Photomatix - Cheap or Expensive Version: I have recently been turned on to the advantages of HDR photography and signed up for the free 30 day trial of Photomatix. I really like it.

themanfromvan

I have recently been turned on to the advantages of HDR photography and signed up for the free 30 day trial of Photomatix. I really like it. But, my question is - if I go for the paid version will the $39 one suffice or is it worth it to go for the 99 dollar one? What does the more expensive one do that the other does not? Attached is a photo I did using the free version. Thanks

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

themanfromvan wrote:

I have recently been turned on to the advantages of HDR photography and signed up for the free 30 day trial of Photomatix. I really like it. But, my question is - if I go for the paid version will the $39 one suffice or is it worth it to go for the 99 dollar one? What does the more expensive one do that the other does not? Attached is a photo I did using the free version. Thanks

Several differences.
Most important:
Saving & loading of user presets
Selective de-ghosting tool
automatic reduction of chromatic aberration
batch processing of bracketed photos
Integration with LR via free export plug-in
Unlimited # of photos vs 5.

There are others but saving presets, de-ghosting, reduction of CA, & batch processing make it a no-brainer for the $60.00 extra, IMO.

andrew.haysom Loc: Melbourne, Australia

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

quote=themanfromvan I have recently been turned o... (show quote)

I agree with LRF, go for the full version.

jfantasma

Full version, have it, love it, don't know what I would do without it.

Like Nike used to say..... Just do it!

jfantasma

oh by the way I really lime your photo great colors

conkerwood

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

quote=themanfromvan I have recently been turned o... (show quote)

Definitely Ditto

themanfromvan

Well, I went for it !! The $99 version. Not a stellar first example, but -hey- what the heck. :lol:

SuKai Loc: California

I think (not for sure) the cheaper version also adds a "photomatix" watermark on your finished product. I don't want that on my pictures so I bought the 99 dollar version. I think it was well worth it.

heyrob Loc: Western Washington

Biker_Chic wrote:

I think (not for sure) the cheaper version also adds a "photomatix" watermark on your finished product. I don't want that on my pictures so I bought the 99 dollar version. I think it was well worth it.

Only during the free trial phase, also my understanding is that the license for the full version includes the essentials version. For those images that don't need all the extra tweaking.

Kristoes

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

Several differences.
Most important:
Saving & loading of user presets
Selective de-ghosting tool
automatic reduction of chromatic aberration
batch processing of bracketed photos
Integration with LR via free export plug-in
Unlimited # of photos vs 5.

There are others but saving presets, de-ghosting, reduction of CA, & batch processing make it a no-brainer for the $60.00 extra, IMO.

Very helpful review, as I'm just getting ready to purchase it. When I called and spoke to a representative of Photomatix, she seemed to think that the Photomatix Pro bundle would be worth it for an extra $20 ($120), what do you all think?
(Also, there are easy 15% coupons out there I intend to use.)

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

nice pic, go for the 99.00 you will be more then satisfied

2 Dog Don Loc: Virginia Beach VA

I like the program a lot and use it for single images also. You can do some tonemaping on single images that make the pop.

Kristoes

Kristoes wrote:

Very helpful review, as I'm just getting ready to purchase it. When I called and spoke to a representative of Photomatix, she seemed to think that the Photomatix Pro bundle would be worth it for an extra $20 ($120), what do you all think?
(Also, there are easy 15% coupons out there I intend to use.)

Thanks all, I went ahead and purchased the bundle, and I am happy! Powerful program.
Kristoes;)

elliott937 Loc: St. Louis

themanfromvan, the image of the bridge over the water, did you capture that with three bracketed frames or just one?