Converting RAW PEF files from Pentax K7 camera into JPG

andysue · 03-15-2021, 01:05 PM

I have recently acquired a Pentax K7 camera to add to my collection of Pentax cameras. It did not come with any software CD

My other DSLR is a Pentax istDS and it came with PENTAX PHOTO laboratory 3 software which I have loaded onto my laptop to convert the RAW PEF files from the Pentax istDS camera into JPG files.

However, I was surprised to find out that this earlier PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 software does not accept or convert the RAW PEF files from the K7 camera.

How do I convert the RAW PEF files from the K7 camera into JPG files?

Is there an update for PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 software to accept the K7 RAW PEF files?

I have successfully used PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 software since 2004 and I enjoy its simplicity and effectiveness.

Your assistance please

MarkJerling · 03-15-2021, 01:54 PM

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.

Haenzel · 03-15-2021, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by andysue

I have recently acquired a Pentax K7 camera to add to my collection of Pentax cameras. It did not come with any software CD

My other DSLR is a Pentax istDS and it came with PENTAX PHOTO laboratory 3 software which I have loaded onto my laptop to convert the RAW PEF files from the Pentax istDS camera into JPG files.

However, I was surprised to find out that this earlier PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 software does not accept or convert the RAW PEF files from the K7 camera.

How do I convert the RAW PEF files from the K7 camera into JPG files?

Is there an update for PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 software to accept the K7 RAW PEF files?

I have successfully used PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 software since 2004 and I enjoy its simplicity and effectiveness.

Your assistance please

You can use a trial version of Silkypix. After 30 days you have to pay for the license. You can also download Digikam, which is a very nice free photo organizer quite capable of editing raw files, including PEF.

**Lowell Goudge** · 03-15-2021, 02:42 PM

There used to be a RAW to DNG converter that you could use to then open the camera specific raw files as DNG in any photo editor

**Alex645** · 03-15-2021, 03:18 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by andysue

How do I convert the RAW PEF files from the K7 camera into JPG files?
Your assistance please

For starters, you can get the Adobe DNG Converter (for Windows or Mac) for free:
Adobe Digital Negative Converter

One perk of the Adobe DNG Converter is that you can rename your files.

Once it's a DNG, there are dozens of applications that can convert it to jpeg; some free, some with a nominal cost, and some requiring a subscription.

Roadboat24 · 03-15-2021, 03:42 PM

faststone image viewer can convert PEF to JPEG. And it's free

**erikro** · 03-15-2021, 03:57 PM

You can set the camera to take JPG .

35mmfilmfan · 03-15-2021, 04:11 PM

Originally posted by Roadboat24

faststone image viewer can convert PEF to JPEG. And it's free

Ditto XnView - free, and has editing facilities.

You can also save files in DNG format, instead of PEF, in the camera - check the manual.

kypfer · 03-15-2021, 05:27 PM

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 https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/193-pentax-k-70/421485-b-w-process.html#post5229911

ChristianRock · 03-15-2021, 06:53 PM

Get Rawtherapee. It's free and very powerful.

micl161 · 03-15-2021, 10:39 PM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

Get Rawtherapee. It's free and very powerful.

RAWtherapee +1

**StiffLegged** · 03-15-2021, 11:52 PM

Congratulations on the K-7, it’s what I use myself. As you can see there’s lots of options available, I’ll only add that shooting in DNG is a better supported format if you want to do some editing before converting the images to JPG, plus there’s no loss of quality compared to PEF. My old version of Adobe Camera Raw reads the files without issues to edit in Photoshop CS4.

andysue · 03-16-2021, 02:36 AM

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

Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/421717-converting-raw-pef-files-pentax-k7-camera-into-jpg"

Thank you, Mark
When I followed that, it prompted me for the original DCU 4 CD....which of course I don't have!
Sorry if I'm being a bit dumb!
Regards
Andy

Not a Number · 03-16-2021, 04:48 AM - **1 Like**

You can "develop" the Raw files in camera even if shot only in RAW only. View the image - press the Fn button - pick the RAW > JPEG option. Follow the prompts from there. You can apply some basic sharpening and color correction before saving.

andysue · 03-16-2021, 10:11 AM

Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan

Ditto XnView - free, and has editing facilities.

You can also save files in DNG format, instead of PEF, in the camera - check the manual.

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

03-15-2021, 01:05 PM	#1
andysue New Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Howick, KZN, South Africa Posts: 6	Converting RAW PEF files from Pentax K7 camera into JPG I have recently acquired a Pentax K7 camera to add to my collection of Pentax cameras. It did not come with any software CD My other DSLR is a Pentax istDS and it came with PENTAX PHOTO laboratory 3 software which I have loaded onto my laptop to convert the RAW PEF files from the Pentax istDS camera into JPG files. However, I was surprised to find out that this earlier PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 software does not accept or convert the RAW PEF files from the K7 camera. How do I convert the RAW PEF files from the K7 camera into JPG files? Is there an update for PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 software to accept the K7 RAW PEF files? I have successfully used PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 software since 2004 and I enjoy its simplicity and effectiveness. Your assistance please

03-15-2021, 04:11 PM	#8
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,342	Originally posted by Roadboat24 faststone image viewer can convert PEF to JPEG. And it's free Ditto XnView - free, and has editing facilities. You can also save files in DNG format, instead of PEF, in the camera - check the manual. Last edited by 35mmfilmfan; 03-15-2021 at 06:03 PM.

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03-15-2021, 01:54 PM	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	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.

03-15-2021, 01:54 PM	#3
Haenzel Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 151	Originally posted by andysue I have recently acquired a Pentax K7 camera to add to my collection of Pentax cameras. It did not come with any software CD My other DSLR is a Pentax istDS and it came with PENTAX PHOTO laboratory 3 software which I have loaded onto my laptop to convert the RAW PEF files from the Pentax istDS camera into JPG files. However, I was surprised to find out that this earlier PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 software does not accept or convert the RAW PEF files from the K7 camera. How do I convert the RAW PEF files from the K7 camera into JPG files? Is there an update for PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 software to accept the K7 RAW PEF files? I have successfully used PENTAX PHOTO Laboratory 3 software since 2004 and I enjoy its simplicity and effectiveness. Your assistance please You can use a trial version of Silkypix. After 30 days you have to pay for the license. You can also download Digikam, which is a very nice free photo organizer quite capable of editing raw files, including PEF.

03-15-2021, 02:42 PM	#4
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,892	There used to be a RAW to DNG converter that you could use to then open the camera specific raw files as DNG in any photo editor

03-15-2021, 03:18 PM - 1 Like	#5
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,527	Originally posted by andysue How do I convert the RAW PEF files from the K7 camera into JPG files? Your assistance please For starters, you can get the Adobe DNG Converter (for Windows or Mac) for free: Adobe Digital Negative Converter One perk of the Adobe DNG Converter is that you can rename your files. Once it's a DNG, there are dozens of applications that can convert it to jpeg; some free, some with a nominal cost, and some requiring a subscription.

03-15-2021, 03:42 PM	#6
Roadboat24 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 490	faststone image viewer can convert PEF to JPEG. And it's free

03-15-2021, 03:57 PM	#7
erikro Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ølgod, Denmark Photos: Gallery Posts: 135	You can set the camera to take JPG .

03-15-2021, 05:27 PM	#9
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 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 https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/193-pentax-k-70/421485-b-w-process.html#post5229911

03-15-2021, 06:53 PM	#10
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,912	Get Rawtherapee. It's free and very powerful.

03-15-2021, 10:39 PM	#11
micl161 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 127	Originally posted by ChristianRock Get Rawtherapee. It's free and very powerful. RAWtherapee +1

03-15-2021, 11:52 PM	#12
StiffLegged Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,640	Congratulations on the K-7, it’s what I use myself. As you can see there’s lots of options available, I’ll only add that shooting in DNG is a better supported format if you want to do some editing before converting the images to JPG, plus there’s no loss of quality compared to PEF. My old version of Adobe Camera Raw reads the files without issues to edit in Photoshop CS4.

03-16-2021, 02:36 AM	#13
andysue New Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Howick, KZN, South Africa Posts: 6 Original Poster	"In order to install DCU4 without an installation CD, see this thread: Pentax Digital Camera Utility - installation - PentaxForums.com Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/421717-converting-raw-pef-files-pentax-k7-camera-into-jpg" Thank you, Mark When I followed that, it prompted me for the original DCU 4 CD....which of course I don't have! Sorry if I'm being a bit dumb! Regards Andy

03-16-2021, 04:48 AM - 1 Like	#14
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	You can "develop" the Raw files in camera even if shot only in RAW only. View the image - press the Fn button - pick the RAW > JPEG option. Follow the prompts from there. You can apply some basic sharpening and color correction before saving.

03-16-2021, 10:11 AM	#15
andysue New Member Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: Howick, KZN, South Africa Posts: 6 Original Poster	Originally posted by 35mmfilmfan Ditto XnView - free, and has editing facilities. You can also save files in DNG format, instead of PEF, in the camera - check the manual. 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