CS2 or Elements 5

[MRCPix]

I use it for personal use and the only reason I want CS2 is for the RAW converter. Does elements 5 have the RAW converter ( I think it does) and if so is it really worth the cost difference to get CS2?
I shoot for my personal pleasure not for money.

Mike C

[SilverShooter]

CS2 is the standard by which all other post processing software is measured. It can do things you wouldn't believe. I bought it and couldn't image not having it. If all you want is a good RAW converter, you might try Nikon Capture. I still use Capture 4.4 rather than NX. For some reason, my new computer will only run NX in safe mode. I'm waiting for the next (and more stable, I hope) release. Capture 4.4 is fairly powerful, but is missing layers which allows you to modify selected areas of your images. If you use Capture with either Elements or CS2, you have to be careful because the Nikon software will block Camera RAW, which is one of the reasons you buy Adobe products. Its easy to fix this, but you shouldn't have to do so. If you buy CS2, plan to spend some time learning how to use it. You will be able to use the parts you understand as you add knowledge about the rest. I doubt that very many people ever understand more that a fraction of what this software can do.

For my money, I'd buy Capture if I didn't want to spring for CS2. If you want to convert files other than from Nikon cameras, this won't cut it for you. You might then consider Elements if you don't go with CS2. Don't do what I did. I bought all 3 trying to get to what I really wanted.

[MRCPix]

I have used ps 7 for a couple of years and love photoshop, but I am just trying to look at my options. As a student I can get the adobe suite for about 250.00 and photoshop for about 200.00 since I don't use the other programs I will probably just get photoshop CS2.

[Jim Victory]

Originally Posted by mikeN80

I have used ps 7 for a couple of years and love photoshop, but I am just trying to look at my options. As a student I can get the adobe suite for about 250.00 and photoshop for about 200.00 since I don't use the other programs I will probably just get photoshop CS2.

The big advantage to CS2, if you use their RAW converter, is they update it regularly when new cameras come out.

The old CS is a powerful photo editing tool but since CS2 came out it will not accept the RAW converter updates for new cameras. CS would have met all of my photoshop needs except for the lack of ability to accept RAW converter updates.

I have a feeling Adobe will be coming out with a new model soon and they will probably use a different RAW converter technology based on some of their recent acquisitions of companies using this different technology. I personally think Adobe's RAW converters are the weakest of all of these types of software available in the market today.

[suzyjazz]

Elements 5 should have the converter because they started putting it in on Elements 3. That's what I still use. My use is mostly personal with a little business thrown in. I don't shoot all that much so I don't really need any batching capabilities. It sounds like you can get CS2 for a good price and will go for that. I think that sounds good. However, I have found Elements to be pretty good for my needs.

[SilverShooter]

Suzy

I used Elements 3 for a while before I went to the Epson Print Academy classes. The pros at those classes really talked Elements down. The primary reason was the lack of availability of advanced curves layer work. Vince Versace was the guy who spent the most time going thru Photoshop issues. He is a magic when it comes to portraiture and digital corrections. I came away with a new view on post processing and bought CS2 a few weeks after I tried to use the new tools I had learned in Elements.

If you have the time and willingness to learn CS2, you will be very happy with the gain you get in image enhancement. The Epson Print Academy is one good place to get a kick start in CS2, but it costs as much as Elements.

Steve

[suzyjazz]

Everyone says to get CS2. I don't want to spend the money or time to learn right now. I've decided not to mention it anymore because I am tired of people telling me to upgrade. I know you mean well, but now back to our regularly scheduled thread....

[MRCPix]

I still beleive in making the shot in the camera not in the computer call me old fashioned, but it is something I learned to do shooting chrome film and would rather not kick the habbit :)
I agree with you Suzy most of us are not professionals and don't do extreme editing.

[Daniel Bates]

I'm running Elements 4 right now. It does pretty much everything I need (crop, levels, layer masking, etc) and it's quite a bit less expensive than PS to boot. I like it!