John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

As eBay seems to be where you can get CS6 be aware of Adobe registration and authorization policies. The license stipulates PS can be used on two computers only. So if the seller did not de-authorize then you might be restricted to ‘demo’ use which means limited tools usage and no saving.

LittleBit Loc: St. Louis, MO

Thousands of dollars!!! I've not seen anywhere it costing thousands of dollars to buy and own a program. The most I've run into is $3xx.xx I don't have the latest iPhone, but just because Apple decided to upgrade and improve on their previous models doesn't mean that mine doesn't still do what I need it to do. I'm perfectly satisfied with my iPhone and don't need a new iPhone X just because its the new kid on the block. I don't like renting things and prefer to own my own things. Yes it maybe only $10 a month but that times 12 months a year adds up to money that is being "given away" that could go to buy some more lenses or equipment.
Besides that, I've heard some say that they own an older version and it's just fine, doing what they need it to do. Renting vs. Ownership? I'll take Ownership. I own my own car and only rent one when I want someone else to collect the miles. I lease a car, I own my own car. Get my point!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

https://prodesigntools.com/products/adobe-cs6-pricing-list.html

Photoshop CS6 was $1000 in 2012 when it was introduced. CC PS and LR is a bargain at $10/month. And you never ever ever "own" software - you simply pay for the license to use it. What you "owned" in the old days was the medium and associated documentation it came with. If you don't believe me - read your EULA (end user license agreement). With purchased software (not subscription), you can use that software into perpetuity, even if it is no longer supported by the company AND does not run on newer computers.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

That depends on the software and the agreement you have with the writers / owners - and the life of the computer you installed it on. Often the activation / registration number can only be used once (or on one computer).

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Some people rent a home or lease a car. Other folks buy their homes and cars.

What irks me about Adobe is that there's nothing to stop them from offering LR and PS both ways.... Giving the customers choice of a perpetual license or a subscription.

I did the math and found that, for me, the price wouldn't be all that different. I've been using Photoshop since the mid-1990s and updating it approx. every other version. I bought into Lightroom a year or two after it was first introduced and kept it up to date purchasing all but one version, if memory serves. When I factor the cost of buying upgrades every three years approx., it works out very close to the $360 that it would cost to subscribe. Yes, the initial purchase of PS was steep... $600 or $700. But after that the upgrades were $200 to $265. LR cost between $125 and $150. It was only offered in full versions, wasn't offered in upgrade versions until LR6, the last perpetual licensed version (and Adobe did a great job hiding the $99 upgrade offer, which was only available to registered LR4 or LR5 users when LR6 was purchased from the Adobe website).

Of course I also did most of free periodic minor updates to both programs, as needed. In fact I prefer doing those myself, rather than having them "pushed" to me automatically. While I participated in beta programs for both LR and PS, I was never quick to update my "user" version (kept the beta version separate). Several times there have been "issues" with updates... things that didn't work as they were supposed to or just plain dumb changes made to the programs. The worst of those was a LR update a few years ago that caused all sorts of problems.

It wouldn't cost Adobe much of anything to offer LR and PS both ways. They've already cut out a lot of the "middle men". Most software is downloaded these days... instead of being burned to a disk, put in a box and then shipped through distribution channels to retailers so that end users can buy it. There are no longer the costs of production, packaging, shipping, marketing, etc., with wholesalers and retailers along the way getting a significant share of the profits. Even if you do insist on buying a disk, it's now usually just an "installer" that requires you download the bulk of the product via the Internet. If you buy a download from a retailer, they get a "referral fee" and route you to another site for the download. All the retailer is actually selling you is a valid key to be able to use the software.

In my opinion, Adobe is acting like they're the only game in town with their marketing approach. They aren't, though. I suspect that other programs are enjoying an increase in sales, since Adobe took this approach.

Adobe's made huge profits since introducing the subscription model. But I think a lot of that has been driven by newbies who think "Hey, $10 a month is cheap!" and buy in, but are waaaaayyy over their heads... especially with PS. They probably never really use LR or PS anywhere near their full potential. And I bet a lot probably get frustrated with the complexities... especially with PS... don't get the results they expected, eventually get fed up with it all, just let their subscription lapse and go back to something a lot easier to use (such as Adobe Elements).

I'd be interested to know... but Adobe will never tell... how many people actually continue their LR/PS subscriptions after the first year. I bet there's a big percentage who drop it soon as they find out how hard it is to learn... especially PS..

Since Adobe switched to the subscription model, the number of "how to" questions about LR and PS being posted on forums has exploded. To me that suggests a huge increase in new users and much greater adoption of it by amateurs who may not understand what they're getting into, quite possible don't need such advanced programs. Photoshop used to be targeted at professionals and commercial users who took classes, bought books to learn to use it well. The high initial price of PS insured that only "serious" users bought into it. That high price also encouraged folks to spend a little more $, time and effort to learn to use it well. Lightroom is a lot less complex and can be learned with far fewer books and classes than PS, but exactly a cake walk, either.

One last thing.... Some people only use one or the other... LR or PS... even though with the subscription they've paid for both. Again, Adobe could, but doesn't offer an option to subscribe to just LR for, say, $5 a month, or PS for $5 a month. (LR & PS are designed to complement each other, neither is really "complete" without the other... but one or the other is all some users need... and this is a separate topic for another day.)

RixPix Loc: Miami, Florida

I had CS6 on my old computer and used PC Mover Software to move it to a new model. If you have an old computer with CS6 on it this may be an option for you.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

Read the OP again. He doesn't have CS6, he wants to buy it. He doesn't want the subscription.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

BTW - the thread is 14 months old today talking about (then) software 3+ years out of support by the vendor.

User ID

.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

[deleted]

LittleBit Loc: St. Louis, MO

“You noticed that too!”

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

If you haven't already, it might be wise to try out photoshop elements.
The features may be up to par with the old cs6 or better in some ways

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

My bad. I must have responded to the wrong thread. I use CS6 and like it. I got a pirated version on a torrent site. Cost me nothing. Have to be confident you can deal with viruses, maybe rebuild your computer if you get a bad virus. But I'm used to that possibility. Also your anti-virus software may consider pirated software a virus, even when it isn't, so you need to be savvy about that as well.