Which software for RAW processing?

VE2CJW · 07-24-2011, 08:23 PM

Hi. Is is better to use Pentax Photo Laboratory 4 or ACR in Photoshop Elements 9 to process a Pentax RAW file? Is there really a difference? Which one do you prefer. Thanks.
Mike.

hcc · 07-24-2011, 09:09 PM

Pentax Digital Camera Utility (PDCU) 4.33 gives some excellent results in terms of IQ output, although it is acknowledged that it is not laways the most user friendly software.

**jatrax** · 07-24-2011, 09:16 PM

I have used both and now use ACR in Lightroom 3. Which I believe is the same as in Elements 9. The Pentax software is not really very user friendly but it works fine. I think there are subtle differences in the results from both programs, but I would not be able to say one is better, just a little different.

Pick the one you like to use and learn it well, no reason to try to use two different software programs if you do not have to. If you are using Elements for editing, keywording and archiving then I would just stick with that.

cats_five · 07-24-2011, 11:24 PM

What you prefer is what matters, not what I prefer.

mjbasner1978 · 07-29-2011, 05:55 PM

OK, I am having trouble finding a working RAW Codec or a good free editor that works in Windows 7, 64 bit for the raw files produced by the *ist DL2. Any ideas?

Thanks

adr1an · 07-29-2011, 05:58 PM

PENTAX RAW codec software for Windows : Software Downloads : PENTAX ?

Or https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/digital-processing-software-printing/1533...raw-files.html

or DNG Codec - Adobe Labs

mjbasner1978 · 07-29-2011, 06:07 PM

OK, I've tried those, The PETEX software will not support windows in the 64 bit variety, the other 2 don't support the PEF's from the DL2...any other suggestions?

Again,thanks.

SpecialK · 07-29-2011, 07:54 PM

FastStone Image Viewer, Screen Capture, Photo Resizer ...

Maybe?

**Just1MoreDave** · 07-30-2011, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by mjbasner1978

OK, I've tried those, The PETEX software will not support windows in the 64 bit variety, the other 2 don't support the PEF's from the DL2...any other suggestions?

Again,thanks.

Microsoft must have missed the DL2. They support the DL and the K110D, nearly identical cameras just before and just after. Weird.

Adobe has a free program, DNG Converter, that will convert those PEFs into DNG files. Then the Adobe DNG codec can see them. One problem: although the Pentax software can work with DNGs, it considers DNGs converted by DNG Converter to be not from a Pentax camera, and won't open them.

mjbasner1978 · 07-31-2011, 02:11 PM

Well, Pentax software not opening the file should not be a problem. Pentax software will not install in Windows 7 64-bit.

reeftool · 07-31-2011, 11:13 PM

I never liked the Pentax software although some people prefer it. I haven't used it in years and never installed it on my newer computers. When I moved up to Win 7-64 bit, I also went to Lightroom 3, a choice I have no regrets making other than I should have done it sooner.

cats_five · 07-31-2011, 11:22 PM

Originally posted by mjbasner1978

Well, Pentax software not opening the file should not be a problem. Pentax software will not install in Windows 7 64-bit.

The Pentax codec to allow Windows explorer to display thumbnails for PEFs is x32 only, but the PCDU software is fine on x64.

icejam · 08-01-2011, 04:46 AM

PCDU is working fine on win7 64bit as per previous post. I am using Google Picassa to preview the files and then edit in PCDU.

GDRoth · 08-01-2011, 05:28 AM

If you already have Elements, then I recommend using the ACR. Take the time to really learn it and then when/if you move to something like Lightroom or Photoshop, you'll already know ACR.............

If you are serious enough to be shooting RAW, you will reap long-term benefits by starting to use the more serious PP tools...

Dave

07-24-2011, 08:23 PM	#1
VE2CJW Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Candiac, QC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 403	Which software for RAW processing? Hi. Is is better to use Pentax Photo Laboratory 4 or ACR in Photoshop Elements 9 to process a Pentax RAW file? Is there really a difference? Which one do you prefer. Thanks. Mike.

07-29-2011, 05:55 PM	#5
mjbasner1978 New Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 11	Raw Codec OK, I am having trouble finding a working RAW Codec or a good free editor that works in Windows 7, 64 bit for the raw files produced by the *ist DL2. Any ideas? Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Post Processing software?	mariopato2010	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	2	06-20-2010 04:54 PM
Photo Processing Software?	NecroticSoldier	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	22	03-30-2010 10:18 AM
Processing Software - What do you use?	pakuchn	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	61	03-23-2010 04:34 PM
Processing Software	dragnb	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	5	10-14-2009 10:20 AM
Raw editing and post processing software for dummies?	Sew-Classic	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	8	07-16-2009 05:53 AM

07-24-2011, 09:09 PM	#2
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	Pentax Digital Camera Utility (PDCU) 4.33 gives some excellent results in terms of IQ output, although it is acknowledged that it is not laways the most user friendly software.

07-24-2011, 09:16 PM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	I have used both and now use ACR in Lightroom 3. Which I believe is the same as in Elements 9. The Pentax software is not really very user friendly but it works fine. I think there are subtle differences in the results from both programs, but I would not be able to say one is better, just a little different. Pick the one you like to use and learn it well, no reason to try to use two different software programs if you do not have to. If you are using Elements for editing, keywording and archiving then I would just stick with that.

07-24-2011, 11:24 PM	#4
cats_five Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 835	What you prefer is what matters, not what I prefer.

07-29-2011, 05:58 PM	#6
adr1an Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 739	PENTAX RAW codec software for Windows : Software Downloads : PENTAX ? Or https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/digital-processing-software-printing/1533...raw-files.html or DNG Codec - Adobe Labs

07-29-2011, 06:07 PM	#7
mjbasner1978 New Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 11	OK, I've tried those, The PETEX software will not support windows in the 64 bit variety, the other 2 don't support the PEF's from the DL2...any other suggestions? Again,thanks.

07-29-2011, 07:54 PM	#8
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	FastStone Image Viewer, Screen Capture, Photo Resizer ... Maybe?

07-30-2011, 06:46 PM	#9
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by mjbasner1978 OK, I've tried those, The PETEX software will not support windows in the 64 bit variety, the other 2 don't support the PEF's from the DL2...any other suggestions? Again,thanks. Microsoft must have missed the DL2. They support the DL and the K110D, nearly identical cameras just before and just after. Weird. Adobe has a free program, DNG Converter, that will convert those PEFs into DNG files. Then the Adobe DNG codec can see them. One problem: although the Pentax software can work with DNGs, it considers DNGs converted by DNG Converter to be not from a Pentax camera, and won't open them.

07-31-2011, 02:11 PM	#10
mjbasner1978 New Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 11	Well, Pentax software not opening the file should not be a problem. Pentax software will not install in Windows 7 64-bit.

07-31-2011, 11:13 PM	#11
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	I never liked the Pentax software although some people prefer it. I haven't used it in years and never installed it on my newer computers. When I moved up to Win 7-64 bit, I also went to Lightroom 3, a choice I have no regrets making other than I should have done it sooner.

07-31-2011, 11:22 PM	#12
cats_five Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Fife, Scotland Posts: 835	Originally posted by mjbasner1978 Well, Pentax software not opening the file should not be a problem. Pentax software will not install in Windows 7 64-bit. The Pentax codec to allow Windows explorer to display thumbnails for PEFs is x32 only, but the PCDU software is fine on x64.

08-01-2011, 04:46 AM	#13
icejam Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Lancs Posts: 30	PCDU is working fine on win7 64bit as per previous post. I am using Google Picassa to preview the files and then edit in PCDU.

08-01-2011, 05:28 AM	#14
GDRoth Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: S.E. Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 830	If you already have Elements, then I recommend using the ACR. Take the time to really learn it and then when/if you move to something like Lightroom or Photoshop, you'll already know ACR............. If you are serious enough to be shooting RAW, you will reap long-term benefits by starting to use the more serious PP tools... Dave