The Can Man Loc: Big Arm, Montana

I have been shooting in jpeg format and wanting to switch over to raw. Question is what editting program do I use if I don't want to pay a fee every month to use plus the initial cost. I find this quite annoying. We pay for a program then have to make a monthly payment just to use something already paid for so that we can get updates once every few months. The amount we have to pay for a program the updates should be free. Now that I am done bitching what's the best program for a Canon shooter that uses a Imac computer and Pixma pro 100 for my printing.

OutdoorOldie

A member here uses ON1. Her photographs are stunning.The newest version,ON1Raw,is available as a download,for Mac and Win.I ordered it on sale a few days ago.There are books on amazon, and vide on youtube to teach/show how it works.There is also a free trial.Hope this helps.

jak86094

I think there is a misunderstanding in how the subscription software works. You don't pay a fee to "buy" the software and then a monthly subscription charge on top of that. There is no initial cost for the software...just the monthly fee. I use Lightroom Classic and Photoshop and pay a $10 monthly fee. No up front software cost. For my $10, I can use the software on multiple computers and mobile devices, get all updates including new features, and get support from the company. So it's $120 per year...period. Given what I used to spend to purchase the two applications and update them every 2-3 years, the monthly subscription isn't that much and I'm always up to date.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

There are a gaggle of post-processing packages that you can use - Affinity is another that gets good reviews. Frankly, though, the $10/month that Adobe charges (there is no "initial cost") is a pretty good deal as well. You could also try the software that was included with the camera itself; manufacturers include that to ensure their customers have the option.

If you use a Mac, you can even use Photos (provided the version of your OSX can handle the raw file format you have - in the Mac world the demosaicing software is pat of the basic OS, not so in Windows).

ialvarez50

The big mistake that many people make is not to pay attention to the CD that you get when you purchase a camera new. This cd has a program that allows you to edit you photos for free of course. Just install the program and then go to www.canonusa.com and if you want, download the latest program, you do need the serial number of your camera to download it. I hope this helps.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Affinity, Luminar, ON1 and there are multiple other programs, all good in various ways. Do an online search, some are free, some cost. In the end, it depends on your skill with whatever program you use. Also, as someone else has said, the software that comes with your camera. I use LR and PS, plus multiple other programs. Paying just about $10 a month to make my life easier with my photography is a no-brainer for me and it's well worth the $120 a year.

CanonAbuser

I use darktable which is a free , open source , cross platform light room lookalike. I use in Windows 10 and Linux mint 19.1. Google search darkroom.

fantom Loc: Colorado

Well said. The Adobe LR and PS are very good buys, its a good deal and there really is nothing to complain about cncerning the cost. You are getting the most powerful general photo editing software out there.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

There are all kinds of options, a lot listed above. Adobe Elements is sort of Photoshop lite. It can do almost anything a normal human being would want to do. Personally I use the Lightroom CC, Lightroom Classic, Photoshop for 10.99 per month only because I grew up with Photoshop. You can try most of them for free for 30 days. Don't listen to us old fogies, we are too old and opinionated to change, try them one at a time and see what works for you.

dhk

Luminar 2018

traderjohn Loc: New York City

It's not important what your camera/lens or printer is. There is no buy-in for LR & PS. It's $9.99 a month. That is the best program for whatever you use as a camera.

bobfitz Loc: Kendall-Miami, Florida

I highly recommend Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop CC subscription...$10.00 a month and as each new version comes out they are updated for free. I have been using Photoshop since 1992 and in the past have spent a lot of money on each new version. This is the best deal out there especially when you consider Adobe's great support and learning tools.

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

"Purchasing" software is not what you think it is. You only buy a license to use it. Trust me, you don't what to "purchase" software - you wouldn't be able to afford it unless you are part of the 1%.

The $10 subscription fee is nothing more than a way to spread out the cost of software over time for the end user, and a way to even out a company's cash flow for more consistent resource planning. Under the current $10 for Photoshop and Lightroom, you are paying about $180 every 18 months. Under the previous model, Photoshop CS5 cost $999 to "buy" and after 18 months you got the opportunity to use your investment to "buy" an upgrade, which typically was 1/3 of the cost of a new license. And if you wanted Lightroom, it cost you $200, and I don't recall what the upgrade cost.

So, as you can see, PS/LR CC is a bargain compared to what it cost before.

You can always "buy" DXO PhotoLab, Capture One, or On1 PhotoRaw - but you will pay outright for the initial license, and an annual "upgrade" fee - you will still pay for software on a regular basis if you want to keep it current. You'll find that you will change your computer, operating system, camera(s), add lenses, etc - over time, and you will also find that old software, especially orphaned old software, will not support your newer gear.

A subscription model is all upside - for you and the publishers. And the cost is a fraction of what it would have cost had you "purchased" a license.

If you don't like the $10/mo, then pay $120 every 12 months, or $180 every 18 months, if it makes you feel better.

Two things are certain - you get what you pay for, but more importantly, you don't get what you don't pay for.

If you want to pay nothing and get halfway decent software, use the software that came with your camera. It's only a raw converter, and as such it is not suitable for complete editing for finished images, but it will help you get your feet wet.

bobfitz Loc: Kendall-Miami, Florida

Like you...I think the LR, PS subscription is a no brainer.

JohnD3 Loc: Raleigh, NC

For the past several years I have used PS Elements 15 as I progressed from processing JPEG to RAW. I have found it to be an excellent and inexpensive program, easily meeting all of my needs. There are many training videos on UTube (free) and many self-help manuals (costly) to assist you in going as far with the Program as you wish. Also, I feel that down the road I will be transitioning to the PS/LR subscription service thus my time with PSE will serve as an excellent training period and little (if anything) will be lost when I transition.
$70 is an excellent price for all you get.
https://www.amazon.com/Adobe-65292215-Photoshop-Elements-2019/dp/B07HKQDL7Y/ref=sr_1_3?crid=CW75YM8I28PP&keywords=photoshop+elements+2019&qid=1555930868&s=gateway&sprefix=photoshop%2Caps%2C147&sr=8-3