Whats the verdict on Adobe CC?

[photonsoup]

There were lots of comments about this when it first came out. I'd like to hear thoughts about it from people who have actually used it.
Upgrading to new computer soon and haven't decided if I should change, or reinstall Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom 2.
Here in the Montana Sticks, internet speed is pretty slow, (when it works) so I would hate to have to wait while working on things.
Is CC actually stored on your machine?
If so can you run the program without connection the net?
Anything else I should know about?
I tried to open some RAW files from a newer Cannon camera and found that CS4 didn't have the right magic ingredients for that. Am I correct in the assumption that if I get a newer digital camera I will have to upgrade, or are there ways around this? I currently have a Nikon D300 and a couple of D70s's
thanks
Bryan

[Peter De Smidt]

Bryan, I use CC most days. It's how I earn the majority of my living. You don't need to be online to use it. Everything is stored on your system, just as before. I don't know how far your older programs can be updated, but make sure you use the newest camera raw and Lightroom updates for them. With newer cameras, there might be workarounds for using with the older programs, such as using a program to produce dng files, and then using Lightroom or camera raw to open those. The camera/lens specific features won't be there, but that shouldn't be a big deal. For me, using CC is worth it, but it all depends upon what type of things you do.

[Jac@stafford.net]

Does CC call home periodically to check if our subscription is current?
And if it does, and we cannot connect are we screwed?
.

[Bill McMannis]

Bryan, I use CC most days. It's how I earn the majority of my living. You don't need to be online to use it. Everything is stored on your system, just as before. I don't know how far your older programs can be updated, but make sure you use the newest camera raw and Lightroom updates for them. With newer cameras, there might be workarounds for using with the older programs, such as using a program to produce dng files, and then using Lightroom or camera raw to open those. The camera/lens specific features won't be there, but that shouldn't be a big deal. For me, using CC is worth it, but it all depends upon what type of things you do.

Agree 100%. I have the bargain version with Lightroom and Photoshop. The wife has the full-blown version as she uses InDesign and Illustrator in addition to PS. IMO, both subscriptions are bargains.

[Tin Can]

I started with PS 4, not CS 4 bundled for a great price with a scanner. The software seemed 'free'.

I just looked and I have CD's for CS 2 and CS 5.5 and who knows what other obsolete CD's are laying around.

I have tried various photo, video and music editing software over 18 years. Wasted a lot of money learning video, with gear and software. 6K that!

Since I do very little video now, I don't 'rent' the whole CS package as I first did when it was $30 for the first year. If it was still $30, I would pay that for the super duper all you can eat Adobe thingy.

My point is, that as an 'early adopter' I have spent oodles on useless crap and now way prefer 'renting'

Works real well for me.

I never bought vinyl records, mag tape ages poorly, CD's self destruct. Hard drives crash. The cloud is currently our safest place for anything. Endless HD backups hidden in banks fail just sitting there.

However I expect data storage to become organic and more like our own internal memory systems within our lifetimes. Pod people.

If you "like' buying just do it, nobody is going to convince 'renters' we are wrong.

Make yourself happy. Time is short.

[Preston]

Here's the listing of all cameras that the Camera Plug-in (versions 1.0 through 8.7) supports.

Adobe Camera RAW Plugin Versions and Supported Cameras

For example, for the D-300, the minimum version of ACR is 4.3, and the Lightroom minimum version is 1.3.1.

--P

[Jim Andrada]

To the best of my knowledge it calls home periodically and if a month or so goes by without being able to connect you're screwed - not sure how often one can't connect for a whole month though. Hasn't been a real problem at all. (I did have a period when my internet service crapped out for a few days so I stuck a USB Wifi adapter in the machine and tethered to my iPhone. Worked OK for critical stuff like e-mail and Adobe never complained.

[Shootar401]

To the best of my knowledge it calls home periodically and if a month or so goes by without being able to connect you're screwed - not sure how often one can't connect for a whole month though. Hasn't been a real problem at all. (I did have a period when my internet service crapped out for a few days so I stuck a USB Wifi adapter in the machine and tethered to my iPhone. Worked OK for critical stuff like e-mail and Adobe never complained.

There are versions of CC that can be installed on systems not connected to the internet. You don't need a internet connection to install or "check" back with Adobe.

[Tin Can]

I am always connected the web, twice down in 10 years. Use the $10 CC version daily and love it.

I would not want to go back to earlier editions of PS or LR. I have used PS since 1996 and paid for updates for many years at great expense. CC is a bargain compared to the past.

I see PS is celebrating 25 years. http://blogs.adobe.com/photoshopdotc...photoshop.html

Each improvement has made PS better, much better, never worse.

At work I had to use the phone to get Adobe activated, really not a big deal. I had no Internet there until I hacked in...

[fishbulb]

Is CC actually stored on your machine?

Yes

If so can you run the program without connection the net?

Yes, but not forever.

Anything else I should know about?

You will need a modern computer to run Photoshop CC, but it sounds like you've got that

I tried to open some RAW files from a newer Cannon camera and found that CS4 didn't have the right magic ingredients for that. Am I correct in the assumption that if I get a newer digital camera I will have to upgrade, or are there ways around this?

Yes, that is how Adobe drives sales of new software. They only include support for new camera raw files, new lens correction profiles, and support for new software features (such as content-aware fill or camera shake correction) in the latest versions of the software. So if you upgrade your camera, or lenses, or just want the latest and greatest features, you have to upgrade.

Does CC call home periodically to check if our subscription is current?

Yes

And if it does, and we cannot connect are we screwed?
.

You will need to be online when you install and license your software. If you have an annual membership, you’ll be asked to connect to the web to validate your software licenses every 30 days. However, you’ll be able to use products for 99 days even if you’re offline.

I would not want to go back to earlier editions of PS or LR

Me either. I can't believe the first poster is still on Lightroom 2 and CS4. Onward and upward!