Photoshop - version?

[MattGoo]

Relatively new to image processing, is it necessary to use Photoshop CS3-CS6 or will Photoshop Elements 11 be enough? That version seems to be (a lot) cheaper! Don't really know what the fundamental differences are between the available versions of Photoshop.

I have DSS, Registax, the Canon software that came with my 1000D, Paint Shop Pro 9, and just installed GIMP, running Win7 HP 64-bit.

Just looking at options, I know people might also recommend Pixinsight and Astro Art 5 etc as well.

I'll be doing a mix of solar system images with my webcam, and also widefield/DSOs with my DSLR, so need my chosen software to be useful for both if possible.

[ollypenrice]

Elements won't do. CS3 is fine, works on Win7 and is available in legit copies at a reasonable price. There are some colour enhancing luxuries in CS6 but you can live without them.

Pixinsight is also super powerful and has its fundamentalists, but I prefer to flit between CS3 and PI. I can't comment on GIMP.

Olly

[Mr Spock]

Despite having CS2 and PSPX2, I aways find myself using PSP7.