Photo Software?

Tom Reichner wrote in post #16517693
When I see all of the requirements that you list, it seems as if iPhoto would be absolutely perfect for you, with no shortcomings whatsoever. Yet you specifically say that you will not accept iPhoto as a solution. That is surprising to me.

I have 33,000 images on my iPhoto, all large RAW files, and it works wonderfully fast and easily, despite the fact that my computer is very under-powered with only 1 gig of memory. All other programs on my computer - Aperture, LightRoom, and Photoshop - are painfully slow. But iPhoto is blazingly fast, despite the huge amount of data I have fed it. Full screen/large window image views are generated rapidly, allowing me to go thru 1,000s of images quickly.

Might I ask why you choose not to use iPhoto for the tasks you need to perform? What, specifically is the shortcoming?

Do you have all 33K photos in iPhoto on your internal hard drive? I had 14K photos (all JPEG) on my 4GB 2.4 HGz Intel Core 2 Duo MBPro and iPhoto gave me the spinning wheel. Maybe it was due to my 250 GB being almost full and not the iPhoto program?

Now that I have all my images on an external hd it would make sense to import them back into iPhoto 1 year at a time so I can sort through them in smaller batches.

PhotoMechanic http://www.camerabits.​com/products/ not free but will do what you mentioned and with speed. Probably the most used software by photogs on dead line for its speed in culling images.

Tom Watson wrote in post #16517699
Do you have all 33K photos in iPhoto on your internal hard drive? I had 14K photos (all JPEG) on my 4GB 2.4 HGz Intel Core 2 Duo MBPro and iPhoto gave me the spinning wheel. Maybe it was due to my 250 GB being almost full and not the iPhoto program?

Now that I have all my images on an external hd it would make sense to import them back into iPhoto 1 year at a time so I can sort through them in smaller batches.

All of my images are within iPhoto itself. I really do think that iPhoto may be close to perfect for the endeavor you have described. It's even what I use for 99.99% of my editing, but I will admit that when doing heavy retouching to RAW files, it does bog down and run slow. But for image viewing, slideshows, ranking, making selective albums, etc - it works fast and flawlessly. I think it may be worth at least a try. Plus, it's a program you already have - hard to beat that for convenience!

I may end up going with LR. I need to buy a tripod and B&H is running a special with the tripod I want to buy where I would be able to get LR5 for $85 which seems like a good deal.

...Tim recommends Fast Picture Viewer, and it is indeed fast and efficient. They also have a free trial.

http://www.fastpicture​viewer.com/

If you are only interested in culling and sorting then have a look at it. I have chosen not to use it in my workflow (at the moment) but it is damn quick and good at its job.

RunAmok wrote in post #16514908
Keep an eye out for a Lightroom sale. It was recently $69 for the full version.

Sad part is if you want to use the most current version of Lightroom you have to sign up at "rent it" like you do photoshop.

LR 5 is on the way...got it for $80.

Thanks for all of your help!

Shooting wrote in post #16529267
Sad part is if you want to use the most current version of Lightroom you have to sign up at "rent it" like you do photoshop.

Check your facts!!

tonylong wrote in post #16530836
Check your facts!!

I'm just going on what I've read from Adobe. I personally do not use LR nor ever want to, I'm using CS5 and that is it. Every video I have seen from Adobe or their instructors said if you rent the cloud you get the newest version of photoshop PLUS LR so that is all I'm basing my opinion on. Sorry if it is wrong.

Shooting wrote in post #16534536
said if you rent the cloud you get the newest version of photoshop PLUS LR

That is a way of getting LR. It is not the only way of getting it.

Shooting wrote in post #16534536
Every video I have seen from Adobe or their instructors said if you rent the cloud you get the newest version of photoshop PLUS LR so that is all I'm basing my opinion on. Sorry if it is wrong.

Just because you do get LR as part of Adobe CC that doesn't mean it is the only way to get it. Sure Adobe want everyone to join CC but Lightroom 5 is still for sale as a stand alone product.

I prefer Bridge believe it or not. It's predictable, mostly reliable, and integrated into the CSx package. I never fully adopted LRx and the CSx path.

Doesn't "preview" do what you want?
Just a note - the lack of free software available is why I still run windows. Lots of free goodies out there for PCs.

Tom Watson wrote in post #16529318
LR 5 is on the way...got it for $80.

Thanks for all of your help!

a good deal if you don't need Photoshop