Converting RAW PEF files from Pentax K7 camera into JPG

andysue · 03-16-2021, 10:15 AM

Originally posted by MarkJerling

Welcome to the forum!

You'll need PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4 for your K-7. Alternatively, set your RAW files to DNG rather than PEF and you should be able to view the images on any Windows 10 machine without any conversion neccesary.

In order to install DCU4 without an installation CD, see this thread: Pentax Digital Camera Utility - installation - PentaxForums.com

Unless, of course, you have Lightroom, in which case you don't need DCU4.

Hi Mark
I like the idea of downloading PENTAX DCU4 but I don't have the original CD.
How do I go about this? Is there a website where I can get the full software and not just an "update"?
Thanks
Andy

noblepa · 03-16-2021, 10:54 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by andysue

Sounds good to save in DNG...but I've checked the Manual carefully for the K7 and I can't find that option.
Am I missing anything?
Andy

I don't have a K7 (I have a K5), but it looks like Rec Mode 1 sets the file format to Jpeg/Raw/Raw+Jpeg.

Rec mode 4 sets the Raw File Format to PEF/DNG.

See page 189 of the user manual.

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/k-7.pdf

andysue · 03-16-2021, 12:58 PM

Originally posted by kypfer

IrfanView IrfanView - Official Homepage - One of the Most Popular Viewers Worldwide will read and convert PEF files (and just about any other format) … will even do basic spotting and exposure correction … and it's free … been using it for years

Having said that, the Pentax-supplied "Digital Camera Utility" program is also free and far more capable, once you get to grips with it's quirky and cryptic interface. Get all the info for downloading and installing it here B&W Process - PentaxForums.com

I followed your instructions, put in an 8Gb stick with only one file "S-SW168" but it still says it cannot find the target and the installation is cancelled!!
Very frustrating!
Andy

---------- Post added 03-16-21 at 01:04 PM ----------

Originally posted by noblepa

I don't have a K7 (I have a K5), but it looks like Rec Mode 1 sets the file format to Jpeg/Raw/Raw+Jpeg.

Rec mode 4 sets the Raw File Format to PEF/DNG.

See page 189 of the user manual.

http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/k-7.pdf

Well done
Thank you...I had missed that...I'm finding a huge jump from my istDS and I'm learning more about this beautiful K7 camera every day!

kypfer · 03-16-2021, 02:37 PM

Originally posted by andysue

I followed your instructions, put in an 8Gb stick with only one file "S-SW168" but it still says it cannot find the target and the installation is cancelled!!
Very frustrating!
Andy

It's not a "file" but the "Label" of the stick that needs to be named.
In Windows Explorer, if you "right-click" on the device and choose "Properties" there's a space at the top of the "General" tab for the label. If it's already called something else you'll need to change it.
Alternatively, if you're happy working from the command prompt, type "Label X: S-SW168", without the quotes, where X is the drive letter for your device.
Sorry, but I can't help with any other operating system

The concept does work, I used it when my K-5 was still my "current" camera and I wanted to see if I could benefit from the newer software

MarkJerling · 03-16-2021, 03:12 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by andysue

Hi Mark
I like the idea of downloading PENTAX DCU4 but I don't have the original CD.
How do I go about this? Is there a website where I can get the full software and not just an "update"?
Thanks
Andy

Hi Andy

I've just tested this on a Windows 10 machine.

Steps:
1. Download the DCU4 software from here: PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4 Update for Windows : Software Downloads | RICOH IMAGING
2. Your machine will save the file to your Downloads folder. The file name is PBLU0440.exe
3. Take any USB drive and plug it into one of the USB drives in your machine.
4. Find the USB drive in Windows Explorer. Right click on the stick in Explorer and click "rename". OR Format the USB stick and rename it using the format utility. Rename the USB stick as S-SW90
5. There need not be any files on the USB stick. Leave the USB stick plugged in to your computer.
6. Run the installer.

Enjoy!

andysue · 03-17-2021, 12:33 AM - **1 Like**

Finally got it!!
Called the stick "S-SW90"....not "S-SW186"...Hallelujah...another hurdle crossed...we learn something every day!
Thank you

kypfer · 03-17-2021, 12:37 AM

Originally posted by andysue

Finally got it!!
Called the stick "S-SW90"....not "S-SW186"...Hallelujah...another hurdle crossed...we learn something every day!
Thank you

Sorry … I'd assumed you would have been downloading the newest version (v5.8.6) of the program

Pleased you've got it working.
Enjoy

Not a Number · 03-17-2021, 04:46 PM

The installation software for 4.x tells you what disc labels it is looking for.

Note that v5.8x is fully backwards compatible with all the K series DSLR models. I use it with the PEFs from my K10D. You can go directly from v3.x to v5.x without having to update to v4.x. Just use one of the CD-ROM labels listed on the download page e.g:

Objective CD-ROM S-SW140, S-SW150, S-SW151, S-SW156, S-SW160, S-SW162, CD-ROM for GRll, S-SW168, S-SW167, S-SW171

IMO the 5.x interface is slightly improved over 4.x.

03-16-2021, 03:12 PM - 1 Like	#20
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,422	Originally posted by andysue Hi Mark I like the idea of downloading PENTAX DCU4 but I don't have the original CD. How do I go about this? Is there a website where I can get the full software and not just an "update"? Thanks Andy Hi Andy I've just tested this on a Windows 10 machine. Steps: 1. Download the DCU4 software from here: PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4 Update for Windows : Software Downloads \| RICOH IMAGING 2. Your machine will save the file to your Downloads folder. The file name is PBLU0440.exe 3. Take any USB drive and plug it into one of the USB drives in your machine. 4. Find the USB drive in Windows Explorer. Right click on the stick in Explorer and click "rename". OR Format the USB stick and rename it using the format utility. Rename the USB stick as S-SW90 5. There need not be any files on the USB stick. Leave the USB stick plugged in to your computer. 6. Run the installer. Enjoy! Attached Images

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03-16-2021, 10:15 AM	#16
andysue New Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Howick, KZN, South Africa Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by MarkJerling Welcome to the forum! You'll need PENTAX Digital Camera Utility 4 for your K-7. Alternatively, set your RAW files to DNG rather than PEF and you should be able to view the images on any Windows 10 machine without any conversion neccesary. In order to install DCU4 without an installation CD, see this thread: Pentax Digital Camera Utility - installation - PentaxForums.com Unless, of course, you have Lightroom, in which case you don't need DCU4. Hi Mark I like the idea of downloading PENTAX DCU4 but I don't have the original CD. How do I go about this? Is there a website where I can get the full software and not just an "update"? Thanks Andy

03-16-2021, 10:54 AM - 1 Like	#17
noblepa Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Village, Ohio USA Posts: 1,142	Originally posted by andysue Sounds good to save in DNG...but I've checked the Manual carefully for the K7 and I can't find that option. Am I missing anything? Andy I don't have a K7 (I have a K5), but it looks like Rec Mode 1 sets the file format to Jpeg/Raw/Raw+Jpeg. Rec mode 4 sets the Raw File Format to PEF/DNG. See page 189 of the user manual. http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/k-7.pdf

03-16-2021, 12:58 PM	#18
andysue New Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Howick, KZN, South Africa Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by kypfer IrfanView IrfanView - Official Homepage - One of the Most Popular Viewers Worldwide will read and convert PEF files (and just about any other format) … will even do basic spotting and exposure correction … and it's free … been using it for years Having said that, the Pentax-supplied "Digital Camera Utility" program is also free and far more capable, once you get to grips with it's quirky and cryptic interface. Get all the info for downloading and installing it here B&W Process - PentaxForums.com I followed your instructions, put in an 8Gb stick with only one file "S-SW168" but it still says it cannot find the target and the installation is cancelled!! Very frustrating! Andy ---------- Post added 03-16-21 at 01:04 PM ---------- Originally posted by noblepa I don't have a K7 (I have a K5), but it looks like Rec Mode 1 sets the file format to Jpeg/Raw/Raw+Jpeg. Rec mode 4 sets the Raw File Format to PEF/DNG. See page 189 of the user manual. http://www.ricoh-imaging.co.jp/english/support/man-pdf/k-7.pdf Well done Thank you...I had missed that...I'm finding a huge jump from my istDS and I'm learning more about this beautiful K7 camera every day!

03-16-2021, 02:37 PM	#19
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,596	Originally posted by andysue I followed your instructions, put in an 8Gb stick with only one file "S-SW168" but it still says it cannot find the target and the installation is cancelled!! Very frustrating! Andy It's not a "file" but the "Label" of the stick that needs to be named. In Windows Explorer, if you "right-click" on the device and choose "Properties" there's a space at the top of the "General" tab for the label. If it's already called something else you'll need to change it. Alternatively, if you're happy working from the command prompt, type "Label X: S-SW168", without the quotes, where X is the drive letter for your device. Sorry, but I can't help with any other operating system The concept does work, I used it when my K-5 was still my "current" camera and I wanted to see if I could benefit from the newer software

03-17-2021, 12:33 AM - 1 Like	#21
andysue New Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Howick, KZN, South Africa Posts: 6 Original Poster	Finally got it!! Called the stick "S-SW90"....not "S-SW186"...Hallelujah...another hurdle crossed...we learn something every day! Thank you

03-17-2021, 12:37 AM	#22
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,596	Originally posted by andysue Finally got it!! Called the stick "S-SW90"....not "S-SW186"...Hallelujah...another hurdle crossed...we learn something every day! Thank you Sorry … I'd assumed you would have been downloading the newest version (v5.8.6) of the program Pleased you've got it working. Enjoy

03-17-2021, 04:46 PM	#23
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	The installation software for 4.x tells you what disc labels it is looking for. Note that v5.8x is fully backwards compatible with all the K series DSLR models. I use it with the PEFs from my K10D. You can go directly from v3.x to v5.x without having to update to v4.x. Just use one of the CD-ROM labels listed on the download page e.g: Objective CD-ROM S-SW140, S-SW150, S-SW151, S-SW156, S-SW160, S-SW162, CD-ROM for GRll, S-SW168, S-SW167, S-SW171 IMO the 5.x interface is slightly improved over 4.x.