Sharpening Settings

New Pentax User · 09-27-2015, 09:16 AM

My first Pentax (K3II) and a little confused about the different sharpening settings. What do the three settings( Sharpening, Extra Sharpening, and Fine sharpening) do? Can't find an explanation in the manual.
Thanks in advance for your help.

Giklab · 09-27-2015, 11:48 AM

It's three different sharpening radiuses. Normal is the largest, XF is the smallest. Basically, each setting progressively applies sharpening in smaller "blocks" to the image, thus bringing out finer detail.

**Kerrowdown** · 09-27-2015, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by First Poster

Sharpening Settings

I would think that these settings only apply if your shooting jpeg not raw.

mcgregni · 09-27-2015, 01:47 PM

True, in that they are 'applied' and burnt in to the final jpeg output. With RAW recording then the settings will be saved in the file metadata, along with all the other custom image settings. However, with RAW, the only program that will actually open the file with these settings activated as set on the camera, is Pentax Digital Camera Utility. Other RAW converters, Lightroom, PhotoShop etc, will not recognise the camera settings.

Adam · 09-27-2015, 03:17 PM

Originally posted by New Pentax User

My first Pentax (K3II) and a little confused about the different sharpening settings. What do the three settings( Sharpening, Extra Sharpening, and Fine sharpening) do? Can't find an explanation in the manual.
Thanks in advance for your help.

I would recommend leaving sharpness alone (i.e. not increasing it beyond the base setting). The K-3 produces very sharp images since it has no AA filter, so additional sharpening shouldn't be needed unless you have motion blur or softness from other sources.

New Pentax User · 09-29-2015, 08:09 AM

Thanks for all the great information. I shall leave it as factory set for now. So many option, so much to learn. Thanks for your insights and help.

zekewhipper · 11-16-2015, 04:47 PM

I think you should experiment with the settings because, having no AA filter does not necessarily make the sharpness the way you want it. Based on the experimenting I have done, the three categories do not produce the same results. For the K-5 I have (and the K20D I once did) I found I like -Fine- Sharpness better than the other two.

KDD · 11-16-2015, 05:05 PM

Also need excellent glass!!

09-27-2015, 09:16 AM	#1
New Pentax User Guest	Sharpening Settings My first Pentax (K3II) and a little confused about the different sharpening settings. What do the three settings( Sharpening, Extra Sharpening, and Fine sharpening) do? Can't find an explanation in the manual. Thanks in advance for your help.

09-27-2015, 11:48 AM	#2
Giklab Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Slovenia Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,182	It's three different sharpening radiuses. Normal is the largest, XF is the smallest. Basically, each setting progressively applies sharpening in smaller "blocks" to the image, thus bringing out finer detail. Last edited by Giklab; 09-27-2015 at 11:57 AM.

09-27-2015, 03:17 PM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by New Pentax User My first Pentax (K3II) and a little confused about the different sharpening settings. What do the three settings( Sharpening, Extra Sharpening, and Fine sharpening) do? Can't find an explanation in the manual. Thanks in advance for your help. I would recommend leaving sharpness alone (i.e. not increasing it beyond the base setting). The K-3 produces very sharp images since it has no AA filter, so additional sharpening shouldn't be needed unless you have motion blur or softness from other sources. 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:

09-29-2015, 08:09 AM	#6
New Pentax User Guest	Thanks Thanks for all the great information. I shall leave it as factory set for now. So many option, so much to learn. Thanks for your insights and help.

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09-27-2015, 12:22 PM	#3
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	Originally posted by First Poster Sharpening Settings I would think that these settings only apply if your shooting jpeg not raw.

09-27-2015, 01:47 PM	#4
mcgregni Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Surrey, England Posts: 2,603	True, in that they are 'applied' and burnt in to the final jpeg output. With RAW recording then the settings will be saved in the file metadata, along with all the other custom image settings. However, with RAW, the only program that will actually open the file with these settings activated as set on the camera, is Pentax Digital Camera Utility. Other RAW converters, Lightroom, PhotoShop etc, will not recognise the camera settings.

11-16-2015, 04:47 PM	#7
zekewhipper Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 308	I think you should experiment with the settings because, having no AA filter does not necessarily make the sharpness the way you want it. Based on the experimenting I have done, the three categories do not produce the same results. For the K-5 I have (and the K20D I once did) I found I like -Fine- Sharpness better than the other two.

11-16-2015, 05:05 PM	#8
KDD Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403	Also need excellent glass!!