Raw PEF
Posted 26/08/2006 - 18:21
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If you have Adobe Photoshop CS or CS2, it has a RAW converter buit-in and it should only be necessary to open the file in Photoshop, the converter then kicks in. Its possible that only CS2 can read your PEF files from the DL2 and you might need to download the latest raw converter from Adobe's web site for it to work. RAW converters become out of date as fast as cameras nowadays.
If you have a version of Photoshop which doesn't support the DL2's PEF format (they are not all the same) then you will need a third party converter. RawShooterEssentials from Pixmantec is free but is now a dead product since Adobe bought them. You can download Adobe's beta product, Lightroom, from their web site but you will eventually have to pay for it when it becomes a released product. I use Phase One's Capture One LE product which you can download and trial before buying. There are some other free ones too. You can also of course use the software that you got with the camera. All RAW converters 'spit out' a JPG or TIF file so you will be editing a file in one of those formats. The RAW converter simply allows you to make many adjustments & corrections beforehand whilst retaining the original and unmodifiable PEF image file.
If you have a version of Photoshop which doesn't support the DL2's PEF format (they are not all the same) then you will need a third party converter. RawShooterEssentials from Pixmantec is free but is now a dead product since Adobe bought them. You can download Adobe's beta product, Lightroom, from their web site but you will eventually have to pay for it when it becomes a released product. I use Phase One's Capture One LE product which you can download and trial before buying. There are some other free ones too. You can also of course use the software that you got with the camera. All RAW converters 'spit out' a JPG or TIF file so you will be editing a file in one of those formats. The RAW converter simply allows you to make many adjustments & corrections beforehand whilst retaining the original and unmodifiable PEF image file.
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Posted 27/08/2006 - 19:34
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Hi Ratcatcher,
You should have got a CD-ROM with your camera, which will have 'Pentax Photo Laboratory' on it (in amongst it's software). If you've loaded the Pentax software on to your computer already, and you use the Pentax Browser, you can open the Lab from there, clicking the icon for it on the menu bar along the top.
In the Lab, you can convert your RAW files to jpegs or TIFFs (better, if you're wanting to edit the files in photoshop), and adjust contrast, exposure, white balance etc. I'd advise using this to start with, as you've essentially already bought it. I now use Phase One Capture One LE too, and this gives better quality images than the Pentax software, but costs around £70.
Dan
You should have got a CD-ROM with your camera, which will have 'Pentax Photo Laboratory' on it (in amongst it's software). If you've loaded the Pentax software on to your computer already, and you use the Pentax Browser, you can open the Lab from there, clicking the icon for it on the menu bar along the top.
In the Lab, you can convert your RAW files to jpegs or TIFFs (better, if you're wanting to edit the files in photoshop), and adjust contrast, exposure, white balance etc. I'd advise using this to start with, as you've essentially already bought it. I now use Phase One Capture One LE too, and this gives better quality images than the Pentax software, but costs around £70.
Dan
Posted 28/08/2006 - 10:36
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i do have the software supplied with the camera but it is to limited and as i have got a copy of photoshop i would prefer to use it. The facilities of photoshop are by far better than the Pentax software.
Posted 28/08/2006 - 11:35
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You are a bit too economical in the information department.
It would help us to help you if you told us which version of Photoshop you have. Some versions can and some can't handle RAW format. I suspect only version CS2 can deal with PEF's from the later Pentax cameras. Capture One LE is simpler to use, you might consider downloading a trial copy.
Have you downloaded the update to version 3 of the supplied Pentax Software ?. You might find that it suits your needs better.
Cheers,
It would help us to help you if you told us which version of Photoshop you have. Some versions can and some can't handle RAW format. I suspect only version CS2 can deal with PEF's from the later Pentax cameras. Capture One LE is simpler to use, you might consider downloading a trial copy.
Have you downloaded the update to version 3 of the supplied Pentax Software ?. You might find that it suits your needs better.
Cheers,
Peter E Smith - flickr Photostream
Posted 28/08/2006 - 11:48
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Ratty,
Have you downloaded the latest Camera Raw converter from adobe? I think it supports the DL2
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=106&platform=Windows
Have you downloaded the latest Camera Raw converter from adobe? I think it supports the DL2
http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/product.jsp?product=106&platform=Windows
Posted 28/08/2006 - 12:08
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Hi Ratcathcer,
The RAW convertor is not designed to replace Photoshop, but just to get the image to a good starting point for further use in your image editor of choice. WHether you do that with Photoshop's own convertor, or Pentax's, or one of the independant, stand-alone ones.
You may find that a stand-alone one, such as Capture One, will speed up your conversions, and allow settings to be applied to several images at once. I don't know whether the Photoshop one does this. There are specific C1 threads on gere, Mattmatic knows alot about it, and he, as well as others, swear by it.
But it all comes down to personal preference, so find what suits you best. The photoshop convertor works with Elements as well as the full versions, as far as I'm aware.
Dan
The RAW convertor is not designed to replace Photoshop, but just to get the image to a good starting point for further use in your image editor of choice. WHether you do that with Photoshop's own convertor, or Pentax's, or one of the independant, stand-alone ones.
You may find that a stand-alone one, such as Capture One, will speed up your conversions, and allow settings to be applied to several images at once. I don't know whether the Photoshop one does this. There are specific C1 threads on gere, Mattmatic knows alot about it, and he, as well as others, swear by it.
But it all comes down to personal preference, so find what suits you best. The photoshop convertor works with Elements as well as the full versions, as far as I'm aware.
Dan
Posted 28/08/2006 - 16:16
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I have photoshop 7 trying to get a copy of CS2, Will try and get a demo copy of Capture One and give it a go.
Posted 28/08/2006 - 19:13
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PS7 does not have a RAW converter.
CS2 has some nice advantages - I like the Photo Filters, for example. However, to be honest I prefer the PS7 File Browser to Adobe Bridge.
CS2 has some nice advantages - I like the Photo Filters, for example. However, to be honest I prefer the PS7 File Browser to Adobe Bridge.
Best regards, John
Posted 04/09/2006 - 09:30
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Or:
Buy Capture One LE to convert the files.
Incidentally, I read that Sandisk are shipping their Extreme III cards (1Gb, 2Gb, 4Gb) with a license for Capture One LE - bargain! (But you must make sure they are the new versions with the license inside )
Matt
Buy Capture One LE to convert the files.
Incidentally, I read that Sandisk are shipping their Extreme III cards (1Gb, 2Gb, 4Gb) with a license for Capture One LE - bargain! (But you must make sure they are the new versions with the license inside )
Matt
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