FastPictureViewer & FastRawViewer (and RAW-thumbnails problem on Windows 8.1)

[RS86]

I have Windows 8.1 and I realized I could delete all my .jpeg's from my backup drives (I shoot jpeg+raw) if I just could get my Windows to show the RAW-file thumbnails in Explorer, which it currently doesn't.

Well, I found out about FastRawViewer. But it turns out it doesn't help with this problem. Then I found out about FastPictureViewer, which is a codec pack for RAW-files, and this should solve the problem.

Does anyone use these? Do you recommend them?

I have the free FastStone Image Viewer, so do I benefit anything from FastRawViewer?

What about FastPictureViewer? It hasn't been updated since 2017, anyone know the reason? Does it support newer M43 cameras? (Mine are older so should be fine).

Both of these are currently on sale. FastRawViewer is 16,5 € and FastPictureViewer is 10 $. Not expensive so I could easily buy them if there are some benefits.

Btw. Are these from the same company as the names would suggest?

https://www.fastpictureviewer.com/

https://www.fastrawviewer.com/

 

[Julia]

I purchased FastRAWViewer about ... two years ago? The trouble for me was that my old copy of Lightroom (and old Mac) was so slooooow rendering RAW files that I felt my life wasting away, waiting for it to finish. Thanks to FRV, I could immediately preview my RAW files at lightning speed, sort out the ones I wanted to keep and then import *those* into LR. That saved me minutes of rendering time in the old app.

Since I upgraded my Mac this spring, and also purchased the LR/PS subscription, LR is just as fast rendering the RAW files now so I no longer need FRV. But if I *just* wanted a fast viewer for my RAW files, that's what I would use. I understand this isn't the same as having them show up with thumbnails in your Explorer, but maybe it's the "next best" solution unless someone else can suggest a workaround for you.

I had a good experience with the app (the UI is ugly, but it's functional) and would recommend it if the goal is to really quickly look through a large number of RAW files.

 

[RS86]

I purchased FastRAWViewer about ... two years ago? The trouble for me was that my old copy of Lightroom (and old Mac) was so slooooow rendering RAW files that I felt my life wasting away, waiting for it to finish. Thanks to FRV, I could immediately preview my RAW files at lightning speed, sort out the ones I wanted to keep and then import *those* into LR. That saved me minutes of rendering time in the old app.

Since I upgraded my Mac this spring, and also purchased the LR/PS subscription, LR is just as fast rendering the RAW files now so I no longer need FRV. But if I *just* wanted a fast viewer for my RAW files, that's what I would use. I understand this isn't the same as having them show up with thumbnails in your Explorer, but maybe it's the "next best" solution unless someone else can suggest a workaround for you.

I had a good experience with the app (the UI is ugly, but it's functional) and would recommend it if the goal is to really quickly look through a large number of RAW files.

Okay, thanks. You don't have tips if I gain anything by buying FastRawViewer vs the free FastStone Image Viewer?

The thumbnail issue should be possible to resolve with those codecs as all my cameras are older than 2017.. I will likely buy them as 10 dollars is not much, but I will wait if there are more replies.

 

[Julia]

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with the second app, sorry!

 

[Mack]

I use FastRawViewer as my primary culling tool. I've also used it on a target to set up my fine focus lens tuning adjustments too, i.e. this one: https://www.mu-43.com/threads/em1-m...-and-how-to-perform.95155/page-5#post-1376366

I use the "P" key and look at a magnified image to see where the "red" indicates the best focus, as well as looking at the histogram to see if it approaches the +3EV which means exposure is good. This works really well to discern fine feather detail for birds.

Hitting the right arrow and I can move to the next one and look at the next "red" focus plane/area. Then I can rate them and copy them into a folder to edit with DxO PhotoLab 4. Remaining are discards.

 

[relic]

I don't know if this helps but it may be worth trying XnView. It is free (for non-commercial use) and it displays both jpeg and raw image files (as well as many other formats, including tiff, psd, etc.) My only problem (or at least perceived problem) with it is that the colors appear ever so slightly warmer than they appear in PS Elements or on this forum.

 

[RS86]

I don't know if this helps but it may be worth trying XnView. It is free (for non-commercial use) and it displays both jpeg and raw image files (as well as many other formats, including tiff, psd, etc.) My only problem (or at least perceived problem) with it is that the colors appear ever so slightly warmer than they appear in PS Elements or on this forum.

Thanks for the suggestion. I already have FastStone Image Viewer which is a great free program. Just wondering if this praised, quite cheap FastRawViewer would bring something more to the table.

 

[turbodieselvw]

If FastStone does everything you need then you don't really need to get something else. I have a friend who uses FastStone and is very happy with it.

 

[RS86]

Does anyone else have problems with RAW-thumbnails on Explorer? Is this issue solved on Windows 10?

I found a little comparison. What do people think about the statement that FastRawViewer is possibly the only program to preview in the original RAW format? How is this beneficial?

FastStone Image Viewer:

"FastStone Image Viewer tops our list of best photo culling software. The software is a popular image browser, image converter (from one format to another) and photo editor. It is exclusively designed to run on Windows PC.

FastStone Image Viewer hosts a familiar, highly intuitive, user interface, which is a subtle imitation of Windows Explorer’s UI.

Furthermore, as the name implies, FastStone Image Viewer is optimized to cull and sort images with unparalleled speed. And you are offered every tool needed to fine-tune and finish the culled photos.

The software is designed to support all known digital camera brands, notably Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Olympus, and many more. Also, it houses support for all image file formats, including PNG, JPEG, BMP, PSD, TIFF, GIF, RAW formats (NEF, CRW, RAF etc.) and lots more.

Other notable features of FastStone Image Viewer include image retouching, color adjustment, JPEG transition, scanner support, image annotation, drop shadow effects, slideshow transitional effects (150+), image sharing (via email), RAW format library and many more.

FastStone Image Viewer is available for free, albeit for personal and educational uses. However, for commercial or business purposes, a commercial license, which is offered at $34.95 (lifetime license), is required."

FastRawViewer:

"FastRawViewer is a special purpose RAW file viewer and manager, specially designed for culling RAW images from digital cameras and fine-tuning them on PCs. It hosts cross-platform support for Windows 7/8/8.1/10 PC and MacOS computers.

The software currently supports more than 1000 different types of digital cameras (including Sony, Canon, Fuji and so on), mobile phones and tablets.

Furthermore, as an exclusive RAW image viewer/manager, it houses support for all RAW formats, notably RAF, CRW, and NEF among others.

Unlike other image viewers/cullers, FastRawViewer previews raw images in their original RAW formats. This is what makes it stand out, as one of the best photo culling software for RAW photographs.

Other key features of FastRawViewer include: optimized browsing speed, focus peaking, shadow boost, white balance, black and white previews, and more.

FastRawViewer is available for purchase at a license fee of $19.99 (with support for 2 PCs).

Note: You can enjoy the software for free, for a period of 30 days (on trial), before buying the licensed package."

https://windowsreport.com/photo-culling-software/

 

[Erich_H]

Subscribe to see EXIF info for this image (if available)

Windows 10.
The .ORF-files (left) are from E-M1.
To the right some .NEF-files from D70.
I might have the M$ codec pack installed.
Don't remember.

 

[cjoliprsf]

Does anyone else have problems with RAW-thumbnails on Explorer? Is this issue solved on Windows 10?

I found a little comparison. What do people think about the statement that FastRawViewer is possibly the only program to preview in the original RAW format? How is this beneficial?

On Windows 8.1, Explorer will show thumbnails for CR2 files by Canon, but not RW2 raw files from Panasonic nor Olympus raws. However, on my Linux computer, I do have RW2 thumbnails show in the file explorer.
I use XnView MP, which is free and is available for Windows and Linux, this permits to have the same software in my 2 computers... It displays all raw files without problem.

As of displaying the original raw format, I would think this might in effect be quite unique to FastRawViewer. Most viewer programs would use the embedded jpg as far as I can judge. If you don't use the program for editing but only for judging if a picture is worth keeping, I am not sure this is a significant advantage.

 

[Erich_H]

As I'm almost exclusively using old crap cameras, I shouldn't be amazed that someone is using old crap software, but Windows 8?
In a production environment!

Come on! Get with the program! Windows 10 will be on its way out soon enough.

Just out of curiosity, how many of you are still using Windows XP or Windows Vista?

DISCLAIMER: Any offense taken/given is purely accidental and entirely due to my own inaneness

 

[cjoliprsf]

Just out of curiosity, how many of you are still using Windows XP or Windows Vista?

Actually, I still use Windows 2000 daily, albeit inside a virtual machine that don't have any intenet access, to run my vintage 16 bit software that won't run on any modern OS!

 

[irkregent]

I bought FastPictureViewer and used it a lot in the past. But I ran into some trouble with its ability to view some newer photos (I forget the details now), and discovered it has not been updated since April 2017. Some research indicated that the author took a new job and there seems to be no intent to update the software. This is a real shame, as it is a very comprehensive application.

 

[Erich_H]

Actually, I still use Windows 2000 daily, albeit inside a virtual machine that don't have any intenet access, to run my vintage 16 bit software that won't run on any modern OS!

I'm not trying to belittle anyone (well, maybe just a little. It's called belittle, after all!) here!

I, myself, was just at a friend's place the other week, to get her Windows XP Skype installation up and running again.

Also her browser (Firefox) would not let her pay the bills anymore.

After looking around a bit, I discovered that some genius (not me!) had enabled auto update on both Skype and browser.

After rolling back some updates and disabling the auto stuff, plus uninstalling, among other things, AdAware from 2005, and our dear friend ASK toolbar, I got the thing up and running again.

Some of you may be familiar with the expression: "The lights are on, but there's no one home".

When I tried to broach the possibility of update to W10, roughly this is what happened:

Lights has not been on for a month, the central heating is turned off, and bills are making the mailbox overflow.

Besides, she has absolutely no idea what her Skype password is. And I really can't be bothered to brute force the XML-file where it is located.

I've known cats more computer savvy! One example of that is another acquaintance who had this problem with IE keeping on turning into full screen mode. Remembering F11 wasn't in that book, obviously.

But at last I found out what caused it. That's right, the cat! I observed it personally. At least the cat remembered F11! One has to be thankful for the small things in life!

Anyhow, I'm still running DOS 3.1 and Windows 3.11 on actual IBM 5150 hardware. Also not connected to the internet.

But not trying to pay my bills with it, though. As I said, the 5150 isn't connected to the net!


DISCLAIMER: Any offense taken/given is purely accidental and entirely due to my own inaneness

 

[retiredfromlife]

As I'm almost exclusively using old crap cameras, I shouldn't be amazed that someone is using old crap software, but Windows 8?
Come on! Get with the program! Windows 10 will be on the way out soon enough.
Just out of curiosity, how many of you are still using Windows XP or Windows Vista?

DISCLAIMER: Any offense taken/given is purely accidental and entirely due to my own inaneness

I still have an old XP box that I use for surfing the web. My windows 7 box died but I should resurect it some day.
I hate windows 10 but know I will have to upgrade one day. We also purchased an iMac earlier this year, but I have not bonded with that at all.
Using my tablet more and more these days.

 

[Erich_H]

I still have an old XP box that I use for surfing the web. My windows 7 box died but I should resurect it some day.
I hate windows 10 but know I will have to upgrade one day. We also purchased an iMac earlier this year, but I have not bonded with that at all.
Using my tablet more and more these days.

Here's a thought for you:

Why not upgrade the XP box to Windows 7?

 

[retiredfromlife]

Here's a thought for you:

Why not upgrade the XP box to Windows 7?

I like XP

 

[Erich_H]

I like XP

I did too. And I also hated W10. But I hate Apple more.

So, in my choice between Scylla and Charybdis, it was a choice between exorbitantly priced, and, I admit, beautifully designed, proprietary hardware, in combination with being locked down to an OS/hardware purveyor that wants to make my decisions for me.

As opposed to an OS purveyor that wants to make my decisions for me. With the OS running on reasonably priced, non-proprietary hardware.

Therefore, my choice is M$ Charybdis!

EDIT: wouldn't that be a great name for the new Windows version?

 

[Erich_H]

Also, it's kinda funny to watch capitalism slowly turning into communism.

Only with a lot more money involved...

DISCLAIMER: Any offense taken/given is purely accidental and entirely due to my own inaneness