CS5 Amazon "pin" code.

[NCtoFL]

So Amazon is sending out some "pin" codes for $400 off CS5. They currently list CS5 for $582, so I can grab it for $182. I am currently a LR3+Elements9 user, and have been for about 10 months. I was planning on purchasing Photomatix Pro, but it seems that CS5 has HDR functions anyway. I think that I know then answer, but I will ask you guys anyway. Should I pull the trigger on this deal? It gets me into the CS platform with the ability to use upgrade discounts for CS down the road.

 

[photo_chick]

I don't know anything about Amazon's pin codes, I've shopped there for years and never gotten one for anything. But the Photoshop CS5 Extended student and teacher edition retails for $189. It's the same as the regular edition but it only available to purchase after you prove you're a k-12 or higher education student or educator.

Are you sure the pin code is legitimate? Adobe sets the software prices, not the stores. So I find it suspect that you would find non-education prices this low.


As far as CS5 instead of Photomatix... Photomatix is just for HDR and gives you options when making an HDR that CS5 does not. I'm not saying go one way or the other, I'm just saying that Photomatix is a specialized tool for the purpose.

 

[NCtoFL]

Yes, it is for the regular CS5, and not the student/teacher edition. It is $582 - $400 discount. I googled it, and found a link referencing it on slickdeals:

http://slickdeals.net/f/3936822-Heads-up-Exclusive-400-Off-Photoshop-CS5-at-Amazon-user-specific

I am assuming that this is authorized by Adobe because CS6 is dropping this spring.

 

[photo_chick]

Adobe is having a sale right now. Photoshop CS5 Extended is $375. That's a huge sale for Adobe. In the past from what I've seen prices have not dropped until the new version is actually out.

I'm not trying to be a pessimist here, but it just seems like a too good to be true retail price to me. There's got to be a catch somewhere.

 

[NCtoFL]

I do understand your pessimism, and I appreciate your warning, because there are certainly many shady vendors. This is a $400 coupon offered by Amazon, for CS5 sold by Amazon, and not from one of their listings by 3rd party vendors. With that being said, I am very certain of the legitimacy of the coupon.

Assuming it is indeed a valid deal, do you feel that CS5 is a big upgrade to PSE9? I've never really looked into what the benefits of CS5 over PSE9 are. To be honest, so far I've been 90% LR3, and use PSE9 to remove objects that I do not want in some of my photos. For example, PSE was perfect for removing that crane and the red bucket from the photo of my family in front of the Castle this past September.

 

[photo_chick]

When you talk about upgrades, you have to keep in mind that CS5 is the professional version and PSElements is the home user version of Photoshop. CS5 does have a lot more tools, and if you're going to use those tools it's worth getting.

 

[NCtoFL]

I think that my problem is that I'm just being a big kid about it. I know that I don't necessarily "need" CS5 over PSE, I just "want" it.

 

[alloyd1170]

I may be wrong, but I believe they are testing a new version that will be coming out soon. I seem to recall reading about it, and that instead of paying to upgrade to the newer version as usual (for existing users) they may require everyone to buy the newer version at full price. You might want to look into it before spending any money if you want the latest and greatest.

 

[NCtoFL]

From what I have read, Adobe had an upgrade policy which allowed the user to upgrade if they were within three versions of the new release. Meaning to upgrade to CS6, you would need to be starting from CS5, CS4, or CS3. The new policy was going to change to a 1 version policy. Meaning that you could only "upgrade" to CS6 from CS5.

It appears however, that Adobe has reversed its previous decision to change the upgrade policy, and will remain with the 3 version upgrade policy.

 

[RLA83]

Hi All,

I got this code via email yesterday morning and was SO EXCITED to use it. I didn't realize it was a one time use, so I posted it on a forum about 20 minutes before I tried to use it. I got the complete run around from Amazon and they won't send me a new code. I'm so extremely disappointed. If anyone has one they aren't using, I would be forever grateful if you could send it to me

Thanks!