[manishved]

If you're using a K-3 and a Mac, you are probably aware of the fact that Apple's software (Preview, QuickView, iPhoto, Aperture as well as the iPad Camera Connection Kit) do not support the K-3's RAW files (neither PEF nor DNG).

The currently only solution known to me is to use Adobe's DNG Converter to convert the files into a format that Apple's software understands.

Now, the reason for this problem is just just a single specific byte K-3's DNG files, i.e. the "DNG Backward Version" field, which says that it requires software that supports version 1.2, and Apple's software seems to have a problem with this.

However, when I change this value from 1.2 to 1.1, then it works, i.e. iPhoto and Aperture can display the DNG files.

Sadly, it's not clear who is at fault here. Could be that the K-3's DNG files contain data that is essential to using the RAW files, and if Apple's software does not understand this new information, it does good to reject these files in order to prevent misinterpretation. However, it also could just be that Apple's software has a bug and can handle these 1.2 DNG version files just fine, and the rejection is a just mistake.

So, let's try to find this out empirically (unless this has already been done and I'm just not up to date?).

I've written a simple program that modifies the DNG files by changing this one value in the files. It does not change any image data - only a value that tells software whether it should be able to handle this file or not. The software makes it so that Apple's software accepts the file, that's all. And with that, it *seems* to work. However, maybe there are subtle tings that do not work. Let's find out.

You can download the program here: http://files.tempel.org/Various/Pentax%20K-3%20RAW%20Fixer.app.zip

Just start the program, then drag files into the window - it'll convert them immediately to the Apple compatible version. You can also revert them back the original version or just check the current version.

Then open them in iPhoto or Aperture. Also try a conversion thru the Adobe DNG converter and see if you find any differences in the results. I hope not, and that would be empirical proof that this fix works. It should be easy for Ricoh to apply this in a firmware update then.

(The advantage of this tool over using the Adobe DNG Converter is that it does not need to create copies of your DNG files, and that it's faster. Also, if this turns out to be a reliable solution, I can issue this "fix" to both Apple and Ricoh, maybe they'll be quicker to update their software then.)

Seems to work fine....

[FOX]

You can download the program here: http://files.tempel.org/Various/Pentax%20K-3%20RAW%20Fixer.app.zip

Thank you tempelorg, I have been tinkering with RAW definitions in OS X (the ones used by Preview.app, Aperture, iPhoto and many third party) to allow better support for pentax, but with no success.
This trick for now it's useful, until Apple supports officially PEF and DNG

[Uluru]

I use DNG with Aperture and had no damn idea that DNGs from K-3 and Aperture have problems. (Did not buy a K-3 yet).
If that is the case, then it is a shame, as Ricoh should be moving their asses and pledge for full K-3 support in Apple's software. However, I still wonder at the decision of Ricoh Imaging to include such a DNG approach and render their files useless? I mean, at least they should warn the users of Apple software ... I'd think they do test their own files on different software, do they? Or simply do not give a damn?

[waterfall]

I think a related question is: how many Mac users are saving their Pentax K-3 RAW files as DNG vs. How many Mac users are saving their Pentax K-3 RAW files as PEF vs. How many Mac users are saving their Pentax K-3 files as JPEG?

Perhaps there is a need for survey? (I wouldn't be surprised if there is a slim majority of Mac users saving as JPEG, since iPhoto and other apps work so well with JPEGs)

Michael

I use K3 and a MacBook Pro. Adobe DNG raw files are supported. Raw in PES are not. But Aperture does a very nice job on Jpeg. I only tried DNG to try it and make sure it worked.

Apple has specific camera model support that has not been extended to K3 yet. Maybe the problem for others arises from the Pentax camera utility software? I did not load it onto my computer.

[pentaximus]

tempelorg, you are awesome! I want to hug you! I've been fiddling with different solutions and yours is my favorite by far. Thanks!

[FOX]

the update is out, we finally have support in OS X

[Templedog]

Apple has just released the "Digital Camera RAW Compatibility Update 5.04" with support for the K-3.

This solves the issue I had brought up here (well, it's not solved for the iPad yet, but my solution isn't helping there directly, either)

--------- the following is not an issue any more ----------

If you're using a K-3 and a Mac, you are probably aware of the fact that Apple's software (Preview, QuickView, iPhoto, Aperture as well as the iPad Camera Connection Kit) do not support the K-3's RAW files (neither PEF nor DNG).

The currently only solution known to me is to use Adobe's DNG Converter to convert the files into a format that Apple's software understands.

Now, the reason for this problem is just just a single specific byte K-3's DNG files, i.e. the "DNG Backward Version" field, which says that it requires software that supports version 1.2, and Apple's software seems to have a problem with this.

However, when I change this value from 1.2 to 1.1, then it works, i.e. iPhoto and Aperture can display the DNG files.

Sadly, it's not clear who is at fault here. Could be that the K-3's DNG files contain data that is essential to using the RAW files, and if Apple's software does not understand this new information, it does good to reject these files in order to prevent misinterpretation. However, it also could just be that Apple's software has a bug and can handle these 1.2 DNG version files just fine, and the rejection is a just mistake.

So, let's try to find this out empirically (unless this has already been done and I'm just not up to date?).

I've written a simple program that modifies the DNG files by changing this one value in the files. It does not change any image data - only a value that tells software whether it should be able to handle this file or not. The software makes it so that Apple's software accepts the file, that's all. And with that, it *seems* to work. However, maybe there are subtle tings that do not work. Let's find out.

You can download the program here: http://files.tempel.org/Various/Pentax%20K-3%20RAW%20Fixer.app.zip

Just start the program, then drag files into the window - it'll convert them immediately to the Apple compatible version. You can also revert them back the original version or just check the current version.

Then open them in iPhoto or Aperture. Also try a conversion thru the Adobe DNG converter and see if you find any differences in the results. I hope not, and that would be empirical proof that this fix works. It should be easy for Ricoh to apply this in a firmware update then.

(The advantage of this tool over using the Adobe DNG Converter is that it does not need to create copies of your DNG files, and that it's faster. Also, if this turns out to be a reliable solution, I can issue this "fix" to both Apple and Ricoh, maybe they'll be quicker to update their software then.)

Thanks for trying to solve this irritating problem. I downloaded your program but couldn't figure out what to do with it or where to open it on my iPad, which is where I'm having the problem.

[tempelorg]

@Templedog, The app runs only on desktop computers, not the iPad. Since Apple recently fixed the issue on Mac OS X, there is little need for my app now. It also makes it more likely that Apple soons fixes it for iPads as well.

I was also going to write a tool for a portable computer (e.g. Arduino or Beagleboard) that would be able to perform the same "fix" operation directly on the SD-Card so that it can then be read on an iPad, but then I remembered that I can just as well set my K3 to write both JPG+PEF to the _same_ Card: Then importing the files to the iPad makes them work because the iPad then uses the JPG file for display and operations, while the PEF also gets imported for later transfer to the Mac should I want to do more post processing there.