Skylum Luminar 2018 Jupiter review

Skylum Luminar 2018 Jupiter review

Introduction

Since my original Macphun Luminar review about two years ago, a lot has changed. Most noteworthy, the mac-only Macphun released a Windows Luminar version late last year and was rebranded to Skylum. The 2018 version also came with a lot of new features (see an overview here), making it a viable alternative for the monthly subscription based Adobe Lightroom. And if you look closely at the latest release of Lightroom, you’ll actually see unique features from Luminar (like direct LUT access) trickle back to the biggest photography software developer in the world. Not bad for a piece of software that is barely 3 years old.

There have been a few hiccups along the way, and I’ve talked to Windows users who found the first release of Luminar for Windows quite unstable. I work with an iMac, but have a virtual machine Windows version to test, and I can happily report that the latest Luminar Jupiter version also runs smoothly on Windows.

Luminar 2018 new features

The update 1.2.0 for Luminar 2018 as a free update to all current users of Luminar 2018, and includes adding Batch Processing and a Free Transform tool to the Windows version.

This update also features over 300 improvements and updates that make the app faster, more responsive and useful than ever.

1. 1. Speed (Performance & adjustments): We’ve dramatically increased the speed of editing across all areas of Luminar 2018.

1. 1. Automatic Lens Correction: Our RAW Develop filter analyzes your image and the metadata to calculate a one click Automatic Lens Distortion fix.

1. 1. Enhanced image quality on image view:  Most of the demosaic and green equilibration issues have been fixed.

1. 1. DCP Profiles Support (for the Mac version only. Coming to Windows soon): Luminar 2018 recognizes the industry standard DCP files that you may already have on your computer (or have bought from third parties).

1. 1. Import speed (for the Mac version only. Coming to Windows soon): re-engineered RAW import, optimized for speed.

1. Windows version catches up with Mac: Added Batch processing feature, Free Transform image feature, Flip/Rotate image feature to the Windows version.

Mac specific features:

• • Fast RAW opening;

• • Super fast image editing and adjusting;

• • Faster image export;

• • DCP Profiles support;

• • Automatic Lens Correction (fix Lens Distortion, remove Chromatic Aberration and Defringe);

• • Enhanced image quality on image view – most of the demosaic and green equilibration issues have been fixed;

• • Big number of stability fixes;

• • UI and UX improvements;

• Localisations updated (German, Japanese, Chinese & more).

Windows specific features:

• • Super fast image editing and adjusting;

• • Faster image export;

• • Batch processing feature;

• • Free transform image feature;

• • Flip/Rotate image feature;

• • Automatic Lens Correction (fix Lens Distortion, remove Chromatic Aberration and Defringe)

• • Big number of stability fixes;

• • UI and UX improvements;

• • Localisations updated;

• • Added ability to change localisation language in the application main menu;

• • Fixes with color profiles on export/in plugin mode;

• • Preview mode feature added (F hotkey);

• Enhanced image quality on image view – fixed most of demosaic and green equilibration.

Atomic Colors Preset bundle for Luminar

I’ve also made a preset bundle for Luminar called Atomic Colors. This collection of over 100 meticulously crafted color grading presets will totally change the look and feel of your images. Much like the techniques used in cinema color grading, these presets allow you to quickly and easily create different color combinations and atmospheres

You can download these from the Macphun website here: https://skylum.com/luminar/marketplace/presets/18

Luminar 2018 Price and discount code

Luminar 3 with libraries is available from December 18th 2018. You can order now  at a price of $59 for new users or upgrade from the 2017 version for $49. If you use the promo code WIMARYSPHOTOGRAPHY you’ll get an additional $10 dollar discount

Besides the special freebees package from Skylum (SmugMug portfolio pla sky overlays and voucher codes) I’m giving away my brand new preset collection called ‘Americana Black and White’ featuring ten custom made classic black and white presets for Luminar. All you have to do is send me a screenshot of your invoice with my coupon code to wimarys(at)gmail.com.