Raw files

It's just as easy to shoot PEF and convert to DNG if you do the conversion at the same time as downloading from the memory card. Just takes one click with Adobe DNG Converter to do both jobs together.

OK it can take a few minutes, but you're going to make a cup of tea anyway

Thanks for all the help.Decided, with the help of TTK, to go for CS3, add the Plug-ins and go from there. Will post to let you all know how I'm doing. Thanks again.
Dave.

There are also some other options.
Photoshop elements 7 for example support the newest version of adobe camera raw and comes at a better price (i believe), adobe lightroom 2 is also pleasant to use and you should be able to combine that with the photoshop you've now.
You can download the full version for a trial of 40days at Adobe so give it a go.

Most memebers here are in love with silkypix, you can't be as creative as in photoshop with layers and things like that but for normall photo editing it's more then enough.

You could also use Paint Shop Pro. It does just about everything Photoshop does at a fraction of the price. But the RAW converter in Photoshop/Photoshop Elements is better.

I've recently purchased a copy of Photoshop Elements 7 (for teaching purposes) and it's very very good. It has most of the features of the CS range and works in a very similar way to Photoshop 7.

Well worth £53 from Amazon.

Thanks, John. Elements will certainly ease my bank balance.I'll run my trial of CS and then possibly take your recommendation. As I said, it's all fairly new to me and I'm feared I'm too long in the tooth to change my spots.
Regards, Dave.

PS Elements 7 cheapest I can find is £ 60.94 at here .
If someone works in Education field the price is £ 45.99

Slightly cheaper at Amazon & Dabs at £60.83
Amazon.co.uk for PC

Not sure which version of PSE you get, but the Wacom Bamboo comes with PSE PC World £64.99 (that is if you haven't got a tablet already )

Matt