So many photo editing apps, none perfect

[some-alpha-user-99]

Few years ago I was using occasionally Photoshop CS2 and Camera Raw to edit RAW files. Then I've bought new camera not supported by Camera Raw and haven't been using software until now. I've tried to get photo as best as possible without digital darkroom.

Currently I'm trying to sell my GND filters (CPL and NDs stay with me) and return to editing photos.

My priorities are: HDR, focus stacking, panoramas stitching, easy masking of complicated shape, easy way to clean up photo from unwanted elements

So I've downloaded trial version of different apps and tested.

Here is my thoughts:

Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop

+ best solution, great interface, so many resources, have everything

- only subscription model

Capture One 16

+ very fast, when learned - comfortable interface, great results of editing

- too pricy, too complicated managing photos, no focus stacking

Affinity Photo 2

+ cheap, some kind of Photoshop replacement (I haven't tried this area), HDR, panoramas, focus stacking

- weird interface

DXO Photolab 8

+ intuitive interface

- no focus stacking nor panoramas

On1 Photo Raw 2024

+ quite cheap, layers allows for many manipulations, HDR, panoramas, focus stacking and time lapse

- difficult interface, hangs occasionally

Luminar Neo

+ cheap with discount, interface like Lightroom, has everything

- interface seems to be too next-gen and so limiting

Conclusion:
Lightroom is out due to lack on one-time payment, Capture One is too pricy. I like Luminar Neo and Affinity Photo 2 the least. Out of two last "competitors" I'd probably go into On1 Photo Raw despite so serious drawback as all-in-one solution. Plus maybe as cheap replacement of Photoshop I'll add to it Affinity Photo some day.

Do you have similar feeling regarding listed software?

 

[Alan Sh]

I've got Photoshop, LR, ON1, Capture One and DXO (I think).

I tried Luminar Neo but I hated the black background and you can't change it, so I gave up with that.

I have no idea why I got DXO, I never use it. I won't renew when it runs out.

Capture One is great for Fuji cameras, but I don't like importing everything before I start and it's not that good at denoising (it's very good a sharpening though). Not sure I'll renew it.

ON1 I quite like. It is good for replacing skies and generally messing around with bits and pieces. The interface takes some getting used to, but it's worth persevering. They have a problem with AI sharpening which I reported - they said (paraphrased) "They all do that" and I replied "Photoshop doesn't".

Lightroom - also have to import photos before you start. I had a tutorial on it the other night and it can be very powerful.

Photoshop - I use that the most. it's denoising is the best (I did some comparisons) and it's sharpening is very good. It's not so good in that raw files go through ACR first and then you open up PS to carry on without (I think) any way of going back without starting all over again.

I may move to lightroom once I can work out if I can get around having to import things and then have the catalogue nag me when I move the files I've finished with.

Does that help?

Alan

 

[ishwanu]

Do you have similar feeling regarding listed software?

For the apps that I have personally owned, I agree with your brief assessments.

 

[s_grins]

Few years ago I was using occasionally Photoshop CS2 and Camera Raw to edit RAW files. Then I've bought new camera not supported by Camera Raw and haven't been using software until now. I've tried to get photo as best as possible without digital darkroom.

Currently I'm trying to sell my GND filters (CPL and NDs stay with me) and return to editing photos.

My priorities are: HDR, focus stacking, panoramas stitching, easy masking of complicated shape, easy way to clean up photo from unwanted elements

So I've downloaded trial version of different apps and tested.

Here is my thoughts:

Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop

+ best solution, great interface, so many resources, have everything

- only subscription model

Capture One 16

+ very fast, when learned - comfortable interface, great results of editing

- too pricy, too complicated managing photos, no focus stacking

Affinity Photo 2

+ cheap, some kind of Photoshop replacement (I haven't tried this area), HDR, panoramas, focus stacking

- weird interface

DXO Photolab 8

+ intuitive interface

- no focus stacking nor panoramas

On1 Photo Raw 2024

+ quite cheap, layers allows for many manipulations, HDR, panoramas, focus stacking and time lapse

- difficult interface, hangs occasionally

Luminar Neo

+ cheap with discount, interface like Lightroom, has everything

- interface seems to be too next-gen and so limiting

Conclusion:
Lightroom is out due to lack on one-time payment, Capture One is too pricy. I like Luminar Neo and Affinity Photo 2 the least. Out of two last "competitors" I'd probably go into On1 Photo Raw despite so serious drawback as all-in-one solution. Plus maybe as cheap replacement of Photoshop I'll add to it Affinity Photo some day.

Do you have similar feeling regarding listed software?

I have different opinions regarding listed software, but I do agree that there is no perfect software.

--
If you want to be equal, you have to be better...

 

[Major Jack]

Few years ago I was using occasionally Photoshop CS2 and Camera Raw to edit RAW files. Then I've bought new camera not supported by Camera Raw and haven't been using software until now. I've tried to get photo as best as possible without digital darkroom.

Currently I'm trying to sell my GND filters (CPL and NDs stay with me) and return to editing photos.

My priorities are: HDR, focus stacking, panoramas stitching, easy masking of complicated shape, easy way to clean up photo from unwanted elements

So I've downloaded trial version of different apps and tested.

Here is my thoughts:

Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop

+ best solution, great interface, so many resources, have everything

- only subscription model

Capture One 16

+ very fast, when learned - comfortable interface, great results of editing

- too pricy, too complicated managing photos, no focus stacking

Affinity Photo 2

+ cheap, some kind of Photoshop replacement (I haven't tried this area), HDR, panoramas, focus stacking

- weird interface

DXO Photolab 8

+ intuitive interface

- no focus stacking nor panoramas

On1 Photo Raw 2024

+ quite cheap, layers allows for many manipulations, HDR, panoramas, focus stacking and time lapse

- difficult interface, hangs occasionally

Luminar Neo

+ cheap with discount, interface like Lightroom, has everything

- interface seems to be too next-gen and so limiting

Conclusion:
Lightroom is out due to lack on one-time payment, Capture One is too pricy. I like Luminar Neo and Affinity Photo 2 the least. Out of two last "competitors" I'd probably go into On1 Photo Raw despite so serious drawback as all-in-one solution. Plus maybe as cheap replacement of Photoshop I'll add to it Affinity Photo some day.

Do you have similar feeling regarding listed software?

I use Photoshop. Photoshop has everything you need based on your post. I happen to LOVE the Photoshop Photomerge software for Panorama Stitching. It is the best panorama software I have used. I use to use Panorama Maker Pro for many years, but when I went back to Photoshop, I found Photomerge to be so much better. I do a LOT of Panorama Stitching, and 90% of the time, I do not have to fix issues with regards stitching imperfections. The only time I find some perfections is with HIGHLY detailed images, and those corrections are pretty easy to fix.

Photoshop also has HDR Toning, and NOW has two of the best tools I have seen recently in the REMOVE TOOL, and Generative Fill, which are fantastic tools.

But, you did say Lightroom was out due to Subscription Pricing, so I do not know if Photoshop would be an option for you. But, Photoshop is the only software I currently use. I have Affinity Photo 1, but I do not use it currently because I just find Photoshop superior to it.

Best of Luck in your Decisions.

 

[Ken Seals]

But, you did say Lightroom was out due to Subscription Pricing, so I do not know if Photoshop would be an option for you. But, Photoshop is the only software I currently use. I have Affinity Photo 1, but I do not use it currently because I just find Photoshop superior to it.

Best of Luck in your Decisions.

Aren't all current versions of Photoshop subscriptions only?

 

[Ken Seals]

Conclusion:
Lightroom is out due to lack on one-time payment, Capture One is too pricy. I like Luminar Neo and Affinity Photo 2 the least. Out of two last "competitors" I'd probably go into On1 Photo Raw despite so serious drawback as all-in-one solution. Plus maybe as cheap replacement of Photoshop I'll add to it Affinity Photo some day.

Do you have similar feeling regarding listed software?

I STRONGLY recommend you reconsider your decision to avoid Lightroom Classic and Photoshop because of the subscription model. Those will fit your needs perfectly and do a really excellent job!

BTW: CS 2 was many years ago.

 

[Major Jack]

But, you did say Lightroom was out due to Subscription Pricing, so I do not know if Photoshop would be an option for you. But, Photoshop is the only software I currently use. I have Affinity Photo 1, but I do not use it currently because I just find Photoshop superior to it.

Best of Luck in your Decisions.

Aren't all current versions of Photoshop subscriptions only?

Yes

 

[Jim B (MSP)]

....

Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop

+ best solution, great interface, so many resources, have everything

- only subscription model

...

In the end, I want the "best solution" I can find. I have put much time and money into my equipment not to have the best software.

I have tried quite a few, and have comeback to Lightroom & Photoshop (still need Topaz Sharpen).

Re Subscription - it is more a philosophy you have that you want to throw it out. It can't be the cost. Like a lot of things in life, you get what you pay for. I am willing to give a little up so I can still have the best technical solution, as you seem to agree that it is. I want the best out of my photos in a reasonable amount of time. (BTW, I don't like the subscription, but I put up with it to get what I need and want.)

 

[Darv]

I was in the same boat when lightroom went subscription, I really was not comfortable with the idea, so I went through the Capture one, DXO, Luminar route, only to come back to Lightroom - simply because it is still, for me at my level, the best package.

The thing that brought me back....Black Friday sales, Lighroom is mostly half price during that time. This year i paid £64 for a year of Lightroom and Photoshop, for what I get in return, that is an amazing bargain (imho) and totally smashes the pricing options from other companies, who are all trying to adopt a similar approach, one way or another.

I am now in my third year of Black Friday purchases, so I have had 2-3 years of Lightroom+Photoshop for less than the cost of DXO photolab (for example) - even looking at DXO BF sale, it is £164.99 - that is two and a bit years of LR+PS.

I must also give a huge shout out to Digikam, which (again, for me) is an amazing photograph manager, although with Lightroom I don't use it as much as I did - maybe Apple should buy the tech and join it with pixelmator.

Anyway, I am not in the habit of promoting software, or companies, but I read a lot on here about subscription anxiety and see many people going down the same rabbit hole as I did with software, maybe this will help some avoid that rather circuitous route.

 

[Pixel8888]

Conclusion:
Lightroom is out due to lack on one-time payment, Capture One is too pricy. I like Luminar Neo and Affinity Photo 2 the least. Out of two last "competitors" I'd probably go into On1 Photo Raw despite so serious drawback as all-in-one solution. Plus maybe as cheap replacement of Photoshop I'll add to it Affinity Photo some day.

Do you have similar feeling regarding listed software?

I STRONGLY recommend you reconsider your decision to avoid Lightroom Classic and Photoshop because of the subscription model. Those will fit your needs perfectly and do a really excellent job!

BTW: CS 2 was many years ago.

 

[tbcass]

Since there is no such thing as perfection, I guess you'll have to choose the one with the fewest imperfections.

 

[Zeee]

As I always add to the Adobe Photo plan which includes PS and two versions of Lightroom. The plan also comes with up to 5 personal websites.

 

[malathan]

For LR/PS photo plans, can you purchase multiple years in advance? IE, a great sale occurs...can you purchase 2+ 1-year subscriptions and add them at one time?

 

[Zeee]

For LR/PS photo plans, can you purchase multiple years in advance? IE, a great sale occurs...can you purchase 2+ 1-year subscriptions and add them at one time?

Yes you can but depends where you live. I see these deals at Amazon UK about twice a year. I've never seen one in Canada.

 

[ljed]

Capture One 16

- too pricy, too complicated managing photos, no focus stacking

Capture One perpetual licence can usually be bought at 50% off the price around Black Friday season. I bought it at half the regular price last year. If you plan not to upgrade your camera for a few year, it will work out very economical. As expected, you will not receive many updates after the purchase.

Not sure what you mean by "too complicated managing photos". Perhaps you used Catalog solution. If so, check out Sessions.

The simples solution is to open a new session and call it "default session" (or whatever). You will be able to browse and edit files in folders. Changes will be saved in small sidecar files in OS folders. Original RAWs will never be edited by Capture One. From now on you can forget all about sessions.

You do not have to use Capture One default workflow based on folders like Selects/Trash/... I never use them and cannot even remember their names. I prefer to have one copy of everything (except backup), stars/colours culling. If I want more than one version of edits of a given photo I create/clone a new Variant. Very useful tool.

 

[some-alpha-user-99]

Conclusion:
Lightroom is out due to lack on one-time payment, Capture One is too pricy. I like Luminar Neo and Affinity Photo 2 the least. Out of two last "competitors" I'd probably go into On1 Photo Raw despite so serious drawback as all-in-one solution. Plus maybe as cheap replacement of Photoshop I'll add to it Affinity Photo some day.

Do you have similar feeling regarding listed software?

I STRONGLY recommend you reconsider your decision to avoid Lightroom Classic and Photoshop because of the subscription model. Those will fit your needs perfectly and do a really excellent job!

BTW: CS 2 was many years ago.

PS/LR is really cheap around black friday.

The cheapest offer for 1 yr PS/LR classic 20GB is 69 euros at the moment as black friday deal in Germany.

That's 5.75 Euros per month.

Hard to beat.

Yes, because in Poland after discount it's 9,83 Euro per month. Almost 120 Euro per year

I use C1, DXO PL 8 and PS/LR.

 

[some-alpha-user-99]

Conclusion:
Lightroom is out due to lack on one-time payment, Capture One is too pricy. I like Luminar Neo and Affinity Photo 2 the least. Out of two last "competitors" I'd probably go into On1 Photo Raw despite so serious drawback as all-in-one solution. Plus maybe as cheap replacement of Photoshop I'll add to it Affinity Photo some day.

Do you have similar feeling regarding listed software?

I STRONGLY recommend you reconsider your decision to avoid Lightroom Classic and Photoshop because of the subscription model. Those will fit your needs perfectly and do a really excellent job!

You are right. Subscription model, when counting discounts in not so bad. After 3 years (keeping software up to date) I will pay the same price as for lifetime licence of Capture One (which will be outdated slightly). But other options are cheaper. And upgrading version once every 3 years seems to be ok. Finally, it's only a very pricy hobby and I haven't earned any money.

BTW: CS 2 was many years ago.

Yes, it was few years ago.

 

[some-alpha-user-99]

Taking into consideration only today prices (not every software has Black Friday yet). I assume that soft with lifetime license will be usable for 3 years. There is no changes worth updating every year. Costs are:

Lightroom - about 10 Euro per month - 360 Euro for 3 years

Capture One - 350 Euro

DxO PL - 180 Euro

On1 Photo Raw - 80 Euro

Luminar Neo - 70 Euro

For person who earns money from photography answer is simple - I need best solution: Lightroom. But when this is hobby, where everything is a cost not investment, you are taking everything into consideration.

 

[malathan]

Taking into consideration only today prices (not every software has Black Friday yet). I assume that soft with lifetime license will be usable for 3 years. There is no changes worth updating every year. Costs are:

Lightroom - about 10 Euro per month - 360 Euro for 3 years

Capture One - 350 Euro

DxO PL - 180 Euro

On1 Photo Raw - 80 Euro

Luminar Neo - 70 Euro

For person who earns money from photography answer is simple - I need best solution: Lightroom. But when this is hobby, where everything is a cost not investment, you are taking everything into consideration.

One note on the DxO... the PL is missing several features that are in the other suites, such as Luminance masking, that requires you to buy their additional add-ons of Film Pack and possibly View Point. It was this sudden increase from 180 to to $340 for all 3 that had me pushing DxO off the list (that and for me, didn't care for it's masking in general) .