I had/have been using LightZone as my primary post-procesing tool since April of last year. Running on Linux it is/was the only tool out there I liked. I had tried the trial of LR2 under an XP machine virtual and liked what I saw (it has some capabilities that LZ doesn't and vice-versa). But it runs like a pig in molases, when it doesn't just crash, under the virtual machine so I put it away.
About a week ago I got fed up with not having some tools readily available I want/need under Linux and set up dual boot on my PC. So now with XP running I have both Lightroom2 and LightZone3.6, and I use them together.
Lightroom provides me with end-to-end workflow from downloading to organization to digital darkroom to print. And LightZone is there to handle some of the heavy lifting that in AdobeLand requires PhotoShop CS3/4 like robust cloning tools and region edits, as well as zone mapping and a much stronger set of presets/filters than offered by Lightroom.
The nice thing is Lightroom allows easily using an external editor (CS3/4 built-in, others easy to specify) and LightZone "knows" when it is being handed a file from Lightroom. So it's practically just a click of the mouse and I can pass a photo from Lightroom to LightZone and back again.
Wheatfield is correct in that LR is not an "image editor" per se - it is not a full-blown graphics tool. Photoshop CS4 would be that animal. Lightroom2 is a digital darkroom and cataloging tool. Honestly, I don't need or want a full-blown graphics package clogging up my daily workflow. There are some features that I personally feel Adobe should include in Lightroom2 that aren't there like real clone, dodge and burn tools, but I also understand that they want to sell CS4 licenses so they've left them in out.
Bottom line, if you're looking for a tool made with photographers, not graphic arts professionals, in mind, and you're serious about your workflow, then Lightroom is a must-have. I'll also toss in that you'll be even happier adding LightZone alongside it (providing you have the budget for both, obviously).
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