Pentax RAW codec

I bought my ist DL second hand so it didn't come with any software etc.
Now I've been using the highest quality JPG for my photos, but reading here and talking to people, RAW will allow me more flexibility in processing.

But, How do I get the RAW codec for windows 2000. I can see the download for Vista, but not earlier windows versions.

At the moment I have an old version of Paintshop Pro, I have downloaded Silkypix, but must have got the wrong download as it is a 14day evaluation copy.

I'm going away for the weekend and what I don't want to do is take a load of photos that I can't access on my PC when I get home.

I don't think there is a codec for pre Vista versions of Windows.

Irfanview is a free viewer that displays Pentax RAW pics when the PlugIns are installed. Compatible with Windows 2000. See www.irfanview.com

I think it and other normal viewer or browser programs actually just display the embedded highly compressed JPEG included in the RAW file. To see the full detail you need a proper RAW program like Silkypix.

By the way, I can send a copy of Pentax Browser for the cost of postage and a blank CD. It's a quite a decent and displays helpful Exif info in a neat way. It also comes with Pentax Lab - but I don't recommend that.

Thanks Pete.
I'm sure I saw a free version of SilkyPix, so I'll go and have a look and use that.

But thanks for the kind offer of the software, I might take you up on it

if you go to the silkypix download page here

http://www.isl.co.jp/SILKYPIX/english/download/

and scroll down past the link to shortcut software, you will come to the silkypix free edition download links. They are designated by a green background to the link.

Silky free edition is somewhat limited compared to the paid version, but is still a step up from Pentax Lab. Pentax browser is very handy though as Iceblinker mentioned.

Faststone Image viewer does RAW (PEF), it's free and uncomplicated
http://www.faststone.org/


Serendipity (Mick)

Raw Therapee is another great piece of software well worth downloading. Its free and allows you to edit PEF files.

Link....


www.rawtherapee.com


Steve

Picasa2 handles and edits DNG RAW files - I don't use PEFs so can't comment.

Ray.

Whoa....drowning in replies.
Thanks Guys

Brilliant! Just downloaded and played with it. Seems to have a lot to offer, and is pretty quick, too. Many thanks for the link.

Ufraw is also a free software working with Windows XP, il can be loaded at
http://ufraw.sourceforge.net/Install.html

It can be used as a plug-in to The Gimp as well as a stand-alone