Photo Browser Problems

Hi, All

Just received a new *ist DS, after much deliberation and research and although I love the feel of the camera, I am having trouble getting Photo Browser to launch. I am using XP, and when I try to launch the programme, al i get is a windows pop up informing me there is a problem and the programme has to quit.

Has anyone seen this before, or better still do you have any ideas as to a possible resolution

The best solution is to use a card reader and use a program like Photoshop, which is much more powerful.

However, if you wish to use the RAW settting, then you will need the Pentax software. Have you tried uninstalling and then re-installing?

Not true, John
Capture One supports the *ist-DS, as does the free www.pixmantec.com RAW convertor (not as good as C1LE, IMHO, but pretty fine nonetheless!)

I'd agree about the card reader though

Matt

Thanks for the info, chaps.
I have tried the uninstall/re-install game, but to no avail. So far I have been just transferring the shots to a new folder in the computer and then accessing them via elements 2. Because of this I have stuck to jpeg, but I would really like to switch to raw mode.

Pentax UK advised me to contact acd systems for advice so I will wait to see what they suggest.

Love the camera though. It just feels like a real camera, and having access to my existing M, A and KAF lenses is a great plus. Backwards compatibility rules

Yes, that backwards compatibility is very, very impressive. Although I am using "A" lenses and later on the *istDS for the sake of convenience. I know you can activate the use of the aperture ring, but then you lose some functionality in more modern lenses unless you switch it back, and that is a tedious business!

If you want to start from scratch, I think you can download ACD See from the web, in a trial version at first. You might have a faulty CD?

John,

Are you sure you are right about this:

"I know you can activate the use of the aperture ring, but then you lose some functionality in more modern lenses unless you switch it back, and that is a tedious business!"

I don't have a DS, but on the D there is no loss of functionality that I am aware of when using the camera in "non-A" mode.

The only reason for this switch is to prevent you inadvertently using an A lens off the A setting. That's not a loss of functionality.

Of course it may be different on the DS, but I haven't heard this point made by anybody other than you.

You might want to double-check.

Regards

George

Page 179 of the *istDS manual says "When using aperture ring is set to permitted.......however, the features will be restricted as shown on the table below...

D FA, FA, F, A, M Aperture priority Aperture remains open regardless of the aperture ring position."

That's just a sample example, there are others. Basically the camera will work in aperture priority (regardless of the mode set) and will work at open aperture.

All lenses have to be used in manual mode to use the aperture ring.

Is this then different to the *istD?

Although the D manual says much the same, this "problem" is what was fixed by the firmware update.

Once updated, the camera operates in exactly the same way, as far as I can see, whichever mode is set (except for not working if the the lens is NOT set to A when the custom function is off).

I have tried this with two D bodies, with all other settings the same, and a normal program line. One has an SMCP-F f1.7, the other an SMCP-F f1.4, so apart from the max aperture they are effectively the same.

Have you tried to see what happens with the DS and an A lens when the function is set to On? It may just be that the manual is out of date.

G

I'll try it out to check that and let you know what happens.

Thanks!