whitehall Loc: Canada

Having purchased some time ago the trinity Topaz products, and then the update package, I was rudely advised a few days back, and then reminded that my time is running out, and unless I pay for yet another update package, I will be forever banished to the world of Topaz past. So, my friendly hogs, my question is whether there is an alternative to Topaz, apart from the obvious that does not require AI but captures images in our cameras as they should be. Thanks.

IGW

bebop22 Loc: New York City

Just get photoshop or ON1.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

If the version you have is doing a good job for you, the update is optional - just like new versions of lenses and bodys.

SalvageDiver Loc: Huntington Beach CA

The annual update is a maintenance fee for future updates only. You can continue using the current apps for as long as you want. I recently renewed after skipped a year of updates. Based on what I know now, I would have waited another year before updating. A lot of GUI improvements but not much significant improvement in results.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Cost and need are two important factors I consider because of ever-diminishing purchasing power of retirement funding as the wold money balloon inflates.

Yes, I have spent money for keeping my useful AI world up to date. One Topaz AI that I did not buy was Gigapixel. I would not use it often so why spend $100. I have an edition 7 of Photozoom for $20 from Ashampoo, vs the edition 8 from Benvista. Is it as good as Gigapixel, no, but good enough for normal expansions of pixels?

I have On1 2018 Resize... a forever license, if I updated it would be yearly. I have one use for it, galley wrap which is a special part of the program.

I too will be as Whitehall says... "I will be forever banished to the world of Topaz" updates. Big question: How good is Good enough? An old argument I have presented here many times... the mind and the eyes can only see the output on print, monitor, or on the 52" TV... oh, or on a billboard. You may see it on your monitor at 200X but you will not see it in the everyday output. How many colors does your printer need??

The use of AI enhancement upgrades my camera images and so I do not have to buy a new camera and lenses. My Sony A-65 and my old Minolta lenses work very well at a minimal cost. I use Topaz because of a long history of using Topaz... Certainly, I do not use PS and Lightroom, monthly for things I do not use, No Thanks. I updated my Paintshop Pro to 2022 Ultra because PSPro now includes some AI.

What will I do in the future??

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

If your old Topaz versions are working, why update and spend more money? When they decided to charge for updates I stopped buying. I am still using Denoise 6 to my entire satisfaction. Adjust 5 is also an old editor that I use often.
I did the same with Photoshop. I use almost exclusively Affinity Photo for all my editing.

whitehall Loc: Canada

Thank you all. As usual wise points of view. Don’t think I will be updating for a while. Just try to take the image I wish to have in camera!

pecohen Loc: Central Maine

My favorite, the original Topaz Studio, has unfortunately been abandoned by Topaz. The major structural difference with Studio 2 is that Studio 2 uses a filter paradigm whereas the original Studio, Studio 1, used a layer paradigm.

The layer paradigm allowed for image layers that are sometimes quite useful. Personal preference for the layer paradigm may come into it as well, but somehow I do find it easier to predict what a series of layers will produce. Although Studio 1 still works, it seems a bit slower than the now supported Studio and it produces a confusing warning about expired login information each time I open it.

melueth Loc: Central Florida

I'm totally with you pecohen! I love the original version and have loads of my own favorite presets built in that. I also get that annoying warning every time i open it, but i'm not going to quit using it. Hated Studio 2.

Marylea

photoman43

DXO-PL5 Elite version or DXO PureRaw, to get Deep Prime noise reduction. . More info here to see an explanation of how each one works.

https://lenscraft.co.uk/photography-blog/photolab-vs-pureraw/

Lucian Loc: From Wales, living in Ohio

You could always take a look at On1 RAW.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Topaz has always offered great deals for updates on Black Friday!

bwa

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

As has been said, the current versions you have of Topaz will work exactly as they have worked. You just won’t get updates. If they’ve been fulfilling your needs that will continue unless your needs change.
That being said, I’ll go out and drop over $100 for one night’s dinner. For me it’s worth it to spend $99 for a years worth of updates for all my Topaz Products.

goldenyears Loc: Lake Osewgo

I don't buy subscriptions. I like Topaz the way it works in the current version, and I'll keep using the current version for as long as it continues to serve my purposes. I like using a 'team' of photo editors for what each of them does best rather than trying to find one that can do everything to my satisfaction. I still use a 1998 version of Photo Deluxe for just one feature. Using multiple editors requires a more complex workflow; because of that I know that not everyone will share my approach to editing photos.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

I use the same approach. No one product does everything the best!

bwa