Lightroom 2 V Aperture 2

[Biscuit761]

Before I spend the spondoolies I would like to gauge opinion over theses two programs, have been with LR2 for a month nearly now and am very taken with it but it is about £220

Aperture is also on version 2 and when I first looked at it it seemed pretty good, available on Amazon for £92. Quite a difference.

Would be interested to know your views.

Bill

[Radiohead]

I found Aperture preferred Canon files but LR prefers Nikon files. I was an Aperture man but now am totally bound to LR for my workflow.

[py6km]

I prefer LR2 and the integration with CS4, but admit that I have both and find Aperture 2 very capable as well. It kind of just comes down to which one suits you best, and which UI you get on with really as they both do essentially the same thing. Money talks though, and that's a big difference in price.

I'm talking from a Mac perspective - I'm not sure if there are issues to consider if you're going to be using these on Windows (eg one might be faster at trawling through images etc).

[T0MAT01]

I found them to be extremly close TBH. Lightroom runs a little bit quicker and I find it a touch easier to use. It also has a gradient tool which Aperture doesn't.

They're so close that it's best to download the trials and decide for yourself which you prefer.

[Farno]

I've used Aperture for over 12 months and have just switched to Lightroom.
I loved Aperture, the interface is smooth and sleek. The processing options are endless, exporting is fast.
I was given Lightroom as a Christmas present and at first struggled with the blocky interface, exporting files is noticeable slower, but it has a few nice features. Grad filters can be added, and the preset adjustments arent too shabby.

I would try both, as you can get them both on a free 30 day trail, and see which you prefer.

[Radiohead]

Aperture is Mac only, so the OP must be considering the Mac options.

[py6km]

Originally Posted by Radiohead

Aperture is Mac only, so the OP must be considering the Mac options.

Good point

[epicdream]

I have Nikon and have been using Aperture 2, love it to bits, top stuff!

[Biscuit761]

Yep, when I bought my D300 the old PC could not cope. Went to the shops and Janet kept on looking at the iMacs and saying "these look nice and no wires" so I didn't take much persuading, a 24" gleaming silver iMac now adorns my desk ! One of my best purchases.

Will do another trial of Aperture I think.

My PC got filled up with all sorts, I am trying to keep to software that I have paid for as a way of stopping too much stuff getting my machine all messed up.

Bill

[Biscuit761]

Just downloaded Aperture 2, problem is I can't seem to get it to work, think its found the old one

Bill

[geofftelforduk]

Another Lightroom 2 fan here!! Some really nice features!! Prob alot of the same in Aperture! Had a quick peep at a trial version once but never really delved into it!!

[tunnacliffe]

I havent tried Apeture yet, when I first got my SLR I had Adobe Bridge, that worked great but hen I got Lightroom 2 and it's in another world!
Love it!
Only criticism with it is that in Bridge, i could copy the files to my computer direct from the camera then auto delete every image I had copied. But with LR2 I have to copy the images then erase them using the camera or format the card. Just a pain because if I try to copy files again it asks if they need to to overwrite the ones of same name on my computer!

[Farno]

Just to update.
I've gone back to Aperture. I've given Lightroom every chance to impress and with some things its shines. However i'm finding that workflow was much faster and more intuitive with Aperture and the software links seamlessly with other iMac features and products.