What custom image setting you used for shooting Jpegs on your K5?

aaronius · 11-20-2010, 08:03 PM

Hey guys, i just got my K5 a couple of days back and is currently experimenting on the different custom image settings. I find Natural abit dull and Bright seems nicer. Do you all find the default Bright setting sharp and saturated enough out of camera? I am thinking of increasing sharpness to +2 from +1 but don't know whether it will affect the pics adversely..

SpecialK · 11-20-2010, 08:39 PM

There is no single setting for every shot. Further, we don't know your style.

The camera has only limited adjustment to a few settings, and a tiny processor. Why not shoot RAW and optimize the details later when you can evaluate the shot on a larger screen? You bought a nice camera, you should make the most of it, before and after the exposure. It really takes very little extra time to PP a RAW file as it does a jpg. You can even do it unattended in a batch with a few clicks, then tweak the ones that need it.

That said, I used Bright on the K100D for a few days, until it made some turquoise and pink colors glow. Many people save sharpening until the last, or nearly last, step in processing.

aaronius · 11-20-2010, 09:34 PM

Thanks! Ya I am shooting RAW after I got the K5. Just that I don't foresee myself shooting RAW exclusively because I do take some snapshots for friends and those I prefer to just take in JPEGs. Thats why I am trying to find out what settings give the most optimal JPEGS direct from camera without post-processing.

Originally posted by SpecialK

There is no single setting for every shot. Further, we don't know your style.

The camera has only limited adjustment to a few settings, and a tiny processor. Why not shoot RAW and optimize the details later when you can evaluate the shot on a larger screen? You bought a nice camera, you should make the most of it, before and after the exposure. It really takes very little extra time to PP a RAW file as it does a jpg. You can even do it unattended in a batch with a few clicks, then tweak the ones that need it.

That said, I used Bright on the K100D for a few days, until it made some turquoise and pink colors glow. Many people save sharpening until the last, or nearly last, step in processing.

nulla · 11-21-2010, 01:04 AM

Originally posted by aaronius

Hey guys, i just got my K5 a couple of days back and is currently experimenting on the different custom image settings. I find Natural abit dull and Bright seems nicer. Do you all find the default Bright setting sharp and saturated enough out of camera? I am thinking of increasing sharpness to +2 from +1 but don't know whether it will affect the pics adversely..

its best to experiment and set to your style

Adam · 11-21-2010, 01:19 AM

Two important points (both of which are made in the k-5 review)
1. If you shoot raw, you can adjust the custom image after shooting on your PC, using the Pentax image utility.
2. You can use the Pentax image utility to play around with the settings and see what works the best for you without having to take more than one actual test photo. I've found that vibrant mode is great, with some increased sharpness, contrast, and saturation as needed.

So make sure that you understand that the custom image is just a way of enhancing your out-of-camera JPEG's. If that's what you're after (I know I am), then definitely play around with the settings and find what you like. If you want to have complete control over your image, however, you'll have to shoot in raw.

Raybo · 11-21-2010, 01:29 AM

Originally posted by Adam

Two important points (both of which are made in the k-5 review)
1. If you shoot raw, you can adjust the custom image after shooting on your PC, using the Pentax image utility.
2. You can use the Pentax image utility to play around with the settings and see what works the best for you without having to take more than one actual test photo. I've found that vibrant mode is great, with some increased sharpness, contrast, and saturation as needed.

So make sure that you understand that the custom image is just a way of enhancing your out-of-camera JPEG's. If that's what you're after (I know I am), then definitely play around with the settings and find what you like. If you want to have complete control over your image, however, you'll have to shoot in raw.

GASP!

Are you now just shooting RAW Adam?

Adam · 11-21-2010, 01:36 AM

Originally posted by Raybo

Are you now just shooting RAW Adam?

I never shoot raw, don't have time to fiddle with the settings! For my (web) purposes, JPEG is adequate.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

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aaronius · 11-21-2010, 09:00 PM

Same here, I never shoot raw before but after getting the K5, alot of people around me have been encouraging me to shoot raw so I am currently trying it out but I think I might still be shooting JPEG most of the time as I don't have time to do PP all the time due to work and study commitments.

Adam, for your JPEG, what is the sharpness setting that you normally set to and you find adequate? +1 sharpness? Do you normally do Unsharp Mask for your pics in PS?

Originally posted by Adam

I never shoot raw, don't have time to fiddle with the settings! For my (web) purposes, JPEG is adequate.

11-20-2010, 08:03 PM	#1
aaronius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 188	What custom image setting you used for shooting Jpegs on your K5? Hey guys, i just got my K5 a couple of days back and is currently experimenting on the different custom image settings. I find Natural abit dull and Bright seems nicer. Do you all find the default Bright setting sharp and saturated enough out of camera? I am thinking of increasing sharpness to +2 from +1 but don't know whether it will affect the pics adversely..

11-20-2010, 09:34 PM	#3
aaronius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 188 Original Poster	Thanks! Ya I am shooting RAW after I got the K5. Just that I don't foresee myself shooting RAW exclusively because I do take some snapshots for friends and those I prefer to just take in JPEGs. Thats why I am trying to find out what settings give the most optimal JPEGS direct from camera without post-processing. Originally posted by SpecialK There is no single setting for every shot. Further, we don't know your style. The camera has only limited adjustment to a few settings, and a tiny processor. Why not shoot RAW and optimize the details later when you can evaluate the shot on a larger screen? You bought a nice camera, you should make the most of it, before and after the exposure. It really takes very little extra time to PP a RAW file as it does a jpg. You can even do it unattended in a batch with a few clicks, then tweak the ones that need it. That said, I used Bright on the K100D for a few days, until it made some turquoise and pink colors glow. Many people save sharpening until the last, or nearly last, step in processing. Last edited by aaronius; 11-20-2010 at 09:48 PM.

11-21-2010, 01:19 AM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Two important points (both of which are made in the k-5 review) 1. If you shoot raw, you can adjust the custom image after shooting on your PC, using the Pentax image utility. 2. You can use the Pentax image utility to play around with the settings and see what works the best for you without having to take more than one actual test photo. I've found that vibrant mode is great, with some increased sharpness, contrast, and saturation as needed. So make sure that you understand that the custom image is just a way of enhancing your out-of-camera JPEG's. If that's what you're after (I know I am), then definitely play around with the settings and find what you like. If you want to have complete control over your image, however, you'll have to shoot in raw. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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11-20-2010, 08:39 PM	#2
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,482	There is no single setting for every shot. Further, we don't know your style. The camera has only limited adjustment to a few settings, and a tiny processor. Why not shoot RAW and optimize the details later when you can evaluate the shot on a larger screen? You bought a nice camera, you should make the most of it, before and after the exposure. It really takes very little extra time to PP a RAW file as it does a jpg. You can even do it unattended in a batch with a few clicks, then tweak the ones that need it. That said, I used Bright on the K100D for a few days, until it made some turquoise and pink colors glow. Many people save sharpening until the last, or nearly last, step in processing.

11-21-2010, 01:04 AM	#4
nulla Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Melbourne Australia Posts: 1,560	Originally posted by aaronius Hey guys, i just got my K5 a couple of days back and is currently experimenting on the different custom image settings. I find Natural abit dull and Bright seems nicer. Do you all find the default Bright setting sharp and saturated enough out of camera? I am thinking of increasing sharpness to +2 from +1 but don't know whether it will affect the pics adversely.. its best to experiment and set to your style

11-21-2010, 01:29 AM	#6
Raybo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 872	Originally posted by Adam Two important points (both of which are made in the k-5 review) 1. If you shoot raw, you can adjust the custom image after shooting on your PC, using the Pentax image utility. 2. You can use the Pentax image utility to play around with the settings and see what works the best for you without having to take more than one actual test photo. I've found that vibrant mode is great, with some increased sharpness, contrast, and saturation as needed. So make sure that you understand that the custom image is just a way of enhancing your out-of-camera JPEG's. If that's what you're after (I know I am), then definitely play around with the settings and find what you like. If you want to have complete control over your image, however, you'll have to shoot in raw. GASP! Are you now just shooting RAW Adam?

11-21-2010, 01:36 AM	#7
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by Raybo Are you now just shooting RAW Adam? I never shoot raw, don't have time to fiddle with the settings! For my (web) purposes, JPEG is adequate. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

11-21-2010, 09:00 PM	#8
aaronius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 188 Original Poster	Same here, I never shoot raw before but after getting the K5, alot of people around me have been encouraging me to shoot raw so I am currently trying it out but I think I might still be shooting JPEG most of the time as I don't have time to do PP all the time due to work and study commitments. Adam, for your JPEG, what is the sharpness setting that you normally set to and you find adequate? +1 sharpness? Do you normally do Unsharp Mask for your pics in PS? Originally posted by Adam I never shoot raw, don't have time to fiddle with the settings! For my (web) purposes, JPEG is adequate.