Digital Camera Utility - blurred JPGs from PEF files

kypfer · 03-10-2022, 04:07 AM

Just recently I've been playing around with some infra-red filters on a couple of my cameras and have experienced occasional weird results … having saved in JPG+RAW in anticipation of needing to tweak it later, I find when I open the PEF file in DCU the image is very blurred in places, notice especially the foreground in the right-hand image!
The silly thing is that if I open the PEF in-camera and process there, the resultant image is not blurred!
In all circumstances the JPG that was saved at exposure time is not a problem in this respect!
This has now happened with both my K-5 and my KP, so I've effectively eliminated both camera and card, I've also tried one of the problematic files in DCU v5.9.2 64bit in W10 and in DCU v5.9.3 32bit under XP with similar results.
On the left … the original JPG from the K-5, on the right the JPG from the PEF in DCU with no adjustments applied.
I know it's a rubbish picture, just one of a few random snaps taken with an "infra-red" filter to help ascertain what levels of effect can be achieved and what exposures are necessary.
I'll be "playing" further as time and weather permit with different ISO settings and exposure times, but any insights as to what might be going wrong here would be appreciated

The original PEF can be found here, if anyone is interested : https://1drv.ms/u/s!AkzZuPOaEswYgh04nldBRTDaeG4c?e=Ycf9cN

For reference, the EXIF from the original is as follows :-
Filename - K_5_9415.jpg
Make - PENTAX
Model - PENTAX K-5
Orientation - Top left
XResolution - 300
YResolution - 300
ResolutionUnit - Inch
Software - K-5 Ver 1.16
DateTime - 2022:02:25 16:34:30
Artist - Chris Eve
YCbCrPositioning - Co-Sited
Copyright - Chris Eve
ExifOffset - 706
ExposureTime - 1/20 seconds
FNumber - 5.60
ExposureProgram - Not defined
ISOSpeedRatings - 18000
ExifVersion - 0230
DateTimeOriginal - 2022:02:25 16:34:30
DateTimeDigitized - 2022:02:25 16:34:30
ComponentsConfiguration - YCbCr
ExposureBiasValue - 1.00
MeteringMode - Multi-segment
Flash - Flash not fired, compulsory flash mode
FocalLength - 40.00 mm
FlashPixVersion - 0100
ColorSpace - sRGB
ExifImageWidth - 500
ExifImageHeight - 331
InteroperabilityOffset - 54468
SensingMethod - One-chip color area sensor
FileSource - Other
SceneType - Other
CustomRendered - Normal process
ExposureMode - Manual
White Balance - Manual
FocalLengthIn35mmFilm - 60 mm
SceneCaptureType - Standard
Contrast - Hard
Saturation - Normal
Sharpness - Hard
SubjectDistanceRange - Distant view
GPS information: -
GPSVersionID - 2.3.0.0
Maker Note (Vendor): -
Mode - Auto
Date - 2022:02:25
Time - 16:34:30
Quality - 5
Focus Mode - Contrast-detect (focus priority)
ISO - 275
White Balance - Manual
Effective LightValue - 2.9
Lens Type - Tamron XR DiII 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 (A14)
Thumbnail: -
Compression - 6 (JPG)
XResolution - 300
YResolution - 300
ResolutionUnit - Inch
JpegIFOffset - 54610
JpegIFByteCount - 7243

Last edited by kypfer; 03-10-2022 at 04:43 AM. Reason: Added link

pschlute · 03-10-2022, 05:54 AM

I just opened your PEF file in Adobe Camera Raw. No blurring.

Must be a DCU thing, or your computer and DCU together are struggling. I don't have DCU to test.

**BigMackCam** · 03-10-2022, 06:07 AM - **4 Likes**

I just tried opening it in DCU 5.9.3... I see what you mean

I'm not that familiar with DCU as I don't use it on a regular basis, but a quick play with the controls betrayed the cause... In the Noise Reduction tab, you need to uncheck the "Random noise reduction" check-box.

With "Random noise reduction" checked (by default):

With "Random noise reduction" unchecked:

Hope this helps

**othar** · 03-10-2022, 06:10 AM

Does this only happen with IR images or all PEF files?
If this happens to all images in DCU you might have selected some weird preset processing, applied when loaded into the program

edit: seems the solution has already been found

kypfer · 03-10-2022, 07:02 AM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

I just tried opening it in DCU 5.9.3... I see what you mean

I'm not that familiar with DCU as I don't use it on a regular basis, but a quick play with the controls betrayed the cause... In the Noise Reduction tab, you need to uncheck the "Random noise reduction" check-box.
With "Random noise reduction" checked (by default):
With "Random noise reduction" unchecked:
Hope this helps

Absolutely excellent

I use DCU quite regularly but had never thought to open the Noise Reduction tab, so hadn't considered there might be a default setting in there that needed to be unset.
I'd even gone to the effort of reverting to DCU v4.40 only to find the issue still existed

Thanks very much … I certainly won't forget this one

pschlute and othar … thanks for your thoughts … it's always good to know people are interested enough to think about a problem

**BigMackCam** · 03-10-2022, 07:16 AM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by kypfer

Absolutely excellent

I use DCU quite regularly but had never thought to open the Noise Reduction tab, so hadn't considered there might be a default setting in there that needed to be unset.
I'd even gone to the effort of reverting to DCU v4.40 only to find the issue still existed

Thanks very much … I certainly won't forget this one

pschlute and othar … thanks for your thoughts … it's always good to know people are interested enough to think about a problem

You're most welcome

... and I can beat that. I've done complete OS re-installations that weren't necessary because of config things I'd missed on a system

Sometimes, a second pair of eyes is all it takes. Glad it's working now

stevebrot · 03-10-2022, 09:14 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

Hope this helps

Dang! I would never have thought to look for such a setting. EXIF shows...

Quote:

High ISO Noise Reduction : Auto; Active (Medium)

Might that have been the culprit at ISO 18000?

Steve

kypfer · 03-11-2022, 02:51 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by stevebrot

Dang! I would never have thought to look for such a setting. EXIF shows...

Might that have been the culprit at ISO 18000?

Steve

Ah yes … no doubt the high ISO was a contributory factor, but I was simply taking snaps to get some numbers to work back from rather than having to set up the tripod for every shot.
The filter used there was a "no-name" device that I wanted to calibrate for trying out some false-colour shots … turns out it's something like a 680nm which will need slightly different consideration than the 720nm filters that are often used for that type of shot.
Subsequent tests (between the rain showers) suggest the KP will be easier to use than the K-5. Auto-focussing is more reliable with a filter fitted, and if it doesn't want to play, the focus peaking makes life a lot easier

I'm well familiar with using my unmodified *istDL2 with a Lee 87 for pure b&w infra-red, that'll even work with a 950nm filter that I've recently obtained, though yet to put to profitable use, but I've not yet tried for false-colour images, so it's all a bit new to me.

**BigMackCam** · 03-11-2022, 03:17 PM

Originally posted by kypfer

I'm well familiar with using my unmodified *istDL2 with a Lee 87 for pure b&w infra-red, that'll even work with a 950nm filter that I've recently obtained, though yet to put to profitable use, but I've not yet tried for false-colour images, so it's all a bit new to me.

That's something I must read up on. I also have a *ist DL2 (well, it's a Samsung DX-1L, but essentially the same camera) and would love to have a go at B&W infra-red...

stevebrot · 03-11-2022, 04:46 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by kypfer

Ah yes … no doubt the high ISO was a contributory factor

I was thinking High ISO NR set on Auto with "Medium" applied to the image as the cause. Random Noise Reduction will not be applied even at ISO 80,000 if High ISO NR is turned off.

Steve

kypfer · 03-11-2022, 05:17 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by BigMackCam

That's something I must read up on. I also have a *ist DL2 (well, it's a Samsung DX-1L, but essentially the same camera) and would love to have a go at B&W infra-red...

The *istDL2 has got Digital Preview, which is the next best thing to LiveView and very handy for working with a visually opaque filter

This page https://www.pentaxuser.com/article/infrared-photography-with-a-pentax-digital-slr---part-1-466 gives a good insight to the subject.

03-10-2022, 04:07 AM	#1
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,594	Digital Camera Utility - blurred JPGs from PEF files Just recently I've been playing around with some infra-red filters on a couple of my cameras and have experienced occasional weird results … having saved in JPG+RAW in anticipation of needing to tweak it later, I find when I open the PEF file in DCU the image is very blurred in places, notice especially the foreground in the right-hand image! The silly thing is that if I open the PEF in-camera and process there, the resultant image is not blurred! In all circumstances the JPG that was saved at exposure time is not a problem in this respect! This has now happened with both my K-5 and my KP, so I've effectively eliminated both camera and card, I've also tried one of the problematic files in DCU v5.9.2 64bit in W10 and in DCU v5.9.3 32bit under XP with similar results. On the left … the original JPG from the K-5, on the right the JPG from the PEF in DCU with no adjustments applied. I know it's a rubbish picture, just one of a few random snaps taken with an "infra-red" filter to help ascertain what levels of effect can be achieved and what exposures are necessary. I'll be "playing" further as time and weather permit with different ISO settings and exposure times, but any insights as to what might be going wrong here would be appreciated The original PEF can be found here, if anyone is interested : https://1drv.ms/u/s!AkzZuPOaEswYgh04nldBRTDaeG4c?e=Ycf9cN For reference, the EXIF from the original is as follows :- Filename - K_5_9415.jpg Make - PENTAX Model - PENTAX K-5 Orientation - Top left XResolution - 300 YResolution - 300 ResolutionUnit - Inch Software - K-5 Ver 1.16 DateTime - 2022:02:25 16:34:30 Artist - Chris Eve YCbCrPositioning - Co-Sited Copyright - Chris Eve ExifOffset - 706 ExposureTime - 1/20 seconds FNumber - 5.60 ExposureProgram - Not defined ISOSpeedRatings - 18000 ExifVersion - 0230 DateTimeOriginal - 2022:02:25 16:34:30 DateTimeDigitized - 2022:02:25 16:34:30 ComponentsConfiguration - YCbCr ExposureBiasValue - 1.00 MeteringMode - Multi-segment Flash - Flash not fired, compulsory flash mode FocalLength - 40.00 mm FlashPixVersion - 0100 ColorSpace - sRGB ExifImageWidth - 500 ExifImageHeight - 331 InteroperabilityOffset - 54468 SensingMethod - One-chip color area sensor FileSource - Other SceneType - Other CustomRendered - Normal process ExposureMode - Manual White Balance - Manual FocalLengthIn35mmFilm - 60 mm SceneCaptureType - Standard Contrast - Hard Saturation - Normal Sharpness - Hard SubjectDistanceRange - Distant view GPS information: - GPSVersionID - 2.3.0.0 Maker Note (Vendor): - Mode - Auto Date - 2022:02:25 Time - 16:34:30 Quality - 5 Focus Mode - Contrast-detect (focus priority) ISO - 275 White Balance - Manual Effective LightValue - 2.9 Lens Type - Tamron XR DiII 18-200mm F3.5-6.3 (A14) Thumbnail: - Compression - 6 (JPG) XResolution - 300 YResolution - 300 ResolutionUnit - Inch JpegIFOffset - 54610 JpegIFByteCount - 7243 Last edited by kypfer; 03-10-2022 at 04:43 AM. Reason: Added link

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Converting RAW PEF files from Pentax K7 camera into JPG	andysue	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	22	03-17-2021 04:46 PM
digital camera utility 5 Digital filter effects?	FAPARAGEATM	Digital Processing, Software, and Printing	9	02-25-2017 08:14 AM
K5 pef files must not be the same as K5 ll pef	Applianceguy	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	20	09-17-2013 09:14 AM
Why wont my PEF's open in Pentax Camera utility 4?	CEWren	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	3	08-06-2011 05:46 PM
Pentax Digital Camera Utility 4 changes to raw files disappear	7samurai	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	4	05-25-2011 05:05 PM

03-10-2022, 05:54 AM	#2
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,202	I just opened your PEF file in Adobe Camera Raw. No blurring. Must be a DCU thing, or your computer and DCU together are struggling. I don't have DCU to test.

03-10-2022, 06:07 AM - 4 Likes	#3
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	I just tried opening it in DCU 5.9.3... I see what you mean I'm not that familiar with DCU as I don't use it on a regular basis, but a quick play with the controls betrayed the cause... In the Noise Reduction tab, you need to uncheck the "Random noise reduction" check-box. With "Random noise reduction" checked (by default): With "Random noise reduction" unchecked: Hope this helps

03-10-2022, 06:10 AM	#4
othar Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Linz Photos: Albums Posts: 3,098	Does this only happen with IR images or all PEF files? If this happens to all images in DCU you might have selected some weird preset processing, applied when loaded into the program edit: seems the solution has already been found

03-10-2022, 07:02 AM - 4 Likes	#5
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,594 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam I just tried opening it in DCU 5.9.3... I see what you mean I'm not that familiar with DCU as I don't use it on a regular basis, but a quick play with the controls betrayed the cause... In the Noise Reduction tab, you need to uncheck the "Random noise reduction" check-box. With "Random noise reduction" checked (by default): With "Random noise reduction" unchecked: Hope this helps Absolutely excellent I use DCU quite regularly but had never thought to open the Noise Reduction tab, so hadn't considered there might be a default setting in there that needed to be unset. I'd even gone to the effort of reverting to DCU v4.40 only to find the issue still existed Thanks very much … I certainly won't forget this one pschlute and othar … thanks for your thoughts … it's always good to know people are interested enough to think about a problem

03-10-2022, 07:16 AM - 4 Likes	#6
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	Originally posted by kypfer Absolutely excellent I use DCU quite regularly but had never thought to open the Noise Reduction tab, so hadn't considered there might be a default setting in there that needed to be unset. I'd even gone to the effort of reverting to DCU v4.40 only to find the issue still existed Thanks very much … I certainly won't forget this one pschlute and othar … thanks for your thoughts … it's always good to know people are interested enough to think about a problem You're most welcome ... and I can beat that. I've done complete OS re-installations that weren't necessary because of config things I'd missed on a system Sometimes, a second pair of eyes is all it takes. Glad it's working now

03-10-2022, 09:14 PM - 2 Likes	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by BigMackCam Hope this helps Dang! I would never have thought to look for such a setting. EXIF shows... Quote: High ISO Noise Reduction : Auto; Active (Medium) Might that have been the culprit at ISO 18000? Steve

03-11-2022, 02:51 PM - 1 Like	#8
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,594 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Dang! I would never have thought to look for such a setting. EXIF shows... Might that have been the culprit at ISO 18000? Steve Ah yes … no doubt the high ISO was a contributory factor, but I was simply taking snaps to get some numbers to work back from rather than having to set up the tripod for every shot. The filter used there was a "no-name" device that I wanted to calibrate for trying out some false-colour shots … turns out it's something like a 680nm which will need slightly different consideration than the 720nm filters that are often used for that type of shot. Subsequent tests (between the rain showers) suggest the KP will be easier to use than the K-5. Auto-focussing is more reliable with a filter fitted, and if it doesn't want to play, the focus peaking makes life a lot easier I'm well familiar with using my unmodified *istDL2 with a Lee 87 for pure b&w infra-red, that'll even work with a 950nm filter that I've recently obtained, though yet to put to profitable use, but I've not yet tried for false-colour images, so it's all a bit new to me.

03-11-2022, 03:17 PM	#9
BigMackCam Digitiser of Film Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: North East of England Posts: 20,674	Originally posted by kypfer I'm well familiar with using my unmodified istDL2 with a Lee 87 for pure b&w infra-red, that'll even work with a 950nm filter that I've recently obtained, though yet to put to profitable use, but I've not yet tried for false-colour images, so it's all a bit new to me. That's something I must read up on. I also have a ist DL2 (well, it's a Samsung DX-1L, but essentially the same camera) and would love to have a go at B&W infra-red...

03-11-2022, 04:46 PM - 1 Like	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by kypfer Ah yes … no doubt the high ISO was a contributory factor I was thinking High ISO NR set on Auto with "Medium" applied to the image as the cause. Random Noise Reduction will not be applied even at ISO 80,000 if High ISO NR is turned off. Steve

03-11-2022, 05:17 PM - 1 Like	#11
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,594 Original Poster	Originally posted by BigMackCam That's something I must read up on. I also have a ist DL2 (well, it's a Samsung DX-1L, but essentially the same camera) and would love to have a go at B&W infra-red... The istDL2 has got Digital Preview, which is the next best thing to LiveView and very handy for working with a visually opaque filter This page https://www.pentaxuser.com/article/infrared-photography-with-a-pentax-digital-slr---part-1-466 gives a good insight to the subject.