Digital darkroom from scratch

GventureGventure Registered Users Posts: 57 Big grins
edited August 15, 2006 in Digital Darkroom
I need to purchase a new computer and new processing software. So, knowing that there are a million opinions out there for PC v. Mac and Elements v. Nikon Capture v. CS2 - are there basic commonly held and supported reasons to get one of CS2 (education version $300), Nikon NX, or Elements 4 over the others? I am an amateur shootng people and places with a D200 - no commercial work. And, once that is established, Mac over PC I suppose?

I do not want to spend over $2500 so no whiz bang computer need apply.

Thanks for your help.

Comments

  • trogloditetroglodite Registered Users Posts: 130 Major grins
    edited August 10, 2006
    Personally, if I had to do it all over again - I'd buy a new macbook, one up from the bottom and CS2. There will be a newer version of CS2 that will come out directly for the new processor's but I don't think you'll notice too much of a difference speed wise to gripe over this.

    Plus you'll be able to store your photo's on you hard drive on the go- something I am kicking myself for since I just sold my laptop.

    I'm a big fan of the new Unix kernel in the new mac os too.

    A decent macbook with dvd burner for 1200 (with education discout or 1299 without) plus photoshop and you have enough left over for a macro lens or gas money for a week or whatever. =]

    My only gripe is no picasa for Mac (yet) but iPhoto does roughly the same.

    I work with mac and pc and linux all day long, and that would be my suggestion. of course like belly buttons, everyone has an opinion.

    =]
    is now gone. i have no time for cliques and fan clubs.
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited August 10, 2006
    Mac or PC, doesn't matter. Just get a fast processor, big hard drive and lots of memory (2GB would be nice.) A good monitor and calibration software are highly desirable.

    Software depends upon your needs. Education version of CS2 can't be upgraded, I don't believe, so it might be a false economy in the long run.

    Photoshop Elements is good and affordable but more limited. Lots of folks like PaintShop Pro.
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
  • trogloditetroglodite Registered Users Posts: 130 Major grins
    edited August 11, 2006
    I have the educational CS upgrade from adobe7 - which was an upgrade - i don't think there is any restriction on it.headscratch.gif
    is now gone. i have no time for cliques and fan clubs.
  • MongrelMongrel Registered Users Posts: 622 Major grins
    edited August 14, 2006
    No...
    restriction on Educational Version upgrades:

    http://www.adobe.com/education/purchasing/faq.html
    If every keystroke was a shutter press I'd be a pro by now...
  • wxwaxwxwax Registered Users Posts: 15,471 Major grins
    edited August 15, 2006
    Mongrel wrote:
    restriction on Educational Version upgrades:

    http://www.adobe.com/education/purchasing/faq.html
    thumb.gif Cool.
    Sid.
    Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
    http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
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