Lightroom

[JDDavis]

https://creative.adobe.com/promo/FujiFilmCCPP?sdid=KPWDO

Looks like Adobe is trying to lure all you Fuji users over to the cloud.

 

[Razeus]

https://creative.adobe.com/promo/FujiFilmCCPP?sdid=KPWDO

Looks like Adobe is trying to lure all you Fuji users over to the cloud.

This has been going on for a while now. This is why I'm hoping Adobe has improved their X-Trans processing, natively, instead of tacking it on.

 

[deconstruct60]

I was all but certain that LR6 was going to be subscription only, yet we seem to have some evidence contrary to that supposition.

Why was it certain when Adobe broadcast several years ago that they were not on that path to an exclusive offering.

"...Q. Will Lightroom become a subscription only offering after Lightroom 5?

A. Future versions of Lightroom will be made available via traditional perpetual licenses indefinitely. "
http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjournal/2013/05/lightroom-and-the-creative-cloud.html

That isn't "all future versions" .

"... We have plans to make Lightroom available in its current form pretty much indefinitely.' And, while he wouldn't use the word 'forever,' he confirmed that he meant 'for the foreseeable future.' ..."
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/0476255060/adobe-lightroom-5-beta-google-hangout


But there has been a steady commitment to it so far even after dramatic uptick in subscription sales.

LR 5.5 had an adjustment so that even on subscription it is only a subset of functionality that stops at the end.
" ... the desktop application will continue to launch and provide access to the photographs managed within Lightroom as well as the Slideshow, Web, Book or Print creations that we know many photographers painstakingly create. The Develop and Map modules have been disabled ... "
http://blogs.adobe.com/lightroomjou...ns-to-lightroom-after-my-membership-ends.html

Can't mutate anymore but still have access to photos. It isn't the same a perpetual for everything, but it is not a commitment to purely subscription only for everything.


As for standalone being hard to fine. Really? It isn't absolute simplest but buried (or deeply buried)?????

Two steps.

1. go to www.adobe.com/lightroom. (it is the basic product page)

2. read the whole page

Done.

It involves actually using the scroll bar ( or scroll gesture on trackpad) and reading.

It is right there plain as day at the bottom of the page along with the other buy options. Yes, there is a "take my money as fast as possible" 'buy' button at the top. However, does it really hurt to read the whole product page description before buying an over $100 something? Not every single page of associated docs, just the whole top level product sales page.

 

[FredT2]

It is right there plain as day at the bottom of the page along with the other buy options. Yes, there is a "take my money as fast as possible" 'buy' button at the top. However, does it really hurt to read the whole product page description before buying an over $100 something? Not every single page of associated docs, just the whole top level product sales page.

True enough, but you have to admit that Adobe is not making it easy. None of the "Buy" buttons, other than that one standalone version button, on that or many other pages serves up the standalone option. Nor is there any listing that I can find for the half-price upgrade option that Adobe sells. Those who know will find it easily enough at B&H, Adorama, or Amazon, but it's clear that Adobe is trying hard to steer buyers to the CC model.

 

[WillibaldF]

As for standalone being hard to fine. Really? It isn't absolute simplest but buried (or deeply buried)?????

2. read the whole page

Done.

Yeah. Reading the posts about Adobe's "illegal" hiding of their perpetual license version was making me think I might be crazy, since I can see it right there on the main Lightroom product page, clear as day.

In fairness, if I'm signed in to my Adobe ID it doesn't show up (but neither do the Creative Cloud buy links at the bottom either). I do have a subscription, so maybe that's the reason they don't show me the buy options when I'm signed in. Dunno.

It's also possible that folks see different things based on where they're connecting from.

All that said, Adobe makes the perpetual version of Lightroom reasonably easy to find, on their own web site and, of course, by selling it through thousands of retailers around the world. It's clear that they would prefer for people to buy a subscription, and they design their web site to encourage that, but they are very, very far from doing anything illegal in how they present the perpetual option.

 

[maflynn]

Why was it certain when Adobe broadcast several years ago that they were not on that path to an exclusive offering.

Because companies have been known to change their minds and alter what they initially said they'd do. The promise they made is only as good as the paper it was written on as they say.

 

[robgendreau]

If Adobe wants get you into a subscription they don't have to drop perpetual licenses, they just make them and upgrades more expensive.

Seems a lot of those reluctant to subscribe are the skip-generations folks; otherwise, the costs of upgrading promptly for just LR are pretty close to sub prices, ignoring the other perks (if you do use PS the benefit of a sub is overwhelming). And those folks often are doing the same with hardware, OS, plugins, etc. A valid choice, but subject to the whims of software pricing, just like subs and other stuff.

Compared to many companies I have software from (hey MS!) Adobe is at the far reasonable end. Multi platform use for one fee, super generous academic discounts for even part time students, flexible options for sites, ability to transfer licenses, and more transparency than many (at least they say what they're doing with LR perpetuals; while many speculated wildly about Aperture's future we heard zero until the axe fell).

I'm not saying you should do business with them; what do I care? But I also don't see why some are so paranoid about them either. Jeez, if you wanted cheap get the $99 iPhone and Photos.

 

[aerok]

If Adobe wants get you into a subscription they don't have to drop perpetual licenses, they just make them and upgrades more expensive.

Seems a lot of those reluctant to subscribe are the skip-generations folks; otherwise, the costs of upgrading promptly for just LR are pretty close to sub prices, ignoring the other perks (if you do use PS the benefit of a sub is overwhelming). And those folks often are doing the same with hardware, OS, plugins, etc. A valid choice, but subject to the whims of software pricing, just like subs and other stuff.

Compared to many companies I have software from (hey MS!) Adobe is at the far reasonable end. Multi platform use for one fee, super generous academic discounts for even part time students, flexible options for sites, ability to transfer licenses, and more transparency than many (at least they say what they're doing with LR perpetuals; while many speculated wildly about Aperture's future we heard zero until the axe fell).

I'm not saying you should do business with them; what do I care? But I also don't see why some are so paranoid about them either. Jeez, if you wanted cheap get the $99 iPhone and Photos.

Fully agree with you! I make full use of the suite with PS and LR. I can sync all my photos between my Macbook and iPad so I can use Lightroom Mobile to flag the photos I want to keep from the comfort of anywhere.

Probably the best thing Adobe did for someone like me.

 

[deconstruct60]

True enough, but you have to admit that Adobe is not making it easy.

The standalone is not easiest. There is a hard sell for cloud ( both the "Buy" and another "cloud options" button before get to full option set at the bottom).
But it isn't all that hard. If just go to "Menu" at the very top of the page and on either the "Products" or "How to Buy" tab, just select "All Products" ( yeah it is at the bottom, so scrolling is a 'giant' chore. ). Effectively, this is how you get to the "Adobe Store". The default landing spot in the "Store" is the most popular products. Lr standalone is right there.

None of the "Buy" buttons, other than that one standalone version button, on that or many other pages serves up the standalone option. Nor is there any listing that I can find for the half-price upgrade option that Adobe sells.

The "All Products" page does. It isn't a one step leap but it isn't a particularly large leap in deduction if you can't find what looking for then jump to the listing of everything they sell. Once you do, it is right there as one of the "top ten" offerings that people buy. Folks are finding this.


That's said I think Adobe knows they have a better value proposition with the LR + PS $9.99 bundle for a wide variety of photographers. It is likely a set of users who aren't going to use all of Photoshop. Tons of everyday tweaks will be done in LR and only occasional Ps usage. Meaning full price for Ps (either monthly or completely up front perpetual ) is value prop problems for very part time usage.

Those who know will find it easily enough at B&H, Adorama, or Amazon, but it's clear that Adobe is trying hard to steer buyers to the CC model.

Hard sell and illegal sales tactics are two different zones.

...
In fairness, if I'm signed in to my Adobe ID it doesn't show up (but neither do the Creative Cloud buy links at the bottom either). I do have a subscription, so maybe that's the reason they don't show me the buy options when I'm signed in. Dunno.

I don't have a subscription ( older standalone) but yeah that kind of sleazy they mutate the page when you login. Not illegal sleaze, but wonder if it is a bug ( should show customized options relative to product version/service you already own ) or intends to provide current customers with less info than potential customers.

The simple work around is only login to the Adobe site when you have to. [ security wise that is better anyway. ]


I suspect some folks would react negatively, but if there was an "upgrade" button next to the registered products on account page that would be useful for those who claim they get lost trying to buy stuff.