Replacing LR5 with similar product - assume Classic

[MikePyrenees]

Lightroom Version Number

Classic

Operating System

1. Windows 10

Having trawled the internet, I am still confused by the current LR offerings. All I want to do is bring myself up to date from V5 (which I love). I guess I go down the 'Classic' route, but I seem to only find Classic CC with bundled storage and Photoshop (neither of which I need).
Am I missing something here?
Thanks

 

[Jim Wilde]

No, you're not missing anything. Lightroom Classic is indeed the updated version of your LR5 (it's currently at version 12, so as you can imagine a LOT has changed), but like nearly all Adobe products it is now only available as part of a subscription plan. The basic Photography Plan includes LrClassic, Photoshop, Lightroom (don't be confused, this is the cloud-centric desktop app, not the same "Lightroom" that you knew), Lightroom Mobile, and 20GB of cloud storage. That plan costs $9.99 per month, and it's the only way today to get LrClassic.

 

[Paul_DS256]

It can be confusing. You are note alone. Here's a previous thread that may help https://www.lightroomqueen.com/comm...-versus-lightroom-classic.43922/#post-1292610

As @Jim Wilde stated, you are likely looking at the Photography Plan. However, I just discovered Adobe is getting sneaky. They only advertise their 1TB plan (at least here in Canada). You have to drill down on the plan details to select 20GB instead of 1TB. I have the 20GB plan but don't use any of the cloud storage. Adobe seems to want you to use their ecosystem which includes mobile but, personally, I keep everything on my PC.

So, moving from LR5 to LrC is very straightforward. There are books and tips on the Lightroom Queen web site to help.

I have LrC and PS installed on my PC and keep all my files on my PC. So you can maintain your existing setup without going 'cloudy'. However, you have to option with the Plan to start using Lr and the mobile apps if you want.

Good luck.

 

[MikePyrenees]

No, you're not missing anything. Lightroom Classic is indeed the updated version of your LR5 (it's currently at version 12, so as you can imagine a LOT has changed), but like nearly all Adobe products it is now only available as part of a subscription plan. The basic Photography Plan includes LrClassic, Photoshop, Lightroom (don't be confused, this is the cloud-centric desktop app, not the same "Lightroom" that you knew), Lightroom Mobile, and 20GB of cloud storage. That plan costs $9.99 per month, and it's the only way today to get LrClassic.

Thanks Jim .
I guess that's the way of the world these days (Windows etc). As long as I can still work offline and not use the cloud.
Strange though - I can't be the only person that doesn't want or need all that extra stuff.
Happy Christmas.

 

[MikePyrenees]

It can be confusing. You are note alone. Here's a previous thread that may help https://www.lightroomqueen.com/comm...-versus-lightroom-classic.43922/#post-1292610

As @Jim Wilde stated, you are likely looking at the Photography Plan. However, I just discovered Adobe is getting sneaky. They only advertise their 1TB plan (at least here in Canada). You have to drill down on the plan details to select 20GB instead of 1TB. I have the 20GB plan but don't use any of the cloud storage. Adobe seems to want you to use their ecosystem which includes mobile but, personally, I keep everything on my PC.

So, moving from LR5 to LrC is very straightforward. There are books and tips on the Lightroom Queen web site to help.

I have LrC and PS installed on my PC and keep all my files on my PC. So you can maintain your existing setup without going 'cloudy'. However, you have to option with the Plan to start using Lr and the mobile apps if you want.

Good luck.

Thanks Paul . We seem to be on the same page, even if a different continent.
I guess that's the way of the world these days (Windows etc). As long as I can still work offline and not use the cloud. I, like you prefer to work on my PC with local storage. Strange though - I can't be the only person that doesn't want or need all that extra stuff. It's a shame Adobe feel they have to try and trick us into buying something we don't want. Great product, just shady marketing.
Happy Christmas.

 

[clee01l]

When LR5 was the main product it cost ~$120US to upgrade annually. That is about the same price as an Annual subscription to the Photography plan. Photoshop the Adobe flagship product was $600-$1000 USD to upgrade and now that is included with the annual subscription.
A Photography Plan subscription would allow you to use Lightroom (now Lightroom Classic) as you always have and not miss out on anything, It will allow you to explore all of the features that you have available such as web access to all of your Classic catalog, the ability to integrate a table app with your classic catalog and Photoshop features that take a simple photo beyond a snapshot.

 

[Califdan]

Buying a plan that includes products you are not likely to use is not a new phenomonym. My Cable TV plan includes over 200 channels, of which I ever watch maybe 5, yet every month part of my fee goes to those unwatched channels. My Car came with satellite radio who's price was built into what I paid but I don't use it yet it travels with me everywhere my car goes. And, on it goes. Brave new world.

However, once you get attuned to LR/Classic and are once again comfortable with it, you may find (like many have before you - including myself) that dipping a toe or two into the LR/Cloud ecosystem has some value. I do not do any image editing using the Cloud based system nor do I do any metadata work their either (I would if Keywords would sync back and forth, but the don't). However I do find it very nice to be able to show folks select images from LR/Classic on my phone or to be able to take pictures with my phone and have them magically appear in my LR/Classic system a few moments later.

 

[Paul_DS256]

Strange though - I can't be the only person that doesn't want or need all that extra stuff.

Old debate. As @clee01l states, from the old stand-alone to the new subscription, it's a good price.

I'm not a PS used but I have found uses for PS as well. I started taking lens ball photos and found links on line on how to invert the image and remove the mount in PS.

 

[MikePyrenees]

Old debate. As @clee01l states, from the old stand-alone to the new subscription, it's a good price.

I'm not a PS used but I have found uses for PS as well. I started taking lens ball photos and found links on line on how to invert the image and remove the mount in PS.

Yes but I have used Paintshop Pro for 15 years or so. Prefer to have an 'owned' product to a rental.

 

[MikePyrenees]

When LR5 was the main product it cost ~$120US to upgrade annually. That is about the same price as an Annual subscription to the Photography plan. Photoshop the Adobe flagship product was $600-$1000 USD to upgrade and now that is included with the annual subscription.
A Photography Plan subscription would allow you to use Lightroom (now Lightroom Classic) as you always have and not miss out on anything, It will allow you to explore all of the features that you have available such as web access to all of your Classic catalog, the ability to integrate a table app with your classic catalog and Photoshop features that take a simple photo beyond a snapshot.

But I bought LR5 in about 2011 and never had to upgrade it - ever. It works pretty well for what I do. I just prefer to buy something, than to rent it. I suppose it's just a preference.

 

[Replytoken]

But I bought LR5 in about 2011 and never had to upgrade it - ever. It works pretty well for what I do. I just prefer to buy something, than to rent it. I suppose it's just a preference.

Understandable. I was not a fan of subscriptions, but I try to pay annually so I only have to deal with it once rather than every month. And at least Adobe gives you a lot of programs included with your subscription. You may want to check out Portfolio if you have not already looked at it.

Good luck,

--Ken

 

[Philippe Coudé du Foresto]

I also don't like the subscription model for products I don't use often. However, since I use LrC almost every day, the subsciption model is valuable for me, considering I get Photoshop in the package and even if I store my images locally on the PC, the cloud Lr is interesting to share the photos with my phone. So I get more (that I use) for the same price.
To the credit of Adobe, it should be noticed that the price of the subscription hasn't changed since it has been introduced, five years ago (which with the inflation, means it's less expensive now than 5 years ago).

 

[David Illig]

It's a shame Adobe feel they have to try and trick us into buying something we don't want.

I don’t see any trickery. Adobe is explicit in their description of the $9.99 Photography Plan. Many, including me, find it to be a fantastic bargain for what you get. With constant powerful new features, Lr Classic is possibly the most powerful photo editing and cataloging software in the Galaxy. But take it or leave it. For the rest, there is other software out there, though none of it compares to Adobe for features, stability, ease-of-use, and on-line support resources (like Lightroom Queen).

 

[Jim Wilde]

To the credit of Adobe, it should be noticed that the price of the subscription hasn't changed since it has been introduced, five years ago (which with the inflation, means it's less expensive now than 5 years ago).

Actually, Philippe, the subscription was introduced over 7 years ago (back in LR5 days). I couldn't wait to sign up when it was announced, I thought it was an amazingly good deal back then, and still think so today.

 

[Califdan]

Look at it this way. The Photographers Plan is $9.99 per month for Lightroom Classic. And for an (un)limited time only, Photoshop and Lightroom (cloud based) are included for FREE.

 

[Gnits]

I was against the initial Adobe subscription model, but when Adobe introduced the Photographers Subscription package I became an immediate convert. A few mins with a calculator informed me that the subscription model would be substantially less expensive than purchasing the respective Lr and Ps upgrades, even if I skipped every second release (which I used to do). My fear at the time is that we would see the subscription pricing rise out of control. Many years have passed and that has not happened.

I am critical that (for me) gaps in functionality are still missing, such as better Import options and the ability to place metadata better on the Printed Page and in books, but I see a lot of improvements that have taken place, many under the hood or subtle, but important.
While I understand the fear associated with a subscription model, I have not seen that realised. I know I have alternatives if I need to bail out, such as Capture One for raw conversion, but they are also changing their licensing model. I have abandoned InDesign in favour of Affinity Publisher mainly because of the buggy and prehistoric data merge option within InDesign, but also because the whole InDesign interface needs to be rebuilt from scratch.

Also, cameras keep improving and I place a value on having someone making available to me the latest version of the raw conversion software. Someone has to pay for that development. I also like the fact that I can install this software on both Windows (my main workstation) and Mac (MacAir is my preferred travel tool) without the cost and hassle of having to licence these products separately. Maybe at some stage I will embrace their mobile apps, but will only step into that space when Lr can process raw files on external storage on an IPad, via the USB port. I am not sure if that is an Apple or Adobe constraint. However, their mobile apps work very well for many.

We can abandon our subscription at a time of our choosing, but you will still have access to the bulk of the Library and Printing functions. I think that is a fairly good safety net.

The Adobe licensing model is unlikely to change anytime soon, or at least I hope it will not. I like the idea I can depend on Lr and Ps for the next few years.

 

[MikePyrenees]

Understandable. I was not a fan of subscriptions, but I try to pay annually so I only have to deal with it once rather than every month. And at least Adobe give you a lot of programs included with your subscription. You may want to check out Portfolio if you have not already looked at it.

Good luck,

--Ken

Thanks Ken - Yes I will pay annually because monthly is a real pain - as it's a Christmas present. Now I have my annswers, I have to work out how to stop the post.

I was against the initial Adobe subscription model, but when Adobe introduced the Photographers Subscription package I became an immediate convert. A few mins with a calculator informed me that the subscription model would be substantially less expensive than purchasing the respective Lr and Ps upgrades, even if I skipped every second release (which I used to do). My fear at the time is that we would see the subscription pricing rise out of control. Many years have passed and that has not happened.

I am critical that (for me) gaps in functionality are still missing, such as better Import options and the ability to place metadata better on the Printed Page and in books, but I see a lot of improvements that have taken place, many under the hood or subtle, but important.
While I understand the fear associated with a subscription model, I have not seen that realised. I know I have alternatives if I need to bail out, such as Capture One for raw conversion, but they are also changing their licensing model. I have abandoned InDesign in favour of Affinity Publisher mainly because of the buggy and prehistoric data merge option within InDesign, but also because the whole InDesign interface needs to be rebuilt from scratch.

Also, cameras keep improving and I place a value on having someone making available to me the latest version of the raw conversion software. Someone has to pay for that development. I also like the fact that I can install this software on both Windows (my main workstation) and Mac (MacAir is my preferred travel tool) without the cost and hassle of having to licence these products separately. Maybe at some stage I will embrace their mobile apps, but will only step into that space when Lr can process raw files on external storage on an IPad, via the USB port. I am not sure if that is an Apple or Adobe constraint. However, their mobile apps work very well for many.

We can abandon our subscription at a time of our choosing, but you will still have access to the bulk of the Library and Printing functions. I think that is a fairly good safety net.

The Adobe licensing model is unlikely to change anytime soon, or at least I hope it will not. I like the idea I can depend on Lr and Ps for the next few years.

Thanks Gnits. The most important paragraph for me is the second last one. I had thought that once I stopped paying, it would stop working as is the case with many subscriptions. I will go ahead and give it a go. Clearly though we are in different leagues - I have no intention to publish, I am just an enthhusiastic amateur who uses Lightroom as it was originally intented - a digital darkroom. Looking forward to discovering the new features. Thanks again from sunny France.

 

[MikePyrenees]

Having trawled the internet, I am still confused by the current LR offerings. All I want to do is bring myself up to date from V5 (which I love). I guess I go down the 'Classic' route, but I seem to only find Classic CC with bundled storage and Photoshop (neither of which I need).
Am I missing something here?
Thanks

OK - Thanks everyone. I now have my answers.

 

[tspear]

@MikePyrenees

I probably differ from 99% of the users on here and switched completely to the new Lightroom in the cloud. If you are on Lr5; and you have the time you should really do a feature comparison between the products and determine which way you want to go. I never used Ps or any of the other tools from the package except Lr. I am a hobby photographer, and when I did the comparison of features, I found the cloud version was good enough (I monitored the cloud version for a number of years until it met enough items). It also simplified a significant amount of my travel related issues I had with Classic. (I work remote and spend 4+ months of the year traveling and working remote).

If only looking to kick the can down the road a couple years; as of a couple weeks ago, there were still a few perpetual licenses for Adobe Lr 6 available on eBay and Amazon. They were NOS, and there are potential issues with this version (such as the map function does not work due to changes in Google API) and also some HW/SW limitations.

Tim

 

[Paul McFarlane]

If you are on Lr5; and you have the time you should really do a feature comparison between the products and determine which way you want to go.

Good suggestion. You may find the Blog helpful:

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/lightroom-cc-vs-classic-features/

Also, a Blog that lists what's changed since Lr6 in Classic (I appreciate you're actually Lr5):

https://www.lightroomqueen.com/whats-new-lightroom-classic-since-version-6/

 

[MikePyrenees]

I don’t see any trickery. Adobe is explicit in their description of the $9.99 Photography Plan. Many, including me, find it to be a fantastic bargain for what you get. With constant powerful new features, Lr Classic is possibly the most powerful photo editing and cataloging software in the Galaxy. But take it or leave it. For the rest, there is other software out there, though none of it compares to Adobe for features, stability, ease-of-use, and on-line support resources (like L

I don’t see any trickery. Adobe is explicit in their description of the $9.99 Photography Plan. Many, including me, find it to be a fantastic bargain for what you get. With constant powerful new features, Lr Classic is possibly the most powerful photo editing and cataloging software in the Galaxy. But take it or leave it. For the rest, there is other software out there, though none of it compares to Adobe for features, stability, ease-of-use, and on-line support resources (like Lightroom Queen).

Thanks David. I too think it's a great product - been using it for 14 years. But I just don't want or need all the cloud stuff - nor PS and I don't like subscription based services. I just wish we had the choice.

But we don't so I will pay an annual subscription and get back to taking photos. Mike

@MikePyrenees

I probably differ from 99% of the users on here and switched completely to the new Lightroom in the cloud. If you are on Lr5; and you have the time you should really do a feature comparison between the products and determine which way you want to go. I never used Ps or any of the other tools from the package except Lr. I am a hobby photographer, and when I did the comparison of features, I found the cloud version was good enough (I monitored the cloud version for a number of years until it met enough items). It also simplified a significant amount of my travel related issues I had with Classic. (I work remote and spend 4+ months of the year traveling and working remote).

If only looking to kick the can down the road a couple years; as of a couple weeks ago, there were still a few perpetual licenses for Adobe Lr 6 available on eBay and Amazon. They were NOS, and there are potential issues with this version (such as the map function does not work due to changes in Google API) and also some HW/SW limitations.

Tim

Thanks Tim. I use cloud based stuff for my aerial (drone) shots, but really prefer editing in the comfort of my studio on a big screen. I can see the value of having cloud based functions, but will probably just get Classic for a year and see how it goes. Thanks for taking the time to respond. MIke

 

[stevedo]

Obviously, a bit late for this year but look out for subscription Black Friday deals. In the UK the monthly subscription is £9.99 per month. Over the Black Friday period there was an offer on the photography plan for £79.99 for 12 months. You can purchase these, as I did, and add them to your existing subscription thereby extending your renewal date by 12 months.

Like others have expressed here, the Photography subscription is rather good value when you consider everything that's included. I particularly like the fact that I can sync photos from LrC to my phone/tablet to show people who are interested. Also taking a photo on the phone, something I do rarely, and having it show up in my LrC catalog is just so convenient.

 

[MikePyrenees]

Thanks for this Stevedo - I am about to take the plunge. I dabble with panoramas and am looking forward to not have to use 3rd party software like Hugin. Will keep my eye out for next years Black Friday deals.

 

[clee01l]

But I bought LR5 in about 2011 and never had to upgrade it - ever. It works pretty well for what I do. I just prefer to buy something, than to rent it. I suppose it's just a preference.

As long as you remain static, this is a valid statement Upgrade to a newer camera and the old version can not read the RAW files. Windows 10 will still currently run LR5. MacOS at v13 cannot install LR5 and works reluctantly if LR5 was installed before upgrading to the current OS. Eventually, your hardware and operating system will render LR5 obsolete.
At some point Google abandoned the API the the Lightroom Map Module used, This part of LR5 remains broken. Compare the list of new features in LrC and see how many are not in LR5. Also the Process version is currently v5 In LR5 it might have been v2. Each process version improves the rendering capability of even previously processed images. Perhaps you don't know what you are missing.
Please don't condemn technology because it leaves you behind. In your original post you said, " bring myself up to date from V5". We have described your current options. It is not up for debate.

 

[Zenon]

Thanks Jim .
I guess that's the way of the world these days (Windows etc). As long as I can still work offline and not use the cloud.
Strange though - I can't be the only person that doesn't want or need all that extra stuff.
Happy Christmas.

Sorry if this was posted. Using Lightroom Classic or LrC is the same as LR5. The cloud is always mentioned but LrC is a desktop app that requires local file storage. It is impossible to send a file to the cloud. There is a sync option that you can choose to use. If you do it only sends Smart Previews, not your actual files. It would take a lifetime to fill 20GB cloud storage with Smart Previews.

While I don't take full advantage of syncing it is integrated with Portfolio. Portfolio is a personal website that comes with the plan. You can sync download collections to Portfolio. For now I just upload one file at a time.

Avoid Lightroom or Lr. This was introduced in 2017 which is cloud based and sends your files to it automatically. I never installed it because I have no interest in it .

Creative Cloud or CC throws people off. That is the install app that you download. Using it you install which apps you want to use.

If you subscribe monthly you get 30 days offline and then you need to get back on. If you pay annually you get 99 days offline.