Where to get photoshop

[Douglas]

Right now ive got PS 7.0. Works for what I do, but from what I see and read, I really should get an updated version. Checked places like best buy and such and right now there is CS4, but its almost $700, and I dont believe I need a full suite like that. I can think of better ways to spend that money.

Is there a place to get legal bare bone versions of CS? Doesnt have to be 4. Can be 3 or 2. Something around $100 would be nice.

[Songster]

You could try photoshop elements rather than cs this will reduce your cost or for something that comes for free there is always gimp and is very simlar to photoshop.

[tbnj]

Originally Posted by Douglas

Right now ive got PS 7.0. Works for what I do, but from what I see and read, I really should get an updated version. Checked places like best buy and such and right now there is CS4, but its almost $700, and I dont believe I need a full suite like that. I can think of better ways to spend that money.

Is there a place to get legal bare bone versions of CS? Doesnt have to be 4. Can be 3 or 2. Something around $100 would be nice.

You can watch eBay to see if someone wants to sell their copy used, but you're going to have a hard time finding a legal version for that price, I think. If you know a student, they can purchase a copy with their academic discount for a greatly reduced price.

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by Songster

You could try photoshop elements rather than cs this will reduce your cost or for something that comes for free there is always gimp and is very simlar to photoshop.

Does elements have some of the same abilities or functions to correct a photo that a CS suite would have? (like fixing lens distortions like this http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/corr...distortion.htm )

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by tbnj

You can watch eBay to see if someone wants to sell their copy used, but you're going to have a hard time finding a legal version for that price, I think. If you know a student, they can purchase a copy with their academic discount for a greatly reduced price.

Legally, though, the academic license is not transferrable from the way I read the EULA.

[tbnj]

Originally Posted by brian.austin

Legally, though, the academic license is not transferrable from the way I read the EULA.

You may very well be right, Brian. I've never bothered to check since my husband and kids are students and live here in the house.

[John at the Beach]

Doug....
Look into PS Elements...I have version 6 and I know 7 just came out...Got mine at Sam's for 80 bucks...6 has raw editing and a very good array of features for jpg...It's close to CS3 in many ways, just not as difficult to use...I also saw where CS4 is out so, if you still want the CS versions, you might pick up 3 at a discount...I like CS3 but for quick and easy, I use Elements 6...

[Douglas]

Ill check on CS 3. Just reviewed some of the Elements 7, think that may work fine going by what youre saying. I really dont need a pro version. So elements might be the way to go. And it is $99 at best buy. Ill check wallyworld to see if they have it cheaper.

Thanks folks

[Songster]

Originally Posted by Douglas

Ill check on CS 3. Just reviewed some of the Elements 7, think that may work fine going by what youre saying. I really dont need a pro version. So elements might be the way to go.

Thanks folks

There is also the try before you buy option, download the 30 day trial version to see if you like it before splashing out your cash.

[blumesan]

While I don't use it myself, I am surprised that no one has recommended you try Lightroom. Many have remarked that it replaces Photoshop for almost all the editing they wish to do, and what it cannot do you can probably accomplish in PS7. I think it goes for about $200.

[matthewlrigdon]

Originally Posted by blumesan

While I don't use it myself, I am surprised that no one has recommended you try Lightroom. Many have remarked that it replaces Photoshop for almost all the editing they wish to do, and what it cannot do you can probably accomplish in PS7. I think it goes for about $200.

I'll go out on a limb and figure he's not using a camera with RAW capabilities (Camera RAW wasn't around for Photoshop 7). Lightroom can handle JPEGs and TIFFs, but I wouldn't use it as a tool for those. It's optimized for RAW.

If you go with Photoshop, remember that CS4 won't allow you to upgrade from 7. They cut the CS4 upgrades off at the first CS version of Photoshop. They were offering free upgrades to CS4 for anyone who bought a new or upgrade version of CS3 during a window up to the CS4 release, but you'll need to call Adobe and see if you can still get the free upgrade if you buy a CS3 upgrade now.

Then, of course, you'll have to find a CS3 upgrade. Try PCMall or your local camera shop. I don't think Adobe will still sell you one directly (but you never know...)

[Douglas]

Not using raw yet, but want to in the future. Just got a D90, but from what I understand photoshop cant open D90 raw files as of yet. For my D70 and anything previous, ive just used jpg fine.

I looked for cs3 upgrades on ebay and theyre about the same price as the latest elements at $99.

So if elements can read raw and do most of the basic editing and fixing that I want, I might go that route.