Especially with v2's lack of real plugin or scripting options, and with no cross-version interchange format like IDML or apparently even partial backward-compatiblity support in v3, it's also less possible to drag v2 even slightly forward than it was with Adobe CS4/5.

If you're a freelancer using v2 and someone gives you v3 files, you can't work.

> but new cameras and lenses do keep coming out which at minimum need correction profiles.

For it to be a problem you need to actually buy said new cameras and lenses.

I am still using my Pentax K5 II and Samsung NX from a bit more than a decade ago (as well as some analog cams but I disgress).

There is a lot of FOMO + Gear Aquisition Syndrome to make that a problem. Maybe one should focus more on actually having a life,using the products they akready own, make arts or memories instead of thinking what is new on the market they are missing out and what to buy next.

Makes me think of those people, perfectly happy with Airpod pro v2 who purchase v3 ones, only to end up frustrated by their new purchase.

Very true, this is an area that could have a major miss. Thankfully, I believe most camera companies have a RAW to JPEG converter with some basic level of UX. “Is it good enough” is a very real question where the answer is probably “No.”

That sounds like ongoing work that you should pay for if you want to benefit.

Yeah, but Lensfun (the library they use for this) doesn't have anywhere to donate.

That does make things a bit more complicated.

If you need a constant stream of updates for the software to be useful, this seems like a reasonable fit for a subscription.

I haven't checked, do they use Apple's RAW library on macOS? If so, at least support might evolve with macOS updates for the time being.

The Photo (v2) app gives you a choice of using Apple’s converters or “Serif” converters. But, when last I looked, lens corrections were not available with the Apple converters.

Serif (I guess Canva now) maintains their own which uses the Lensfun database.