k-30 .dng k5II .pef

just noticed this when importing pics from both cameras into Lightroom 4

seems strange to me?!?!

Could you explain please?

What is it that seems strange to you?

The topic title suggests that your K-30 is setup to save RAW files in DNG format whilst your K5II is set to save them as .PEF (default).

If that's the issue, change one or the other in the menu system.

its not an issue.. both cameras are set to RAW but one is .dng and t'other .pef which for the 2 current cameras I find strange.. not had the k-30 long so will check the menus but as far as I am aware no option to change .dng to .pef

Sure you can choose dng or pef in both bodies

The K-30 only supports .dng as a RAW format. The K-5II supports both formats. You can change the format in the K-5II in the menus. PEF is the default RAW mode.

I use .dng with my K-5 II.

[quote:3496ace15f="Gwyn"] The K-30 only supports .dng as a RAW format.

That's right, no PEF on the K30

Could DNG have the added benefit in that you wouldn't need the specific camera RAW to use programmes such as Lightroom? For example the K5 is not supported in LR3 but DNG is.

Yes dng is standard raw file so will work with nearly all image / raw editors

Er.. My copy of LR3 has no problem with PEF file from my K5!

The DNG files from my K30 and K5 are different, DCU4 will open those from the K5 but not the K30 ones. The third party editors I use (Helicon Filter, RAWTherapee and Sagelight) can open both with no problems. Silkypix Developer Sudio3 will open the K30 files but not the K5 DNGs!!
Quite why Pentax supplies software that is camera specific is beyond me, as you say most other applications can cope with whatever it is that varies between the "standard" DNGs that Pentax models produce.

DNG is supposed to be universal. PEF, like all other RAW formats, will be camera specific.

JPEG can be read by everything, which is the direction I have gone from the start. This has advantages for forwards and backwards compatibility.

The paid for Silkypix can open both K-30 and K-5 DNGs. It's only the freebie versions that are limited.

DNG is universal as you said, John, so forward and backwards compatibility is not an issue.

Thanks for that update, I didn't know that. I'm not a fan of the Silkypix software that comes with the K30 but I quite like DCU4, especially the ease of applying the lens corrections. I have tried DXO Optics but wasn't a great fan of that either. I find RAWTherapee pretty good and Sagelight very useful and easy to use too.