I and all Sony A7 IV-users had/have the same problem. We have had a diskussion about this problem in this link: Dear DXO Staff, when can we use Photolab 5 for Sony ARW-files from A7 IV too? - #2 by sgospodarenko
Waiting until March is not an option for many users with these new cameras and I have suggested DXO to change Photolab, so it will be possible to open all RAW-files and not just the ones that already are included in Photolabs register over supported camera bodies. It isn´t okay anymore that users with new camera models have to put up with not beeing able to use Photolab even for new RAW-file variants. The RAW-file profiles does in the reality nothing else than giving us a slightly better starting point for the postprocessing and frankly, I don´t see much of a difference between the starting points for A7 III and A7 IV. It has no practical impact on my work.
**There is a work around as you can see there if you want to test Photolab 5 with your new Z9-RAW. You can always do like the rest of us and download a suitable HEX-Editor like “HDX”. **
In my case I just open an A7 IV-file in HDX and run a search and replace and change the version code from ILCE-7M4 to ILCE-7M3. You have to change your Z9 code to the Z7 code. In my files these codes are found on four places.
Today I walked through a batch of 80 files and it´s doable but not all that fun. As you can see I have opened the whole batch and then you have to repeat a four step cycle for every file:
- Type Ctrl+R (Replace)
- Type Enter to close dialog
- Type Ctrl+S (Save)
- Type Ctrl+F4 (to close active window)
You also need to add the codes in the Replace pop-up.
When a file is done you should be able to see your Z7-code instead of your Z9 before you close it with Ctrl+F4. The HEX-Editor saves the original file as a backup. After that you should be able to open the files in Photolab without any problems.
As you understand this is nothing but a workaround and I suggest you don´t use it in sensitive production before you have tested to process properly with your own files and test with a couple of files before processing the whole batch. Good Luck!
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