blurred pictures

Diane Bid · 01-09-2016, 01:29 PM

I have a Pentax K20D Have taken 1000's of pics through the years with no problems The last few months all pics seem to double image and blurr lights Any ideas. New to this forum will try to attach pic

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

Rupert · 01-09-2016, 02:02 PM

Very low shutter speed.....too small an aperture....too low an ISO....SR? was it on?

Could have been any of these ...or all of them. I shot the K20D for a long time, great camera

, it will get the shot if you use the right settings. Try a little experimenting and you will get it right!

Regards!

BTW- Welcome to PForums

....a great site for posting, fun, and learning. Become a regular and you will learn all you ever need to know from friendly people willing to help with most any problem.

**Just1MoreDave** · 01-09-2016, 02:10 PM

I think what this shows is a lot of camera movement while the shutter is open, but most of the image is getting exposed by the flash. The flash burst is very brief, 1/1000 sec. or faster. Parts of the subject that were not well-lit were lit by the flash, so they don't show the same movement as the tree lights. Those tree light highlights show a lot of camera movement, probably more than an SR system malfunction. Usually you know if you were moving the camera that much.

Focus is another problem. EXIF doesn't say what the focus mode is. AF-S should keep the shutter from firing until focus is locked. If you used AF-S, your camera has no idea what focus is. In AF-C or MF, focus could be anything and the shutter will fire. So maybe the focus mode got switched unexpectedly.

enoeske · 01-09-2016, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by Diane Bid

I have a Pentax K20D Have taken 1000's of pics through the years with no problems The last few months all pics seem to double image and blurr lights Any ideas. New to this forum will try to attach pic

Hard to say in this situation if its user error or the camera. The camera obviously isn't focused, not sure if you gave it time to do its thing. But there is also the doubling problem, which looks like bad camera shake on a long exposure. 1/60th isn't too long of an exposure. I wouldn't expect to see this kind of blurring if you were holding the camera fairly still.

What does the camera do outside during the day with similar Av (f/8) settings?

**Mallee Boy** · 01-09-2016, 02:21 PM

Originally posted by Diane Bid

I have a Pentax K20D Have taken 1000's of pics through the years with no problems The last few months all pics seem to double image and blurr lights Any ideas. New to this forum will try to attach pic

Could you have inadvertently changed the settings somehow ? I also had a K20, damn good camera. from memory there is a reset (to factory default settings) function, perhaps give that a go.

Ron_Man · 01-09-2016, 03:06 PM

EXIF info shows 1\60, f8, and 1600 ISO

I'd say that 1/60 isn't awfully slow but because you're stopped down a bit there isn't enough light coming in despite your ISO settings. Open up the aperture some more. Which lens did you use?

Try doing the same shot with the same settings but on a stable fixture, such as a tripod. I suspect it's a little camera shake as well.

Saltwater Images · 01-09-2016, 03:19 PM

Too much eggnog (with brandy) - just a guess, but what a fun way to make blurry photos:-)

**clackers** · 01-09-2016, 03:31 PM

Look at the difference between the baubles illuminated by flash, Diane, and the ambient trails on the Christmas lights.

You seriously and smoothly pushed the camera to the top right while the shutter was open.

Na Horuk · 01-09-2016, 04:20 PM

Originally posted by Diane Bid

The last few months all pics seem to double image and blurr lights

What about photos taken in good daylight?
The the sample photo it looks like slow shutter and handshake might be the cause of the blur. But it would need a lot of shake, like when the shutter button was pressed the camera was suddenly tilted.
Right now all the advice I can give is to watch out how you press the shutter button and hold the camera, and take photos with faster shutter speed, at least 1/125.

It does sound odd that the camera was working well and then this happened. Could also be caused by damaged shutter and mirror mechanism, I guess. User error is the first thing we check in threads like these, because often it is the easiest thing to check and often it solves the problem. But it might be a technical problem

**Alex645** · 01-09-2016, 04:23 PM

Your flash seems to be set on second or rear curtain sync. Check in your menu if you had inadvertently set it to that. However, at 1.60", you'd have to be have been moving quite a bit to cause that much streaking at 40mm and on manual focus for it to be that far off the mark in sharpness.

Does this happen when you don't use flash?

jddwoods · 01-10-2016, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by Na Horuk

What about photos taken in good daylight?
The the sample photo it looks like slow shutter and handshake might be the cause of the blur. But it would need a lot of shake, like when the shutter button was pressed the camera was suddenly tilted.
Right now all the advice I can give is to watch out how you press the shutter button and hold the camera, and take photos with faster shutter speed, at least 1/125.

It does sound odd that the camera was working well and then this happened. Could also be caused by damaged shutter and mirror mechanism, I guess. User error is the first thing we check in threads like these, because often it is the easiest thing to check and often it solves the problem. But it might be a technical problem

I agree, without getting into details, taking some pictures outdoors in good daylight should tell you if you have a camera problem or not.

Diane Bid · 01-10-2016, 10:56 AM

We finally seem to be getting some good pics. Bad pics only before--inside, outside, flash, no flash I am a pure amateur at this and nothing has changed in the way I use the camera. I knew it wasn't movement or anything along those lines I always use it in auto--so I thought camera would do what it had to My husband opened the camera and blew off dust He then lowered the iso a fraction. Now the double images and blurring are gone Thank you everyone

**clackers** · 01-10-2016, 12:49 PM

Originally posted by Diane Bid

My husband opened the camera and blew off dust He then lowered the iso a fraction.

Dust or high ISO didn't cause the motion in the picture you posted, Diane, but I'm glad you're better off now. ☺

**RGlasel** · 01-10-2016, 03:13 PM

Originally posted by clackers

Dust or high ISO didn't cause the motion in the picture you posted

Could a dirty/poor connection between lens and camera result in erratic behaviour by the camera and erroneous EXIF information?

**clackers** · 01-10-2016, 04:02 PM

Maybe, Rglasel, but there are motion trails on those Xmas lights. And straight ones, at that.

There is a case for user error as well, as we see many times in this forum.

01-09-2016, 02:02 PM	#2
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	Very low shutter speed.....too small an aperture....too low an ISO....SR? was it on? Could have been any of these ...or all of them. I shot the K20D for a long time, great camera, it will get the shot if you use the right settings. Try a little experimenting and you will get it right! Regards! BTW- Welcome to PForums....a great site for posting, fun, and learning. Become a regular and you will learn all you ever need to know from friendly people willing to help with most any problem.

01-10-2016, 10:56 AM	#12
Diane Bid New Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Thank you We finally seem to be getting some good pics. Bad pics only before--inside, outside, flash, no flash I am a pure amateur at this and nothing has changed in the way I use the camera. I knew it wasn't movement or anything along those lines I always use it in auto--so I thought camera would do what it had to My husband opened the camera and blew off dust He then lowered the iso a fraction. Now the double images and blurring are gone Thank you everyone

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01-09-2016, 02:10 PM	#3
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I think what this shows is a lot of camera movement while the shutter is open, but most of the image is getting exposed by the flash. The flash burst is very brief, 1/1000 sec. or faster. Parts of the subject that were not well-lit were lit by the flash, so they don't show the same movement as the tree lights. Those tree light highlights show a lot of camera movement, probably more than an SR system malfunction. Usually you know if you were moving the camera that much. Focus is another problem. EXIF doesn't say what the focus mode is. AF-S should keep the shutter from firing until focus is locked. If you used AF-S, your camera has no idea what focus is. In AF-C or MF, focus could be anything and the shutter will fire. So maybe the focus mode got switched unexpectedly.

01-09-2016, 02:14 PM	#4
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	Originally posted by Diane Bid I have a Pentax K20D Have taken 1000's of pics through the years with no problems The last few months all pics seem to double image and blurr lights Any ideas. New to this forum will try to attach pic Hard to say in this situation if its user error or the camera. The camera obviously isn't focused, not sure if you gave it time to do its thing. But there is also the doubling problem, which looks like bad camera shake on a long exposure. 1/60th isn't too long of an exposure. I wouldn't expect to see this kind of blurring if you were holding the camera fairly still. What does the camera do outside during the day with similar Av (f/8) settings?

01-09-2016, 02:21 PM	#5
Mallee Boy Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,904	Originally posted by Diane Bid I have a Pentax K20D Have taken 1000's of pics through the years with no problems The last few months all pics seem to double image and blurr lights Any ideas. New to this forum will try to attach pic Could you have inadvertently changed the settings somehow ? I also had a K20, damn good camera. from memory there is a reset (to factory default settings) function, perhaps give that a go.

01-09-2016, 03:06 PM	#6
Ron_Man Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD Posts: 221	EXIF info shows 1\60, f8, and 1600 ISO I'd say that 1/60 isn't awfully slow but because you're stopped down a bit there isn't enough light coming in despite your ISO settings. Open up the aperture some more. Which lens did you use? Try doing the same shot with the same settings but on a stable fixture, such as a tripod. I suspect it's a little camera shake as well.

01-09-2016, 03:19 PM	#7
Saltwater Images Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Newfoundland Photos: Gallery Posts: 501	Too much eggnog (with brandy) - just a guess, but what a fun way to make blurry photos:-)

01-09-2016, 03:31 PM	#8
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Look at the difference between the baubles illuminated by flash, Diane, and the ambient trails on the Christmas lights. You seriously and smoothly pushed the camera to the top right while the shutter was open.

01-09-2016, 04:20 PM	#9
Na Horuk Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Slovenia, probably Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,186	Originally posted by Diane Bid The last few months all pics seem to double image and blurr lights What about photos taken in good daylight? The the sample photo it looks like slow shutter and handshake might be the cause of the blur. But it would need a lot of shake, like when the shutter button was pressed the camera was suddenly tilted. Right now all the advice I can give is to watch out how you press the shutter button and hold the camera, and take photos with faster shutter speed, at least 1/125. It does sound odd that the camera was working well and then this happened. Could also be caused by damaged shutter and mirror mechanism, I guess. User error is the first thing we check in threads like these, because often it is the easiest thing to check and often it solves the problem. But it might be a technical problem

01-09-2016, 04:23 PM	#10
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,527	Your flash seems to be set on second or rear curtain sync. Check in your menu if you had inadvertently set it to that. However, at 1.60", you'd have to be have been moving quite a bit to cause that much streaking at 40mm and on manual focus for it to be that far off the mark in sharpness. Does this happen when you don't use flash?

01-10-2016, 06:35 AM	#11
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	Originally posted by Na Horuk What about photos taken in good daylight? The the sample photo it looks like slow shutter and handshake might be the cause of the blur. But it would need a lot of shake, like when the shutter button was pressed the camera was suddenly tilted. Right now all the advice I can give is to watch out how you press the shutter button and hold the camera, and take photos with faster shutter speed, at least 1/125. It does sound odd that the camera was working well and then this happened. Could also be caused by damaged shutter and mirror mechanism, I guess. User error is the first thing we check in threads like these, because often it is the easiest thing to check and often it solves the problem. But it might be a technical problem I agree, without getting into details, taking some pictures outdoors in good daylight should tell you if you have a camera problem or not.

01-10-2016, 12:49 PM	#13
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Originally posted by Diane Bid My husband opened the camera and blew off dust He then lowered the iso a fraction. Dust or high ISO didn't cause the motion in the picture you posted, Diane, but I'm glad you're better off now. ☺

01-10-2016, 03:13 PM	#14
RGlasel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saskatoon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,229	Originally posted by clackers Dust or high ISO didn't cause the motion in the picture you posted Could a dirty/poor connection between lens and camera result in erratic behaviour by the camera and erroneous EXIF information?

01-10-2016, 04:02 PM	#15
clackers Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 16,397	Maybe, Rglasel, but there are motion trails on those Xmas lights. And straight ones, at that. There is a case for user error as well, as we see many times in this forum.