Adobe subscription - anyone getting tired of paying

[maflynn]

I'm a big believer in paying for something that I feel I'm getting value from. This is one reason, I buy Macs, I feel the hardware/software offers some nice advantages.

With that said, I'm seriously re-thinking my decision to go all in on LR, after migrating from Aperture a couple of years ago.

While 10 dollars a month doesn't sound bad, but I'm not sure I'm getting value for my 120 dollars a year. When was the last major upgrade to LR? See, for some applications, I was in the habit of not upgrading annually, and so on. I'm not sure of the handful of updates that have trickled out of Adobe make it worthwhile. Doing some googling, I see that LR6 came out in April 2015, so that means I'll have paid 240+ dollars for LR7 if that rolls out in April of 2017 but if I didn't have the subscription, odds are high that I'd not upgrade anyways.

I like the ability of using PS as well, and that was the final straw that drew me into the subscription model, but truth be told, I don't use PS very much at this point.

I'm not sure what I'm asking other then if others feel the same, either as a current subscriber or deciding against LR subscription mode from the get go.

 

[dorsal]

The photography plan has a lot more than just LR, but you are just using LR. It's not for you. Especially if you took the time to share your regrets about paying $10 a month for something.

 

[The Bad Guy]

I'm running Lightroom 6 (outright), Photoshop CS6 (outright) and Mac OSX 10.8.5 (the last good Mac OS). I'll worry about it when it breaks. You guys that want to have the latest all the time amuse me.

 

[MCAsan]

Precisely what package is a better fit for your requirements?

 

[Apple fanboy]

I'm a big believer in paying for something that I feel I'm getting value from. This is one reason, I buy Macs, I feel the hardware/software offers some nice advantages.

With that said, I'm seriously re-thinking my decision to go all in on LR, after migrating from Aperture a couple of years ago.

While 10 dollars a month doesn't sound bad, but I'm not sure I'm getting value for my 120 dollars a year. When was the last major upgrade to LR? See, for some applications, I was in the habit of not upgrading annually, and so on. I'm not sure of the handful of updates that have trickled out of Adobe make it worthwhile. Doing some googling, I see that LR6 came out in April 2015, so that means I'll have paid 240+ dollars for LR7 if that rolls out in April of 2017 but if I didn't have the subscription, odds are high that I'd not upgrade anyways.

I like the ability of using PS as well, and that was the final straw that drew me into the subscription model, but truth be told, I don't use PS very much at this point.

I'm not sure what I'm asking other then if others feel the same, either as a current subscriber or deciding against LR subscription mode from the get go.

Exactly why I never bought into that model.
I own LR6 as a purchase. It was also an upgrade from LR5 so only cost me £85 (from memory).
Unlikely to be an option going forward, but I'm not sure what being on the photography plan would bring me.
I get free DXO software through work, so might switch at some point if LR becomes unusable.

 

[maflynn]

Precisely what package is a better fit for your requirements?

That's what I don't know yet. I had done some leg work back in when I was transitioning from Aperture.

I guess its less about what a competitor has to offer, and more about my dislike of the subscription plan, and that I'm questioning whether its a good value. Of course value is subjective and I suppose used in comparison to the competition, i.e., does Capture One at its price point provide the value I want?

 

[MCAsan]

In November On1 Software will introduce their Photo RAW package with their own raw converter that is very fast, browser, non destructive editing, plus their advanced editing modules like Effects and Layers. You should look into it if Lr is of little interest. The migration should be easy in that both use referenced file system folders. But of course RAW will not be about to open/use edits made in Lr the same as Lr can not open correctly the edits made in RAW. Each company has their own set of algorithms and logic for editing on top of raw files and creating side cars to record the edits.

 

[maflynn]

Exactly why I never bought into that model.

I'm not a fan, but I think given my experience with MS office, I thought it was something that would work for me. MS Office is updated very regularly and I get a lot of storage. In Adobe's case, I'm not using what the plan offers enough to justify it.

In November On1 Software will introduce their Photo RAW package with their own raw converter that is very fast, browser, non destructive editing, plus their advanced editing modules like Effects and Layers

That's good to know, and since I'm in no rush, I have the luxury of time. I'll start looking at what's already been written about that, either rumors or blogs by the vendor.

 

[mildocjr]

I'm running Lightroom 6 (outright), Photoshop CS6 (outright) and Mac OSX 10.8.5 (the last good Mac OS). I'll worry about it when it breaks. You guys that want to have the latest all the time amuse me.

I'm not an Adobe user, but I can say that Adobe's sub model has been around for so long that people coming out of school with fresh designer degrees aren't quite as fortunate to be able to get non-subscription offerings from Adobe. I wouldn't say it's about them wanting the latest and greatest, it's more about being forced with no other option. As nice as it is to have a copy of CS6, not many others new to the game can say the same.

I find Affinity's offerings to be good substitutions.

 

[Cheese&Apple]

I'm a big believer in paying for something that I feel I'm getting value from. This is one reason, I buy Macs, I feel the hardware/software offers some nice advantages.

With that said, I'm seriously re-thinking my decision to go all in on LR, after migrating from Aperture a couple of years ago.

While 10 dollars a month doesn't sound bad, but I'm not sure I'm getting value for my 120 dollars a year. When was the last major upgrade to LR? See, for some applications, I was in the habit of not upgrading annually, and so on. I'm not sure of the handful of updates that have trickled out of Adobe make it worthwhile. Doing some googling, I see that LR6 came out in April 2015, so that means I'll have paid 240+ dollars for LR7 if that rolls out in April of 2017 but if I didn't have the subscription, odds are high that I'd not upgrade anyways.

I like the ability of using PS as well, and that was the final straw that drew me into the subscription model, but truth be told, I don't use PS very much at this point.

I'm not sure what I'm asking other then if others feel the same, either as a current subscriber or deciding against LR subscription mode from the get go.

I'm running Lightroom 6 (outright), Photoshop CS6 (outright) and Mac OSX 10.8.5 (the last good Mac OS). I'll worry about it when it breaks. You guys that want to have the latest all the time amuse me.

If you don't use Ps, then the Photography Plan really makes no sense. However, if you do use Ps, the best image editing application by far, it does make economic sense to those you don't have access to discounted prices. It's not always about having the latest all the time.

~ Peter

 

[webbga]

If you don't use Ps, then the Photography Plan really makes no sense. However, if you do use Ps, the best image editing application by far, it does make economic sense to those you don't have access to discounted prices. It's not always about having the latest all the time.

~ Peter

I was not a fan when Adobe announced a leasing plan. I did eventually go for the LR/Photoshop though. I have had it for two years and been very satisfied. I use LR for all my photography and there are individual things that Photoshop does better. I am not a huge fan of getting the latest, but over a period of time software goes out of date and does not play well with other upgrades. When I was a student I could buy at a huge discount. Now that I am retired laying out $$$ at a crack is not so attractive. This works for some people and one size does not fit all.

 

[MCAsan]

I find Affinity's offerings to be good substitutions.

Substitute for precisely what? Lr, Ps. Lr Mobile...etc? It is all too easy to not compare apples to apples. The CC subscription contains functions you will likely not find at any other company or product package.

 

[mildocjr]

Substitute for precisely what? Lr, Ps. Lr Mobile...etc? It is all too easy to not compare apples to apples. The CC subscription contains functions you will likely not find at any other company or product package.

My dad is a huge fan of Adobe, I grew up on Corel and Adobe products, Affinity Photo and Affinity Designer aren't one stop shop replacements, instead it's a fair substitution when you don't feel like getting gouged by Adobe's pricing model. I never said it was a replacement for every single function. It is good software and I seriously hope you used it before you made that comment. As for me I've used Photoshop, GIMP is a better replacement, Affinity Photo is more of a lightweight version that is still very powerful at what it can do. Illustrator is nice, but again Inkscape would be good if it didn't run in X11 on MacOS and working with gradients was a little more intuitive. Designer does a great job and again it's not meant to replace Illustrator, but it's a good alternative for those who only feel like shelling out $60 once.

The Affinity line-up is not Pixelmator, which although Pixelmator is good it still lacks power in a lot of places.

 

[lcseds]

I bought a 12 month LR/CC subscription card from B&H. Did not use it much. Card ended and my account continued with monthly payments. After an additional 4 months I decided to cancel. Called Adobe and they informed me it was renewed as an annual subscription even though I had monthly payments. I had to pay 6 months for nothing just to get out of the deal. Total ripoff business model.
I'll never give them another dime.
Now I use (I'm not a pro) photos (gasp) with MacPhuns plug ins and Aurora. It's a nice package and lets me use photos more for cataloging than editing. Works just fine, and I don't feel taken advantage of.

 

[Benjamin Frost]

I'm a big believer in paying for something that I feel I'm getting value from. This is one reason, I buy Macs, I feel the hardware/software offers some nice advantages.

With that said, I'm seriously re-thinking my decision to go all in on LR, after migrating from Aperture a couple of years ago.

While 10 dollars a month doesn't sound bad, but I'm not sure I'm getting value for my 120 dollars a year. When was the last major upgrade to LR? See, for some applications, I was in the habit of not upgrading annually, and so on. I'm not sure of the handful of updates that have trickled out of Adobe make it worthwhile. Doing some googling, I see that LR6 came out in April 2015, so that means I'll have paid 240+ dollars for LR7 if that rolls out in April of 2017 but if I didn't have the subscription, odds are high that I'd not upgrade anyways.

I like the ability of using PS as well, and that was the final straw that drew me into the subscription model, but truth be told, I don't use PS very much at this point.

I'm not sure what I'm asking other then if others feel the same, either as a current subscriber or deciding against LR subscription mode from the get go.

Very interesting thread topic; thanks for bringing it up.

I, too, dislike greatly the subscription model. I do not think it is a good model for software businesses to follow. It breeds resentment in the consumer. I think business are thinking too much of corporate customers, who are used to paying way over the odds on a regular basis for software and service. But trying to force the consumer into this model doesn't work so well. We are a varied bunch, and like having control over our expenditure. In particular, we tend to view regular payments in a negative way; think mortgages, energy bills, loans, credit cards, phone bills. It is generally better to buy things outright in a lot of cases. This applies especially to that big expense, property. Rent all your life, and you have nothing to show for it, whereas if you buy, you are building a nest egg.

When it comes to software, I much prefer to buy outright, and then pay for an upgrade as I wish. This gives me control over my expenditure, and used to be the standard software model. With a subscription, you lose control, and the company has less incentive to make worthwhile improvements to the software. It comes across as money for nothing to the consumer.

In my field, an expensive piece of software recently went subscription, and has caused dismay. You can still buy it outright, but updates are being charged at an astronomical price, so they are basically forcing people onto the subscription model. Of course, it works out a lot more expensive compared to the buy outright model. I have no intention of staying with it. Happily, a new competitor company is bringing out a comparable application which is only being sold on the traditional model, and I hope they have success.

 

[AZhappyjack]

When it comes to software, I much prefer to buy outright, and then pay for an upgrade as I wish. This gives me control over my expenditure, and used to be the standard software model. With a subscription, you lose control, and the company has less incentive to make worthwhile improvements to the software. It comes cross as money for nothing to the consumer.

This right here. I can make Photoshop Elements work for 99% of what I do.

IMO, the subscription model is a never ending money grab for the software companies.

If I can't buy it, I don't need/want it. I refuse to "rent" software.

I do the same with MS Office and am sticking with TextExpander 5 because I don't want to pay forever for software.

 

[Indydenny]

My subscription is completed next month and I will probably not renew. Although I like the editing features of LR, most of them I can find elsewhere. What I really need is a DAM to store my photos. Yes, I have them online at several sites, but I like having all of them available to me and sorted carefully on my home computer. Maybe this is old fashioned and I just need to rethink it, but LR has been very good for sorting and viewing photos by date, keyword, etc. Any suggestions?

Renting software is not for me either, but LR is a very good package!

 

[someoldguy]

My subscription is completed next month and I will probably not renew. Although I like the editing features of LR, most of them I can find elsewhere. What I really need is a DAM to store my photos. Yes, I have them online at several sites, but I like having all of them available to me and sorted carefully on my home computer. Maybe this is old fashioned and I just need to rethink it, but LR has been very good for sorting and viewing photos by date, keyword, etc. Any suggestions?

Renting software is not for me either, but LR is a very good package!

Why not buy a stand alone copy of Lightroom ? Think it's around $150 on DVD . After 15 months you're free and clear .

 

[MCAsan]

Note how much of the thr

Why not buy a stand alone copy of Lightroom ? Think it's around $150 on DVD . After 15 months you're free and clear .

Because you will not get the incremental features like Dehaze that CC subscribers get. There are more features in CC Lr that standalone Lr.

 

[maflynn]

Because you will not get the incremental features like Dehaze that CC subscribers get. There are more features in CC Lr that standalone Lr.

And its been rumored that the next version of LR will be subscription based only.

My needs are such that I lean more on wanting decent DAM capability but I also the non destructive editing ability.

I'm circling back on Capture One (I looked t at them a while ago), DXO and now On1.

Regarding On1, I see that they Photo 10, its without the Photo Raw component. I need to do more digging, but using the trial of Photo 10, it seems to be a browser that then shells out to external apps to edit and adjust, and in doing so you make a copy of the original. I'm not sure I like I that workflow. Photo Raw may change that as far as I can tell based on what little research I've done.

Capture One looks like it handles the DAM stuff fairly decently, so that might be on my short list, though it is pricey at 300 dollars. I know I looked at this a couple of times in the past few years, but I forget why I decided to stick with LR over C1

 

[MCAsan]

One more candidate appears. Got this link from Macphun this morning.

https://macphun.com/blog/luminar-ph...270764589&mc_cid=11d15fe6ba&mc_eid=0f4796ea31

 

[jgelin]

I too am a subscriber. Do not see much continued value. Updates to the suite are few and far between at best. Pretty much they went in the board room and were like ($.$) at the sight of what a sub model could rake in, knowing no full alternative exists. Very sad, and I am locked in for another 9 months. Luckily I'm a student so I am only at 29.99 for the full suite. If I were at the full price I likely would have cancelled, and installed a less than legal version on my windows virtual machine lol.

 

[maflynn]

One more candidate appears. Got this link from Macphun this morning.

https://macphun.com/blog/luminar-photo-editor-for-mac-intro?kmi=mcasan@ourimages.net&utm_source=Aurora+HDR+Friends&utm_campaign=11d15fe6ba-_Luminar_pre_announcement_EN10_19_2016&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_fcda7c57a9-11d15fe6ba-270764589&mc_cid=11d15fe6ba&mc_eid=0f4796ea31

Odd, that the video linked on that page basically has nothing to do with the application and only mentions how one person is using photography for artistic expression

 

[MCAsan]

I totally agree! I kept thinking WTF has this got to do with any specific apps. Macphun scares me more and more.

 

[sarge]

I'm still using LR3, which I purchased in 2010 for I think $79. Amortized over 6 years that comes out to a little over $13 per year. I did purchase the Master Suite collection v5.5 though, knowing full well it would be the last time I could avoid the dreaded subscription model. Depending on how well it runs on Sierra I may have to keep a version of Snow Leopard running, and you know what, I'm fine w/that.

Adobe sales skyrocketed w/the introduction of the subscription model, but then again, automakers have generated record sales with these ridiculous lease programs, but we'll probably see that bubble burst down the road...