LView Pro 2006

*Jerome Smith* · 10-26-2009, 04:18 PM

I'm trying to find out if anyone uses this program for processing. The cost is $49.95 for the initial program and any upgrades, if you own a copy, is $19.95 with a new CD. I am by no means great at this program but it does get me through most of my corrections. I don't believe I'm scratching the surface of it's capibilities. They have a 32bit ver and a 64bit ver. Does anyone else have any experience with the program?

*KungPOW* · 10-26-2009, 06:33 PM

Your post smells like spam.

I'm just saying...

*Jerome Smith* · 10-28-2009, 04:39 PM

Well it might look like spam. I was really looking to see if anyone else uses this program that has somewhat mastered many of it's features. I would like to learn to use them also. I have looked at photoshop and can find many articles about its functions and uses. But, I find it out of my price range for my abilities at this time. I'm not asking anyone to purchase it, just does anyone know how to use it and that it is afordable.

**Marc Sabatella** · 10-29-2009, 09:52 AM

I used it like 15 years ago when there weren't dozens of better programs available for about the same. I had no idea they were still in business; haven't heard the name in years. Presumably they've added features and generally kept up with what other similar packages do, but you should be at least considering the other free and/or cheap packages out there that you see mentioned over and over on this forum - Picasa, Paint Shop Pro, Irfanview, ACDSee, etc. Photoshop Elements is a *little* more expensive, but also well worth considering. Most of these have free trials, so you can see for yourself which seems to fit your way of thinking best.

*Jerome Smith* · 10-29-2009, 06:41 PM

Mark,
Thanks for taking the time to reply, I will take the time to look at these, but after taking so much of my time up in the learning curve of using LView Pro I will probably keep muddling along with it until I purchase Photoshop and Lightroom. That however would cost about a K7+ battery grip+4 batteries. So I guess in my house, software will just have to wait. I would rather take pictures than sit in front of a computer anyway! I'm just thankful you have the time and patience to answer so many threads. I will start checking out the other programs now.

Again, Thanks
Jerome

**Marc Sabatella** · 10-29-2009, 10:29 PM

FWIW, if you or soemone you know can qualify for the educational discount, you can get Lightroom for around $100, and you may find you don't need Photoshop at all. That would definitely be a step up from what can LView can do. But if you're satisfied with LView, there' no particular reaosn to bother.

*Jerome Smith* · 10-30-2009, 03:09 AM

Mark,
I went and checked out Photoshop Elements and found it for about $66, that's pretty cheap. I also found Photoshop CS4 ranging from $442 to $650, that's not terrible either. I don't know where I was looking when I started this thread and got frustrated but Photoshop was $972 on that site and Lightroom was $326. I hope I don't find that site again. Now I'll have to reconsider everything.

Again, Thanks
Jerome

**Marc Sabatella** · 10-30-2009, 09:58 AM

Photoshop is part of a whole "Creative Suite", so prices can vary according to how much of the suite you get. But Lightroom is indeed normally $300-ish - it's only the educational discount (available to students and teachers at accredited schools) that makes it $100. Personally, I'd only be considering Photoshop if you are running into specific limitations in the software you already have and/or the cheaper alternatives. I mean, Photoshop is clearly the top of the line for what it does - but not everyone needs the things it does that can't be done as well in much cheaper programs.

Cactisboy · 10-30-2009, 02:25 PM

I know you didn't ask for alternatives, but as you have started to consider others I thought I would give you my 2 cents.
I have tried Lightroom trial and it is awesome, I think I will buy it but don't have any discount so it is up there in price.
I use Photoshop elements regularly and it is really worth the price. I am going to upgrade from vr. 5 to 8 soon, pretty sure i've seen ads for the newest version that just came out around US $50 here lately.
It has an organizing feature as well as nice processing for the price.

*Jerome Smith* · 10-31-2009, 05:51 AM

Marc, Cactisboy:

Well after considering what has been said, I'm just going to buckle under and go for photoshop. The finance minister said she wouldn't get upset. Can't thank everyone enough for the help.

Jerome