What software to view PEF files in folders on a PC?

Not a Number · 12-04-2020, 12:30 PM

As I recall Windows 10 only supports PEFs from up to the K-5 or K-3. Shows the preview thumbnails fine from my K10D.

I might be wrong but I seem to recall if you install the Adobe Camera Raw and DNG converter Windows will then show PEF thumbnails up to what ever camera PEFs Adobe supports.

Irfanview should show the preview thumbnails if you install the plugin but I don't know what the most recent body it supports.

stevebrot · 12-04-2020, 12:50 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by automorphism

The "Pix" program available in many Linux distros can open all the Raws at once in a folder and give you a preview of the each of the Raws but it just looks at the thumbnail an doesn't actually open the Raw data itself.

Gnome's Nautilus file browser supports thumbnails for both DNG and PEF. The same is true of KDE Plasma's Dolphin.

Steve

pschlute · 12-04-2020, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

FWIW, I prefer to not have Windows open preview thumbnails for RAW files. The process eats time

I wonder if this maybe the root of the OPs problem. If i open a folder containing DNG TIFF JPEG files, the DNG are always the last to show a picture preview. Occasionally the DNGs only show up after i close and re-open the folder

Perhaps it is just a resources issue

stevebrot · 12-04-2020, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by pschlute

Perhaps it is just a resources issue

Perhaps, though Windows 10 is pretty well-known for not supporting PEF and several other RAW file types. I installed the Adobe DNG codec myself; otherwise, it would probably not be supported either on my system.

Steve

officiousbystander · 12-04-2020, 02:33 PM - **1 Like**

Have you tried the MS Raw Image Extension app?
Microsoft Releases Free RAW Image Viewer Extension for Windows 10
Don't know if PEF is included here. With my Pentax cameras I always select the DNG option.

35mmfilmfan · 12-04-2020, 03:23 PM

Other legally-free software that I have successfully used to open both PEF and DNG files (from K10, K20 and K3) are IrfanView and XnView - both have editing facilities too, and can be set up to open fies in other editors, including Photoshop. Irfanview will open the embedded JPG file unless set up to open the RAW file, of whatever variety, in Options.

**stemked** · 12-04-2020, 06:18 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

FWIW, I prefer to not have Windows open preview thumbnails for RAW files. The process eats time and I tend to be impatient. As a result, I do my culling after import into Lightroom and use the Library module for that task.

If one needs a fast means to do initial screening/culls, the free version of Fastone is very decent for that purpose.

FastStone Image Viewer - Powerful and Intuitive Photo Viewer, Editor and Batch Converter

Steve

Thank you! Works like a dream!

kypfer · 12-05-2020, 12:25 AM - **1 Like**

Irfanview IrfanView - Official Homepage - One of the Most Popular Viewers Worldwide will preview most formats virtually instantly and can generate a page of thumbnails, in any pre-configured size, at the press of the "T" key. It can also be configured to open the required file, in any processing/editing program you choose, at the press of a couple more keys, "Shift+1" and upwards.
The program can also be used for very basic dust-spotting, cropping and resizing without ever having to open a bigger package

Retro Snapper · 12-05-2020, 02:41 AM

Search for Windows Raw image extension.
Download and it allows you to view PEF files in Windows 10 picture viewer.
You can even apply the Windows edits ad save as a jpeg

Dhebard · 12-07-2020, 02:50 PM

I too, have Windows 10 and have no problem viewing the PEF thumbnails.

MikeMcE · 12-07-2020, 05:37 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Retro Snapper

Search for Windows Raw image extension.
Download and it allows you to view PEF files in Windows 10 picture viewer.
You can even apply the Windows edits ad save as a jpeg

Yep, but shooting in DNG is less effort

Hang up and DRIVE!

Not a Number · 12-07-2020, 06:32 PM

Originally posted by MikeMcE

Yep, but shooting in DNG is less effort

A few mouse clicks isn't much effort. And shooting in DNG doesn't solve the problem for existing PEFs

12-07-2020, 02:50 PM	#25
Dhebard Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2020 Posts: 63	Windows 10 I too, have Windows 10 and have no problem viewing the PEF thumbnails.

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12-04-2020, 12:30 PM	#16
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	As I recall Windows 10 only supports PEFs from up to the K-5 or K-3. Shows the preview thumbnails fine from my K10D. I might be wrong but I seem to recall if you install the Adobe Camera Raw and DNG converter Windows will then show PEF thumbnails up to what ever camera PEFs Adobe supports. Irfanview should show the preview thumbnails if you install the plugin but I don't know what the most recent body it supports.

12-04-2020, 12:50 PM - 1 Like	#17
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by automorphism The "Pix" program available in many Linux distros can open all the Raws at once in a folder and give you a preview of the each of the Raws but it just looks at the thumbnail an doesn't actually open the Raw data itself. Gnome's Nautilus file browser supports thumbnails for both DNG and PEF. The same is true of KDE Plasma's Dolphin. Steve

12-04-2020, 01:58 PM	#18
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,222	Originally posted by stevebrot FWIW, I prefer to not have Windows open preview thumbnails for RAW files. The process eats time I wonder if this maybe the root of the OPs problem. If i open a folder containing DNG TIFF JPEG files, the DNG are always the last to show a picture preview. Occasionally the DNGs only show up after i close and re-open the folder Perhaps it is just a resources issue

12-04-2020, 02:18 PM	#19
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pschlute Perhaps it is just a resources issue Perhaps, though Windows 10 is pretty well-known for not supporting PEF and several other RAW file types. I installed the Adobe DNG codec myself; otherwise, it would probably not be supported either on my system. Steve

12-04-2020, 02:33 PM - 1 Like	#20
officiousbystander Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 916	Have you tried the MS Raw Image Extension app? Microsoft Releases Free RAW Image Viewer Extension for Windows 10 Don't know if PEF is included here. With my Pentax cameras I always select the DNG option.

12-04-2020, 03:23 PM	#21
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,342	Other legally-free software that I have successfully used to open both PEF and DNG files (from K10, K20 and K3) are IrfanView and XnView - both have editing facilities too, and can be set up to open fies in other editors, including Photoshop. Irfanview will open the embedded JPG file unless set up to open the RAW file, of whatever variety, in Options.

12-04-2020, 06:18 PM - 1 Like	#22
stemked Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indianapolis Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 527 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot FWIW, I prefer to not have Windows open preview thumbnails for RAW files. The process eats time and I tend to be impatient. As a result, I do my culling after import into Lightroom and use the Library module for that task. If one needs a fast means to do initial screening/culls, the free version of Fastone is very decent for that purpose. FastStone Image Viewer - Powerful and Intuitive Photo Viewer, Editor and Batch Converter Steve Thank you! Works like a dream!

12-05-2020, 12:25 AM - 1 Like	#23
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,600	Irfanview IrfanView - Official Homepage - One of the Most Popular Viewers Worldwide will preview most formats virtually instantly and can generate a page of thumbnails, in any pre-configured size, at the press of the "T" key. It can also be configured to open the required file, in any processing/editing program you choose, at the press of a couple more keys, "Shift+1" and upwards. The program can also be used for very basic dust-spotting, cropping and resizing without ever having to open a bigger package

12-05-2020, 02:41 AM	#24
Retro Snapper Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 32	Search for Windows Raw image extension. Download and it allows you to view PEF files in Windows 10 picture viewer. You can even apply the Windows edits ad save as a jpeg

12-07-2020, 05:37 PM - 1 Like	#26
MikeMcE Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2020 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,093	Originally posted by Retro Snapper Search for Windows Raw image extension. Download and it allows you to view PEF files in Windows 10 picture viewer. You can even apply the Windows edits ad save as a jpeg Yep, but shooting in DNG is less effort Hang up and DRIVE!

12-07-2020, 06:32 PM	#27
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by MikeMcE Yep, but shooting in DNG is less effort A few mouse clicks isn't much effort. And shooting in DNG doesn't solve the problem for existing PEFs