How to save $$$ with CS4 upgrade for M8

[eleskin]

Well, since I use Photoshop software for my M8 I guess this is a legitimate M8 related question. Now we all like to save any money we can, and software is a big issue here. We all know the full version of Photoshop CS4 is 600 plus bucks, and for those of us who upgrade software every so often, this cost seems a little excessive (that $600-700 bucks is half of what I paid for my new I-MAC!!! or what I paid recently for a mint late generation 50mm Summicron which will be with me many years longer than Adobe Photoshop CS4).

I have been using a not so kosher version of CS2 a friend gave me for free that had the codes cracked and it has worked absolutely fine. Well, I thought by buying the CS4 Upgrade for $180 I could cheat the system a little bit. No luck here. Even though I have the codes for CS2, the software knows this is not a legitimate copy. So here is my question. What is the cheapest way for me to proceed? Can I borrow a legitimate copy of C2 from a friend? Should I buy a CS2 copy on Ebay and use that to tell CS4 I have what it needs?

I know some would say if I can afford an M8, why are you complaining about $600 software? I believe in saving $$$$ everywhere I can, and every dollar saved is better spent on good used Leica glass etc,,,. CS4 should only be $200-$300 since I can buy the latest OSX for less than that!!!

 

[splitimageview]

There is no issue in trying to get the best deal possible, but Adobe has a right to charge whatever they want for their products, just like Leica does. By your argument, the M8 should be $1500 because point and shoots are only $150. 🙂

I use a legit copy of CS3. It's possible to authorize it on two computers (you have to call Adobe.) Is there something in CS4 that you must have, maybe CS3 would be good enough for you.