Free Capture One software / Sandisk promo update

[Picture North Carolina]

I finally received the free copy of Capture One RAW converter and thought I would pass on the info. If you purchase your Extreme III card from Calumet Photo (http://www.calumetphoto.com/), they will make good on the free software offer even if you don't get the Extreme III package with the promo included. Apparently Phase One has given them an extra bunch of software licenses. So after you receive your card, you only need to call Calumet CS and they will email a product license and weblink.

The fact that Phase One has apparently been forced to give stacks of licenses to resellers to appease unhappy buyers only verifies what I have said before - this has got to be the most poorly implemented and poorly-managed promotion campaign I have ever seen. Now that I am a Capture One licensee, I can only hope Phase One's tech support department is better at their job than their totally incompetant marketing department. Just my 2¢. /Dan

[kevin_c]

For any UK buyers out there they are being advertised with the Capture One LE software at picstop.co.uk - Pretty good prices too (2Gb for £46.20 incl delivery)

http://www.picstop.co.uk/Compact-Flash-CF/Order_1/Compact-Flash-CF/SanDisk-Extreme-III-CompactFlash-%28inc-Capture-One-LE%29---2GB

[bildeb0rg]

Colour me stoopid, but whats it do then?

[kevin_c]

Colour me stoopid, but whats it do then?

What, Capture One RAW converter - err.. it converts RAW files ;) :)

[tcphoto1]

Actually, I believe that Canon takes the prize for worst managed promo/rebate program.

[davidcrebelxt]

I didn't have a problem with my rebate for my Canon printer...

That said... nearly ALL rebate programs have their problems, or are hit and miss... giving money back, or giving away free items obviously isn't a high priority for compaines! :)

I believe half the idea of a rebate is they predict a certain % won't even send their rebate in, even if it was the rebate that drove them to purchase the product. Plus, if there is a problem, another certain % won't pursue the case any further. Another % probably forgets in the ensuing 6-8 weeks that they ever did send in a rebate. And then there is the extra % that get their rebate checks, and never cash them.

The only rebates that do a good job, are the so-called "instant" rebates... basically in-store discounts, but even then you need to check that the cashier gives it to you.

[ssim]

I agree with David in that I have yet to see a rebate program that is not filled with problems. Part of the problem is that most large companies contract a firm to handle their rebate programs. This should not be an excuse for a poorly run program. The manufacturer should be on top of them to make sure that things do go smoothly.

I have only ever applied for one rebate from Canon and it came back in less than 2 months just like promised. I never make a purchase counting on the rebate money to be here in time to pay off a credit card. In most cases, the rebates are so small that it is hardly worth the effort.

With respect to Capture One, it is one of the best raw editors available. I make that statement before Lightroom hit the shelves and now it remains to be seen. They have a new version due out this year that is rumored to be a total rewrite. They have already said that it will be at least 300% faster than the most recent version. I think they have held back on the release so that they could see Lightroom in its production mode. I am expecting (and hoping) for great things to come out of them in this next release.