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

**stemked** · 12-04-2020, 06:57 AM

A quick question for y'all. When I go to my photo files with my RAW PEF files in my PC, I only see generic icons instead of a preview of the image. So unless I take and save both JPG and PEF files, I don't have any way to preview images, I have to open them up individually in Photoshop and view them there. Is there some add-on software that I can use just to scan image files in my folders?

pschlute · 12-04-2020, 07:35 AM

Originally posted by stemked

A quick question for y'all. When I go to my photo files with my RAW PEF files in my PC, I only see generic icons instead of a preview of the image. So unless I take and save both JPG and PEF files, I don't have any way to preview images, I have to open them up individually in Photoshop and view them there. Is there some add-on software that I can use just to scan image files in my folders?

What operating system are you running ? On windows 10 I can see the preview thumbnails of both PEF and DNG raw formats in a normal folder.

There is a raw image extension download that will enable you to view a raw file in windows applications like photo viewer, you may need that for an older OS, and that may enable you to see the previews. An updated version of windows 10 should already have it

You will of course only be viewing the jpeg-preview contained within the raw file. To view the raw image itself you will need to open it in a raw converter like Adobe Camera Raw (inside Photoshop/Lightroom)

**stemked** · 12-04-2020, 07:41 AM

Originally posted by pschlute

What operating system are you running ? On windows 10 I can see the preview thumbnails of both PEF and DNG raw formats in a normal folder.

There is a raw image extension download that will enable you to view a raw file in windows applications like photo viewer, you may need that for an older OS, and that may enable you to see the previews. An updated version of windows 10 should already have it

You will of course only be viewing the jpeg-preview contained within the raw file. To view the raw image itself you will need to open it in a raw converter like Adobe Camera Raw (inside Photoshop/Lightroom)

It is actually version 10. Hmmm. We have two PCs, both running 10 and neither can see PEF files. Curious

**c.a.m** · 12-04-2020, 07:43 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stemked

Is there some add-on software that I can use just to scan image files in my folders?

I find that the FastStone Image Viewer is convenient for previewing images. It supports many file types and formats, including PEF files. And it's fast.

FastStone is freeware, but the creators would be happy to receive any donations.

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

- Craig

stevejo · 12-04-2020, 07:47 AM - **1 Like**

On my windows 10 (latest version) I can only see thumbnails for DNGs not PEFs regardless which program is set to load the PEF. I always have my RAW files set to DNG as I understand that they are basically the same but maybe with some EXIF information differences. I will stick with DNG.

**Michail_P** · 12-04-2020, 08:04 AM

FastStone can show PEF thumbnails.

crazy4oldcars · 12-04-2020, 09:27 AM

I seem to remember having to install a codec to make my win 10 machine show pef thumbs.
A quick search on the interwebs showed that download.cnet.com has a codec pack. Stick to known sources for the download, and you'll be fine.

Kirk B.

stevejo · 12-04-2020, 09:42 AM

PENTAX RAW codec software for Windows : Software Downloads | RICOH IMAGING

maybe this may help. It's a bit old though (2010)

stevebrot · 12-04-2020, 09:53 AM

Originally posted by stevejo

PENTAX RAW codec software for Windows : Software Downloads | RICOH IMAGING

maybe this may help. It's a bit old though (2010)

It is SLOWWWWW, very SLOWWWWW...

(Just tried it and immediately uninstalled...took two tries on the uninstall.)

Steve

stevejo · 12-04-2020, 09:56 AM

Just checked out the install on the Ricoh site. It installed ok - wanted a reboot and went through a bit of a set up when restarted, otherwise didn't cause any problems (yet). However it also still does not show the PEF thumbnails, so best not to bother with that one.

pschlute · 12-04-2020, 10:03 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by stemked

It is actually version 10. Hmmm. We have two PCs, both running 10 and neither can see PEF files. Curious

I would suggest you change the raw format in camera to DNG. I have not used PEF for over 10 years and I always shoot raw. maybe DNG is more likely to show up in win10.

You would still need to update the win 10 to see older files. Look here How to Open RAW Image Files on Windows 10

vector · 12-04-2020, 10:29 AM - **1 Like**

Adobe provides a DNG converter you can use to batch convert your PEF files to DNG. I have no problem seeing PEF thumbnails from my K5 but K3 and K1 don't work, so I switched to DNG in camera years ago. But the DNG converter works great for any of your existing PEF files.
Adobe Digital Negative Converter

stevebrot · 12-04-2020, 10:44 AM

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.

https://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm

Steve

reh321 · 12-04-2020, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

It is SLOWWWWW, very SLOWWWWW...

(Just tried it and immediately uninstalled...took two tries on the uninstall.)

Steve

Is "Shotwell" or "RawTherapee" any faster?
I use Linux, so I cannot test software on Windows.

automorphism · 12-04-2020, 12:09 PM

Originally posted by reh321

Is "Shotwell" or "RawTherapee" any faster?
I use Linux, so I cannot test software on Windows.

Rawtherapee is a good editor but is not fast for quick preview. 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.

12-04-2020, 06:57 AM	#1
stemked Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indianapolis Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 527	What software to view PEF files in folders on a PC? A quick question for y'all. When I go to my photo files with my RAW PEF files in my PC, I only see generic icons instead of a preview of the image. So unless I take and save both JPG and PEF files, I don't have any way to preview images, I have to open them up individually in Photoshop and view them there. Is there some add-on software that I can use just to scan image files in my folders?

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12-04-2020, 07:35 AM	#2
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,219	Originally posted by stemked A quick question for y'all. When I go to my photo files with my RAW PEF files in my PC, I only see generic icons instead of a preview of the image. So unless I take and save both JPG and PEF files, I don't have any way to preview images, I have to open them up individually in Photoshop and view them there. Is there some add-on software that I can use just to scan image files in my folders? What operating system are you running ? On windows 10 I can see the preview thumbnails of both PEF and DNG raw formats in a normal folder. There is a raw image extension download that will enable you to view a raw file in windows applications like photo viewer, you may need that for an older OS, and that may enable you to see the previews. An updated version of windows 10 should already have it You will of course only be viewing the jpeg-preview contained within the raw file. To view the raw image itself you will need to open it in a raw converter like Adobe Camera Raw (inside Photoshop/Lightroom)

12-04-2020, 07:41 AM	#3
stemked Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indianapolis Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 527 Original Poster	Originally posted by pschlute What operating system are you running ? On windows 10 I can see the preview thumbnails of both PEF and DNG raw formats in a normal folder. There is a raw image extension download that will enable you to view a raw file in windows applications like photo viewer, you may need that for an older OS, and that may enable you to see the previews. An updated version of windows 10 should already have it You will of course only be viewing the jpeg-preview contained within the raw file. To view the raw image itself you will need to open it in a raw converter like Adobe Camera Raw (inside Photoshop/Lightroom) It is actually version 10. Hmmm. We have two PCs, both running 10 and neither can see PEF files. Curious

12-04-2020, 07:43 AM - 1 Like	#4
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,194	Originally posted by stemked Is there some add-on software that I can use just to scan image files in my folders? I find that the FastStone Image Viewer is convenient for previewing images. It supports many file types and formats, including PEF files. And it's fast. FastStone is freeware, but the creators would be happy to receive any donations. FastStone Image Viewer - Powerful and Intuitive Photo Viewer, Editor and Batch Converter - Craig

12-04-2020, 07:47 AM - 1 Like	#5
stevejo Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Worcestershire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 527	On my windows 10 (latest version) I can only see thumbnails for DNGs not PEFs regardless which program is set to load the PEF. I always have my RAW files set to DNG as I understand that they are basically the same but maybe with some EXIF information differences. I will stick with DNG.

12-04-2020, 08:04 AM	#6
Michail_P Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Kalymnos Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,006	FastStone can show PEF thumbnails.

12-04-2020, 09:27 AM	#7
crazy4oldcars Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Beaumont, Texas Posts: 218	I seem to remember having to install a codec to make my win 10 machine show pef thumbs. A quick search on the interwebs showed that download.cnet.com has a codec pack. Stick to known sources for the download, and you'll be fine. Kirk B.

12-04-2020, 09:42 AM	#8
stevejo Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Worcestershire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 527	PENTAX RAW codec software for Windows : Software Downloads \| RICOH IMAGING maybe this may help. It's a bit old though (2010)

12-04-2020, 09:53 AM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by stevejo PENTAX RAW codec software for Windows : Software Downloads \| RICOH IMAGING maybe this may help. It's a bit old though (2010) It is SLOWWWWW, very SLOWWWWW... (Just tried it and immediately uninstalled...took two tries on the uninstall.) Steve

12-04-2020, 09:56 AM	#10
stevejo Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Worcestershire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 527	Just checked out the install on the Ricoh site. It installed ok - wanted a reboot and went through a bit of a set up when restarted, otherwise didn't cause any problems (yet). However it also still does not show the PEF thumbnails, so best not to bother with that one.

12-04-2020, 10:03 AM - 2 Likes	#11
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,219	Originally posted by stemked It is actually version 10. Hmmm. We have two PCs, both running 10 and neither can see PEF files. Curious I would suggest you change the raw format in camera to DNG. I have not used PEF for over 10 years and I always shoot raw. maybe DNG is more likely to show up in win10. You would still need to update the win 10 to see older files. Look here How to Open RAW Image Files on Windows 10

12-04-2020, 10:29 AM - 1 Like	#12
vector Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alberta Posts: 713	Adobe provides a DNG converter you can use to batch convert your PEF files to DNG. I have no problem seeing PEF thumbnails from my K5 but K3 and K1 don't work, so I switched to DNG in camera years ago. But the DNG converter works great for any of your existing PEF files. Adobe Digital Negative Converter

12-04-2020, 10:44 AM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	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. https://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm Steve

12-04-2020, 11:30 AM	#14
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,186	Originally posted by stevebrot It is SLOWWWWW, very SLOWWWWW... (Just tried it and immediately uninstalled...took two tries on the uninstall.) Steve Is "Shotwell" or "RawTherapee" any faster? I use Linux, so I cannot test software on Windows.

12-04-2020, 12:09 PM	#15
automorphism Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 791	Originally posted by reh321 Is "Shotwell" or "RawTherapee" any faster? I use Linux, so I cannot test software on Windows. Rawtherapee is a good editor but is not fast for quick preview. 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.