Yup, the RSE ones are totally black. So far, after some more testing,
I don't like the RSE that much - the lack of curves and levels is quiet
significant to me.
What you found out in your testing is something that is not commonly
considered in most RAW converters reviews - shadow detail and the look
of it.
With my informal testing (not on Pentax files though), I found huge
differences how each converter handled shadow detail in files at the
higher ISOs, especially shadow contrast and handling of the "base
fog". Some lost quite a lot of the detail due to shadow noise. ACR
produced very artificial looking results with "missing" pixels where
it decreased the RGB noise. OTOH some (Nikon Capture) eliminated _all_
of the base fog, producing completely clean maximum black but with
still very good shadow details (better than ACR), possibly by some
internal localised curve manipulation (NC has other problems though).
Some did produce same levels of shadow detail but without the maximum
black, but also with nicer noise look and somewhat nicer details (C1).
I will post a collage of samples from them in near future. But they
won't be Pentax files, 'cause I am not using Pentax DSLR (yet <g>?).
Unless somebody sends me a nice iso 800 PEF file with good exposure
with full tonal spread from maximum shadows, discrete shadow details
and nice highlights ;-)
Good light!
fra
