rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

I'm using it and keep getting a popup when I launch one of the modules from within Lighroom asking me to update to version 1.2.15.0.
I looked it up and version 1.2.15.0 is the new $50 version of NIK. So they are trying to trick me into updating to the 30 day free trial after which
I would have to shell out $50 to keep using it.
Anyone else seeing this? I hope no one fell for it.

Dixiegirl Loc: Alabama gulf coast

I'm using the old version (from when it was still owned by Nik), but I'm using it in Photoshop CS6. I don't see any reason to 'upgrade' to the new one, even though I've read that there are supposed to be some bug fixes. The version I have is still working great. I did have it installed in Photoshop CC, but when Adobe updated the last time, all the Nik programs were missing.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

I’m with you, Dixiegirl. I’m using the old Nik (“St. Nik?”) with Lightroom v5.7 and haven’t found any compelling reason to upgrade. I version I have works fine and meets my humble needs. So far haven’t lost the tools despite many upgades to the MacOS, but wouldn’t be surprised if losing it might be one of the “benefits” awaiting me if I ever buy the subscription version of LR. /Ralph

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I don't recall the specific wording of their free offer, but sounds like they should have made it clearer that the free version was temporary. Offering it free certainly wasn't anything they had to do, so it's a shame if anyone is feeling tricked or abused.

I am using DxO's free Nik because I bought a new computer in February, and my paid version ($250, has been worth every penny) was purchased through Google 4 or 5 years ago. I use my Windows laptop for editing photos only, and have kept it offline for a couple of months now, so I haven't had to deal with the recent "big" Win 10 update nor the current miniscule DxO price.

Having used Nik extensively, I can tell you that anything under $300 is a huge bargainm and if/when I need to, I'll be buying. Color Efex alone has over 50 filters with limitless ability to refine, and there's the awesome b&w conversion software, a denoise module, HDR, and other goodies too

brucewells Loc: Central Kentucky

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

My free copy is working fine with Lightroom.
I just wanted to get the word out to others using the free version in case they get the 'newer version available' announcement.
I have looked at the new DoX version and didn't see any improvements that would be worth $50 to me.

User ID

Updates in general are seldom hugely important.
I did find MS Office Photo Editor kinda limited, no
better than the limited controls I had in the color
lab in the chemical darkroom ! So I upgraded to
PS Elements 3.0, which was bundled free with a
scanner, and I'm still happy with 3.0 ... no idea
what the current version is but I know it's gone
past version 14.0 :-)

One of these days I'll get around to loading Gimp
onto my new PC that I bought for that purpose, 6
months ago. I never put off til tomorrow what can
be put off til next month .....

`

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Mine works well when used with PSE10. Sometimes drops out when I try to save Colour or Silver efex but I think this is a PC problem (only 6mb ram). More recently I've been using CANON DPP v3 for quick edits and occasionally toying with v4.

delottphoto

I am using the original versions of Nik in conjunction with the "old" purchased Lightroom and I think the two together are terrific!

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Trick? Not exactly but they did buy the product, are beefing it up, and offering a support structure. All free stuff is fine till it stops working and we know Murphy's law, just at the time you really need it, it ceases to work. I think the $50 was the first month or so. The real price is about $70 from what I remember.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

What do you mean "fell for it"? DXO picked up the Nik collection and are supporting its updates, I don't see this as a bad thing if you use Nik, it means someone is supporting it making sure that when the operating systems change the product will not crash, they can also enhance the collection which is good. DXO sent out a survey to those who purchased Nik asking what the customer base would like to see in the next update, which means they are working on it. To me $50 is not much to ask for a company to support a product I use a lot, I wish a company would have picked up Nikon Capture NX-2 and maintained that.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Unfortunately, when something becomes free, as the fairly pricey NIK collection did when Google abandoned it, a lot of folks think it should be free forever and still continue to be compatible with all software and on all platforms. DXO has hopefully saved the Nik collection for the future. The first step was an analysis of all the code, recompiling of all the code, fixing a number of bugs that users were having, and porting it to a 64-bit only environment. And, providing support for a previously unsupported product. That is what you're paying $50 for.

The next step is to rework and enhance the NIk collection. DXO has a dedicated support team for that purpose. DXO's NIK forum is currently asking users for enhancement suggestions for the next release. Clearly, for those who are using the original version and are not having any difficulties with it, purchasing the DXO version may not seem cost-effective. Of course, when the first significantly updated version is available it's unclear what the pricing might be. It is entirely possible the cost for that version could be much higher. Those of us who spent the $50 now may reap the benefits of a much lower upgrade price when the first NIK Collection major product update becomes available, possibly before year-end.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

I bought the original for $130 quite a while ago. I explained that to the DX folks, and they sent me a download of the latest version for no extra charge.

Nalu Loc: Southern Arizona

I'm with Linda from Maine. Although I am using the "free" version, if I had to drop $50 for the new one there would be not hesitation. Wonderful options in especially Color Efex. There is not an image that goes by without considering using it to some degree.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

I bought the old version for $375, I think. I'll stay with it.