Pentax *ist ds picture rotate & read-only problems

[richbiker]

Hi all,
I'm new to photographyreview forums.

I've got an *ist ds which I generally like, but it's got a couple related issues which annoy--hopefully I can get some advice on how to get it to NOT do these things.

First, when I download pictures to my laptop, I use the windows download manager to do that, not the Pentax software.

On the last batch I manually rotated any vertical pictures on the camera before downloading, yet they all downloaded in the horizontal position (tilted sideways). In the past I've almost always had to use the Pentax software to manually change these, and re-save the photo--a laborious process! I thought doing it on the camera would solve that problem, but it didn't. :mad2:

A second problem relates to some or all of the files being "read only". Sometimes, when I rotate vertical pictures in the windows viewer, it will rotate just fine. Other times, it seems to be rotated, but when I go back to the folder, it's many of the photos are still horizontal. Other times I get a popup message saying that the picture is "read only" and must be saved under a different filename. Yet when I right click the picture, and check "properties" the "read only" box is not checked. I don't get it! The strange thing is that whether the picture rotates or not, and whether the "read only" message pops up seems to be completely random. Finally, I can't seem to email pentax pictures to anybody, because they can't save them to the computer--it seems they also get a read only message.

What am I doing wrong, and/or what setting on the camera do I need to change to eliminate these problems? Do I need to use the Pentax software to download my Pentax photos instead of using the default windows downloader?

Thanks,
Rich

[SmartWombat]

It may be Windows download manager doing it.
I think it's worth what I paid for it (nothing) and always copy photos using Explorer.
Not out of the camera either, but using a card reader in the USB port.

I'll wait for Pentax users to give specialist advice.

[A.M.D.A.]

Welcome to the site.

I have an *ist D, I think I know what most of your questions/problems you mentioned are due to.

• Make sure that you haven't somehow engaged the "protect" setting for some or all of the photos on your memory card. I have found it is quite easy to do this, as the four-way joystick isn't very predictable in which way it will go, settings can be accidentally changed.

• Check for any strange icons on your images in question. On Linux, there is a little padlock icon on the image thumbnail top-right corner. Right-clicking and selecting read/write permissions, and "save" (not OK), will revert the photo back to normal overwriteable state.

• Also, check the tiny switch on the side of the SD memory card, so it is not set to the "LOCK" position. In that position, all images are automatically protected.

My Image Viewer application also allows to quickly rotate/flip images, but only so they can be viewed for the session. As soon as the window is closed, all images are returned like they were before. Think of this, if you did not click on any "confirm", "apply", "accept" or similar messages, then the changes likely aren't permanent, just virtual ones. Also, double-check before saving or clicking, selecting "OK", often only saves changes for the session, depending on computer OS and/or program in use.

Other times I get a popup message saying that the picture is "read only" and must be saved under a different filename.

When editing photos, select the "Save As" or "Save for Web", instead of the "Save" option. I know of several software programs which have default settings to avoid the danger of overwriting the original photo with a modified version, they will prevent you from saving over the original image. (Hence the request for a different filename).

Save As or Save for Web will create new copies of the edited image/s.

If all else fails, try getting a new memory card. Faulty ones occur every now and then.

[ken1953]

Welcome Rich! Sounds like good advice that you've already been given. I have the DL and originally had these probs. After many trips through my menus, both the camera and my Photoshop, I finally got the pics to save properly. It all came down to proper settings. I wish I could remember what they all were. I can tell you that I use a reader and manually download to my desired folder. Then I manually flip them in Photoshop. I found I had fewer problem later on with "the file is protected", etc. I rarely use Windows or other programs to download as I always run into problems later down the line when I need to do some detailed editing.
As for how I download, I first copy, then paste into the folder I want, then double check all the photos in photoshop. Once satisfied, I put the card back in the camera and format the card. I never format the card with my reader/writer and never delete files from my card with the computer. Even bad shots, I leave on the card until I format the card in camera, unless absolutely necessary.
I feel this allows me to have fewer problems like what you have been experiencing.
In closing, I look forward to seeing some of your photographs. Please feel free to post them here or in any of the appropriate forums. We are a very close and friendly site.
I would like for you to please write a review of your DS and other gear when you get chance. Our Reviews Section is one of the ways that PR remains free. You can find the Reviews Section at this link http://www.photographyreview.com/writeareviewcrx.aspx .

Good luck and let us know how it goes!!!

[PeteE]

Richbiker, In order to help you what operating system are you using. Xp or Visa. They both handle pictures differently. I switched to vista from XP and it files the pictures entirely different. I liked XP since Vista I handle down loading completely different.

[Thekingskid]

Hi all,
I'm new to photographyreview forums.

I've got an *ist ds which I generally like, but it's got a couple related issues which annoy--hopefully I can get some advice on how to get it to NOT do these things.

First, when I download pictures to my laptop, I use the windows download manager to do that, not the Pentax software.

On the last batch I manually rotated any vertical pictures on the camera before downloading, yet they all downloaded in the horizontal position (tilted sideways). In the past I've almost always had to use the Pentax software to manually change these, and re-save the photo--a laborious process! I thought doing it on the camera would solve that problem, but it didn't. :mad2:

A second problem relates to some or all of the files being "read only". Sometimes, when I rotate vertical pictures in the windows viewer, it will rotate just fine. Other times, it seems to be rotated, but when I go back to the folder, it's many of the photos are still horizontal. Other times I get a popup message saying that the picture is "read only" and must be saved under a different filename. Yet when I right click the picture, and check "properties" the "read only" box is not checked. I don't get it! The strange thing is that whether the picture rotates or not, and whether the "read only" message pops up seems to be completely random. Finally, I can't seem to email pentax pictures to anybody, because they can't save them to the computer--it seems they also get a read only message.

What am I doing wrong, and/or what setting on the camera do I need to change to eliminate these problems? Do I need to use the Pentax software to download my Pentax photos instead of using the default windows downloader?

Thanks,
Rich

I have a card reader and down load straight to my computer. I do not use the Pentax software. The problem you may have with sending pictures is if you do not have the pictures in a JPEG format the computers may not able to read the file. I know there are people who use RAW on their cameras. You will have to process them into a JPEG form mat. I E-mail pictures all the time and do not have any problems. I shoot in JPEG so I do not run into the problems you are having.


Joe

[Jason ON]

Hi Richbiker,

I shoot with a *IST DS and have the same issue as described here:

On the last batch I manually rotated any vertical pictures on the camera before downloading, yet they all downloaded in the horizontal position (tilted sideways). In the past I've almost always had to use the Pentax software to manually change these, and re-save the photo--a laborious process! I thought doing it on the camera would solve that problem, but it didn't.

There's really nothing you can do to change that outside of changing them in the Pentax lab or Photoshop, or some-such. For something quick like that, I use Picasa. I just load them all in, rotate, rotate rotate, and save. Poof! Everything is the way you want it.

As for this:

A second problem relates to some or all of the files being "read only". Sometimes, when I rotate vertical pictures in the windows viewer, it will rotate just fine. Other times, it seems to be rotated, but when I go back to the folder, it's many of the photos are still horizontal. Other times I get a popup message saying that the picture is "read only" and must be saved under a different filename. Yet when I right click the picture, and check "properties" the "read only" box is not checked.

Advice already given is what you have. Double check your settings on the SD card (little switch on the side). I couldn't find an auto-lock setting in my menu, so I doubt you have one I don't. Also, what program are you using to view the files when this happens? You may be viewing the images with a "read only" program, such as Windows Picture Viewer (I think that's read only -- but I don't know, I rarely use it).

As for this:

Finally, I can't seem to email pentax pictures to anybody, because they can't save them to the computer--it seems they also get a read only message.

Make sure you're saving the files in JPEG or saving in a web-ready mode. If you're shooting in RAW format, the recipient of your pictures will have to have the Pentax software to see them, as RAW images are not an universal standard. Also, make sure and your recipient check your options on your email client. Some people turn this feature off to prevent mal-ware from gaining access to their computer.

Hope that helps,