Out of box Pentax software

Seafood · 01-07-2008, 02:27 PM

Does anyone use the PP software that comes with DSLR's? I have a 100d I got back March. Have been using Picasa but looking at playing with RAW. Is the software that comes with the camera any good or would I just be wasting time? I really dont want to drop $100 on PS.

thanks

**Canada_Rockies** · 01-07-2008, 03:22 PM

Originally posted by Seafood

Does anyone use the PP software that comes with DSLR's? I have a 100d I got back March. Have been using Picasa but looking at playing with RAW. Is the software that comes with the camera any good or would I just be wasting time? I really dont want to drop $100 on PS.

thanks

It's fine. I have never used Picasa, so I cannot compare them. The Pentax editing software is (as it says on the package) SilkyPix, which is a good low level post processor.

kent vinyard · 01-07-2008, 03:35 PM

Seafood,
Picasa will convert Pentax raw to jpeg --not real fast but it does a pretty good job. You can also get Faststone for free on the web and it will convert raw also

Jodokast96 · 01-07-2008, 04:47 PM

The Pentax interface sucks and it's a bit slow, but it does ok. Picasa does ok and is easier to use, but doesn't have quite as many options. If all I need is a simple conversion, I go with Picasa. I only use the Pentax if I need to use the extra stuff.

philmorley · 01-07-2008, 05:27 PM

take a look at raw therapee (Raw Therapee - News) it is slowish but good and free

WMBP · 01-07-2008, 06:59 PM

Picasa is actually better than it looks. Not nearly good enough, but pretty good, for folks who just want to make quick adjustments to color balance, contrast, etc.

The problem with Picasa for processing raw files is that it cannot read the EXIF data. You can supplement it with a program like PhotoME or Exifer, but the truth is that Picasa was designed for jpegs, not raw processing.

SpecialK · 01-07-2008, 07:57 PM

It's a bit clunky but functional. It's all I use, or need, for converting.

bymy141 · 01-08-2008, 02:30 PM

Picasa is good, however not as versatile as many other packages.
Picasa is faster and easier than most software and it is for free.
Not bad at all!

The K10D in camera jpeg conversion has its limits. See the many reviews on the web.
The Pentax software uses the same conversion algorithms, so there is no advantage over the in camera raw conversion option (which is a rather unique feature by the way).

Try Lightroom (no, I have no Adobe stock

- Bert

rfortson · 01-08-2008, 03:55 PM

If you don't have any preconceived notions about how a raw converter should work, then the Pentax Photolab interface shouldn't bother you. It's not that it's bad (IMHO), it's that it's completely different from just about every other raw converter (except Silky Pix).

As for the conversion, it's generally regarded to do a better job than most at the conversion (as it should, coming from the manufacturer). It doesn't have the fine control that programs like Adobe has, but the results are generally good. I find that it's much quicker than Photoshop Elements 5, or Lightroom, but the Adobe programs have many more options if you really want to get the absolute best from your shots.

JrPentax · 01-08-2008, 03:58 PM

unfortunatley i am stuck on iphoto as my camera did come with software - but the cd/dvd drive on my computer is dead - i would love to get the software on my mac but without the drive working its going to be a little difficult...

Jodokast96 · 01-08-2008, 05:18 PM

Originally posted by JrPentax

unfortunatley i am stuck on iphoto as my camera did come with software - but the cd/dvd drive on my computer is dead - i would love to get the software on my mac but without the drive working its going to be a little difficult...

How about putting it on a USB thumb drive at a friends or relatives house?

hinckc · 01-08-2008, 05:26 PM

I love the Pentax Photo Lab software for RAW conversion. I use it for conversion, even though I import and preview my RAW's with Picasa to decide what's worth converting.

-Chris

JrPentax · 01-08-2008, 06:06 PM

i THOUGHT i was the only mac user i knew - but i just found out i am not - so i am going to do your suggestion jodokast96

thanks for that idea - all it took was to ask around - know anyone with a mac...

:-)

digitaldevo · 01-08-2008, 06:11 PM

Try Irfanview + DCRaw. Works great together. Not much to tweak, but does a great conversion.

weatherwise2 · 01-08-2008, 06:44 PM

I started using the pentax software then switched to Picasso to get more options. I tried GIMP with some raw conversion plugin but I never got the hang of it and went through quite a few hours of working with tutorials. I have been trying the trial version of Capture One and now Lightroom for raw conversion to give me more options. I like Lightroom best and will probably get it. I like the ability of either Capture One and Lightroom to give you more options of pulling details out of darker areas and reducing the burnout of highlight areas. Also in LR more control over individual colors for saturation. Kinda of fun to play with these. I have not tried PS Elements yet although do plan on doing so. Hopefully my initial photographs are good enough where I really don't have to go to layers to extract information. Those processes don't seem like fun.

01-07-2008, 02:27 PM	#1
Seafood Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 53	Out of box Pentax software Does anyone use the PP software that comes with DSLR's? I have a 100d I got back March. Have been using Picasa but looking at playing with RAW. Is the software that comes with the camera any good or would I just be wasting time? I really dont want to drop $100 on PS. thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
For Sale - Sold: Original Pentax K100D Retail Box (box only) -- Free!	wallyb	Sold Items	3	02-05-2010 07:36 AM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax ist-D Body in orig. box, w/software, cable and manual	alsterling	Sold Items	1	01-21-2010 02:34 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax 18-55mm lens hood with box (no lens, just hood and box)	drabina	Sold Items	3	09-13-2008 06:21 PM

01-07-2008, 03:22 PM	#2
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by Seafood Does anyone use the PP software that comes with DSLR's? I have a 100d I got back March. Have been using Picasa but looking at playing with RAW. Is the software that comes with the camera any good or would I just be wasting time? I really dont want to drop $100 on PS. thanks It's fine. I have never used Picasa, so I cannot compare them. The Pentax editing software is (as it says on the package) SilkyPix, which is a good low level post processor.

01-07-2008, 03:35 PM	#3
kent vinyard Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Norman, Oklahoma USA Posts: 348	Seafood, Picasa will convert Pentax raw to jpeg --not real fast but it does a pretty good job. You can also get Faststone for free on the web and it will convert raw also

01-07-2008, 04:47 PM	#4
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	The Pentax interface sucks and it's a bit slow, but it does ok. Picasa does ok and is easier to use, but doesn't have quite as many options. If all I need is a simple conversion, I go with Picasa. I only use the Pentax if I need to use the extra stuff.

01-07-2008, 05:27 PM	#5
philmorley Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: in a house in Armidale, Australia Posts: 472	take a look at raw therapee (Raw Therapee - News) it is slowish but good and free

01-07-2008, 06:59 PM	#6
WMBP Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,482	Picasa is actually better than it looks. Not nearly good enough, but pretty good, for folks who just want to make quick adjustments to color balance, contrast, etc. The problem with Picasa for processing raw files is that it cannot read the EXIF data. You can supplement it with a program like PhotoME or Exifer, but the truth is that Picasa was designed for jpegs, not raw processing.

01-07-2008, 07:57 PM	#7
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	It's a bit clunky but functional. It's all I use, or need, for converting.

01-08-2008, 02:30 PM	#8
bymy141 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,563	Picasa is good, however not as versatile as many other packages. Picasa is faster and easier than most software and it is for free. Not bad at all! The K10D in camera jpeg conversion has its limits. See the many reviews on the web. The Pentax software uses the same conversion algorithms, so there is no advantage over the in camera raw conversion option (which is a rather unique feature by the way). Try Lightroom (no, I have no Adobe stock - Bert

01-08-2008, 03:55 PM	#9
rfortson Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Houston TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,129	If you don't have any preconceived notions about how a raw converter should work, then the Pentax Photolab interface shouldn't bother you. It's not that it's bad (IMHO), it's that it's completely different from just about every other raw converter (except Silky Pix). As for the conversion, it's generally regarded to do a better job than most at the conversion (as it should, coming from the manufacturer). It doesn't have the fine control that programs like Adobe has, but the results are generally good. I find that it's much quicker than Photoshop Elements 5, or Lightroom, but the Adobe programs have many more options if you really want to get the absolute best from your shots.

01-08-2008, 03:58 PM	#10
JrPentax Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 93	unfortunatley i am stuck on iphoto as my camera did come with software - but the cd/dvd drive on my computer is dead - i would love to get the software on my mac but without the drive working its going to be a little difficult...

01-08-2008, 05:18 PM	#11
Jodokast96 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Erial, NJ USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,134	Originally posted by JrPentax unfortunatley i am stuck on iphoto as my camera did come with software - but the cd/dvd drive on my computer is dead - i would love to get the software on my mac but without the drive working its going to be a little difficult... How about putting it on a USB thumb drive at a friends or relatives house?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

01-08-2008, 05:26 PM	#12
hinckc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: New Jersey, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 298	I love the Pentax Photo Lab software for RAW conversion. I use it for conversion, even though I import and preview my RAW's with Picasa to decide what's worth converting. -Chris

01-08-2008, 06:06 PM	#13
JrPentax Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Melbourne, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 93	i THOUGHT i was the only mac user i knew - but i just found out i am not - so i am going to do your suggestion jodokast96 thanks for that idea - all it took was to ask around - know anyone with a mac... :-)

01-08-2008, 06:11 PM	#14
digitaldevo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: PA, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 154	Try Irfanview + DCRaw. Works great together. Not much to tweak, but does a great conversion.

01-08-2008, 06:44 PM	#15
weatherwise2 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Warwick, RI Photos: Gallery Posts: 740	I started using the pentax software then switched to Picasso to get more options. I tried GIMP with some raw conversion plugin but I never got the hang of it and went through quite a few hours of working with tutorials. I have been trying the trial version of Capture One and now Lightroom for raw conversion to give me more options. I like Lightroom best and will probably get it. I like the ability of either Capture One and Lightroom to give you more options of pulling details out of darker areas and reducing the burnout of highlight areas. Also in LR more control over individual colors for saturation. Kinda of fun to play with these. I have not tried PS Elements yet although do plan on doing so. Hopefully my initial photographs are good enough where I really don't have to go to layers to extract information. Those processes don't seem like fun.