DrPhrogg Loc: NJ

This week I got a survey from Adobe about their stand alone vs subscription programs. Up until Friday, you could buy a stand-alone V.6. As of today, you cannot, even though it says you can on their page. They have gone entirely to subscription based programing. For me, that means it is time to change programs. Any suggestions that will not require to much of a learning curve? Free is good. Under $100 is acceptable.
DrPhrogg

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

For under $120/year you get a year of the Creative Cloud Photography bundle with constant updates and support for new cameras. I venture to guess that your camera system costs way more than that.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Your stand alone version will work as long as you don’t upgrade to a camera that isn’t supported, so why is it necessary to change now? At some point in time if you do upgrade cameras you can make the change then.

Walt

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

There are at least four places today to buy Lightroom 6 as a stand alone. It did not stop selling last Friday!

https://helpx.adobe.com/ca/creative-cloud/help/download-install-single-app-Lightroom-6.html

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1132136-REG/adobe_65237578_photoshop_lightroom_6_download.html

https://www.adorama.com/ab65237578.html

https://www.amazon.com/Adobe-65237578-Photoshop-Lightroom-6/dp/B00VWCKJVA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1531875730&sr=8-1&keywords=lightroom+6

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Please read Walt's post carefully. Nothing about your existing LR software is impacted by Adobe's move to a subscription model. Although there is no support nor ongoing maintenance of the non subscription versions of Lightroom, the software you have purchased and installed will continue to operate without issue into the foreseeable future. And for the potential impact of an "upgrade" to a new camera, this is an issue only if you plan to use LR to edit the RAW images from the new camera. The RAW files are camera specific where the LR software needs to be periodically updated to allow for new releases of cameras and their RAW files. But, your current cameras and similar older models retain support. For JPEG files, these are not camera specific and Adobe does not have to update the software.

The software you purchase and use is your decision alone. But, we all hope you make your decisions based on an accurate understanding of the relevant issues.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

You have time to think about this. Your current version is still working. You do not need to change to something new until (1) you buy a new camera body that is not supported by LR6; or (2) you need a feature that LR6 does not have but more recent versions do; or you buy a new computer with an operating system that is incompatible with LR6 (sometime in the future).

A lot of people don't want the subscription version just because of the subscription. I think that is short sighted. If that is your position, think about it a bit more. The cost is really fairly small, particularly for what you get for it. I would suppose you find LR useful since you're currently using it. LR is a reasonably good editor, but the primary benefit (for me, anyway) is the DAM. There are other programs out there that are in the process of adding DAM to their editing program but they are all in the fairly early stages. Adobe has been including DAM in LR for many years now and they're way ahead of the new guys.

A lot of people don't want to pay for Adobe products, well, because they're made by Adobe. They have some beef against Adobe. If you are going to avoid a product because you don't like something the manufacturer does, you're probably going to have to stop using products.

There are editors out there that do one thing or another better than Lightroom does, probably even better than Photoshop does. But I don't believe anything beats the LR/PS combination. And LR allows you to jump out to another editor, then return and keep the result in the LR catalog. How can you beat that?

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Price is the road to hell. If you are already using LR, why change merely for price? Sure, we are all cheap but when you consider the value you get, $10 monthly should not be a burden. If you really cannot afford it, then sure, find free but understand that you may not have the same experience. LR earned its status as the gold standard.

DirtFarmer Loc: Escaped from the NYC area, back to MA

I prefer to use the word "thrifty"

You should also consider the cost of your time working a new system into your workflow.

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Thrifty is New England. Cheap is Midwest.

Other things to consider is loosing your non-destructive edits, keywords, collections, mapping and the list goes on and on. I would rather spend my time doing photography than testing and learning new software when I already have something that is pretty good.

sodapop Loc: Bel Air, MD

What is DAM?

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

Digital asset management. I guess that helps you from losing your fingers.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Or using google or otherwise being self-sufficient
as well as not hijacking a thread

DrPhrogg Loc: NJ

Thanks for all the comments. I will probably move to the subscription form at some point, but I am also coaching a number of neophytes who don't want to commit to the repeated cost. I also find it disappointing that Picasa is no longer an option. But I suppose that is what they call progress.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Coaching a number of neophytes has got to be a challenge!