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ChuckB28 · 05-20-2013, 08:43 AM

Prob gonna get it for this...

Does anyone use the Pentax photo editing software?

I rescued an image with it this weekend...

Last edited by ChuckB28; 05-20-2014 at 10:09 AM.

hcc · 05-20-2013, 09:14 AM - **1 Like**

Pentax Digital Camera Utility (PDCU) is not the most user friendly software ... but it does a solid job in terms of output quality and it is free. The latest version (4.40) is certainly more stable than some earluer versions.

ChuckB28 · 05-20-2013, 09:46 AM

I downloaded trials of Lightroom and Elements and I'll see which one I like better... or both...

reeftool · 05-20-2013, 10:14 AM - **1 Like**

I had it on an older computer back when I bought my K10D. At the time, I was a total noob to digital photography and didn't have a clue how to use it or any other editing program for that matter. I had loaded the Pentax software and also began trying some other available options and quickly ditched the Pentax software. I discovered the free Picasa program and that gave me my start in the world of PP. I know it's limited but it was a lifesaver to me at the time. I upgraded computers a couple of years later and never installed the Pentax software again. The CD that came with my K5 still sits unopened in the box. I now use Lightroom 4 and Elements along with some plug ins. I suppose to be fair, I should install the newest version software and see how it runs now that I have a few years of the PP learning curve under my belt.

A nice job correcting that image. If you're comfortable and happy with your results, there's no need to spend money on other programs but I think you will find Lightroom in particular a much quicker and easier solution.

Na Horuk · 05-20-2013, 10:53 AM

In my experience, the Pentax software is solid and has good output, but its way too complicated for me. It looks great, but I just take too long per photo, which is why I prefer Lightroom - fast cataloging, fast developing, easy sliders.
Oh, also, the software that comes with the camera isnt the newest Silkypix, its a slightly different (stripped down, according to some reviewers) version. If you are planning on buying, make sure you buy the newest version.

stormtech · 05-20-2013, 02:51 PM

PDCU does have its learning curve, but I use it quite often. Also as said above, v4.4 has been much more stable.

It's not the most user friendly peice of software, but once you learn what each little icon actually does, it makes it quite a bit easier. This mini-guide by one of our members helped me a lot:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-processing-articles/206286-pentax-di...ini-guide.html

ChuckB28 · 05-20-2013, 04:07 PM

Re-edited in Photoshop C6...

Last edited by ChuckB28; 05-20-2014 at 10:10 AM.

SpecialK · 05-20-2013, 05:15 PM

Lots of previous threads in this same sub-forum - you just have to sort of wade through the longer ones.

My opinon of PDCU has not changed since last week or whenever the question came up.
Still hangs up, still tedious, still use for only 2 functions - creating the exif database and moving files after conversion. That's about it. Elements 9 for processing, FastStone for chimping and naming.

ChuckB28 · 05-20-2013, 05:56 PM

Lightroom it is!!!

pupulv · 05-31-2013, 07:31 PM

I love the retouching on the background.

**Schraubstock** · 06-01-2013, 04:58 AM

Hi
Can't help myself to put another version up for consideration.
I like the PS version best, the LR version has bad edge artifacts in the background.
Also the skintones of the PS PP looks more pleasing to me.
I have used LightMachine to brighten the eyes a little bit, I thought it would make them
more attractive. What do you think, have I overdone it ?

Best regards

pbmax · 06-02-2013, 08:19 PM

Is the Pentax Digital Camera Utility 4 downloadable from any site? I bought a used body and it came with no disks...

**West Penn** · 06-05-2013, 04:13 AM

Try here -- Software Downloads : Support & Service | PENTAX RICOH IMAGING

**West Penn** · 06-05-2013, 04:16 AM

I should have added that PDCU 4 probably won't work with your camera, but the software at the above site should.

pbmax · 06-05-2013, 04:22 AM

I may have looked in the wrong area, but on the Pentax site all I could find were updates no actual software...

05-20-2013, 08:43 AM	#1
ChuckB28 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 145	Pentax editing software Prob gonna get it for this... Does anyone use the Pentax photo editing software? I rescued an image with it this weekend... Last edited by ChuckB28; 05-20-2014 at 10:09 AM.

05-20-2013, 05:56 PM	#9
ChuckB28 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 145 Original Poster	Lightroom it is!!! Last edited by ChuckB28; 05-20-2014 at 10:10 AM.

06-01-2013, 04:58 AM	#11
Schraubstock Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,386	Hi Can't help myself to put another version up for consideration. I like the PS version best, the LR version has bad edge artifacts in the background. Also the skintones of the PS PP looks more pleasing to me. I have used LightMachine to brighten the eyes a little bit, I thought it would make them more attractive. What do you think, have I overdone it ? Best regards Last edited by Schraubstock; 04-06-2014 at 03:29 AM.

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05-20-2013, 09:14 AM - 1 Like	#2
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	Pentax Digital Camera Utility (PDCU) is not the most user friendly software ... but it does a solid job in terms of output quality and it is free. The latest version (4.40) is certainly more stable than some earluer versions.

05-20-2013, 09:46 AM	#3
ChuckB28 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 145 Original Poster	I downloaded trials of Lightroom and Elements and I'll see which one I like better... or both...

05-20-2013, 10:14 AM - 1 Like	#4
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	I had it on an older computer back when I bought my K10D. At the time, I was a total noob to digital photography and didn't have a clue how to use it or any other editing program for that matter. I had loaded the Pentax software and also began trying some other available options and quickly ditched the Pentax software. I discovered the free Picasa program and that gave me my start in the world of PP. I know it's limited but it was a lifesaver to me at the time. I upgraded computers a couple of years later and never installed the Pentax software again. The CD that came with my K5 still sits unopened in the box. I now use Lightroom 4 and Elements along with some plug ins. I suppose to be fair, I should install the newest version software and see how it runs now that I have a few years of the PP learning curve under my belt. A nice job correcting that image. If you're comfortable and happy with your results, there's no need to spend money on other programs but I think you will find Lightroom in particular a much quicker and easier solution.

05-20-2013, 10:53 AM	#5
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	In my experience, the Pentax software is solid and has good output, but its way too complicated for me. It looks great, but I just take too long per photo, which is why I prefer Lightroom - fast cataloging, fast developing, easy sliders. Oh, also, the software that comes with the camera isnt the newest Silkypix, its a slightly different (stripped down, according to some reviewers) version. If you are planning on buying, make sure you buy the newest version.

05-20-2013, 02:51 PM	#6
stormtech Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: In the boonies (NW Penna) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,744	PDCU does have its learning curve, but I use it quite often. Also as said above, v4.4 has been much more stable. It's not the most user friendly peice of software, but once you learn what each little icon actually does, it makes it quite a bit easier. This mini-guide by one of our members helped me a lot: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/post-processing-articles/206286-pentax-di...ini-guide.html

05-20-2013, 04:07 PM	#7
ChuckB28 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 145 Original Poster	Re-edited in Photoshop C6... Last edited by ChuckB28; 05-20-2014 at 10:10 AM.

05-20-2013, 05:15 PM	#8
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	Lots of previous threads in this same sub-forum - you just have to sort of wade through the longer ones. My opinon of PDCU has not changed since last week or whenever the question came up. Still hangs up, still tedious, still use for only 2 functions - creating the exif database and moving files after conversion. That's about it. Elements 9 for processing, FastStone for chimping and naming.

05-31-2013, 07:31 PM	#10
pupulv Inactive Account Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 5	I love the retouching on the background.

06-02-2013, 08:19 PM	#12
pbmax Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Camden, SC Photos: Albums Posts: 42	Is the Pentax Digital Camera Utility 4 downloadable from any site? I bought a used body and it came with no disks...

06-05-2013, 04:13 AM	#13
West Penn Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 251	Try here -- Software Downloads : Support & Service \| PENTAX RICOH IMAGING

06-05-2013, 04:16 AM	#14
West Penn Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 251	I should have added that PDCU 4 probably won't work with your camera, but the software at the above site should.

06-05-2013, 04:22 AM	#15
pbmax Junior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Camden, SC Photos: Albums Posts: 42	I may have looked in the wrong area, but on the Pentax site all I could find were updates no actual software...

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