Stupid question 2: A better camera

maxgroebel · 10-25-2020, 02:45 PM

Hi,
Stupid Queston #2: I bought my K3II about three years ago, but we have never become friends. I was rather happy with my old K20D, and the only reason I bought it was that I wanted a video capability, which the K3II has. But I find that pictures are often grey and drab, in particular in low light. (Could be the lenses of course, but should they be better on K20D?). There is often some haze (could be the lenses of course). I have posted a couple of questions about that in the past. question The contrast is worse, and the colours are generally less vivid, even if I change the colour scheme (normally landscape). And then it is easy to graze the buttons and change the colour scheme unintentionally. So, I sometimes feel I should get rid of the K3II and get another camera. Question is: Which one?
I have never used the GPS, I rarely need flash, built in or otherwise.
Max .

**jatrax** · 10-25-2020, 03:22 PM - **1 Like**

Wait for the K-new release. With luck that will be before year end.

On the other hand I cannot but think that there is something wrong with your settings on the K-3II. I have both K-3II and K-1II and both are capable of colorful excellent images even in low light. You might want to check the settings and see what is going on.

That said, life is too short to have gear that you don't like. Pentax has other bodies and there are of course other makers as well.

**pepperberry farm** · 10-25-2020, 03:34 PM

I'd second the above request - some examples of K-3 shots would be useful...

Ivan · 10-25-2020, 03:42 PM

You have to decide what exactly you want from the camera. The choice is large and for any money. However, having a good video narrows the search down a lot. I have two pentax cameras, but I will not invest in new cameras. Due to the high price of lenses. Lenses that I think are good. As for the colors, now it all depends on the post processing. By the way, what lenses do you use? A lot depends on this too. I don't like lenses from the film era, because of poor contrast and color. Or another option, they see themselves differently on different cameras.

stevebrot · 10-25-2020, 04:25 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by maxgroebel

Hi,
Stupid Queston #2: I bought my K3II about three years ago, but we have never become friends. I was rather happy with my old K20D, and the only reason I bought it was that I wanted a video capability, which the K3II has. But I find that pictures are often grey and drab, in particular in low light. (Could be the lenses of course, but should they be better on K20D?). There is often some haze (could be the lenses of course). I have posted a couple of questions about that in the past. question The contrast is worse, and the colours are generally less vivid, even if I change the colour scheme (normally landscape). And then it is easy to graze the buttons and change the colour scheme unintentionally. So, I sometimes feel I should get rid of the K3II and get another camera. Question is: Which one?
I have never used the GPS, I rarely need flash, built in or otherwise.
Max .

That is strange, my experience with the K-3 has been pretty much the opposite. That said, your experience is your experience and not mine

.

Probably the best advice I can give is to shoot RAW (DNG or PEF). That will free you from the camera's JPEG processing and allow full control of managing colors and curves. A second hint might be to tell the camera to not remember its custom image setting from one session to the next. Yes, those only apply to in-camera JPEG, but they do affect the previews we see on the rear LCD and with many software image browsers. (menu --> Rec Mode 4 --> Memory).

Oh...and yes...It could be your selection of lenses. What are you using?

Steve

sp500 · 10-26-2020, 12:32 AM - **2 Likes**

Have you tried changing the White Balance from 'Auto White Balance' to 'Multi Auto White Balance'. You will be surprised how much better it looks.

**Apet-Sure** · 10-26-2020, 01:05 PM

A couple of random thoughts:

1. Maybe the sensor needs to be cleaned?
2. If you haven't done a lot of setting customizations, you could try a factory reset of the camera. If you do have a lot setting customizations, write them down before doing the reset.

Like stevebrot said, a K3II should be able to produce excellent images, unless there is something wrong (broken) in the circuitry.

**mikesbike** · 10-27-2020, 07:22 PM

The K20D, which I bought new years ago and still have but only occasionally use, is notable for very saturated colors. It also tends to underexpose by at least 1/2 stop. Since you say you are using the "Landscape" category among the Custom Image processing for JPEG images out of the camera? Try a different category with the K-3 II (perhaps the "Bright" setting?) and/or you can go into the menu of the category and adjust color saturation to your liking. I also recommend to adjust Sharpening by implementing "Fine Sharpening" using your thumb dial. The sharpening level might be at normal in "Landscape" compared to being up by +1 as default in "Bright", which you can bring upward in "Landscape" to be the same.

35mmfilmfan · 10-28-2020, 03:44 AM

Originally posted by mikesbike

The K20D, which I bought new years ago and still have but only occasionally use, is notable for very saturated colors. It also tends to underexpose by at least 1/2 stop. <snip>

I agree about the colours, but my example needs either -3 or -7 EV compensation to give RAW results that I find easy to work with in PP, especially in landscape work. Probably just sample variation.

**pepperberry farm** · 10-28-2020, 04:03 AM - **3 Likes**

wouldn't it be nice if Max came back and answered our questions, showed some examples, etc?

stevebrot · 10-28-2020, 06:03 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

wouldn't it be nice if Max came back and answered our questions, showed some examples, etc?

I did some past posts look-see and Max seems to average about three posts a year in the years that they post and went over quota with this thread. Based on past pattern, they may circle back, thank us for our responses and restate their frustration or perhaps not.

Steve

pschlute · 10-28-2020, 04:36 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

wouldn't it be nice if Max came back and answered our questions, showed some examples, etc?

I tend these days to look at a poster's time on the site and number of posts, to see if it worth wearing out my keyboard with a response.

**pepperberry farm** · 10-28-2020, 05:03 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pschlute

I tend these days to look at a poster's time on the site and number of posts, to see if it worth wearing out my keyboard with a response.

agreed - I employ a similar algorithm to keep my 'ignored' list populated...

normhead · 10-28-2020, 05:33 PM - **1 Like**

I always thought I'd keep my K20D as a back up, however, after a couple of years, I tried it on a slow day. I sold it a few weeks later. I'e ben shooting my K-3 or 5 yers now.... I have no complaints.

My only thought to your complaint is get some decent post processing software.

**mikesbike** · 10-28-2020, 06:54 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

wouldn't it be nice if Max came back and answered our questions, showed some examples, etc?

I think maybe he went and bought a KP?

10-25-2020, 02:45 PM	#1
maxgroebel New Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 21	Stupid question 2: A better camera Hi, Stupid Queston #2: I bought my K3II about three years ago, but we have never become friends. I was rather happy with my old K20D, and the only reason I bought it was that I wanted a video capability, which the K3II has. But I find that pictures are often grey and drab, in particular in low light. (Could be the lenses of course, but should they be better on K20D?). There is often some haze (could be the lenses of course). I have posted a couple of questions about that in the past. question The contrast is worse, and the colours are generally less vivid, even if I change the colour scheme (normally landscape). And then it is easy to graze the buttons and change the colour scheme unintentionally. So, I sometimes feel I should get rid of the K3II and get another camera. Question is: Which one? I have never used the GPS, I rarely need flash, built in or otherwise. Max .

10-28-2020, 06:54 PM - 1 Like	#15
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,562	Originally posted by pepperberry farm wouldn't it be nice if Max came back and answered our questions, showed some examples, etc? I think maybe he went and bought a KP? Last edited by mikesbike; 10-28-2020 at 08:11 PM.

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10-25-2020, 03:22 PM - 1 Like	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Wait for the K-new release. With luck that will be before year end. On the other hand I cannot but think that there is something wrong with your settings on the K-3II. I have both K-3II and K-1II and both are capable of colorful excellent images even in low light. You might want to check the settings and see what is going on. That said, life is too short to have gear that you don't like. Pentax has other bodies and there are of course other makers as well.

10-25-2020, 03:34 PM	#3
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,778	I'd second the above request - some examples of K-3 shots would be useful...

10-25-2020, 03:42 PM	#4
Ivan Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Moscow Posts: 639	You have to decide what exactly you want from the camera. The choice is large and for any money. However, having a good video narrows the search down a lot. I have two pentax cameras, but I will not invest in new cameras. Due to the high price of lenses. Lenses that I think are good. As for the colors, now it all depends on the post processing. By the way, what lenses do you use? A lot depends on this too. I don't like lenses from the film era, because of poor contrast and color. Or another option, they see themselves differently on different cameras.

10-25-2020, 04:25 PM - 2 Likes	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by maxgroebel Hi, Stupid Queston #2: I bought my K3II about three years ago, but we have never become friends. I was rather happy with my old K20D, and the only reason I bought it was that I wanted a video capability, which the K3II has. But I find that pictures are often grey and drab, in particular in low light. (Could be the lenses of course, but should they be better on K20D?). There is often some haze (could be the lenses of course). I have posted a couple of questions about that in the past. question The contrast is worse, and the colours are generally less vivid, even if I change the colour scheme (normally landscape). And then it is easy to graze the buttons and change the colour scheme unintentionally. So, I sometimes feel I should get rid of the K3II and get another camera. Question is: Which one? I have never used the GPS, I rarely need flash, built in or otherwise. Max . That is strange, my experience with the K-3 has been pretty much the opposite. That said, your experience is your experience and not mine . Probably the best advice I can give is to shoot RAW (DNG or PEF). That will free you from the camera's JPEG processing and allow full control of managing colors and curves. A second hint might be to tell the camera to not remember its custom image setting from one session to the next. Yes, those only apply to in-camera JPEG, but they do affect the previews we see on the rear LCD and with many software image browsers. (menu --> Rec Mode 4 --> Memory). Oh...and yes...It could be your selection of lenses. What are you using? Steve

10-26-2020, 12:32 AM - 2 Likes	#6
sp500 New Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Utah Posts: 24	Have you tried changing the White Balance from 'Auto White Balance' to 'Multi Auto White Balance'. You will be surprised how much better it looks.

10-26-2020, 01:05 PM	#7
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,872	A couple of random thoughts: 1. Maybe the sensor needs to be cleaned? 2. If you haven't done a lot of setting customizations, you could try a factory reset of the camera. If you do have a lot setting customizations, write them down before doing the reset. Like stevebrot said, a K3II should be able to produce excellent images, unless there is something wrong (broken) in the circuitry.

10-27-2020, 07:22 PM	#8
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,562	The K20D, which I bought new years ago and still have but only occasionally use, is notable for very saturated colors. It also tends to underexpose by at least 1/2 stop. Since you say you are using the "Landscape" category among the Custom Image processing for JPEG images out of the camera? Try a different category with the K-3 II (perhaps the "Bright" setting?) and/or you can go into the menu of the category and adjust color saturation to your liking. I also recommend to adjust Sharpening by implementing "Fine Sharpening" using your thumb dial. The sharpening level might be at normal in "Landscape" compared to being up by +1 as default in "Bright", which you can bring upward in "Landscape" to be the same.

10-28-2020, 03:44 AM	#9
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,340	Originally posted by mikesbike The K20D, which I bought new years ago and still have but only occasionally use, is notable for very saturated colors. It also tends to underexpose by at least 1/2 stop. <snip> I agree about the colours, but my example needs either -3 or -7 EV compensation to give RAW results that I find easy to work with in PP, especially in landscape work. Probably just sample variation.

10-28-2020, 04:03 AM - 3 Likes	#10
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,778	wouldn't it be nice if Max came back and answered our questions, showed some examples, etc?

10-28-2020, 06:03 AM - 1 Like	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pepperberry farm wouldn't it be nice if Max came back and answered our questions, showed some examples, etc? I did some past posts look-see and Max seems to average about three posts a year in the years that they post and went over quota with this thread. Based on past pattern, they may circle back, thank us for our responses and restate their frustration or perhaps not. Steve

10-28-2020, 04:36 PM - 1 Like	#12
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,218	Originally posted by pepperberry farm wouldn't it be nice if Max came back and answered our questions, showed some examples, etc? I tend these days to look at a poster's time on the site and number of posts, to see if it worth wearing out my keyboard with a response.

10-28-2020, 05:03 PM - 1 Like	#13
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,778	Originally posted by pschlute I tend these days to look at a poster's time on the site and number of posts, to see if it worth wearing out my keyboard with a response. agreed - I employ a similar algorithm to keep my 'ignored' list populated...

10-28-2020, 05:33 PM - 1 Like	#14
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I always thought I'd keep my K20D as a back up, however, after a couple of years, I tried it on a slow day. I sold it a few weeks later. I'e ben shooting my K-3 or 5 yers now.... I have no complaints. My only thought to your complaint is get some decent post processing software.