[rparmar]

Just make sure to turn off the shake reduction if using a tripod.

Though if you use MLU, say the two-second timer (as you should), it will turn itself off.

[guest18]

well it look oof to me, I experience the same thing with my kx
I sent it back to pentax for recalibration and it work great now !
well most of the time ,except low light it still abit off

[matth]

For me the 100% crop looks like out off focus also. My A50/1.7 is much sharper even on high iso at F2.8. Try use manual focus and don't mind the confirmation. If you can focus better the camera needs a calibration with lenses you have.

[piesforyou]

I think several things contribute to the apparent lack of detail in this shot.

1) The lighting. The sun is iluminating the subject head-on and at a low angle, causing the image to be flat. But, on your crop, take a look at the branch of the tree which is half in shadow. There's actually quite a lot of detail there!

2) This is a wide angle shot. The scene as a whole looks fine. Look at the detail of the fine branches in the tree and the flower bed off to the right. Of course, if you crop in, you'll see less detail. Take the same shot at a longer focal length and see what happens.

3) Well, the lens. I've had a look back through some of my shots with this lens and I'd say they're about the same, although I don't often shoot down at f11.

I think you just need to play a bit more. Try manually focusing. Try different apertures. You'll find it's actually quite capable.

Here's a similar low angle lighting shot, but the sun is oblique to the subject allowing detail in the brickwork to show nicely.

[piesforyou]

Here's what I mean about the lighting. Although this part of the church is not in focus, you can still see what I mean. The wall oblique to the sun shows fairly good detail, but the side facing the sun is utterly flat and boring.



This is what has happened to your wife and your tree.

[Rondec]

Just a word for you on the first photo you posted -- zoom with your feet. Don't hesitate to walk forward, rather than take a photo standing farther back. Also, as has been mentioned, work on composition. The rule of thirds comes in handy. Point and shoots tend to really bump up saturation and sharpening in their jpegs. Unfortunately, that also tend to really maximize noise in high iso images -- probably better to do that in post processing if you like that look. Finally, remember that it is easier to make a 6 megapixel image look good at the pixel level than a 12 megapixel image.

[Class A]

I think you should consider ditching the K-x in favor of another camera.

What kind of advice is that at this stage?
He just needs to get accustomed to a DSLR. What other DSLR would work better for him? (That's a rhetorical question.)

I think i was trying to fill the frame rather than croping the subject as i have done here.

Getting further away and then cropping in helps with the DOF but IMO it would be better to stay close and increase the f-ratio. Try to increase the light somehow, if you run out of light. In any event, if you focus on the eyes, most of the time the OOF area will add to the image, rather than take away from it.

Finally, remember that it is easier to make a 6 megapixel image look good at the pixel level than a 12 megapixel image.

Yes, the more pixels, the worse a 100% crop will look like. Fortunately, 100% crops are irrelevant most of the time. What counts is the quality of the image at the intended output size which is almost always drastically lower than a 100% crop equivalent.

EDIT: In case you want to check the AF accuracy of your camera/lens combination, here are some [url=https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-articles/61385-autofocus-adjustment-hints.html[/url] AF adjustment hints. The K-x can be user-calibrated by accessing the service menu but hopefully you'll find that you want need to do this anyhow.

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Last edited by Class A; 04-15-2010 at 07:38 PM.

[Itai]

There is a lot of room for improvement but it is not as bad as you make it sound.
You can at least:

- Get a good lens, that will remove the overall softness.

- Use a wider aperture, that will give you a faster shutter speed to freeze
your wife's movements. At 1/160s you are close but I'd me more comfortable
at 1/250s.

Stabilization should not be an issue at this shutter-speed, it is rarely an issue
when there are people in your pictures because they require you to use a higher
shutter-speed anyways.

- Itai
Digital Camera Buying Guide, Photography Articles and Reviews | NeoCamera.com

[Class A]

- Get a good lens, that will remove the overall softness.

At f/8 or higher even the kit lens is better than "good". He also has the FA 50/1.4 which is very sharp above f/2.8.

[Jacos]

I would just like to say a big THANKYOU!!
to everyone who gave me advice and opinions in this thread.
I just seemed to have a bad day on my first outing and it seemed to set me off with a negative attitude towards my new K-x.
I have had it listed on and off ebay every day becuase of my initial love/hate relationship.
I knew once i had the K-x in my hands it felt like quality and just seemed to feel right but initially struggled. I have now realised that i need to take more time and actually think about what it is i want from a photo before i just snap and hope for the best.
I am glad that this forum has such a great community and i hope to learn and grow over the next few months so i can enjoy what is actually a fantastic litle camera.
Just thought i would post a few shots that i have taken this week that i like.I havent cropped or done anything to them as i was just happy to post them the way they are just to finally end this thread on a positive note from me to say i am very happy!

[MrApollinax]

Congrats! Just like anything else you just need to take your time and learn the ins and outs of what you are attempting to do. The last capture of your wife is nicely done. A new skill will take time to learn and even longer to master but it will be a fun ride along the way. I look forward to seeing more of your photos in the future.

[eccs19]

Glad you got it all figured out, and hope you now keep the camera. Looks like your well on your way now.

[rawr]

Nice photos!

[Class A]

\Just thought i would post a few shots that i have taken this week that i like.

Great start!
I'm sure you will further improve your skills and get some more great shots in the future.

Looking forward to seeing you posting more images in the future.

[piesforyou]

always good to see a happy ending!