Visit MPB Visit MPB Visit MPB

Can't open KR .PEF Files in CS3

simonjames
Posted 11/09/2011 - 17:53 Link
Hi all,

After using a K10 set on PEF files for a number of years, I decided to get a KR, and when setting it up, set it to record PEF files just as the K10 did, no problem until I tried to open them in CS3, came up with 'wrong type of document', K10 PEFs open no problem.

After comparing the properties of the K10s and KRs PEFs, the only difference I can see is the KRs are larger files. So now I've set the KR to DNG with no problems, but what do I do with all the PEFs I would like to open?

Any other Pentax users had the same problem?
No equipment list, lifes too short!
johnriley
Posted 11/09/2011 - 18:01 - Helpful Comment Link
Every RAW file is specific to a camera model, and this is true of all marques. So when new cameras are released, Adobe will release updates to ACR to enable Photoshop to handle the new version of the PEF.

You should update ACR, your CS3 raw converter. If as eventually happens your version of Photoshop is no longer supported then you will need to update Photoshop itself by upgrading to the newer version.

The alternative is you use the Pentax Laboratory raw converter supplied with the camera.
Best regards, John
Anvh
Posted 11/09/2011 - 18:01 - Helpful Comment Link
Use the Adobe DNG converter to convert the PEF into DNG so you can open them.
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/extend.displayTab2.html#downloads

The problem is that every model camera make their own type of PEF file so the PEF file of a K10D is different from the K20D.
Therefore Adobe (or any other program) needs to be update to read the file correctly.
And since CS3 is older generation Adobe haven't update it to include the PEF files of the Kr so you need to buy CS5 for that.
Luckily you can just use DNG though.
Stefan
Comment Image

K10D, K5
DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, D-FA 100 Macro, DA 40 Ltd, DA 18-55
AF-540FGZ
Edited by Anvh: 11/09/2011 - 18:04
grahamwalton
Posted 11/09/2011 - 19:36 - Helpful Comment Link
I do not think you will be able to upgrade CS3, to be able to read Pentax KR PEF files.
I had the same problem and decided it was better to change to DNG raw files.
As has been suggested you can use the free Adobe DNG converter to translate your PEF files to DNG. Or you can use the Pentax Laboratory program.
Another alternative is to buy Adobe Photoshop Elements 9. This program can be bought from £50.
Friendly Regards
Graham
Mannesty
Posted 11/09/2011 - 20:57 - Helpful Comment Link
Photoshop is dependant on Adobe Camera RAW (ACR) to process raw images. Not to miss out on profits, Adobe changes the version of ACR with each release of Photoshop. To you, that means that your version of Photoshop has a version of ACR that does not support your camera's files.

They do however, as Stefan points out, produce a free DNG RAW converter.

If your camera can save it's raw images as DNG instead of PEF, use that instead. PS CS3 should then be able to work with your images.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Edited by Mannesty: 11/09/2011 - 20:58
bernado
Posted 12/09/2011 - 18:44 Link
K-r does indeed generate DNG files if selected as RAW format.
Charlotte
Posted 12/09/2011 - 19:11 - Helpful Comment Link
I had problems with PEF as well. I uploaded them into the pentax photo processing package and changed them to DNG there.

I then told the K-r to save RAW as DNG, by going into the menu, no 4 on the camera picture tab, second choice down 'RAW file format' cange frp PEF to DNG. I don't have a problem now - except with picasa which for some reason places a thin black line down the right hand side of the picture.

Kind regards
Charlotte

Add Comment

To leave a comment - Log in to Pentax User or create a new account.