after a bit of internet research I have come to the conclusion that Pentax photolab is useless for 16bit Tiff's (thanks Blende et. al.) and possibly dysfunctional due to the way the bits are incorrectly packed.
see
Here is what I found out: Pentax SLR Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review
Now it is most likely (circumstantial and others) that it also only processes in 8 bit as well........ NOT GOOD... how else can I say it.
Now this poses an interesting question regarding other processing software and their methods.. Are we getting cheated by many of them? Which ones?
Anyone have "for sure" insight into the processing levels of any other Pentax RAW compatible software? ASSuming seems to be a no no. I find it rude to export at least 10bit RAW and have them truncated to 8 bits immediately......
TO BE HONEST this may not be true but I'd like some research (best yet insight from others who already "invented the wheel")..
EDIT: Good thing it's free but I guess I know why now....
SECOND EDIT: Anyone think 8bit processing is not a bad thing, and reasons why.
EDIT:a good discussion on the 8 vs 16bit w/ LAB nr and other lab tricks thrown is as well....
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=84751&page=3