Can't View Photos

Fl_Gulfer · 07-20-2018, 08:19 AM - **1 Like**

I can't find either of my original CD's that came with our camera's K-5 and K-30 I just want to view my old Pentax PEF photo's on my back-up drives. I tried to get them from Pentax web site but they won't install without the disk that came with my cameras. We were going to move so allot of my stuff is still in storage. Can anyone help?
Thanks

blackest · 07-20-2018, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer

I can't find either of my original CD's that came with our camera's K-5 and K-30 I just want to view my old Pentax PEF photo's on my back-up drives. I tried to get them from Pentax web site but they won't install without the disk that came with my cameras. We were going to move so allot of my stuff is still in storage. Can anyone help?
Thanks

Do you have a Mac?

Fl_Gulfer · 07-20-2018, 08:39 AM

Win 7 and 10

emalvick · 07-20-2018, 08:41 AM - **1 Like**

You mean view them in something like Explorer? (you didn't mention OS, so that will matter).

If you aren't trying to actually edit the photos, you have a few options.

1) Find a codec for PEF files (google is a friend on this one). Be sure to reference your OS (include version and be careful of whether your OS is 32 bit or 64 bit).
* Since you noted OS, I would note Microsoft used to have codecs you could download, and Ricoh has some. Just watch for 32 vs 64. FastPictureViewer has a great codec pack, but it does cost $10~$20.

2) Alternatively, find a software for quickly browsing photos (and more). These will work in a similar manner as Windows Explorer but geared towards photos and they won't need a codec pack. The advantage is they will allow you to browse by thumbnails and view as a slideshow within their programs. In terms of free/open source type software I might suggest the following.

XnView MP (I like this one these days as a quick viewer, and I use it to cull photos after offloading from my cards)
IrfanView (I used to use this one but haven't in a while, but not because it was bad or anything)
FastStone Image Viewer (I've used this the most, and only recently have I liked XnView a bit more)

These are not the only ones out there, paid and free. I just like them because they are light and I've used them all at one time or other over the past 15 years. I think you can use Adobe Bridge for free, and it is arguably better than the ones above, but I've quit using Adobe products, and it is a bit more bloated than the above.

Last edited by emalvick; 07-20-2018 at 08:48 AM. Reason: added notes regarding OS

Fl_Gulfer · 07-20-2018, 08:55 AM

I have d/led all the PEF junk from Pentax and they won't install without the original 4 software. Thanks but I won't install programs that Google throws out. I just thought someone knew of a link to the pentax software. I know it's 8 years old but I was hoping.

blackest · 07-20-2018, 08:59 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer

Win 7 and 10

The updater wants to see a "disk" with the same name as the earlier version, the updated versions are full installs.

Adobes free dng converter can read pef, a lot of software can read the resulting DNG files

**Crooski** · 07-20-2018, 11:11 AM - **1 Like**

IrfanView reads PEF format. and many other formats

**UncleVanya** · 07-20-2018, 01:27 PM - **1 Like**

Search on the site - there are threads where people explain how to get the latest pentax sponsored software to load. However if all you want to do is view either the Adobe Camera Raw (to convert to DNG) or the Ifranview should work. Those are well known programs that have good reputations.

Not a Number · 07-20-2018, 01:44 PM - **1 Like**

To install the Digital Camera Utility on Windows 7 see this thread (skip to the last few pages):
How to install the PPL Upgrade when you don't have the orginal disk or PPL installed - PentaxForums.com

The same technique works with Windows 10, however if you just click "Ok" or "Next", anything except cancel in the dialog boxes on the update install it will install without a disk or the above trick.

FastStone Image Viewer is free and handles PEF files. Irfanview if you install the plug-ins will handle PEFs. Another free viewer that works with PEFs is XnView. You might have to set the file filters to All file types (*.*) for the PEFs to show in the file listings.

Adam · 07-20-2018, 03:59 PM

Using the technique above, if you install the latest version of PDCU, it should be able to open files from all older cameras.

emalvick · 07-20-2018, 04:53 PM

Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer

I have d/led all the PEF junk from Pentax and they won't install without the original 4 software. Thanks but I won't install programs that Google throws out. I just thought someone knew of a link to the pentax software. I know it's 8 years old but I was hoping.

The programs I listed are not programs Google Owns; I just meant use a search engine to find the links and use whatever search engine you want. I was just giving you options. I've been where you are at, and you probably won't just get the original software. But if all you are looking for is to view your files, then the ones I listed are great software by great developers. They are all free, they will not bombard you with ads (or they haven't in the past). And of course there are way more programs out there.

Neuse River Sailor · 07-20-2018, 05:33 PM

If you have access to a Linux box, you can view .pef files in Geequi and edit them in RawTherapee. I'm pretty sure RawTherapee works in Windows too.

Fl_Gulfer · 07-21-2018, 07:37 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks Guys

07-20-2018, 08:19 AM - 1 Like	#1
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055	Can't View Photos I can't find either of my original CD's that came with our camera's K-5 and K-30 I just want to view my old Pentax PEF photo's on my back-up drives. I tried to get them from Pentax web site but they won't install without the disk that came with my cameras. We were going to move so allot of my stuff is still in storage. Can anyone help? Thanks

07-20-2018, 08:59 AM - 1 Like	#6
blackest Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 149	Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer Win 7 and 10 The updater wants to see a "disk" with the same name as the earlier version, the updated versions are full installs. Adobes free dng converter can read pef, a lot of software can read the resulting DNG files Last edited by blackest; 07-20-2018 at 09:04 AM.

07-20-2018, 03:59 PM	#10
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 47,908	Using the technique above, if you install the latest version of PDCU, it should be able to open files from all older cameras. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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07-20-2018, 08:34 AM	#2
blackest Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 149	Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer I can't find either of my original CD's that came with our camera's K-5 and K-30 I just want to view my old Pentax PEF photo's on my back-up drives. I tried to get them from Pentax web site but they won't install without the disk that came with my cameras. We were going to move so allot of my stuff is still in storage. Can anyone help? Thanks Do you have a Mac?

07-20-2018, 08:39 AM	#3
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055 Original Poster	Win 7 and 10

07-20-2018, 08:41 AM - 1 Like	#4
emalvick Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Davis, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	You mean view them in something like Explorer? (you didn't mention OS, so that will matter). If you aren't trying to actually edit the photos, you have a few options. 1) Find a codec for PEF files (google is a friend on this one). Be sure to reference your OS (include version and be careful of whether your OS is 32 bit or 64 bit). * Since you noted OS, I would note Microsoft used to have codecs you could download, and Ricoh has some. Just watch for 32 vs 64. FastPictureViewer has a great codec pack, but it does cost $10~$20. 2) Alternatively, find a software for quickly browsing photos (and more). These will work in a similar manner as Windows Explorer but geared towards photos and they won't need a codec pack. The advantage is they will allow you to browse by thumbnails and view as a slideshow within their programs. In terms of free/open source type software I might suggest the following. XnView MP (I like this one these days as a quick viewer, and I use it to cull photos after offloading from my cards) IrfanView (I used to use this one but haven't in a while, but not because it was bad or anything) FastStone Image Viewer (I've used this the most, and only recently have I liked XnView a bit more) These are not the only ones out there, paid and free. I just like them because they are light and I've used them all at one time or other over the past 15 years. I think you can use Adobe Bridge for free, and it is arguably better than the ones above, but I've quit using Adobe products, and it is a bit more bloated than the above. Last edited by emalvick; 07-20-2018 at 08:48 AM. Reason: added notes regarding OS

07-20-2018, 08:55 AM	#5
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055 Original Poster	I have d/led all the PEF junk from Pentax and they won't install without the original 4 software. Thanks but I won't install programs that Google throws out. I just thought someone knew of a link to the pentax software. I know it's 8 years old but I was hoping.

07-20-2018, 11:11 AM - 1 Like	#7
Crooski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rozenburg , Zuid-Holland Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,066	IrfanView reads PEF format. and many other formats

07-20-2018, 01:27 PM - 1 Like	#8
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 14,488	Search on the site - there are threads where people explain how to get the latest pentax sponsored software to load. However if all you want to do is view either the Adobe Camera Raw (to convert to DNG) or the Ifranview should work. Those are well known programs that have good reputations.

07-20-2018, 01:44 PM - 1 Like	#9
Not a Number Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 5,618	To install the Digital Camera Utility on Windows 7 see this thread (skip to the last few pages): How to install the PPL Upgrade when you don't have the orginal disk or PPL installed - PentaxForums.com The same technique works with Windows 10, however if you just click "Ok" or "Next", anything except cancel in the dialog boxes on the update install it will install without a disk or the above trick. FastStone Image Viewer is free and handles PEF files. Irfanview if you install the plug-ins will handle PEFs. Another free viewer that works with PEFs is XnView. You might have to set the file filters to All file types (.) for the PEFs to show in the file listings.

07-20-2018, 04:53 PM	#11
emalvick Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Davis, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,551	Originally posted by Fl_Gulfer I have d/led all the PEF junk from Pentax and they won't install without the original 4 software. Thanks but I won't install programs that Google throws out. I just thought someone knew of a link to the pentax software. I know it's 8 years old but I was hoping. The programs I listed are not programs Google Owns; I just meant use a search engine to find the links and use whatever search engine you want. I was just giving you options. I've been where you are at, and you probably won't just get the original software. But if all you are looking for is to view your files, then the ones I listed are great software by great developers. They are all free, they will not bombard you with ads (or they haven't in the past). And of course there are way more programs out there.

07-20-2018, 05:33 PM	#12
Neuse River Sailor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery Posts: 138	If you have access to a Linux box, you can view .pef files in Geequi and edit them in RawTherapee. I'm pretty sure RawTherapee works in Windows too.

07-21-2018, 07:37 PM - 1 Like	#13
Fl_Gulfer Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Florida Gulfer Photos: Albums Posts: 3,055 Original Poster	Thanks Guys