...

I couldn't see any mention of these being student versions or other limitations. Best to check the web site thoroughly just to make sure though.

Sounds like you'll be paying them for a non legit version...

[Strangely Brown]

As a general rule, the cheapest that you will find Adobe products is education pricing. Students and Staff are eligible so if you have kids that are in full time education...

Lightroom example:
http://www.studica.com/products/product_detail.cfm...

You'll need to provide proof of your eligibility.

[Colin RedGriff]

Strangely Brown said:

As a general rule, the cheapest that you will find Adobe products is education pricing. Students and Staff are eligible so if you have kids that are in full time education...

Lightroom example:
http://www.studica.com/products/product_detail.cfm...

You'll need to provide proof of your eligibility.

If you are doing a part time course then you can qualify for educational discounts as well. I got CS4 and Lightroom 2.0 at educational prices as I was doing a part time photography C&G course. Check with your tutor, as long as your college is registered then it should be simple.

[MartinP]

Agreed, that link I passed on does look really dodgy if the software comes with the license number on the disc!

For the OP, you can download a full trial version of Lightroom from the Adobe website to let you see if it really does what you want. It gives better B&W conversion control than Elements and also has curves, so maybe Lightroom + Elements comes close to your needs if you don't want shell out on CS.

[Kermit power]

Strangely Brown said:

As a general rule, the cheapest that you will find Adobe products is education pricing. Students and Staff are eligible so if you have kids that are in full time education...

Lightroom example:
http://www.studica.com/products/product_detail.cfm...

You'll need to provide proof of your eligibility.

Just worth pointing out that this also includes Primary School pupils!

You wouldn't believe the level of interest my 6yr old daughter is now showing in photography!

[MartinP]

You might need to wait until your daughter starts secondary school. Conditions for Student Editions from Adobe's website:

Eligible individuals:
Only full or part-time students enrolled at a higher education establishment, defined as an accredited public or private university or college that grants degrees requiring not less than the equivalent of two (2) years of full-time study, or students enrolled at an accredited public or private secondary school providing full-time instruction are eligible.

The following are ineligible:
Teachers and trainers at educational establishments
Schools, universities, and other educational institutions
Private and commercial training institutes, training establishments in companies, hospitals, clubs, research establishments

[MartinP]

An update on the 'dodgy' website - I e-mailed everyone on my course to ask if anyone had bought from there. One reply so far:

fellow student said:

I bought the software. It does not come on an original disc, seems to be copied, and casing is not original.
However, they provide a key, which works. It allowed me to officially register with Adobe and download updates....so it seems to be legitimate, but not sure why it sold this way...

Does make it sound seriously dodgy and I don't agree with the "seems to be legitimate", but would you really be able to register a pirated copy with Adobe?

[Strangely Brown]

MartinP said:

Does make it sound seriously dodgy and I don't agree with the "seems to be legitimate", but would you really be able to register a pirated copy with Adobe?

It's pretty obvious that it's hookie software. That fact that it is being sold for less than 10% of it's retail price should be a real giveaway.

Edit: Would you trust someone that openly sells pirated software with your credit card details?

Edited by Strangely Brown on Thursday 19th February 13:49

[Strangely Brown]

The best price that I have seen for Photoshop CS4 Extended - Student Edition is £159.95 from the Apple HE Store.

[MartinP]

Strangely Brown said:

It's pretty obvious that it's hookie software. That fact that it is being sold for less than 10% of it's retail price should be a real giveaway.

Edit: Would you trust someone that openly sells pirated software with your credit card details?

Edited by Strangely Brown on Thursday 19th February 13:49

I'm just amazed that Adobe allow it to be registered. Surely that gives them a means of locking out pirated copies.