Software - I'm confussed

If you don't use the right tools, you'll not get much benefit from digital.

G

I shall be giving Ubuntu a whirl soon. But I don't think you can recommend any system that doesn't support Irfanview and Silkypix.

G

This is interesting. So for a Linux/Debian/Ubuntu user, how can I convert the Pentax RAW file format to .TIFF or whatever for my image program to use? I suppose the supplied CD with my K100 is useless on Linux...

Regds, m.

The supplied CD is useless, but Unifentified Flying RAW is a digital darkroom that will work with DNG and PEF. You then export a copy of the file to GIMP and edit it there manually. I can't remember what formats are supported by GIMP, but PSD and TIFF should be, but not with EXIF data. Only conversion to JPEG keeps the EXIF data for UFRAW/GIMP.

On Linux, Gimp and UFRAW can be used for both PEF and DNG.

You can use Extensis Portfolio on either Windows or Mac to catalogue and archive both above-mentioned formats.

My set-up is a secondhand 450 MhZ Powermac with 1GB ram. This works fine, it always finishes jobs, has never fallen over, but takes it time sometimes i.e. not the fastest but always works.

I use GIMP on Mac, Elements and have recently downloaded Silkypix Studio free version.

Silkypix Studio is amazing software for developing your negatives (pef/dng)
Elements is great for removing distractions, getting rid of red eye and a whole host of other things that probably I will never have a need for ......

it should be pointed out that unless they have updated the repositories in the last few weeks the nice easy to install version of UFRAW is too old to read K10D files. You have to install it manually, which is somewhat more complicated. Not difficult at all, as I recall the instructions are pretty "now type this" but does involve that wonderful item which seems to be a subject of irrational fear in all windows users, the Command Line.