Blown Out Highlights in Pentax Digital Utility

**FoxbatK** · 08-13-2016, 10:10 PM

I attached an image below but Cliff's Notes -

When previewing on camera or looking at the automatically made JPEG, or looking at the DNG in Pentax Digital Camera Utility, the highlights look awful, like I scrubbed it out in MS Paint or a JPEG artifact after 20 compressions (right side below). While it is true that proper exposure fixes things, it's a pretty bad penalty for being off a bit, especially when...

I noticed after installing the Adobe DNG codec for Windows, or when I open the image in Lightroom, the highlights look much better (left side attached below).

Is this just a case of the interpretation of the DNG by Pentax making it look worse, so looking at it in the DCU software replicates this since it reads the DNG/converts to JPEG the same way?

Attached Images

Adam · 08-13-2016, 11:00 PM

Originally posted by FoxbatK

Is this just a case of the interpretation of the DNG by Pentax making it look worse, so looking at it in the DCU software replicates this since it reads the DNG/converts to JPEG the same way?

Probably the latter. If you reduced the highlights the exposure should be OK.

**Bruce Clark** · 08-13-2016, 11:26 PM

I don't use the Pentax software so I can't comment on that but Lightroom may have certain presets configured to alter images on import.

08-13-2016, 10:10 PM	#1
FoxbatK Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: Santa Cruz, CA Posts: 51	Blown Out Highlights in Pentax Digital Utility I attached an image below but Cliff's Notes - When previewing on camera or looking at the automatically made JPEG, or looking at the DNG in Pentax Digital Camera Utility, the highlights look awful, like I scrubbed it out in MS Paint or a JPEG artifact after 20 compressions (right side below). While it is true that proper exposure fixes things, it's a pretty bad penalty for being off a bit, especially when... I noticed after installing the Adobe DNG codec for Windows, or when I open the image in Lightroom, the highlights look much better (left side attached below). Is this just a case of the interpretation of the DNG by Pentax making it look worse, so looking at it in the DCU software replicates this since it reads the DNG/converts to JPEG the same way? Attached Images

08-13-2016, 11:00 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by FoxbatK Is this just a case of the interpretation of the DNG by Pentax making it look worse, so looking at it in the DCU software replicates this since it reads the DNG/converts to JPEG the same way? Probably the latter. If you reduced the highlights the exposure should be OK. 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:

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08-13-2016, 11:26 PM	#3
Bruce Clark Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ocean Grove, Victoria Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,458	I don't use the Pentax software so I can't comment on that but Lightroom may have certain presets configured to alter images on import.