New k-x, really lost?

Ankletsonfire · 06-19-2012, 06:29 AM

Hi, I just got a Pentax k-x and I really love it but recently I've been starting to not like it as much as I got it because the photos look really dull like sometimes the colour is dull and other times the pictures looks like it's lacking contrast. I've tweaked with the picture setting in-camera and it really doesn't help. Also, when I shoot in RAW and adjust it in photoshop, the photos at times till looks dull.

Can somebody advice me on what to do and also post pictures up taken with their Pentax k-x to convince me that this camera isn't THAT bad?

I use a Horusbennu 50mm 1.7 lens btw.

Last edited by Ankletsonfire; 06-19-2012 at 07:27 AM.

**crewl1** · 06-19-2012, 06:35 AM

YOU should post sample pictures so folks can diagnose your issue.
There are plenty of threads around here with excellent samples from the k-x.
http://www.pixel-peeper.com/cameras/?camera=1338

**boriscleto** · 06-19-2012, 06:39 AM

Flickr: Pentax K-x

Two years worth of pictures in my Flickr photo stream.

Flickr: Search bmcgann1's photostream

Anvh · 06-19-2012, 06:54 AM

RAW photos often look dull, no surprise there.
For jpeg what settings do you use and which tone curve?
Besides settings the lens and the light also have great effect on contrast and colours, lighting the most off all.

altopiet · 06-19-2012, 06:57 AM

Originally posted by Ankletsonfire

post pictures up taken with their Pentax k-x to convince me that this camera isn't THAT good?

This seems to be a strange request?
Why don't you post the pictures you have a problem with, with the EXIF included, and you might get some advice on what might be the cause of your problems?

aurele · 06-19-2012, 07:00 AM

color setting does not apply to RAW, only to JPEG.

I suggest you to shoot RAW+Jpeg to have a comparison.

**Aristophanes** · 06-19-2012, 07:02 AM

The photos look full of saturation and have contrast.

I see no problems.

Which photos specifically are you referring to?

aurele · 06-19-2012, 07:08 AM

Originally posted by aurele

color setting does not apply to RAW, only to JPEG.

I suggest you to shoot RAW+Jpeg to have a comparison.

small comparison between RAW (no editing at all) and in body JPEG with bright color setting, auto WB.

RAW and in body JPEG
K-x, DA*55, 1/15sec, f5.6, 200 iso

Ankletsonfire · 06-19-2012, 07:15 AM

This is the only picture I can retrieve because I deleted the others. Idk what's the exif but I'm sure nothing has been done to it.

altopiet · 06-19-2012, 07:43 AM

http://www.digicamhelp.com/glossary/exif-data/. The photo seems to be taken in rather low light. What lens did you use, was it hand held, what ISO setting, shutter speed, f stop etc.

**crewl1** · 06-19-2012, 07:52 AM

Looks like the low contrast and blurred edges are a lens problem. Is it dirty?
I don't know anything about the performance of that Horus bennu 50 but most lenses get better if you stop them down to f8.
Try that or different lens, I think even a pentax kit lens looks better than this.
I wouldn't fault the camera.

sterretje · 06-19-2012, 07:53 AM

Possibly an older 50mm lens according to the exif (Exif Viewer in Firefox). No aperture information, 0.7 second, ISO400, manual white balance, 50 (75) mm

eddie1960 · 06-19-2012, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by altopiet

What is EXIF data?. The photo seems to be taken in rather low light. What lens did you use, was it hand held, what ISO setting, shutter speed, f stop etc.

agreed this looks like a low light shot, the lens looks like it is soft as well. The Horusbennu is a pretty inexpensive lens that can easily be bested by older lenses like the M 50 1.7 in the same price category from the examples i see on the web.
Functionally though without the full exif it's tough to diagnose your issues

**crewl1** · 06-19-2012, 07:54 AM

In OP they say " I use a Horusbennu 50mm 1.7 lens btw."

aurele · 06-19-2012, 07:59 AM

the Horusbennu is quite cheap, but not a very good lens too.

The lack of contrast come a bit from it, i bet.

06-19-2012, 06:29 AM	#1
Ankletsonfire New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 6	New k-x, really lost? Hi, I just got a Pentax k-x and I really love it but recently I've been starting to not like it as much as I got it because the photos look really dull like sometimes the colour is dull and other times the pictures looks like it's lacking contrast. I've tweaked with the picture setting in-camera and it really doesn't help. Also, when I shoot in RAW and adjust it in photoshop, the photos at times till looks dull. Can somebody advice me on what to do and also post pictures up taken with their Pentax k-x to convince me that this camera isn't THAT bad? I use a Horusbennu 50mm 1.7 lens btw. Last edited by Ankletsonfire; 06-19-2012 at 07:27 AM.

06-19-2012, 06:35 AM	#2
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	YOU should post sample pictures so folks can diagnose your issue. There are plenty of threads around here with excellent samples from the k-x. http://www.pixel-peeper.com/cameras/?camera=1338 Last edited by crewl1; 06-19-2012 at 06:41 AM.

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06-19-2012, 06:39 AM	#3
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,477	Flickr: Pentax K-x Two years worth of pictures in my Flickr photo stream. Flickr: Search bmcgann1's photostream

06-19-2012, 06:54 AM	#4
Anvh Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 4,616	RAW photos often look dull, no surprise there. For jpeg what settings do you use and which tone curve? Besides settings the lens and the light also have great effect on contrast and colours, lighting the most off all.

06-19-2012, 06:57 AM	#5
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	Originally posted by Ankletsonfire post pictures up taken with their Pentax k-x to convince me that this camera isn't THAT good? This seems to be a strange request? Why don't you post the pictures you have a problem with, with the EXIF included, and you might get some advice on what might be the cause of your problems?

06-19-2012, 07:00 AM	#6
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	color setting does not apply to RAW, only to JPEG. I suggest you to shoot RAW+Jpeg to have a comparison.

06-19-2012, 07:02 AM	#7
Aristophanes Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rankin Inlet, Nunavut Photos: Albums Posts: 3,948	The photos look full of saturation and have contrast. I see no problems. Which photos specifically are you referring to?

06-19-2012, 07:08 AM	#8
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	Originally posted by aurele color setting does not apply to RAW, only to JPEG. I suggest you to shoot RAW+Jpeg to have a comparison. small comparison between RAW (no editing at all) and in body JPEG with bright color setting, auto WB. RAW and in body JPEG K-x, DA55, 1/15sec, f5.6, 200 iso*

06-19-2012, 07:15 AM	#9
Ankletsonfire New Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 6 Original Poster	This is the only picture I can retrieve because I deleted the others. Idk what's the exif but I'm sure nothing has been done to it.

06-19-2012, 07:43 AM	#10
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	http://www.digicamhelp.com/glossary/exif-data/. The photo seems to be taken in rather low light. What lens did you use, was it hand held, what ISO setting, shutter speed, f stop etc.

06-19-2012, 07:52 AM	#11
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Looks like the low contrast and blurred edges are a lens problem. Is it dirty? I don't know anything about the performance of that Horus bennu 50 but most lenses get better if you stop them down to f8. Try that or different lens, I think even a pentax kit lens looks better than this. I wouldn't fault the camera.

06-19-2012, 07:53 AM	#12
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Possibly an older 50mm lens according to the exif (Exif Viewer in Firefox). No aperture information, 0.7 second, ISO400, manual white balance, 50 (75) mm

06-19-2012, 07:54 AM	#13
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	Originally posted by altopiet What is EXIF data?. The photo seems to be taken in rather low light. What lens did you use, was it hand held, what ISO setting, shutter speed, f stop etc. agreed this looks like a low light shot, the lens looks like it is soft as well. The Horusbennu is a pretty inexpensive lens that can easily be bested by older lenses like the M 50 1.7 in the same price category from the examples i see on the web. Functionally though without the full exif it's tough to diagnose your issues

06-19-2012, 07:54 AM	#14
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	In OP they say " I use a Horusbennu 50mm 1.7 lens btw."

06-19-2012, 07:59 AM	#15
aurele Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Paris, France Photos: Albums Posts: 3,217	the Horusbennu is quite cheap, but not a very good lens too. The lack of contrast come a bit from it, i bet.