Hilight Correction/ Shadow Correction on K-50/K-30?

Dewman · 02-26-2016, 08:52 AM

I must confess, I'm not sure what the Highlight Correction and Shadow Correction feature actually does on my K-50 & K-30. I've read the user's manual (pg. 148), but either it's somewhat vague.... or more than likely, I'm just very dense.

Not being quite sure where to set it, I've chosen to leave both set on "auto."

If I'm correct in my understanding, it allows the camera to make automatic adjustments which will allow the camera to pick up details in deep shadows and extreme highlights. Am I correct?

If not, can anyone please explain this function in terms that a retired carpenter can understand without using a lot of acronyms?
_____________________________________________________________________________
Next Question:

What does the "Contrast AF Select" feature do on the K-50 / K-30? I've read the user's manual (pg. 104) concerning this feature, and if I'm understanding it correctly, it only pertains when using live view. Although I seldom use live view, where would you suggest I have it set at?

Thanks so much for your expertise and knowledge. I appreciate it.

enoeske · 02-26-2016, 09:10 AM

Originally posted by Dewman

I must confess, I'm not sure what the Highlight Correction and Shadow Correction feature actually does on my K-50 & K-30. I've read the user's manual (pg. 148), but either it's somewhat vague.... or more than likely, I'm just very dense.

Not being quite sure where to set it, I've chosen to leave both set on "auto."

If I'm correct in my understanding, it allows the camera to make automatic adjustments which will allow the camera to pick up details in deep shadows and extreme highlights. Am I correct?

If not, can anyone please explain this function in terms that a retired carpenter can understand without using a lot of acronyms?
_____________________________________________________________________________
Next Question:

What does the "Contrast AF Select" feature do on the K-50 / K-30? I've read the user's manual (pg. 104) concerning this feature, and if I'm understanding it correctly, it only pertains when using live view. Although I seldom use live view, where would you suggest I have it set at?

Thanks so much for your expertise and knowledge. I appreciate it.

Highlight correction attempts to stop the camera from blowing out any highlights and clipping that data. Likewise, the shadow correction attempts to keep your shadows from being pure black and retain some detail in them.

Scintilla · 02-26-2016, 10:02 AM

Originally posted by Dewman

What does the "Contrast AF Select" feature do on the K-50 / K-30? I've read the user's manual (pg. 104) concerning this feature, and if I'm understanding it correctly, it only pertains when using live view. Although I seldom use live view, where would you suggest I have it set at?

You are correct in that this option is only relevant for live view. From my own experience with the K-30, if I know I am going to be shooting people primarily, I put it in Face Detect mode, which works pretty well as long as said faces are not at too much of an angle. Otherwise I put it in Select.
However, I primarily shoot static subjects. If you're using Live View for something that you expect to move around a lot, you might do better with Tracking. I've never tried that mode so I have no feedback as to how well it works.

Oldbayrunner · 02-26-2016, 12:04 PM

Originally posted by Dewman

What does the "Contrast AF Select" feature do on the K-50 / K-30? I've read the user's manual (pg. 104) concerning this feature, and if I'm understanding it correctly, it only pertains when using live view. Although I seldom use live view, where would you suggest I have it set at?

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/173-general-photography/294117-comparing-...-af-stuff.html

Adam · 02-26-2016, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by Dewman

I must confess, I'm not sure what the Highlight Correction and Shadow Correction feature actually does on my K-50 & K-30. I've read the user's manual (pg. 148), but either it's somewhat vague.... or more than likely, I'm just very dense.

Not being quite sure where to set it, I've chosen to leave both set on "auto."

If I'm correct in my understanding, it allows the camera to make automatic adjustments which will allow the camera to pick up details in deep shadows and extreme highlights. Am I correct?

If not, can anyone please explain this function in terms that a retired carpenter can understand without using a lot of acronyms?
_____________________________________________________________________________
Next Question:

What does the "Contrast AF Select" feature do on the K-50 / K-30? I've read the user's manual (pg. 104) concerning this feature, and if I'm understanding it correctly, it only pertains when using live view. Although I seldom use live view, where would you suggest I have it set at?

Thanks so much for your expertise and knowledge. I appreciate it.

On a more technical level:

Shadow correction simply lifts the shadows by increasing the brightness of dark areas, similar to what you would do in Photoshop/Lightroom when developing raws.

Highlight correction underexposes the whole image by a stop in an effort to ensure nothing bright is blown it. It then increases the brightness of darker areas to make up for the underexposure.

The end result is an image that is more likely not to have any clipped details, but the contrast will also be lower, so it might not always look as appealing. Just be wary of this

nabwong · 02-26-2016, 11:13 PM

Hope you don't mind if I piggyback. Does this mean that, when shooting raw, it's definitely better to shoot with as much detail as possible and then adjust the levels later?

hnikesch · 02-29-2016, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by nabwong

Hope you don't mind if I piggyback. Does this mean that, when shooting raw, it's definitely better to shoot with as much detail as possible and then adjust the levels later?

I find when shooting raw I underexpose 1/3 stop and fix things in Lightroom that works great for me

nabwong · 02-29-2016, 04:52 PM

Originally posted by hnikesch

I find when shooting raw I underexpose 1/3 stop and fix things in Lightroom that works great for me

Thanks for the advice!

**Des** · 02-29-2016, 05:14 PM

Highlight correction affects RAW images as well as jpgs (it prevents you from using ISO 100 and underexposes the image to reduce blown highlights), shadow correction only affects jpgs. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/265011-highlight-sha...ion-usage.html

02-26-2016, 08:52 AM	#1
Dewman Veteran Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Idaho Posts: 5,492	Hilight Correction/ Shadow Correction on K-50/K-30? I must confess, I'm not sure what the Highlight Correction and Shadow Correction feature actually does on my K-50 & K-30. I've read the user's manual (pg. 148), but either it's somewhat vague.... or more than likely, I'm just very dense. Not being quite sure where to set it, I've chosen to leave both set on "auto." If I'm correct in my understanding, it allows the camera to make automatic adjustments which will allow the camera to pick up details in deep shadows and extreme highlights. Am I correct? If not, can anyone please explain this function in terms that a retired carpenter can understand without using a lot of acronyms? _____________________________________________________________________________ Next Question: What does the "Contrast AF Select" feature do on the K-50 / K-30? I've read the user's manual (pg. 104) concerning this feature, and if I'm understanding it correctly, it only pertains when using live view. Although I seldom use live view, where would you suggest I have it set at? Thanks so much for your expertise and knowledge. I appreciate it.

02-26-2016, 01:31 PM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by Dewman I must confess, I'm not sure what the Highlight Correction and Shadow Correction feature actually does on my K-50 & K-30. I've read the user's manual (pg. 148), but either it's somewhat vague.... or more than likely, I'm just very dense. Not being quite sure where to set it, I've chosen to leave both set on "auto." If I'm correct in my understanding, it allows the camera to make automatic adjustments which will allow the camera to pick up details in deep shadows and extreme highlights. Am I correct? If not, can anyone please explain this function in terms that a retired carpenter can understand without using a lot of acronyms? _____________________________________________________________________________ Next Question: What does the "Contrast AF Select" feature do on the K-50 / K-30? I've read the user's manual (pg. 104) concerning this feature, and if I'm understanding it correctly, it only pertains when using live view. Although I seldom use live view, where would you suggest I have it set at? Thanks so much for your expertise and knowledge. I appreciate it. On a more technical level: Shadow correction simply lifts the shadows by increasing the brightness of dark areas, similar to what you would do in Photoshop/Lightroom when developing raws. Highlight correction underexposes the whole image by a stop in an effort to ensure nothing bright is blown it. It then increases the brightness of darker areas to make up for the underexposure. The end result is an image that is more likely not to have any clipped details, but the contrast will also be lower, so it might not always look as appealing. Just be wary of this 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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02-26-2016, 09:10 AM	#2
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	Originally posted by Dewman I must confess, I'm not sure what the Highlight Correction and Shadow Correction feature actually does on my K-50 & K-30. I've read the user's manual (pg. 148), but either it's somewhat vague.... or more than likely, I'm just very dense. Not being quite sure where to set it, I've chosen to leave both set on "auto." If I'm correct in my understanding, it allows the camera to make automatic adjustments which will allow the camera to pick up details in deep shadows and extreme highlights. Am I correct? If not, can anyone please explain this function in terms that a retired carpenter can understand without using a lot of acronyms? _____________________________________________________________________________ Next Question: What does the "Contrast AF Select" feature do on the K-50 / K-30? I've read the user's manual (pg. 104) concerning this feature, and if I'm understanding it correctly, it only pertains when using live view. Although I seldom use live view, where would you suggest I have it set at? Thanks so much for your expertise and knowledge. I appreciate it. Highlight correction attempts to stop the camera from blowing out any highlights and clipping that data. Likewise, the shadow correction attempts to keep your shadows from being pure black and retain some detail in them.

02-26-2016, 10:02 AM	#3
Scintilla Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 347	Originally posted by Dewman What does the "Contrast AF Select" feature do on the K-50 / K-30? I've read the user's manual (pg. 104) concerning this feature, and if I'm understanding it correctly, it only pertains when using live view. Although I seldom use live view, where would you suggest I have it set at? You are correct in that this option is only relevant for live view. From my own experience with the K-30, if I know I am going to be shooting people primarily, I put it in Face Detect mode, which works pretty well as long as said faces are not at too much of an angle. Otherwise I put it in Select. However, I primarily shoot static subjects. If you're using Live View for something that you expect to move around a lot, you might do better with Tracking. I've never tried that mode so I have no feedback as to how well it works.

02-26-2016, 12:04 PM	#4
Oldbayrunner Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2013 Posts: 1,665	Originally posted by Dewman What does the "Contrast AF Select" feature do on the K-50 / K-30? I've read the user's manual (pg. 104) concerning this feature, and if I'm understanding it correctly, it only pertains when using live view. Although I seldom use live view, where would you suggest I have it set at? https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/173-general-photography/294117-comparing-...-af-stuff.html

02-26-2016, 11:13 PM	#6
nabwong Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Philly Posts: 118	Hope you don't mind if I piggyback. Does this mean that, when shooting raw, it's definitely better to shoot with as much detail as possible and then adjust the levels later?

02-29-2016, 01:31 PM	#7
hnikesch Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,316	Originally posted by nabwong Hope you don't mind if I piggyback. Does this mean that, when shooting raw, it's definitely better to shoot with as much detail as possible and then adjust the levels later? I find when shooting raw I underexpose 1/3 stop and fix things in Lightroom that works great for me

02-29-2016, 04:52 PM	#8
nabwong Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Philly Posts: 118	Originally posted by hnikesch I find when shooting raw I underexpose 1/3 stop and fix things in Lightroom that works great for me Thanks for the advice!

02-29-2016, 05:14 PM	#9
Des Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Victoria Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 6,423	Highlight correction affects RAW images as well as jpgs (it prevents you from using ISO 100 and underexposes the image to reduce blown highlights), shadow correction only affects jpgs. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/265011-highlight-sha...ion-usage.html