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Forums · Digital Imaging

Photoshop CS5 or CS5 extended?

Discussion

6 replies
Posted by Jeff Seldomridge on October 29, 2010 at 11:26 AM
I am contemplating upgrading my old CS3 to CS5. I downloaded the trial CS5 (that only downloads as the Extended version) and definitely like it. The extended version is nearly twice the price. I only deal with still digital photography, will spending the extra bucks on the "Extended" benefit my efforts? I don't deal with 3D or animation, not that skilled and so far I have not dabbled much with B&W.

Thanks in advance.

Posted by Carol Hyman on October 29, 2010 at 12:11 PM
Extended only supplies you with some limited 3D capability and the upgrade costs in the neighborhood of 300+.

B&W is not an issue. Those filters are available in the regular version, Jeff.

Animation is probably available in regular version; at least it was at one point. Haven't checked that out.

Good luck.

Carol
Posted by conrad Rowe on October 29, 2010 at 5:54 PM
Jeff, in my opinion the regular CS5 is all you need for nature photography doing digital stills. Try that first and if it is not enough you can get the Extended later. I use just the regular and have never needed the extended.
Happy Halloween. Conrad Rowe
Posted by Jim DeWitt on November 2, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Another vote for standard CS5.
Posted by Audrey Rice on November 4, 2010 at 2:56 PM
Good question. I did a quick search on google and found this break down of features: http://www.photographyuncapped.com/compare-adobe-photoshop-full-extended-versions-cs4-cs5-cs6/digital-photography/2009/09/.

In short, since you are not doing any 3D or architecture you'll never miss any of the features in the extended version.
Posted by Jeff Seldomridge on November 4, 2010 at 6:44 PM
Thank you all for your great advice. My quick reading alluded to the Extended's primary advantage was 3D but your experience verified this for me.

Jeff Seldomridge
Autumn Hills Woollens & Sheep Co.
Posted by Paul DeCesare on November 5, 2010 at 3:24 PM
Jeff, the other uses for Extended are medical imaging all of the video editing capability, so if you don't do heavy video work (and you already stated that 3D modeling isn't important), save the bucks and get standard. I switched to Extended (by default, came with the Production Premium Suite) in November 2008 when I got the 5D Mark II and got bit by the video bug, but also being a hopeful landscape photographer I can guarantee that shooting stills, you are missing NOTHING by getting the Standard edition.