FP8 is the only product that does not allow upgrading from 2 versions previous at a low price. 129 quid to upgrade from FP6 !! Since I don’t actually want the film simulations, just the luminosity masking and fine contrast, I don’t fancy spending that much !!
That’s not quite right. Viewpoint upgrades also behave like this, i.e. you won’t get a discount on the upgrade price if you skip a version.
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Since FP 5 Elite “Fine contrast” is available in PL, whereas since FP 7 you also have access to the “Luminosity mask” (PL 7 and later).
Check the user guide for FP 8 (standalone) to read about …
Don’t know to what extent this is integrated into PL 9.
All the less reason to buy FP 
Sure, but I have FP6, so in order to use Luminosity Masks I have to pay full price for FP8.
Yes, because, like it or not, that’s how DxO have chosen to sell this feature and despite the numerous customer gripes about it on this forum, DxO have shown no interest in changing their sales model.
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Understood. It’s sort of a shame - I’ve gotten into luminosity masks via Photoshop and I’d like to use them in DxO, but not at that price.
Yes again, because it feels disingenuous of DxO to place what most users would consider to be core features in a package with a name that implies it is an optional extra, offering film emulations.
Like it or not, you have to understand that PhotoLab is not complete unless you buy the Elite version and both FilmPack and Viewpoint.
I manage my upgrade costs in a two year cycle. In year one, I buy PL and VP during the Black Friday sale. The following year I skip PL and just buy FP during the Black Friday offer. Yes, that does mean I miss out on some new features each year but I am only an amateur taking a modest number of photos each year so this approach works for me.
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To answer your question: the reason why FilmPack and ViewPoint are only discounted when upgrading from one version to the very next one is that these products are released every two years, while PhotoLab, PureRAW, and Nik Collection have major updates released annually. I think it’s reasonable to disagree with this policy - but that is the reason.
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I can see how that might appear to be logical to their marketing department , but it’s fairer if they issue updates according to how much innovation they have included, rather than just how many days have elapsed. They are asking double the “£ per improvement” for these two apps.
I’ve been using DxO for 3 years now. I prefer it mostly because of the DeepPrime and U-point but also because I’m not giving money to Adobe.
But, sincerely DxO, you should really think about unifying some features directly into PhotoLab. I think your market share and user base would increase in the long run, and especially now since adobe is even worst than before, by offering users a more complete experience out of the box.
Things I would like to see:
- All masks included
- All contrast sliders included
- Pro Contrast tool from Nik → PL DxO Smart Contrast tool
- Add elliptical control point in masking
- Add Control Point polygon option in masking
- Add Glamour Glow to FX tool tab in PL
What you’re saying is correct, and it’s also true for ViewPoint.
However, a new version of these two programs is only released every two years.
PhotoLab and PureRAW have a new version every year. You can upgrade from version N-2, meaning one purchased two years ago.
I don’t think offering an upgrade price for software purchased four years ago is commercially viable!
I recall seeing open feature requests in this forum for each one of these except the last. I recommend searching the forum category pertaining to PhotoLab - Feature Requests and adding votes and comments to the existing request topics.
DxO is a business. They are in this game to make money and that’s great. And consumers always want more for their money and there is nothing wrong with that either.
But it seems to me that the primary and maybe only recourse for consumers is to vote with their feet. Adobe has had predatory subscription policies for a while now and you hear a lot of noise about people jumping ship but I have not heard that this is actually hurting Adobe or making them change their policies, although I think they did have t change things due to a lawsuit at some point.
So my question is, who has a better pricing policy than DxO and why aren’t people who don’t like DxO going there?
Also, I disagree that PL is not complete without FP and VP. I have no need whatsoever for FilmPack and ViewPoint and am glad I’m not paying for something I don’t need.