If the release of Lightroom Classic CC and Lightroom CC on October 18th was the beginning of the end for standalone Lightroom, today marks the end of the end. Adobe has released the final standalone Lightroom, version 6.
14, adding some bug fixes and camera and lens compatibility, but otherwise using the opportunity to encourage users to jump on the subscription bandwagon.
To their credit, Adobe isn't hiding this fact. They announced that this final update was coming all the way back in October, and today's update announcement notes state the facts plainly:
Lightroom 6. 14 is the last perpetual, standalone version of Lightroom.
While you may continue to purchase and use Lightroom 6 with a perpetual license, Adobe will no longer provide updates to the software. Consider upgrading to the Creative Cloud Photography plan to get the latest updates in Lightroom Classic CC and the all-new Lightroom CC, and ensure that the software works with raw files from the newest cameras.
As of today, Lightroom 6 becomes an 'unsupported product. '
Of course, that's okay if you plan to use it with a camera you currently own and don't intend to upgrade any time soon. Problems—or, rather, inconveniences—arise with your next camera purchase. That camera won't be supported by Lightroom 6, and you'll be forced to use Adobe's DNG converter before importing your images.
Not to mention the OS compatibility issues that will inevitably arise as Microsoft and Apple continue releasing new operating systems.
If that all sounds like too much of a hassle, and a Creative Cloud subscription is simply out of the question, it might be time to check out some of the popular alternatives that we've been testing and writing about recently.
Click here to download the latest (and last) version of Lightroom 6.
. dpreview.com2017-12-19 19:00
