FastPictureViewer RAW Codec Pack….FREE

If you’re using any one of Windows XP, Vista or 7 Platforms in 32 or 64 bit mode, you might be interested in the FastPictureViewer RAW picture codec pack from Axel Rietschin Software Developments. They are FREE for personal and educations use and give you fast access to preview RAW images taken by just about any digital camera capable of shooting RAW in Explorer. It even supports the slideshow function in Photo Gallery and Photo Viewer. The fact that it supports 32 and 64 versions of Windows is a bonus since most camera manufacturers — atleast up to now — have been very slow in supporting 64-bit windows. Here is a list of supported RAW Formats:

• Adobe Digital Negative (.dng)
• Canon Raw Image (.cr2, .crw)
• Fuji Raw Image (.raf)
• Hasselblad Raw Image (.3pr, .fff)
• Kodak Raw Image (.dcr, .kdc)
• Leica Raw Image (.raw, .rwl)
• Minolta Raw Image (.mrw)
• Nikon Raw Image (.nef, .nrw)
• Olympus Raw Image (.orf)
• Panasonic Raw Image (.rw2)
• Pentax Raw Image (.pef)
• Sigma Raw Image (.x3f)
• Sony Raw Image (.arw, .sr2, .srf)

For a Photographer — specially if you own an SLR and shoot RAW — this little Gem is a must.