Experimenting with LR2

[Stephen]

I ordered a CD of Lightroom on July 29th when it was announced. So far it hasn't been dispatched anyone else ordered a copy and is still waiting?

Anyway at the moment I'm using the 30 day trial and loving it. Here are a couple of shots showing a before and after. I'm pretty sure that to achieve the after result would have been impossible in LR 1.4 Using the new Adjustment Brush tool I have been able to selectively adjust exposure, brightness, contrast, not to mention a graduated effect and vignette, all on the Raw file before processing.

[carman]

Re: Experimenting with LR2

I have been using Lightroom since the original launch. I was a Rawshooter user so I got a free copy. I am using LR2 now and it is a great improvement on LR1.4. Why not download. Once you have bought it you can download over and over again. I always use downloads and store the file on a DVD called "My downloads"

[Stephen]

Re: Experimenting with LR2

I have been using Lightroom since the original launch. I was a Rawshooter user so I got a free copy. I am using LR2 now and it is a great improvement on LR1.4. Why not download. Once you have bought it you can download over and over again. I always use downloads and store the file on a DVD called "My downloads"

Hi Glynn, maybe I'm doing something wrong. As I said I ordered the CD upgrade version of LR2, and I'm still waiting for it to arrive. Now until I get that CD in its box, I don't have a S/N to put into a downloaded version. I have downloaded the 30 day trial, as if I download anything else I have to pay for it, again, as I understand it. When I get the CD I'm hoping that I will only need to apply the S/N, though even that may be wrong as I have ordered the upgrade. Personally I prefer to have the boxed CD rather than the download, though I have to admit this principle does not apply to music

[carman]

Re: Experimenting with LR2

The other problem with the CD is it soon becomes out of date and you have to download uprgrades. I keep these in a folder with the original so I can always start from scratch if necessary without any more time on downloads.

[Patrick]

Re: Experimenting with LR2

I ordered a CD of Lightroom on July 29th when it was announced. So far it hasn't been dispatched anyone else ordered a copy and is still waiting?

Anyway at the moment I'm using the 30 day trial and loving it. Here are a couple of shots showing a before and after. I'm pretty sure that to achieve the after result would have been impossible in LR 1.4 Using the new Adjustment Brush tool I have been able to selectively adjust exposure, brightness, contrast, not to mention a graduated effect and vignette, all on the Raw file before processing.

Like Glyn I paid and downloaded my copy, it recognised the old version 1 but did not overwrite it, so I had two copies Lighroom 1 and Lighroom 2.
When I put the new serial in the new copy the old serial appeared automatically.
I keep a download folder on my H/D for such things along with the serial numbers, which is backed up to a server set up with Raid 5.

My initial concerns about the speed of Lighroom 2 are still there although not as bad, or perhaps I'm getting used to waiting. They were not a concern with version one. Its the graduated tool that is difficult to control as it doesn't respond immediately and is slightly jerky.
The new brush has settled down fine.
In properties I changed the Raw Scratch settings from I Mb to 5 Mb Can't make my mind up if this is a help or not, I think perhaps it is.

Patrick

[Stephen]

Re: Experimenting with LR2

My boxed Upgrade copy of Lightroom 2 arrived via UPS today.......you may remember me saying it was ordered on July 29th

The advantage of getting the CD for me is that it enables me to install it on my iMac and PC laptop, which the license allows. Not sure if I had downloaded a Mac version with a S/N if it would have worked on a PC version download too. Anyway all is well with the world once more

[carman]

Re: Experimenting with LR2

I am beginning to feel that LR2 is not worth the upgrade. I like the LR interface and the extra tools are nice to use. I have been using LR1.4 and then PSE6 for layers etc. Idon't think there is anything in LR2 that I don't get I can use PSE6 with ACR 4.5 for RAW development. The initial look at the RAW tools in PSE6 is that they are the same as LR2. I can use LR1.4 for the nice B/W conversions and colour management etc. Anyway I am not going to upgrade for a while, my trial runs out at the end of this month so I have now updated the Catalogue in LR1.4 and I am going back to my old process. DK says that ACR 4.5 makes better images from Sony ARW files so I will try this route.

[Stephen]

Re: Experimenting with LR2

I am beginning to feel that LR2 is not worth the upgrade. I like the LR interface and the extra tools are nice to use. I have been using LR1.4 and then PSE6 for layers etc. Idon't think there is anything in LR2 that I don't get I can use PSE6 with ACR 4.5 for RAW development. The initial look at the RAW tools in PSE6 is that they are the same as LR2. I can use LR1.4 for the nice B/W conversions and colour management etc. Anyway I am not going to upgrade for a while, my trial runs out at the end of this month so I have now updated the Catalogue in LR1.4 and I am going back to my old process. DK says that ACR 4.5 makes better images from Sony ARW files so I will try this route.

I suppose its down to how you like to work and whether you can happily do without some of the major improvements that LR2 has to offer.

For me ACR 4.5 in LR2 just blows away the equiv version in PSE6 or CS3. I tend to use CS3 less and less now though I know that I can export from LR2 to CS3 as a Smart file and if I want, continue to adjust useing ACR in CS3, all non destructively. The integration with CS3 is much better now.

The adjustment brush in LR2 is definately a major advancement for me and worth the upgrade price, again all selective adjustments are done non destructively.

I'm going to have to seriously consider whether I upgrade CS3 when V4 is released at some point, though I sppose in their usual way Adobe will make it difficult for us not to if we want to continue to use the latest versions of ACR

Anyway at the moment I'm really happy with things and would recommend the upgrade.

[Patrick]

Re: Experimenting with LR2

I suppose its down to how you like to work and whether you can happily do without some of the major improvements that LR2 has to offer.

For me ACR 4.5 in LR2 just blows away the equiv version in PSE6 or CS3. I tend to use CS3 less and less now though I know that I can export from LR2 to CS3 as a Smart file and if I want, continue to adjust useing ACR in CS3, all non destructively. The integration with CS3 is much better now.

The adjustment brush in LR2 is definately a major advancement for me and worth the upgrade price, again all selective adjustments are done non destructively.

I'm going to have to seriously consider whether I upgrade CS3 when V4 is released at some point, though I sppose in their usual way Adobe will make it difficult for us not to if we want to continue to use the latest versions of ACR :

Anyway at the moment I'm really happy with things and would recommend the upgrade.

I second that, although my experience at first was negative. I am more familiar with the new tools, and for many shot now do not need Photoshop. That new brush in particular, what that can do would take 6 layers to achieve in CS3.

Patrick