im on vacation with only my laptop, and i dont have either the raw driver for photoshop cs2 for my minolta 5d or the minolta dimage master lite software to view raw images... sooooo - anybody know where i can pick one of those up? or any minolta raw image viewer for that matter..

Here's your excuse to try Pixmantec's RawShooter: http://www.pixmantec.com/products/rawshooter_essentials.asp

Unfortunately, Adobe just bought the company. So you can't get the pro version anymore. Evidently, it's being incorperated into Lightroom. But RawShooter Essentials, which happens to be free, is still available. Although I own the pro version, Essentials is installed on my laptop and I use it all the time. I checked and it will work with Maxxum 5D files. So I think you should install it.

Hope that helps!

I use that one sometimes as well. Another program that most people overlook is Picasa, nothing too advanced, but you can view raw files, and adjust them/convert them. It's free as well, and slightly faster.

I haven't used Picasa for a couple of years. I didn't know that you could view RAW files with it now. That makes it an even better program. Might have to start using it on the laptop, then? Does it do conversions or is it only good for viewing RAW files?

you can convert with it as well. Several people in our local photography club swear by it. I use it when there isnt alot wrong with the original exposure, and perhaps just needs slight adjustments. I very rarely shoot RAW though, I know RAW is better, just haven't gotten into it too much

thanks guys! i just downloaded rawshooter essentials, very cool! dimage master lite was cool, but SLOW! All i really want it for is to view raws available, maybe do some minor adjustments if thats all thats neccesary, i just dont really want to view all raws by converting each and every one of them in photoshop first ;).

ThumbsPlus alsuo has a raw image/digicam plugin
And FastStone is a great vree viewer, but not great editing capablities