Aperture 3 looks like a great upgrade

[RichNY]

This really removes the need for Photoshop for most post processing. I'm happy to have been doing most of my work using Aperture since 2008 and find it more intuitive than LightRoom for me.

[umijin]

Aperture 2 was too slow to be useful when previewing photos and took forever to generate previews when you first imported photos. So far, I see a little improvement with the Aperture 3 demo I putzed around with today - but I'll have to do more direct comparisons to decide.

I was also not happy with Aperture 2's handling of Nikon RAW files. We'll have to see if this has improved at all with v. 3. As for being more or less intuitive than LightRoom - I think both have their intuitive strong points.

Good on Apple for releasing A3, but shame on them for taking so long.

[josef]

I've been holding off getting a major photo editing program since I got the new iMac in hopes of Aperture 3 coming out.. man I can't wait to try it out. I really like the ease of use of iPhoto and it says that are designed to play well together. If this thing doesn't run well on my new i5, i will not be a happy camper though.

[polvadis]

Does software such as LightRoom or Aperture only become really useful when shooting RAW or would it work well for JPEGs also? I haven't shot a single RAW file yet, as a beginner just went straight into JPEGs. And so far have done very limited editing with Picasa and nothing more.

Is there a clear division for going either LightRoom or Aperture, besides one being Apple only?

[K1W1]

Does software such as LightRoom or Aperture only become really useful when shooting RAW or would it work well for JPEGs also?

I use Lightroom for all photos and the majority I take are jpegs. Can't speak for Aperture but LR is way more than just an editing program it is also a catalogue, web site creation program, slideshow creator and print program.

Lightroom editing is non destructive even for jpegs so it has a particular use there as you can always go back to where you started if you stuff things up. In addition the one download works on both PC's and Macs so there is no special version required and both operating system versions are always as up to date as each other.

[scottman_00]

I use Lightroom for all photos and the majority I take are jpegs. Can't speak for Aperture but LR is way more than just an editing program it is also a catalogue, web site creation program, slideshow creator and print program.

Lightroom editing is non destructive even for jpegs so it has a particular use there as you can always go back to where you started if you stuff things up. In addition the one download works on both PC's and Macs so there is no special version required and both operating system versions are always as up to date as each other.

you sound like you sell the stuff

[RichNY]

Lightroom and Aperture are provide the same functionality both just presenting a different approach. You can't go wrong with either program. (But you would be more right with Aperture )

[erichlund]

Lightroom and Aperture are provide the same functionality both just presenting a different approach. You can't go wrong with either program. (But you would be more right with Aperture )

Not if all you have are PCs and Linux boxes. One of the few examples of something available for Mac that isn't also on PC. Lightroom is on both.

[umijin]

Lightroom and Aperture are provide the same functionality both just presenting a different approach. You can't go wrong with either program. (But you would be more right with Aperture )

And not if you aren't that impressed with Aperture. And LR3 is on it's way soon.

I suggest Mac folks try both.

Aperture 3 can be downloaded as a fully functional 30 day demo. LightRoom 3 (beta) is also available for free download during the beta period from Adobe.

[RichNY]

I have been using Aperture 3 for two days now and I'm liking it much better than version 2. Aside from increased functionality it also runs much faster than version 2. I agree that it makes sense to try out both programs but I like the UI much better on Aperture.

If I were the type of person who would be content running a PC I probably would have still been a Canon shooter