PATCHED Pentax Photo Laboratory and Photo Browser vs Other Software Options: Which One is Better for You?
PATCHED Pentax Photo Laboratory and Photo Browser
If you are a Pentax user, you might be familiar with Pentax Photo Laboratory and Photo Browser, two software applications that come with your camera. These software are designed to help you process, view, and manage your images in a convenient and efficient way. However, they are not perfect, and sometimes they need to be patched to fix some bugs, improve performance, or add new features. In this article, we will explain what Pentax Photo Laboratory and Photo Browser are, why they need to be patched, what are the benefits of using them, and how to update them to the latest version. We will also introduce some alternatives to Pentax software that you might want to consider.
PATCHED Pentax Photo Laboratory and Photo Browser
Pentax Photo Laboratory
Pentax Photo Laboratory is a software application that allows you to process RAW images taken with your Pentax camera. RAW images are uncompressed files that contain all the data captured by the sensor, without any loss of quality or information. Processing RAW images gives you more control over the final output, as you can adjust various parameters such as exposure, white balance, contrast, sharpness, noise reduction, lens correction, and more.
What are its main features and functions?
Pentax Photo Laboratory has several features and functions that make it a powerful and versatile tool for RAW processing. Some of them are:
It supports all Pentax DSLR models and their RAW formats (PEF or DNG).
It has a user-friendly interface that shows a preview window, a histogram, an image data pane, and a tool palette.
It has a full automatic mode that applies optimal settings for each image based on the camera settings and scene conditions.
It has a custom mode that lets you adjust various parameters manually or use presets.
It has a batch processing function that allows you to apply the same settings to multiple images at once.
It has a shadow compensation function that can recover details in dark areas of the image.
It has a lens data function that can correct distortion, vignetting, chromatic aberration, and diffraction based on the lens used.
It can save processed images as JPEG or TIFF files with different quality and size options.
How to use it to process RAW images?
To use Pentax Photo Laboratory to process RAW images, you need to follow these steps:
Install the software on your computer from the CD-ROM that came with your camera or download it from the Pentax website.
Connect your camera to your computer with a USB cable or insert the memory card into a card reader.
Open Pentax Photo Laboratory and select the folder where your RAW images are stored.
Select an image from the thumbnail pane and click on it to open it in the preview window.
Choose either full automatic mode or custom mode from the tool palette.
If you choose full automatic mode, the software will apply optimal settings for each image automatically. You can still adjust some parameters if you want.
If you choose custom mode, you can adjust various parameters manually or use presets from the drop-down menu. You can also use the slider to compare the before and after images in the preview window.
When you are satisfied with the results, click on the save button to save the processed image as a JPEG or TIFF file. You can choose the quality and size of the file from the dialog box.
If you want to process multiple images at once, select them from the thumbnail pane and click on the batch processing button. You can apply the same settings to all images or use different settings for each image.
How to update it to the latest version?
To update Pentax Photo Laboratory to the latest version, you need to follow these steps:
Visit the Pentax website and check if there is a new version available for your camera model.
If there is a new version, download it and save it on your computer.
Uninstall the old version of Pentax Photo Laboratory from your computer.
Install the new version of Pentax Photo Laboratory on your computer by following the instructions on the screen.
Open Pentax Photo Laboratory and check if it works properly with your camera and images.
Pentax Photo Browser
Pentax Photo Browser is a software application that allows you to view and manage images taken with your Pentax camera. You can use it to browse, sort, organize, rename, delete, print, or share your images in a simple and convenient way.
What are its main features and functions?
Pentax Photo Browser has several features and functions that make it a useful and handy tool for image management. Some of them are:
It supports all Pentax DSLR models and their image formats (JPEG, TIFF, PEF, DNG).
It has a user-friendly interface that shows a folder tree, a thumbnail pane, an image viewer, and a tool bar.
It has a quick view function that lets you view images in full screen mode with a single click.
It has a slide show function that lets you play images in sequence with various effects and transitions.
It has a sorting function that lets you arrange images by date, name, size, type, rating, or color label.
It has an organizing function that lets you create folders, subfolders, albums, or collections to group images by theme or category.
It has a renaming function that lets you change the file names of images individually or in batch mode.
It has a deleting function that lets you remove unwanted images from your computer or memory card.
It has a printing function that lets you print images with different layouts and options.
It has a sharing function that lets you send images by email or upload them to online services such as Facebook or Flickr.
How to use it to view and manage images?
To use Pentax Photo Browser to view and manage images, you need to follow these steps:
Install the software on your computer from the CD-ROM that came with your camera or download it from the Pentax website.
Connect your camera to your computer with a USB cable or insert the memory card into a card reader.
Open Pentax Photo Browser and select the folder where your images are stored.
Select an image from the thumbnail pane and click on it to open it in the image viewer. You can zoom in or out, rotate, crop, or adjust the brightness and contrast of the image.
If you want to view an image in full screen mode, double-click on it or click on the quick view button. You can use the arrow keys or the mouse wheel to navigate through the images. Press Esc to exit full screen mode.
If you want to play a slide show of your images, click on the slide show button. You can choose the effects, transitions, duration, and music for your slide show from the dialog box. Click on Start to begin the slide show. Press Esc to stop it.
If you want to sort your images by different criteria, click on the sorting button. You can choose from date, name, size, type, rating, or color label. The images will be rearranged according to your choice in the thumbnail pane.
If you want to organize your images by different categories, click on the organizing button. You can create folders, subfolders, albums, or collections to group your images by theme or category. You can drag and drop images from the thumbnail pane to the folder tree to move them to the desired location.
If you want to rename your images by different patterns, click on the renaming button. You can change the file names of your images individually or in batch mode. You can use variables such as date, time, camera model, or sequence number to create custom file names.
If you want to delete your images from your computer or memory card, click on the deleting button. You can select the images you want to delete from the thumbnail pane and confirm your action in the dialog box. Be careful, as this action cannot be undone.
If you want to print your images with different layouts and options, click on the printing button. You can choose the paper size, orientation, margins, resolution, and number of copies for your print job. You can also select a layout from the preset templates or create your own custom layout.
If you want to share your images by email or online services, click on the sharing button. You can choose the email client or the online service you want to use from the drop-down menu. You can also resize, compress, or attach your images as needed.
How to update it to the latest version?
To update Pentax Photo Browser to the latest version, you need to follow these steps:
Visit the Pentax website and check if there is a new version available for your camera model.
If there is a new version, download it and save it on your computer.
Uninstall the old version of Pentax Photo Browser from your computer.
Install the new version of Pentax Photo Browser on your computer by following the instructions on the screen.
Open Pentax Photo Browser and check if it works properly with your camera and images.
Alternatives to Pentax Photo Laboratory and Photo Browser
Pentax Photo Laboratory and Photo Browser are not the only software options for Pentax users. There are many other software applications that can perform similar or better functions for processing, viewing, and managing images. Some of them are:
Software
Description
Pros
Cons
Adobe Photoshop Lightroom
A professional software application that offers a comprehensive set of tools for editing, organizing, and sharing images.
- It supports a wide range of cameras and formats.- It has advanced features such as presets, filters, brushes, curves, histograms, and more.- It has a cloud-based service that syncs your images across devices and platforms.- It has a large community of users and resources.
- It is expensive and requires a subscription.- It has a steep learning curve and may be overwhelming for beginners.- It may be slow or laggy on some computers.
Capture One Pro
A professional software application that offers a high-quality and fast solution for editing, organizing, and exporting images.
- It has a powerful RAW engine that delivers superior image quality.- It has a customizable interface that adapts to your workflow.- It has a tethered shooting function that connects your camera to your computer.- It has a layer-based editing system that allows selective adjustments.
- It is expensive and requires a license.- It does not support some cameras and formats.- It has a complex interface and may be difficult to master.- It does not have a cloud-based service or a mobile app.
DxO PhotoLab
A professional software application that offers a smart and efficient solution for editing, enhancing, and exporting images.
- It has an automatic correction function that applies optimal settings based on the camera and lens used.- It has a noise reduction function that preserves details and colors in low-light conditions.- It has a perspective correction function that fixes distortion and alignment issues.- It has a local adjustment function that lets you apply changes to specific areas of the image.
- It is expensive and requires a license.- It does not support some cameras and formats.- It does not have an organizing or sharing function.- It does not have a tethered shooting or a layer-based editing function.
RawTherapee
A free and open source software application that offers a flexible and powerful solution for editing, enhancing, and exporting RAW images.
- It is free and open source, meaning anyone can use and modify it.- It supports a large number of cameras and formats.- It has a modular interface that lets you customize your tools and panels.- It has a wide range of features such as exposure, white balance, curves, levels, sharpening, noise reduction, lens correction, and more.
- It does not have an organizing or sharing function.- It does not have a tethered shooting or a layer-based editing function.- It has a steep learning curve and may be confusing for beginners.- It may be unstable or buggy on some systems.
Conclusion
Pentax Photo Laboratory and Photo Browser are two software applications that come with your Pentax camera and help you process, view, and manage your images. They have some advantages such as being compatible with your camera and its settings, being easy to use, and being free of charge. However, they also have some drawbacks such as being outdated, limited, or buggy. Therefore, you might want to update them to the latest version or look for some alternatives that can offer more features, functions, or quality. In this article, we have introduced some of the most popular and professional software options for Pentax users, such as Adobe Photoshop Lightroom, Capture One Pro, DxO PhotoLab, and RawTherapee. We have compared their pros and cons and provided some links to their websites. We hope this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Pentax software:
Q: How can I convert PEF files to DNG files?
A: PEF files are Pentax's proprietary RAW format that may not be supported by some software applications. DNG files are Adobe's universal RAW format that can be read by most software applications. To convert PEF files to DNG files, you can use Pentax Photo Laboratory or Adobe DNG Converter.
Q: How can I update the firmware of my Pentax camera?
A: Firmware is the software that controls the functions and performance of your camera. Updating the firmware can fix some issues, improve some features, or add new functions to your camera. To update the firmware of your Pentax camera, you need to visit the Pentax website, download the latest firmware file for your camera model, copy it to a formatted memory card, insert the card into your camera, turn on your camera while holding the menu button, and follow the instructions on the screen.
Q: How can I backup my images from my Pentax camera?
A: Backing up your images is important to prevent losing them due to accidental deletion, corruption, or damage. To backup your images from your Pentax camera, you can use Pentax Photo Browser or any other software application that can copy or sync your images from your camera or memory card to your computer or an external hard drive. You can also use online services such as Google Photos or Dropbox to backup your images to the cloud.
Q: How can I edit my images from my Pentax camera on my smartphone or tablet?
A: Editing your images from your Pentax camera on your smartphone or tablet can be convenient and fun. To edit your images from your Pentax camera on your smartphone or tablet, you need to transfer them from your camera or memory card to your device using a USB cable, a card reader, a wireless connection, or a cloud service. Then you can use any photo editing app that supports your image format (JPEG, TIFF, PEF, DNG) to edit your images on your device.
Q: How can I share my images from my Pentax camera on social media?
A: Sharing your images from your Pentax camera on social media can be a great way to showcase your work and connect with other photographers. To share your images from your Pentax camera on social media, you need to resize them to fit the requirements of each platform (such as file size, resolution, aspect ratio, etc.). You can use Pentax Photo Laboratory, Pentax Photo Browser, or any other software application that can resize your images. Then you can upload them to your social media account using a web browser, a mobile app, or a desktop app. You can also add captions, tags, hashtags, or filters to your images as needed. dcd2dc6462