RAW converters and editors

There are many things you can't do in 16bit.

If you've got PS6, PSCS2 would be a good upgrade for you. Lots of added functionality beyond RAW support.

Upgrades of Photoshop actually aren't too out of line for price. There are many other pro grade software products which charge as much or more for an upgrade, AND they don't let you skip generations.

I usually lay out the upgrade price for Photoshop for every other version. Pretty decent value if you do it that way, and have the need for the type of tools the software provides.

Perhaps the words "cheap" and "Photoshop" don't go together... but there are millions of Photographers and artists who find great value in this powerful, established industry standard.

Photoshop isn't for everyone - its steep learning curve, high price and focus on high end tools which most people can do without gear the full version more toward professionals. However, I would argue that the software is an exceptional value for those who need its power.

It becomes an even better value if you already own a previous version and can get the latest with an upgrade price, or if you have access to an educational discount.

-Scott

I went from PSP to PS and never looked back. I can't think of a single thing I can't do in PS that I could in PSP, but the opposite can't be said. Just the HUGE amount of documentation available for PS alone makes it worthwhile IMHO, there is a whole section of my local book stores that is devoted to photography work in PS, you can find plug-ins and actions to do just about everything for little to no cost.

For RAW work I'll use either the Adobe plugin or the cheap version of PhaseOne's product, but that product isn't an image editing tool, it's just for manipulating RAW images and then converting them into something that an image editor will be able to recognize (that's true with almost all of them), granted those limited editing features may be all you need, but there is no real power there.

I'm curious as to what you are finding limiting in a 16-bit image? You should be able to sharpen/blur and do all the regular image adjustments (brightness/contrast/saturation/etc) with a 16 bit image. As to being worth it? Only you can answer that, but the differences can be fairly large between the two.

Oh yea, if you want to get into PS without spending the big bucks, hop onto E-bay and buy an older version (say 4 or 5 or older), make sure you are getting a full legal copy of the software (you should be able to pick this up for $50-75US), then go buy the upgrade to CS2 ($150US). Still more money than PaintShop, but IMHO I think it's worth the extra cost for the extra power/flexibility.

Andrew

I'll point out that Photoshop 6 is now five years old. That is an eternity in digital imaging.

If you have broadband, go to Adobe's website and download the free 30 day trial of Photoshop CS2. You'll find it has many more features, built in RAW support and more 16 bit editing ability than PS6. Additionally, it has limited 32 bit support.

I'm not sure what you mean by no layers in Photoshop 6 (if that's what you meant). Photoshop has had layers since v.3.0.

**EDIT**
Now I see... you said no layers in PS 6 in 16 bit. You really need to join the millenium in your version of software. CS2 can do this.

Try CS2. It's truly a world of difference.


-Scott

I have CS here and it will allow me to do layers on 16-bit images. IIRC PS7 will also do 16-bit layers as well.

If you wait a couple of months you'll probably be able to pick up a legal copy of PS7 or CS for a couple hundred dollars.

Andrew

There is no mention of a version limit for upgrades on Adobe's website. I once went from version 3 to version 7 in one upgrade.

Now, if you buy the upgrade from Adobe online, you enter your old serial number right on the order page. You'll know right then and there whether or not you'll authenticate with the old key, before you spend the money. (This will tell you if you bought a known bootleg on your v.5, as it likely wouldn't authenticate if it was)

-Scott

Here's what Adobe has to say;


I guess the true test is to try and make sure that you can get an earlier legal version, there's plenty around, but there is also plenty of junk out there as well.

I did the same thing, but I had a version that I had from work (the company went out of business), but it was an early version (3 or 4 IIRC) and went to v7.

There are manuals, but they are the typical "manufacture" type manuals and don't get into much details (can't cut into the book sales).

I have a Canon EOS 10D and Powershot G6, and it's unfortunate the "nice" RAW convertor for the 10D (Canon FileViewerUtility) doesn't work for the G6. The Zoombrowser EX software is pretty crappy for converting RAW images. Actually... it's pretty crappy for everything.

My only experience so far with CS2 is with the trial version, and in a lab environment where if there are manuals, they are nowhere to be found.

I'll be upgrading from v. 7 in the next week or two.... so I'll find out soon enough.

Traditionally, Adobe has included a decent bound manual with the software - but they are better for reference than as a learning tool. I would hope that they continue to provide a printed manual. The built-in help system has traditionally been an HTML version of the printed book.

For learning, I recommend either the "Bible" series, or Adobe's "Classroom in a Book" - though the latter contains much useful information and teaches "bottom up," in an organized way, it can be a bit frustrating at times... the lessons often tell you step by step what to do, while not telling you why. They rely on keen observation on the reader's part to figure out the "why's." As long as you read carefully, the CIB books are excellent training manuals. They are used in Adobe's official training, and I use them in the college courses I teach in Photoshop. They are more appreciated when used as part of a class, where the instructor can help with the "why."

The "Bible" series is also well organized. Beware... there are more bad books than good. Many hook you with a few great tips and techniques, getting you to do really cool things quickly, while ignoring the foundations.

-Scott