K1 EFCS improves sharpness

biz-engineer · 10-08-2016, 11:41 AM

Today I was out and about experimenting long shots with the DFA150-450 @ 450, with and without electronics shutter. Surprisingly, I was able to get very tack sharp crop when EFCS enabled, while I thought the DFA150-450 sharpness was falling off beyond 400mm. To me it looks like part of the increased sharpness of pixel shift is coming from using an electronic shutter instead of mechanical shutter. Advantage of EFCS, we get sharper images without the burden of pixel shifted raw conversion. I guess I'm going to use EFCS whenever I can. Have you experienced the same thing?

JinDesu · 10-08-2016, 11:55 AM

Probably ensures the complete lack of shutter vibrations on the image. I don't think it specifically does anything to the image. Good to know though.

Adam · 10-08-2016, 01:24 PM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

Today I was out and about experimenting long shots with the DFA150-450 @ 450, with and without electronics shutter. Surprisingly, I was able to get very tack sharp crop when EFCS enabled, while I thought the DFA150-450 sharpness was falling off beyond 400mm. To me it looks like part of the increased sharpness of pixel shift is coming from using an electronic shutter instead of mechanical shutter. Advantage of EFCS, we get sharper images without the burden of pixel shifted raw conversion. I guess I'm going to use EFCS whenever I can. Have you experienced the same thing?

I did some product photos with and without EFCS, and there was a difference there, too. Interesting theory on pixel shift.

**WPRESTO** · 10-08-2016, 06:15 PM

I find no information on "EFCS" nor "electronics shutter" in my K1 manual. Could you illuminate?

rawr · 10-08-2016, 07:52 PM

Originally posted by WPRESTO

Could you illuminate?

- Pentax K-1 web page addition

- Info included with the v1.3 firmware update

biz-engineer · 10-08-2016, 11:03 PM

Originally posted by rawr

- Pentax K-1 web page addition - Info included with the v1.3 firmware update

Thanks for pointing to the addendum.

**WPRESTO** · 10-09-2016, 03:23 AM

Originally posted by rawr

- Pentax K-1 web page addition

- Info included with the v1.3 firmware update

Thanks. As usual, shortly after posting the question I found the answer myself, but have not as yet installed v1.3 in my K1.

Medex · 10-09-2016, 03:45 AM

be careful when shooting with EFCS in artificial light. Shutter speed up to 1/100 is OK, but starting from 1/125s the horizontal stripes appear in the pictures.

10-08-2016, 11:41 AM	#1
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,239	K1 EFCS improves sharpness Today I was out and about experimenting long shots with the DFA150-450 @ 450, with and without electronics shutter. Surprisingly, I was able to get very tack sharp crop when EFCS enabled, while I thought the DFA150-450 sharpness was falling off beyond 400mm. To me it looks like part of the increased sharpness of pixel shift is coming from using an electronic shutter instead of mechanical shutter. Advantage of EFCS, we get sharper images without the burden of pixel shifted raw conversion. I guess I'm going to use EFCS whenever I can. Have you experienced the same thing?

10-08-2016, 01:24 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Originally posted by biz-engineer Today I was out and about experimenting long shots with the DFA150-450 @ 450, with and without electronics shutter. Surprisingly, I was able to get very tack sharp crop when EFCS enabled, while I thought the DFA150-450 sharpness was falling off beyond 400mm. To me it looks like part of the increased sharpness of pixel shift is coming from using an electronic shutter instead of mechanical shutter. Advantage of EFCS, we get sharper images without the burden of pixel shifted raw conversion. I guess I'm going to use EFCS whenever I can. Have you experienced the same thing? I did some product photos with and without EFCS, and there was a difference there, too. Interesting theory on pixel shift. 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:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
To K1 or not K1 - that is the question?	interested_observer	Pentax K-1 & K-1 II	78	07-15-2017 03:58 PM
EFCS: electronic front curtain shutter	biz-engineer	Pentax K-1 & K-1 II	11	09-21-2016 04:48 AM
Sharpness vs Fine Sharpness	don_park	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	5	03-20-2016 07:45 PM
Sharpness, Fine Sharpness, Extra Sharpness	Taviali	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	8	03-31-2012 12:56 PM
k-7 sharpness / fine sharpness / fine sharpness 2	mattdm	Pentax DSLR Discussion	10	12-12-2010 08:10 AM

10-08-2016, 11:55 AM	#2
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Probably ensures the complete lack of shutter vibrations on the image. I don't think it specifically does anything to the image. Good to know though.

10-08-2016, 06:15 PM	#4
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,138	I find no information on "EFCS" nor "electronics shutter" in my K1 manual. Could you illuminate?

10-08-2016, 07:52 PM	#5
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by WPRESTO Could you illuminate? - Pentax K-1 web page addition - Info included with the v1.3 firmware update

10-08-2016, 11:03 PM	#6
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,239 Original Poster	Originally posted by rawr - Pentax K-1 web page addition - Info included with the v1.3 firmware update Thanks for pointing to the addendum.

10-09-2016, 03:23 AM	#7
WPRESTO Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Massachusetts Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 59,138	Originally posted by rawr - Pentax K-1 web page addition - Info included with the v1.3 firmware update Thanks. As usual, shortly after posting the question I found the answer myself, but have not as yet installed v1.3 in my K1.

10-09-2016, 03:45 AM	#8
Medex Pentaxian Join Date: May 2013 Location: Vilnius Posts: 1,021	be careful when shooting with EFCS in artificial light. Shutter speed up to 1/100 is OK, but starting from 1/125s the horizontal stripes appear in the pictures.