Photoshop CS5, buy or free download?

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Nancyjj

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#129201 6-Sep-2013 18:54

Hi, some assistance please. I see that PhotoshopCS5, on some sites ( softonic and others) can be listed as free download, and this is not just as a trial. Has anyone tried this and is it successful? I will need this next year as a SIT distance learning student for a Diploma in Digital Photography. And a second question, as I will be able to purchase this with student ID, is there any one place/store/online site apart from Adobe better than another to buy this? Many thanks , NancyJ

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#891066 6-Sep-2013 19:21

Photoshop is not free; all I can find on Softonic is an update (which requires you to already have a licence). If you're seeing it completely free somewhere then it'll be pirated.

Jaxson

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#891070 6-Sep-2013 19:27

And if you're legitimately studying you will probably be eligible for academic pricing, which is actually pretty good with Adobe.

Nancyjj

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#891072 6-Sep-2013 19:38

Thanks Behodar and Jaxson, I did think free was not for real, and Yes, I will be a real student, and the tutor said to make sure I detailed this when I buy it, so Adobe will be where I go. Thanks again, Nancy J.

mattwnz

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#891073 6-Sep-2013 19:40

Adobe like most software providers now, have moved to a cloud model where you now pay per month, so no more software to outright buy. The current version is the last I believe to be sold as a license where you can keep the software, without paying a monthly fee, and it is over a thousand at least for a regular license.

michaelmurfy

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#891074 6-Sep-2013 19:41

I'd recommend just going for their Creative Cloud offering, it's about $50 per month or there is a photoshop only version for about $12 per month.

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timmmay

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#891115 6-Sep-2013 21:36

Academic cloud pricing is quite good, but buying CS6 outright is probably cheaper in the long run. I use CS6 a lot, but I don't want to pay every month. I'll just keep using CS6, and when the RAW converter doesn't work for me any more I'll find a standalone one.

(PS I hate lightroom, I'd rather give up photography than use it. Horrible slow interface. Bridge rocks).

Nancyjj

37 posts

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#891198 7-Sep-2013 09:01

Hi, I think to buy is better, after all if I use this for 3 years, and maybe many more, monthly subs would be a lot dearer.at the moment SIT say that CS5 is what we need, but until enrolment opens in October, I cannot be totally sure, it may change to CS6 then. This is for me a 2 year part time course, ( 4 papers each year) but I will still qualify for student prices, according to the tutor. And as my man also does photography, I can use it for his photos if he loads then to my laptop. One more question, I have a Toshiba 15.6", and also a 21" widescreen HP monitor, that I had for my older desktop, will I get better colour if I hook this up and use it? Will I need to calibrate it? How do I do this? I see on the Ugly Hedgehog forum, so many use another monitor for their photography, ranging from ordinary to huge expensive ones. If these are too many answers for here, would you please email me? Cheers, Nancy J

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clicknz

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#891246 7-Sep-2013 11:44

Hi - as CS6 is the more current version of the application it would probably be good to have it as it will be supported for longer and have better support for more recent camera files (altho' you may be able to get RAW converter updates separately, or, as Timmmay suggests, you could use a stand-alone converter).
Yes - afaik - you will always get better colour reproduction from a dedicated monitor than a laptop screen.
Best to calibrate it.
This can be done by buying a piece of hardware that you would attach to the screen, run a piece of software (that will come with the device) and it will produce a specific profile for your monitor to view colours as they 'should' look. You might also be able to hire or borrow this hardware or get a pay someone to do this for you. Maybe even the learning institute might have one to borrow?

Cheers,
Mike

Photographer/Videographer clickmedia.nz

Nancyjj

37 posts

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#891290 7-Sep-2013 13:54

Hi Mike, SIT is based in Invercargill, we are in the Rangitikei, but I have a friend who is a photographer, so I will ask her about calibrating the larger monitor. Thanks for all your help, looking at CS6 prices, might need to start working all over again. Cheers, Nancy

Bung

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#891292 7-Sep-2013 14:00

Nancyjj: looking at CS6 prices, might need to start working all over again.

What prices are you basing that on? Several NZ on-line retailers have Student/Teacher pricing <$240 (Course needs Adobe approval)

Nancyjj

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#891360 7-Sep-2013 16:42

Yes, I have found CS5 at around the $260 or so with student ID. , but for CS6, $489 or $599, depending on which one, and... I am a super- annuitant, so my income is set by the government. And although SIT is student fee free, there are course fees, and enrolment, the whole course was about $830 for the 2013 intake, so next year will be more. So I said this with the future costs in mind . Cheers, Nancy J

Bung

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#891365 7-Sep-2013 16:58

You said you need the Photoshop component.

Adobe CS6 Photoshop Extended, Student and Teacher Edition, 1-user, Win $233.85 incl GST & delivery
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=404537

Nancyjj

37 posts

Geek

#891429 7-Sep-2013 19:08

Thanks, I'll save the link, out of stock until mid September, and enrolment is after early October. Then when I get student ID, will be all set to purchase. Cheers, NancyJ. p.s. this was one link I didn't find. so many thanks, again.

Geektastic

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#895610 14-Sep-2013 14:06

They could give Photoshop away and I still wouldn't give it houseroom!!

surfisup1000

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#895636 14-Sep-2013 16:08

michaelmurfy: I'd recommend just going for their Creative Cloud offering, it's about $50 per month or there is a photoshop only version for about $12 per month.

Phew, they really upped their prices if you only use occasionally.

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