DStone Loc: Outside Winston-Salem, NC

Completely agree with 47greyfox. Luminar 2018 for Windows is not ready. Lots of missing features and I've had several crashes. And slow -- so slow. I really like the concept of the program, though, and hope the mid-January updates will make it a useable option.

royden Loc: Decatur, GA

You are all very much appreciated for your comments, but making it difficult to pick one. Both programs are big, beautiful and great.

Gerry_R

Greyfox,
You are so spot on. I've been an owner and user of LR since v 4. It has always had it's idiocycracies, but overall among the best for workflow and utility. I'm quite thankful to Adobe for making photography and it's results a bit easier. I have also been working with Affinity, which I like, and trying to get a working eval copy of Luminaries for Windows. Not yet....

I recently purchased a Sony a6500, and with it came a license for Capture one light for Sony. Very capable program, the pro version MUCH more powerful, and reasonable for Sony users.

That said, it's also a bit of a steep learning curve, but for those who need it, it is a great program.

So, I think I have come up with a workable solution. Mainly for me the issue is the end of life of the stand alone versions, 5 and 6, of Lightroom. But, someone on youtube came up with an extending, if not elegant solution that includes camera updating and raw processing.

That is 1. use your currently owned software plus download and 2. use the free Adobe raw to DNG conversion tool.
The combination gives you the management tools you already know, and the future proofing of new camera coverage that is needed, as Adobe makes periodical updates. All this without subscribing or modifying your work flow very much.

In addition, for those who want even more control and familiar tools, Macphun is just in process of releasing Luminar for Windows, for around $50-60, which has most if not all the additional adjustments needed, and operates as either a stand alone program, or a plug in for lightroom.

Anyway, for my peace of mind and to avoid another steep learning curve, my plan is to follow this method of work.

I apologise for the long winded answer, but I hope it is of help.

HOT Texas Loc: From the Heart of Texas

Lumnar had another update yesterday, it is really fast and now you can resize a picture on export.

Gerry_R

Great! Seems like Luminar as a plug-in will /does add to Lightroom in a positive way, and enhance its capabilities. There are some tutorials on it's power on Serge Ramelli's site that should be of help.

Vince68 Loc: Wappingers Falls, NY

I have both Luminar 2018 and Affinity. I am still learning them, but I am happy with both so far.

muysabio Loc: Mexico DF

I haven't used Luminar so I can't provide a comparison. I use Affinity. As a beginner it more than satisfies my needs. I am still working my way through all the videos -- they seem to be very complete. While not designed as such, by opening up both the videos and Affinity I can work along with the videos which helps me learn. I do have the impression that the videos are more oriented to MAC rather than PC. My wish list is for a manual. They have just come out with a work book, but I don't think it is the same thing.

LarryFitz Loc: Beacon NY

I agree with you, to avoid losing edited image, I save a preset with save name as the Raw file. Not elegant but it works.

Dennis833 Loc: Australia

I use Affinity and PS5 together directly from Adobe bridge. From bridge I double click to open tiffs in PS5. To open in Affinity I use - File / open with / Affinity Photo. I can also open tiffs directly from Capture One the same way. I also have Affinity set as the default program so if I double click on an image in a folder it will open in Affinity. You set this by (get info) on a Mac.

47greyfox Loc: on the edge of the Colorado front range

Assume you mean "same name." I've not tried saving a preset, but that makes sense. Supposedly, there is a native file save function coming in January that is intended to address the issue. I've requested a refund for both Luminar and Aurora HDR so unless they stall on a refund or blow me off, I'll be gone from their world by mid December.

Follow-up = I opened an image, made some edits, exported the image, saved the preset as a user preset. Opened a new image, loaded the saved preset. Luminar applied the preset but the only entry in the history drop down was that I applied the preset. Did I generally follow your procedure?

mffox Loc: Avon, CT

I'm sticking with Affinity, after a lot of years with PSE, PS,Picasa, and Apple Photos. Still the best all around for my purposes.

Azboy

I use both Luminar 18 and Aurora 18 and love them. I dropped Adobe CC and put Photoshop CS5 back on my iMac. Lightroom is in the trash, of course this is strictly my opinion. Affinity is still on my iMac but I don't use it anymore.

Ernie Misner Loc: Lakewood, WA

Affinity is a full bodied photo editing program and perhaps a replacement for Lr and PS. Luminar on the other hand does have good raw developing abilities but is mostly a set of very creative filters and edits. It has been called "Nik on steroids" if you are familiar with Nik's nice set of filters or edits. So I would not directly attempt to compare the two.

I have Lr and PS CC and would not give them up or any other full featured program such Affinity, but I think Luminar is a great addition with it's many creative possibilities.

Thank you for your kind visit and comment on the image I edited with Luminar 2018!

xt2 Loc: British Columbia, Canada

If you use Mac, go for Luminar 18. It is great to use. Easy, fast and unique. If a Windows/PC user, I am sorry for you and recommend you wait a few months for the next update since it seems 18 was quick to come out of the blocks with that version.... Compared to PS?LR, 18 for Mac is a dream come true!!!! Good luck!