PSE9 or CS5 decision....

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PSE9 or CS5....I'm probably not the first to ponder the decision, or the last and I guess (as is so often the case) it all comes down to cost/benefit ratio. I'm on PSE5 at the moment and normally wouldn't have considered CS5 due to it's hefty price tag, but I have the opportunity to get a full version of CS5 for £350 (via CS2 and upgrade to CS5) which compared to the full price for CS5 is pretty darned good.

I understand that PSE9 is still only 32 bit and as I've recently upgraded my PC and am now running Windows 7 64 bit, it would be nice to be able to use the extra RAM and oomph now that I've got it. I believe that CS5 also allows the offloading of some processing to the GPU which would be cool.

Now I'm not a pro photographer by any means so my ability to take world class photographs and spend money on photography related products is somewhat limited - so usually it wouldn't be a decision at all and I'd just go for PSE9. But £350 for CS5 is damn good and I'm just wondering whether it might be worth taking the plunge...?

Like I say, I know it all really comes down to cost/benefit. I know CS5 would give me full 16-bit editing (I believe PSE9 is only 8...?) and adjustment curves - are there any other major things that would make CS5 a much better option? I know it has a ton of features/tools/etc, but a lot of features these days are included (even if in some cut-down way) in Elements so I'm just wondering what the major players would be...?

Be interested to hear opinions...!

Thanks
 
I use CS5 All day everyday. Couldn't live without it! I would totally reccomend you get CS5 :D CS5 has a load of cool new features.
 
I mostly use lightroom 3 for 99% of my processing needs. When I do drop into PS5, the biggest plus I have found with it (although I'm not a power CS5 user) is it's ability to do context sensitive image removal. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH0aEp1oDOI

It's awesome!
 
arad85 said:
I mostly use lightroom 3 for 99% of my processing needs. When I do drop into PS5, the biggest plus I have found with it (although I'm not a power CS5 user) is it's ability to do context sensitive image removal. See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NH0aEp1oDOI

It's awesome!
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Which PSE9 now does rather splendidly... Very, VERY, impressive! Which makes the case for CS5 less than stellar in my workflow.

-Rob
 
CS5 has a truckload of extra features. But will you use them?

Seriously, what do you actually need in an editing tool?

Given that PSE9 now includes layer masks it's a very compelling choice and unless there's features in CS5 that are important to your editing why by CS5?
 
Yes CS5 integrates well with win 7 64bit, the only downside is I find myself having to use 32bit as half my plug ins wont work with 64bit yet..
I don't know what PSE9's version of camera raw is like, but CS5's is cracking, I find I do a good 90% of my PP in it now.
 
Would use use 95% of the tools/power available on CS5, probably not. Elements does virtually everything you'll need at a fraction of the price. Camera RAW is the same in both programs, so don't get sucked in to the hype of you need CS5 and save your cash with PSE9.

Missing something in Elements that PS has then check out Elements Plus for a under a tenner.
 
Have PSE 7, couldn't work out why to upgrade to 8...............

But: layer masks and the context aware thingy makes PSE 9 far more than a neutered CS5, think I'll upgrade

Thoughts anyone?

:naughty:
 
I think there is going to be a review of Elements 9 in next week's AP, so maybe worthwhile hanging off for that? Ebuyer were selling it at £58.58 and it was the cheapest I could find.
 
purenvdesign said:
I use CS5 All day everyday. Couldn't live without it! I would totally reccomend you get CS5 :D CS5 has a load of cool new features.
Click to expand...

Does CS5 have many advantages over CS4 (purely for photographic use)?

Just wondering if it's worth the upgrade price.
 
I think that, given the features available in Elements 9 and my need/skill level, it will be a much more sensible option for me (not that I always for the sensible option!!).

Plus it will save me about £300! :D

Thanks for the input everyone
 
Ozei, probably not, the step between CS4 and CS5 is mostly for designer needs. However for a photographer, probably the main new feature you would use is the content aware function. In CS4 you can acheive a similar affect by taking your time with the spot healing and cloning tool.
 
New in CS5.
A new masks palette, Content-Aware Fill, Superior HDR imaging, Puppet Warp, New painting effects, Automatic lens correction, Mini Bridge, New black and white conversion, Batch watermarking.
In what way are these for designers rather than photographers??
 
Are you, (or anyone in your family ;) ) in full-time education? Or a teacher, lecturer etc? You can buy a student & teacher version of CS5 extended for £160, not sure how close that makes it to the price of the new elements?

Chris

Edit: Sorry if you already know this, it seems to be a pretty well kept secret! :)
 
Batch water Marking can be done from CS3 upwards. Ok granted on the automatic lens correction, HDR Imging and upgraded Black and white conversion. But as for the rest, I use them more for editing photos for design purposes rather than as a photographer. But that is probabley just my perception. I have been a designer longer than a photographer XD. There are other features as well including : New 3D features and Advances Magic Wand Refine Edge feature. I am sure there are many other features yet to be found too.
 
The watermark palette only ships with cs5 and 3d came in with cs4 refine edge isn't a new feature (although improved in cs5)
 
5 star review of PSE 9 in this month's Digital Photo

They reckon it's definitely worth looking at if you have PSE 7 or below, not so clear cut upgrade from PSE 8
 
Ordered PSE9 from Ebuyer yesterday & it turned up today. Not to bad for the free 5 day delivery option :D
 
Why dont they make modular based programs.

So you could start with Elements then upgrade through to Cs5, picking certain elements as you go.
 
dcash29 said:
Why dont they make modular based programs.

So you could start with Elements then upgrade through to Cs5, picking certain elements as you go.
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You can upgrade from elements and older versions of PS/CS you just cant pick the elements you want.

I upgraded from CS3 - CS5 last year and it was under £200, given that I needed at least CS4 so I could run the newer versions of ACR for my camera's raw files it was worth it, I looked at PS8 and lightroom but lightroom was actually more expensive and I hated it, PS8 just didn't cover the area's I wanted covered.

With PP your buying into a system, just as you are when you buy your first camera set up, the initial outlay is expensive but then upgrades when or if you need them are relatively reasonably priced considering you can maintain the continuity of your workflow and plug ins/actions you use.
 
I have CS5 and without a doubt its the best program I've ever used.
 
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