OEM Lightroom

[Scheelings]

I'd prefer to get software at a discount, however, I'd prefer not to do it if it's either illegal or dodgy.

What have most people done here? Paid full price and written it off as a business expense?

I'd be interested to here other's opinions on buying OEM software from online vendors.

 

[majid]

I got the upgrade edition of LR6 from Adobe themselves, for $79 (I have a valid LR5 license, two in fact). They make it hard to find because they really, really want you to hitch yourself to the perpetual monthly fee grindstone, but it is there.

Any site that claims to sell LR6 for less than Adobe is likely not legitimate, or is selling academic versions without proper verification, which will install but you would be violating the terms of the license.

You can always try the open-source DarkTable, RawTherapee or LightZone.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I got the upgrade edition of LR6 from Adobe themselves, for $79 (I have a valid LR5 license, two in fact). They make it hard to find because they really, really want you to hitch yourself to the perpetual monthly fee grindstone, but it is there.

I have not be able to find such on the Adobe website. Can you share some clues how you got there?

 

[Kate-the-Great]

I hitched myself to the Perpetual Monthly Fee Grindstone, no regrets so far. Standalone LR isn't that expensive (compared to what standalone PS used to be at least)- writing it off as a business expense sounds reasonable.

 

[Larry H-L]

Bob,
If I remember correctly, you actually have to put the full-price version in your shopping cart, then when checking out, there is an option for the upgrade price before you hit the final pay button... if you look closely.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

Don't buy software at bargain sites. It's pirated, it's immoral, you are dealing with thieves, and you don't know what you are getting (malware?).

That said, there are some legitimate academic discounts.

 

[Duane Pandorf]

$10/month for a software combo (LR & Photoshop) that cost over $600 is a bargain. You get all the updates when they're released. If you remember to upgrade to the new versions were not cheap either.

 

[Dwig]

I'd prefer to get software at a discount, however, I'd prefer not to do it if it's either illegal or dodgy.

What have most people done here? Paid full price and written it off as a business expense?

I'd be interested to here other's opinions on buying OEM software from online vendors.

I buy my software from legitimate sources. I've frequently bought new products and occasionally upgrade versions from Amazon.com, being careful that the actual vendor is legit. I've also purchased direct from the manufacturer.

If you are actually in Istanbul, you may have some difficulty purchasing some products legitimately. For various reasons (e.g. import restrictions, export restrictions, arcane taxation rules, ...), some products are not available in all markets.

 

[Godfrey]

I'd prefer to get software at a discount, however, I'd prefer not to do it if it's either illegal or dodgy.

What have most people done here? Paid full price and written it off as a business expense?

I'd be interested to here other's opinions on buying OEM software from online vendors.

I buy most software electronically and from the original vendor; Adobe software from Adobe. I've not bought anything other than Lightroom*upgrades from Adobe in several years, and even at $150 for the full price it's not that big a hit. The upgrade price for LR6 was about $80.

They make it easy to get Lightroom CC and a little clumsy to get the perpetual license version, but it's not hard.

1. Go to http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-lightroom.html
2. At the bottom of the page, right corner, click "Buy now" in the box that says "Lightroom 6 - for desktop only. ..."
3. That takes you to the purchase configuration page, where the full price is selected by default. If you're upgrading from an earlier version of LR, click "Full" where it says "I want to buy..." and pick "Upgrade". (If you're buying LR for the first time, skip to step 6.)
4. Then click "Select Product" and pick the version of LR that you're upgrading from.
5. Click "Save Changes"
6. Proceed through the rest of the purchase payment mechanism by clicking "Checkout".

G

 

[Bob Michaels]

....... They make it easy to get Lightroom CC and a little clumsy to get the perpetual license version, but it's not hard.

Thanks, that worked and I now own LR6. I make the mistake of not buying the final version of Photoshop when one could do that with a singular upgrade payment. Anyone know how to do that from Adobe?

 

[willie_901]

... Paid full price and written it off as a business expense?

...

This is what I did.

I can't remember if stand-alone LR has ever been discounted. I have never seen a boxed version let alone on sale in a large chain retail outlet.

 

[willie_901]

I hitched myself to the Perpetual Monthly Fee Grindstone, no regrets so far. Standalone LR isn't that expensive (compared to what standalone PS used to be at least)- writing it off as a business expense sounds reasonable.

I found Lightroom CC to be cost effective for professional use. You can pay all at once for a license and then pay again for version updates. Or you can license usage by the month. Either way you license and you pay. Professional use implies you will benefit from the new feature in updates and for saving time. For instance, Adobe Camera Raw 9.1.1 is the last version available for stand-alone PS6 users. In the future raw rendering could be a two step process (DNG converter, then PS6. While there may be no benefit for some professional photographers, LR CC integrates with iOS and Android devices.

 

[jarski]

been thinking of the CC option. is it possible to skip license fees in some months in year, when you don't need it (like often happens in irregular hobby use)? does the payment model permit this?

 

[sevo]

been thinking of the CC option. is it possible to skip license fees in some months in year, when you don't need it (like often happens in irregular hobby use)? does the payment model permit this?

No. At least here it is a annual subscription, so you can only get out in 12 month intervals after the subscription date. And if you originally got in over a upgrade, you may have to pay full price when you get back in, unless you have another license to a earlier version that qualifies for an upgrade.

 

[brbo]

No. At least here it is a annual subscription, so you can only get out in 12 month intervals after the subscription date. And if you originally got in over a upgrade, you may have to pay full price when you get back in, unless you have another license to a earlier version that qualifies for an upgrade.

CC Photography plan doesn't, but all other plans (Single App, Complete) DO have monthly plans (they do cost more than annual plan with monthly payments, though).

But CC Photography is by FAR the most sensible plan for a photographer (you get Lightroom & Photoshop for way less than only Photoshop in the Single app plan)...

 

[jarski]

btw CC Lightroom isn't included in single apps, that can be bought monthly. was thinking of keeping up to date Lightroom for perhaps 90% of my needs, and dated Photoshop for when such need arises. but no, Adobe denies this option.

 

[uhoh7]

They fleece me 9.99 for a bloated piece of software that runs like windows 98 with no ram.

But what else is there, really? I'm used to it. But not a fan and open to alternatives.

 

[Scheelings]

I just managed to buy the full standalone version. But damn what a pain in the a$$ Adobe is with account management and moving countries. I was very close to giving up.