Pentax Custom Image Guide: From Satobi to Harubeni

Picking the right color profile for the right scene

By bdery in Articles and Tips on May 19, 2023

Custom JPEG image presets, or color profiles, have been around for almost as long as digital cameras themselves.  Pentax calls their presets "Custom Image" modes: these allow you to apply extensive customization to the appearance of your photos (ranging from colors to contrast and everything in between). Such customization is not unique to Pentax, but rather offered in one way or another by all manufacturers.  You may have heard of "Film Simulation" from Fuji, "Picture Styles" from Canon (which offer fewer options than most), "Picture Controls" from Nikon, (also with fewer modes, normally 7), and "Creative Styles" from Sony.

Originally, these modes served mainly as a means to access some features such as turning images into black and white. In recent years, there has been a renewal of interest for presets, arguably spearheaded by Fuji’s Film Simulation modes. Cleverly, Fuji named their modes after legacy types of film, such as Velvia for Vivid or Astia for soft.

Custom Image modes are essentially presets for parameters such as contrast, saturation, sharpness, and color balance. Pentax’s modes have been rather generic and unchanging for many years. Recently, though, the company started adding new “Special Edition” Custom Image modes, and the latest Pentax models now support 5 different special modes. 

In the example above, you can see a comparison between the Satobi (designed for a muted look) and Harubeni (design to pop springtime colors) modes.  Do you see how different the two photos appear?

Why Use Custom Image?

Some users prefer to shoot RAW and to develop their images via post-processing. These will sometimes fine-tune each image individually, or apply presets via Lightroom or other programs. For those, Custom Image is of little interest, although Custom Image can be applied retroactively to a RAW file by using Pentax's Digital Camera Utility (or comparable software for other brands).

Others prefer to shoot directly with JPEGs. These users can greatly benefit from Custom Image modes, as they can be used creatively to achieve a specific effect. In other words, with a perfectly tuned Custom Image setting, the camera's internal JPEG output can turn out as good as a well-developed RAW file exported as a JPEG. There is no replacement for the granular control of a RAW file, nor the ability to retroactively tune individual files. On the other hand, for photographers interested in simplifying their workflow, using the right Custom Image can streamline the image development process and still produce pleasing results. The key is to use the Custom Image mode best suited for the scene and conditions.

It needs to be emphasized that, when shooting JPEGs, a Custom Image is always active. A JPEG is a processed file, the applied Custom Image determines how it is processed. In a way, the different manufacturers' Custom Image profiles put a unique spin on how their cameras render images.

Pentax Spotmatic F Overview Video

Extensive overview video to help introduce new users to the Pentax Spotmatic F

By FozzFoster in Articles and Tips on Apr 17, 2023

I have a strong appreciation for camera overview videos. Tutorial videos have helped guide me along my photographic adventures immensely. To see the camera in action, exactly how it is used, allows me to become more familiar and comfortable with the gear enabling me to use the camera more effectively when I have it in my hands - especially for film photography!

The Spotmatic series are M42 screwmount cameras and the Spotmatic F was featured for the pro level market back in the 1970's. This included a new feature when coupled with the Super-Multi-Coated (or SMC) lenses. These lenses contain an aperture coupler that communicates basic aperture position information to the camera. This aperture coupler allows for what's called "open-aperture metering", where the viewdinder remains nice and bright even while stopping down the lens during exposure metering!

These fully manual, finely machined, high-featured film cameras are exceptionally fun and can spur excitement and lights the fire of creativity and the desire to go out and shoot!

The latest PentaxTips video below extensively covers the features on the Spotmatic F!

Pentax K1000 Overview Video

Thorough overview video to help introduce new users to the Pentax K-1000

By FozzFoster in Articles and Tips on Oct 6, 2022

The Pentax K1000 is one of the most successful cameras in all film camera history, having one of the longest production runs of any camera (1976-1997). This camera was quite affordable, and was widely mass-produced. Despite those facts, the K1000 is a very well-built and an incredibly solid unit, with many copies still operating as expected on the second-hand market.

Because of the ready availability and basic features of the K1000, many beginner film photographers will start with the K1000. This PentaxTips video will help orientate new users of the K1000 and encourages other to start in the world of film photography!

Want to see more PentaxTips videos? See these links for a K-70 overview and a K-3 Mark III overview! 

Hope you enjoy!

Pentax K-1 Mark II Overview Video

Extensive overview video to help introduce new users to the Pentax K-1 Mark II

By FozzFoster in Articles and Tips on Sep 3, 2022

Online overview videos may be one of the best resources allowing viewers to see exactly how a camera is operated and what features are available to access. Overview videos have helped me personally in my photography, allowing me to be more familiar and comfortable with the cameras and lenses during image acquisition. More time taking pictures and less time fumbling with settings!

Released in 2018, the K-1 Mark II is the second 35mm equivilent full-frame digital single lens reflex offered by Pentax. This camera followed from the K-1 Mark I with significant improvements to high ISO, Pixelshift, and autofocus. Notably, this camera series featured a unique limited time upgrade program where you could send Ricoh your K-1 and they would upgrade the camera to the K-1 Mark II hardware. So this tutorial not only covers the K-1 Mark II but would also be entirely applicable to the K-1 Mark I as well.

Learning about these features for the first time, or even re-discovering their place in the menu dive, can spur excitement and lights the fire of creativity and the desire to go out and shoot! The PentaxTips video below extensively covers the Pentax K-1 Mark II features, buttons, and menu layouts:

Want to see more PentaxTips videos?  See these links for a K-70 overview and a K-3 Mark III overview! Hope you enjoy!

Using vintage lenses with the Pentax K-1 Mark II

This overview video demonstrates how to use vintage lenses (K, M, M42) on the Pentax K-1 Mark II

By FozzFoster in Articles and Tips on Aug 14, 2022

Pentax cameras have never changed their camera's register distance. This means modern Pentax dSLRs can use the same lenses used on film era SLRs. This fact allows photographers to access an expansive vintage lens catelgoue going back to 1975! And with an inexpensive adapter, M42 screw mount lenses, dating back to 50's, may also be used on all modern Pentax cameras!

In addition, the K-1 series, such as the Pentax K-1 Mark II, are equipped with a 35mm equivilent digital sensor allowing us to capture these vintage lenses full-frame image circle!

The second in a three part Pentax K-1 Mark II series, this PentaxTips video demonstrates how to configure your camera to use these vintage manual lenses:

Look for our next video covering a K-1 Mark II overview tutorial!

Want to see more PentaxTips? Click here for a K-70 overview, or here for a K-3 Mark III overview!