K5: DFS can be switched off?

Raybo · 10-03-2010, 12:15 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by sjwaldron

Thanks for the tips. What software do you use to take said dark frame and apply it to the actual photos?

People in the local astronomy club do a lot of stacking as apposed to long exposure stuff. I have not done anything except standard tripod photos of short exposures. I can't seem to justify the cost of a earth rotation tracking mount. :ugh:

Here is a neat program for stacking (and it's free to boot!

)

DeepSkyStacker - Free

Entropy · 10-04-2010, 06:53 AM

Originally posted by sjwaldron

Thanks for the tips. What software do you use to take said dark frame and apply it to the actual photos?

I use ufraw for all of my raw processing, and it has a built-in dark frame subtraction option.

UFRaw - User Guide

pentaxmz · 10-04-2010, 08:08 AM

Originally posted by sjwaldron

Thanks for the tips. What software do you use to take said dark frame and apply it to the actual photos?

People in the local astronomy club do a lot of stacking as apposed to long exposure stuff. I have not done anything except standard tripod photos of short exposures. I can't seem to justify the cost of a earth rotation tracking mount. :ugh:

I use a free tool called Registax RegiStax- Free image processing software, which I also use for stacking long exposures (usually never less than 5 min each)

oliver939 · 10-05-2010, 02:16 PM

hi guys. The answer is here:
Falk Lumo -- Pentax K-5 hands-on preview

see the point 10.5

chalion · 10-05-2010, 02:29 PM

Yup, this really makes me want to get the K5.

pentaxmz · 11-01-2010, 11:17 PM

Originally posted by oliver939

hi guys. The answer is here:
Falk Lumo -- Pentax K-5 hands-on preview

see the point 10.5

The quote is:
"10.5 Bulb mode and DFS

DFS (Dark frame subtraction aka Long exposure noise reduction) can now be switched off even for bulb mode (exposures longer than 30s). I made a test with a 66s exposure at ISO 1600 and the image displayed immediately and the camera was ready again -- without a delay (firmware 0.30). ISO 1600 is the highest ISO setting for bulb mode. This is no limitation for raw shooting though because higher ISO are made in camera from ISO 1600 by exposure boost post processing; something easily done in the raw converter as well."

Thank you but...

Note the firmware version. This is not a production version number.

Once again, can someone please confirm whether or not DFS can be disabled in the production model?

kittykat46 · 11-02-2010, 12:59 AM

The K-5 manual says Slow-Shutter NR can be completely turned Off (no extra caveats like on the K-7).

A friend who just purchased a unit tried Bulb mode at 2 minutes , and confirmed no Forced NR (the LCD screen came back immediately and the photo taken appeared on the Instant Review).

The next full moon is on November 21st.

I hope my K-5 gets delivered by then....then I can go and have some fun with Bulb-mode.
Right now I only have an order acknowledgement from the dealer with no commited delivery date

Last edited by kittykat46; 11-02-2010 at 01:04 AM.

JackBak · 11-02-2010, 07:22 AM

Originally posted by kittykat46

The next full moon is on November 21st.

I hope my K-5 gets delivered by then....then I can go and have some fun with Bulb-mode.
Right now I only have an order acknowledgement from the dealer with no commited delivery date

Did you mean the new moon on Nov 5-6? You don't need Bulb mode and certainly no NR when exposures for a Full moon are typically 1/250th and faster.

kittykat46 · 11-02-2010, 08:17 AM

Originally posted by JackBak

Did you mean the new moon on Nov 5-6? You don't need Bulb mode and certainly no NR when exposures for a Full moon are typically 1/250th and faster.

Oh...I'm a terrestial Bulb Mode user, not an astrographer

I use the light of the full moon to for scenery shots. Really cool, out where there are no city lights.

Anything more than a half moon works, but its nicest with a full moon.

JackBak · 11-02-2010, 08:41 AM

Gotcha, I have shot a few of those night shots as well, but almost all night shots for me are astro shots. I can't wait to get my hands on the K-5.

thibs · 11-02-2010, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by JackBak

Did you mean the new moon on Nov 5-6? You don't need Bulb mode and certainly no NR when exposures for a Full moon are typically 1/250th and faster.

Thought thé samebut figured it out

Mortox · 11-02-2010, 06:38 PM

Since it can be turned off i'm assuming Pentax dubs it acceptable on the sensor heat.

So does anyone have any sample shots? say 1minute , 2min, 5 and maybe even 10?

I thought i have decided to go Nikon because of Pentax's failure in a lot of areas like this and noise performance but this camera is looking like a decent one.

kittykat46 · 11-02-2010, 07:41 PM

Originally posted by Mortox

Since it can be turned off i'm assuming Pentax dubs it acceptable on the sensor heat.

So does anyone have any sample shots? say 1minute , 2min, 5 and maybe even 10?

I thought i have decided to go Nikon because of Pentax's failure in a lot of areas like this and noise performance but this camera is looking like a decent one.

At hand-held shutter speeds, the K-5's Noise Control looks like the top of the class for APS-C

Actually, there was nothing wrong at all with the K-7 at lower ISOs - I've taken a lot of clean long exposure shots with the K-7 - it always forced DFS, of course.

For long exposures on the K-5, we'll have to see...but I'm pretty confident it will turn out well.
I'll likely get delivery end next week. I'll try out long exposures once I'm through with the "normal" shots.

I usually work with 2-5 minute exposures, since I'm mainly a moon-light scenery taker, not an astrographer.

pentaxmz · 11-02-2010, 11:03 PM

Originally posted by Mortox

Since it can be turned off i'm assuming Pentax dubs it acceptable on the sensor heat.

So does anyone have any sample shots? say 1minute , 2min, 5 and maybe even 10?

I thought i have decided to go Nikon because of Pentax's failure in a lot of areas like this and noise performance but this camera is looking like a decent one.

Well the good thing is that Pentax got wise and dumped that terrible Samsung sensor that was used on both the K20D (my current model) and the K7 (the reason why I did not upgrade).

Here is to hoping!

Attention K5 owners.... can someone please post some non-DFS long exposures. I suggest 1, 2, 5, and 10 minutes at ISO 400/800 is good enough. But I shall be most grateful for anything past 1 minute in very low light at ISO 800.

Consider it a service to Pentax, I am holding off my purchase until I see what long exposure noise looks like.

Thank you, thank you, thank you :-)

pentaxmz · 11-02-2010, 11:05 PM

Originally posted by kittykat46

The K-5 manual says Slow-Shutter NR can be completely turned Off (no extra caveats like on the K-7).

A friend who just purchased a unit tried Bulb mode at 2 minutes , and confirmed no Forced NR (the LCD screen came back immediately and the photo taken appeared on the Instant Review).

The next full moon is on November 21st.

I hope my K-5 gets delivered by then....then I can go and have some fun with Bulb-mode.
Right now I only have an order acknowledgement from the dealer with no commited delivery date

Kittykat... you just made my day even better with this confirmation!

Thank you! :-)

BTW, How much did you pay? Thus far, I have only seen Adorama's outrageous $1599 USD without lens.

10-03-2010, 12:15 PM - 1 Like	#31
Raybo Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 872	Originally posted by sjwaldron Thanks for the tips. What software do you use to take said dark frame and apply it to the actual photos? People in the local astronomy club do a lot of stacking as apposed to long exposure stuff. I have not done anything except standard tripod photos of short exposures. I can't seem to justify the cost of a earth rotation tracking mount. :ugh: Here is a neat program for stacking (and it's free to boot!) DeepSkyStacker - Free

11-02-2010, 06:38 PM	#42
Mortox Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 28	Samples shpts on long exposures? Since it can be turned off i'm assuming Pentax dubs it acceptable on the sensor heat. So does anyone have any sample shots? say 1minute , 2min, 5 and maybe even 10? I thought i have decided to go Nikon because of Pentax's failure in a lot of areas like this and noise performance but this camera is looking like a decent one.

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10-04-2010, 06:53 AM	#32
Entropy Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Owego, NY Posts: 976	Originally posted by sjwaldron Thanks for the tips. What software do you use to take said dark frame and apply it to the actual photos? I use ufraw for all of my raw processing, and it has a built-in dark frame subtraction option. UFRaw - User Guide

10-04-2010, 08:08 AM	#33
pentaxmz Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 659	Originally posted by sjwaldron Thanks for the tips. What software do you use to take said dark frame and apply it to the actual photos? People in the local astronomy club do a lot of stacking as apposed to long exposure stuff. I have not done anything except standard tripod photos of short exposures. I can't seem to justify the cost of a earth rotation tracking mount. :ugh: I use a free tool called Registax RegiStax- Free image processing software, which I also use for stacking long exposures (usually never less than 5 min each)

10-05-2010, 02:16 PM	#34
oliver939 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: europe Posts: 156	hi guys. The answer is here: Falk Lumo -- Pentax K-5 hands-on preview see the point 10.5

10-05-2010, 02:29 PM	#35
chalion Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SE Pennsylvania Photos: Albums Posts: 628	Yup, this really makes me want to get the K5.

11-01-2010, 11:17 PM	#36
pentaxmz Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 659	Originally posted by oliver939 hi guys. The answer is here: Falk Lumo -- Pentax K-5 hands-on preview see the point 10.5 The quote is: "10.5 Bulb mode and DFS DFS (Dark frame subtraction aka Long exposure noise reduction) can now be switched off even for bulb mode (exposures longer than 30s). I made a test with a 66s exposure at ISO 1600 and the image displayed immediately and the camera was ready again -- without a delay (firmware 0.30). ISO 1600 is the highest ISO setting for bulb mode. This is no limitation for raw shooting though because higher ISO are made in camera from ISO 1600 by exposure boost post processing; something easily done in the raw converter as well." Thank you but... Note the firmware version. This is not a production version number. Once again, can someone please confirm whether or not DFS can be disabled in the production model?

11-02-2010, 12:59 AM	#37
kittykat46 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 923	The K-5 manual says Slow-Shutter NR can be completely turned Off (no extra caveats like on the K-7). A friend who just purchased a unit tried Bulb mode at 2 minutes , and confirmed no Forced NR (the LCD screen came back immediately and the photo taken appeared on the Instant Review). The next full moon is on November 21st. I hope my K-5 gets delivered by then....then I can go and have some fun with Bulb-mode. Right now I only have an order acknowledgement from the dealer with no commited delivery date Last edited by kittykat46; 11-02-2010 at 01:04 AM.

11-02-2010, 07:22 AM	#38
JackBak Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boulder, Colorado Posts: 88	Originally posted by kittykat46 The next full moon is on November 21st. I hope my K-5 gets delivered by then....then I can go and have some fun with Bulb-mode. Right now I only have an order acknowledgement from the dealer with no commited delivery date Did you mean the new moon on Nov 5-6? You don't need Bulb mode and certainly no NR when exposures for a Full moon are typically 1/250th and faster.

11-02-2010, 08:17 AM	#39
kittykat46 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 923	Originally posted by JackBak Did you mean the new moon on Nov 5-6? You don't need Bulb mode and certainly no NR when exposures for a Full moon are typically 1/250th and faster. Oh...I'm a terrestial Bulb Mode user, not an astrographer I use the light of the full moon to for scenery shots. Really cool, out where there are no city lights. Anything more than a half moon works, but its nicest with a full moon.

11-02-2010, 08:41 AM	#40
JackBak Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Boulder, Colorado Posts: 88	Gotcha, I have shot a few of those night shots as well, but almost all night shots for me are astro shots. I can't wait to get my hands on the K-5.

11-02-2010, 09:54 AM	#41
thibs Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Belgium Photos: Albums Posts: 7,001	Originally posted by JackBak Did you mean the new moon on Nov 5-6? You don't need Bulb mode and certainly no NR when exposures for a Full moon are typically 1/250th and faster. Thought thé samebut figured it out

11-02-2010, 07:41 PM	#43
kittykat46 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 923	Originally posted by Mortox Since it can be turned off i'm assuming Pentax dubs it acceptable on the sensor heat. So does anyone have any sample shots? say 1minute , 2min, 5 and maybe even 10? I thought i have decided to go Nikon because of Pentax's failure in a lot of areas like this and noise performance but this camera is looking like a decent one. At hand-held shutter speeds, the K-5's Noise Control looks like the top of the class for APS-C Actually, there was nothing wrong at all with the K-7 at lower ISOs - I've taken a lot of clean long exposure shots with the K-7 - it always forced DFS, of course. For long exposures on the K-5, we'll have to see...but I'm pretty confident it will turn out well. I'll likely get delivery end next week. I'll try out long exposures once I'm through with the "normal" shots. I usually work with 2-5 minute exposures, since I'm mainly a moon-light scenery taker, not an astrographer.

11-02-2010, 11:03 PM	#44
pentaxmz Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 659	Originally posted by Mortox Since it can be turned off i'm assuming Pentax dubs it acceptable on the sensor heat. So does anyone have any sample shots? say 1minute , 2min, 5 and maybe even 10? I thought i have decided to go Nikon because of Pentax's failure in a lot of areas like this and noise performance but this camera is looking like a decent one. Well the good thing is that Pentax got wise and dumped that terrible Samsung sensor that was used on both the K20D (my current model) and the K7 (the reason why I did not upgrade). Here is to hoping! Attention K5 owners.... can someone please post some non-DFS long exposures. I suggest 1, 2, 5, and 10 minutes at ISO 400/800 is good enough. But I shall be most grateful for anything past 1 minute in very low light at ISO 800. Consider it a service to Pentax, I am holding off my purchase until I see what long exposure noise looks like. Thank you, thank you, thank you :-)

11-02-2010, 11:05 PM	#45
pentaxmz Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Seattle Posts: 659	Originally posted by kittykat46 The K-5 manual says Slow-Shutter NR can be completely turned Off (no extra caveats like on the K-7). A friend who just purchased a unit tried Bulb mode at 2 minutes , and confirmed no Forced NR (the LCD screen came back immediately and the photo taken appeared on the Instant Review). The next full moon is on November 21st. I hope my K-5 gets delivered by then....then I can go and have some fun with Bulb-mode. Right now I only have an order acknowledgement from the dealer with no commited delivery date Kittykat... you just made my day even better with this confirmation! Thank you! :-) BTW, How much did you pay? Thus far, I have only seen Adorama's outrageous $1599 USD without lens.