Tested Capture One pro 20 // Not worth the Upgrade
Dec 4, 2019 18:05:09 #
Hi!
Disclosure: I consider myself an advanced Capture One Pro 12 user and also regularly perform testing and evaluating software for work.
Having said that, I finished testing Capture One pro 20, and comparing it against the previous version, these are my conclusions:
1) There are a bunch of improvements, all of which are useful, but...
2) Most of the "new" features can easily be done in version 12 in another way. For example:
* the new High Dynamic Range sliders can be emulated in C1_12 with curves
* The new "Basic" color adjustment is almost the same as in 12
and is of no use if you use (as I do) the "Advanced" one.
4) The noise reduction IS improved over the previous version... but I tested it on a couple of very high ISO test shots, and shown the results to 3 independent judges (my kids). Thing is, they couldn't decide which sample was made with which version.
Bottom line: YES version 20 HAS improvements over version 12... but they do not (at least for me) justify the asking price for the upgrade. It almos looks like a 12.4 version.
Bottom line II: this demonstrates - again - that "perpetual" (*) licenses give more control to the customer: I choose NOT to upgrade this time and wait for the next version. Had I subscribed, I've already paid for this upgrade and would probably feel scammed.
*: yes, I realize that there is no such thing as a perpetual license (Windows 3.0 anyone?)... but it is perfectly feasible to use any piece of software for a couple of years without upgrading, if the upgrades are not worth the money. This also sends a message to the developers: improve or die.
Bottom line III: this demonstrates - again - that "pre-orders" should be skipped. Nobody should purchase a product that can't be tested... it's called "vaporware". I could accept (for a big discount) to pre-order a product if I get access to the pre-release (a.k.a. beta) version for testing.
Disclosure: I consider myself an advanced Capture One Pro 12 user and also regularly perform testing and evaluating software for work.
Having said that, I finished testing Capture One pro 20, and comparing it against the previous version, these are my conclusions:
1) There are a bunch of improvements, all of which are useful, but...
2) Most of the "new" features can easily be done in version 12 in another way. For example:
* the new High Dynamic Range sliders can be emulated in C1_12 with curves
* The new "Basic" color adjustment is almost the same as in 12
and is of no use if you use (as I do) the "Advanced" one.
4) The noise reduction IS improved over the previous version... but I tested it on a couple of very high ISO test shots, and shown the results to 3 independent judges (my kids). Thing is, they couldn't decide which sample was made with which version.
Bottom line: YES version 20 HAS improvements over version 12... but they do not (at least for me) justify the asking price for the upgrade. It almos looks like a 12.4 version.
Bottom line II: this demonstrates - again - that "perpetual" (*) licenses give more control to the customer: I choose NOT to upgrade this time and wait for the next version. Had I subscribed, I've already paid for this upgrade and would probably feel scammed.
*: yes, I realize that there is no such thing as a perpetual license (Windows 3.0 anyone?)... but it is perfectly feasible to use any piece of software for a couple of years without upgrading, if the upgrades are not worth the money. This also sends a message to the developers: improve or die.
Bottom line III: this demonstrates - again - that "pre-orders" should be skipped. Nobody should purchase a product that can't be tested... it's called "vaporware". I could accept (for a big discount) to pre-order a product if I get access to the pre-release (a.k.a. beta) version for testing.
Dec 4, 2019 18:21:19 #
Hamltnblue
Loc: Springfield PA
This is why companies like Adobe decided to move to subscription based.
It wasn't because they wanted to but had to.
The software reaches a point that it does everything that you want it to do. Upgrades typically are fixes or improvements to existing features with a new feature added now and then.
Many consumers don't see the need and don't upgrade, and makes it hard for the company to stay afloat.
Capture one may have reached that level.
On1, Luminar, and a few others still have a little left to do before getting there but they're getting closer.
It wasn't because they wanted to but had to.
The software reaches a point that it does everything that you want it to do. Upgrades typically are fixes or improvements to existing features with a new feature added now and then.
Many consumers don't see the need and don't upgrade, and makes it hard for the company to stay afloat.
Capture one may have reached that level.
On1, Luminar, and a few others still have a little left to do before getting there but they're getting closer.
Dec 4, 2019 19:38:24 #
a6k
Loc: Detroit & Sanibel
I am or was considering buying the upgrade or even “subscribing”.
Your post is VERY helpful. Thanks 🙏!
Your post is VERY helpful. Thanks 🙏!
Dec 4, 2019 20:43:58 #
Mr. SONY
Loc: LI, NY
I am having an awful time trying to get my pre-purchased upgrade activated.
It is brutally complicated.
It is brutally complicated.
Dec 5, 2019 07:52:10 #
I totally agree. It wasn’t worth the upgrade. There was really nothing new that version 12 can’t do. No wonder they were really trying hard to conceal what was new except for version 20, a big leap from 12 to show the appearance of a major upgrade... but what’s the upgrade? Silence! Just give us your money! Unfortunately, I fell for it! Lesson learned!
Dec 5, 2019 08:07:05 #
Hamltnblue wrote:
This is why companies like Adobe decided to move t... (show quote)
Actually, the reason Adobe (and Microsoft, ans SAP) have moved to subscription models for their software has everything to do with accounting procedures - in doing so these companies can recognize revenues as a steady stream over time rather than having to guesstimate what kinds of money will come in each period from perpetual license sales.
Dec 5, 2019 08:47:51 #
I have used Capture One since version 8. I just upgraded to version 20 and I like it. It has some new features that I will use. I probably have $25,000 invested in camera equipment, I do not find the fee for an upgrade to be extravagant. I cannot be certain, but I think this version is faster than my previous versions. It also utilizes hardware acceleration and the previous version did not. The better speed and use of hardware acceleration may be related to my upgrading my OS to Mojave at the same time I installed version 20. I really do not know.
Dec 5, 2019 19:46:54 #
jlg1000 wrote:
Hi! br br Disclosure: I consider myself an advanc... (show quote)
I just upgraded to 20 but got the subscription - hard to beat for a $70 prepaid subscription, and a lot cheaper than the cost of a permanent license. More than likely that ability will come around again next year with the next incremental upgrade. I like a predictable cash flow, so the subscription model for payment works 100% in my favor.
Oh, and the software is pretty good, and a little faster than the previous. The noise reduction seems to be much improved. Makes images coming out of my RX10M4 look like they came out of my D810 - that alone is worth the price of admission.
I have no problem with a subscription especially if it saves me 35% over the cost of a license purchase. I did hesitate at the $110 upgrade price, but the $70 subscription was a no-brainer.
Dec 5, 2019 21:14:13 #
a6k wrote:
I am or was considering buying the upgrade or even “subscribing”.
Your post is VERY helpful. Thanks 🙏!
Your post is VERY helpful. Thanks 🙏!
I just reprocessed an image I took in 2017 with a Sony RX10M4 - I like the improvements very much.
Dec 6, 2019 04:47:24 #
Dec 6, 2019 07:09:24 #
jlg1000 wrote:
... Bottom line II: this demonstrates - again - that "perpetual" (*) licenses give more control to the customer: I choose NOT to upgrade this time and wait for the next version. Had I subscribed, I've already paid for this upgrade and would probably feel scammed. ...
My take on this is the other way around.
If I ever get to the point that the current version does everything I want it to do I can simply stop upgrading and I have a program that I can use as long as I have a computer on which I can install it. With a subscription I lose that option.
Dec 6, 2019 07:18:54 #
Gene51 wrote:
I just upgraded to 20 but got the subscription - hard to beat for a $70 prepaid subscription, and a lot cheaper than the cost of a permanent license. More than likely that ability will come around again next year with the next incremental upgrade. I like a predictable cash flow, so the subscription model for payment works 100% in my favor. ...
The problem I see is that the early bird pricing may only be cheaper the first time. What will happen 12 months from now? Can you pay for the annual subscription up front again and get the same savings? If so, it a bargain.
Dec 6, 2019 07:21:24 #
Mr. SONY wrote:
I am having an awful time trying to get my pre-purchased upgrade activated.
It is brutally complicated.
It is brutally complicated.
I had the same issue. I think there might be a lag in their licencing process.
I went ahead and started using the trial version licence key and I'll try again in a week or two.
Dec 6, 2019 11:16:17 #
Mr. SONY wrote:
I am having an awful time trying to get my pre-purchased upgrade activated.
It is brutally complicated.
It is brutally complicated.
It's a very convoluted process but this might help: https://support.captureone.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004099138-How-to-use-your-Capture-One-20-pre-order-code-
Dec 7, 2019 09:14:57 #
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