alec_style

<p>They are both very good and you can't go wrong with either choice.<br>

I suggest your download the free trials and then decide.</p>

<p>I'm using all the 64 bit Nik Software with Aperture 3.1 on a 2.5 year old MacBookPro.<br>

No problems so far.</p>

<p>Adobe doesn't offer upgrades for PSE, but if you buy over the next 2 months there is a $20 rebate. And Amazon has it for $89, so the final price $69.<br>

Adobe never gives much away.<br>

I have 8 and not sure whether I will update, as I do 98% of my editing with Aperture and Nik Software.</p>

<p>I would also recommend the Sigma 30 or 50mm F1.4 EX lenses.<br>

I own the 50mm and use it on my 40D. Great for portraits with excellent bokeh.<br>

I usually buy Canon L lenses but have very pleased with the Sigma.</p>

<p>17-40 mm f4<br>

It is an L lens. Slightly over $600.<br>

Sharp. Good quality.<br>

I find it excellent for landscape shots on my 40d.<br>

I recommend going with the L lenses, as they should last as you upgrade your cameras.</p>

<p>I installed Snow Leopard on my 18m old MacBook Pro.<br>

Yesterday I downloaded the latest version of Canon's DPP software. When I clicked on preferences the program crashed. I found on Apple's SL forum other people have been having the same problem. However on the same forum I did find a solution and now the program appears to run fine.<br>

I also use Apple's Aperture 2, which is running much slower (painfully slow at times) under SL.<br>

No problems with Photoshop Elements.<br>

I did have to get the latest print drivers for my Brother and Canon Printer/Scanners.<br>

Overall I've not noticed benefits in upgrading to Snow Leopard.</p>

<p>I've used this lens for several months and am very pleased with it. I use it mainly for portraits on a Canon 40D.<br>

Great bokeh.<br>

At f1.4 I don't get perfect focus all the time. Of course the depth of field is very shallow at this aperture, so I usually take several shots in a burst.<br>

This is the first non Canon lens I've bought for a long time and highly recommend it.</p>

<p>I have a Canon 70-200 F4 (non IS) lens.<br>

I bought the black Canon Tripod Mount A(B) (CZ6 4055). It is made for the Canon 200 f2.8 L lens. I forget what I paid for it, but it is cheaper than the white tripod mount made for the 70-200 F4 lens.<br>

I do find the mount make a big difference when mounted on a tripod. The lens and camera are better balanced.</p>

<p>I have the Aperture plug-in collection and use it constantly.<br>

Very easy to use and great results, especially Viveza, Color Effex Pro and Silver Efex Pro.<br>

Much faster than Photoshop, which it almost make redundant.<br>

They should make a plug-in for Lightroom for the same price.</p>

<p>I bought DXO last spring to use with Lightroom 1. I used it mainly to batch process some photos I took in France. I though it worked quite well. I seem to remember it wouldn't process any files I had started to work on in Lightroom. It seemed to like unprocessed RAW files. I may be wrong on this as it was a few months ago.<br>

Last summer I switched to Aperture 2.0, and then added the Nik Software plug-ins.<br>

I also understand DXO was upgraded at the end of last year, which I haven't used.<br>

If they add a plug-in for Aperture I may go back to it. However, I do love the Nik collection (which doesn't do lens correction).<br>

Sorry I can't be of anymore help.</p>

<p>I run DXO Optic Pro 5.3.1 on my Macbook Pro with Leopard.<br>

No problems.<br>

However, I'm starting to use the PT Lens plug-in for Aperture for my lens corrections.<br>

I wish DXO Optics would make a plug-in for Aperture too, as they make one for Lightroom.</p>

<p>I'm a serious amateur and shoot always in RAW.<br>

I was using Lightroom and PS.<br>

However, when I switched to the Mac this year I didn't buy PS for the Mac. I now use Aperture for general editing, and Nik Software's plug-in for selective editing. This a great combination. And much faster than the old Lightroom/PS combo.<br>

I did buy a copy of Photoshop Elements for the Mac, but rarely use it.<br>

Sounds as though you are a Windows user, so my comments may not be helpful.</p>

What kind of editing do you have in mind, so we can determine you needs?

I use Lightroom 1.4, and find I only occasionally need a photo editor. Lightroom 2.0 is even better, I hear. When I do need to do additional editing I use Photoshop Elements 6.0 for the Mac, which shouldn't be underestimated.

I also hear good things about LightZone by Lenscraft. They offer a free trial too.

Alec

I had the same problem this summer when hiking in France. I think the camera was bouncing off my chest and changing the settings. Fortunately I was shooting in raw, so I was able to correct some of the bizarre settings.

My only solution was to turn the camera off.