Photoshop elements or 5LE?

I have both of these on original disks, given to me by someone who had surplus. Currently I'm using Elements, v1 which I've got used to now, but it doesnt have Curves or Channel mixer. Funnily enough I just dowloaded a plug in to get Curves with my current set up and now the program wont load; that could be resolved by a reinstall, but of the two, which would you choose? I use a Canon 10D which has no backwards support anymore, no new drivers, and no RAW with elements (not that I use RAW).

I'm not sure of what SLE is...

But, since you own a Canon camera, if you don't want to upgrade your Elements to a version that has a lot more capabilities (yes it would cost something less than $100) then there are programs out there that will likely do more than Elements 1 and don't cost. In fact, the Canon software Digital Photo Professional will work with your camera, both Raw and jpeg, and, especially if you upgrade the original software to the newer version, may in fact have much of what you need.

tonylong wrote in post #10197190
I'm not sure of what SLE is...

But, since you own a Canon camera, if you don't want to upgrade your Elements to a version that has a lot more capabilities (yes it would cost something less than $100) then there are programs out there that will likely do more than Elements 1 and don't cost. In fact, the Canon software Digital Photo Professional will work with your camera, both Raw and jpeg, and, especially if you upgrade the original software to the newer version, may in fact have much of what you need.

Hmmm I can't afford $10 never mind 100, plus my version is so old it won't let me upgrade it. I'm sure I had DPP already and it wouldn't work with Vista,as Vista doesn't support older cameras,and Canon don't supply newer drivers for the 10D cos its 'obsolete'. So round and round we go. BTW its 5 LE not SLE (LE means its a 'light' version of Photoshop 5)

Photoshop 5LE (Limited Edition) was the predecessor to Photoshop Elements.

Using either Elements Version 1 or 5LE is limiting your possibilities. Photoshop Elements is now in version 8 and it's nothing like v. 1. My suggestion is you pick up a copy of Elements 8. It will cost you $80...

JWright wrote in post #10200237
Photoshop 5LE (Limited Edition) was the predecessor to Photoshop Elements.

Using either Elements Version 1 or 5LE is limiting your possibilities. Photoshop Elements is now in version 8 and it's nothing like v. 1. My suggestion is you pick up a copy of Elements 8. It will cost you $80...

I can't afford $80 (£50 or whatever it is), I asked for a comparison on two forums and all I get is 'Oh that's no good you need to buy this!' That's fine for those of you in regular full time work that don't have two young kids to feed!

Tendy wrote in post #10198281
Hmmm I can't afford $10 never mind 100, plus my version is so old it won't let me upgrade it. I'm sure I had DPP already and it wouldn't work with Vista,as Vista doesn't support older cameras,and Canon don't supply newer drivers for the 10D cos its 'obsolete'. So round and round we go. BTW its 5 LE not SLE (LE means its a 'light' version of Photoshop 5)

Download the newest version of DPP (it's free from Canon's website) it will work with Vista. Get a $10 card reader and you don't need to worry if Vista will work with your 10D.

DStanic wrote in post #10201524
Download the newest version of DPP (it's free from Canon's website) it will work with Vista. Get a $10 card reader and you don't need to worry if Vista will work with your 10D.

Ah cool will have to try it. Not sure what you mean by card reader as I have a 5 in one card reader-I certainly don't use USB to transfer files to the laptop!

If you have a card reader that works with your card then you're good.

To get the latest version of the Canon software you will need to have either a previous version installed or you will need to have disks that came with your camera, or else you will need to do a workaround involving manually entering some registry entries on your PC. I don't have that info on hand but if you post in the Raw, Post Processing and Printing section asking for info on installing DPP without having the software.

One possible solution is also to install an early version that doesn't require a previous version. I'm not sure what the best approach is there, but here is the software page for the old D30 (I chose the Win XP OS because Vista wasn't listed:

http://www.usa.canon.c​om …tegoryid=314&mo​delid=8294

Of the two, I would choose neither. DPP has been mentioned, and is free. Given your stated budget of $0.00, I would go download GIMPand give it a try. It has most of the same features as Photoshop and there are tons of tutorials available on the internet for it. Another option, if your post-processing needs are less intensive, is Picasaby Google.

Veemac wrote in post #10203802
Of the two, I would choose neither. DPP has been mentioned, and is free. Given your stated budget of $0.00, I would go download GIMPand give it a try. It has most of the same features as Photoshop and there are tons of tutorials available on the internet for it. Another option, if your post-processing needs are less intensive, is Picasaby Google.

Had GIMP, hated it, got rid.
Apparently there is something called GIMPshop out there,which is a hybrid of the two!

tonylong wrote in post #10202516
If you have a card reader that works with your card then you're good.

To get the latest version of the Canon software you will need to have either a previous version installed or you will need to have disks that came with your camera, or else you will need to do a workaround involving manually entering some registry entries on your PC. I don't have that info on hand but if you post in the Raw, Post Processing and Printing section asking for info on installing DPP without having the software.

One possible solution is also to install an early version that doesn't require a previous version. I'm not sure what the best approach is there, but here is the software page for the old D30 (I chose the Win XP OS because Vista wasn't listed:

http://www.usa.canon.c​om …tegoryid=314&mo​delid=8294

Just checked, I have DPP version 2 installed and it keeps asking for a disk to run the program. So if I got to Canons site I should be able to download and install a newer version?

Well I got the latest DPP up and running and well to be honest I'm a bit non plussed! All these people recommending it, saying that my version of elements is no good and yet I can do the same with Elements v1, in fact I can do more! Theres no unsharp mask, no Levels adjust-it like a photo viewer with toys!

Tendy wrote in post #10209740
Well I got the latest DPP up and running and well to be honest I'm a bit non plussed! All these people recommending it, saying that my version of elements is no good and yet I can do the same with Elements v1, in fact I can do more! Theres no unsharp mask, no Levels adjust-it like a photo viewer with toys!

What you need to realize is that DPP processes Raw files in some advantageous ways, and jpegs in more limited ways, but won't replace Elements in some more sophisticated things. Do as much as you can in DPP unless you are happier with Elements. There are other programs out there as well, but at least from the start you have two running programs that you can use and get the most from.

With a budget of £0.00, you have to accept compromise and work with what you can get free.

Yes DPP isnt brilliant and neither is GIMP (tried it and hated it as well), but I could afford new software so it wasn't a problem (well I could after a few months of saving).

Whatever happens, DO NOT buy any PP package on Ebay or the like as most of the copies there are either already registered (and not released), hot or hacked. I made the mistake once - CS3 and got my fingers burned!

Tendy wrote in post #10208785
Had GIMP, hated it, got rid...

Tendy wrote in post #10208785
Well I got the latest DPP up and running and well to be honest I'm a bit non plussed! All these people recommending it, saying that my version of elements is no good and yet I can do the same with Elements v1, in fact I can do more! Theres no unsharp mask, no Levels adjust-it like a photo viewer with toys!

Then it sounds like you've answered your own question. With a zero budget, your options are somewhat limited.