Still Learning The K20D

Ron Kruger · 09-24-2010, 05:19 PM

I've owned the K20D for a couple of years, read through the manual numerous times, like a monk with a Bible, shot it almost every day, experimented with the many options, bells and wistles, but I'm still learning neat things it will do. I'm still amazed they can put such a sophisticated, computerized bundle of possibilities into such a small package.
For instance, I just figured out a couple of days ago that when you use it on remote or delay, it automatically disables SR. Since I so often forget to turn SR off when using it on a tripod, then often forget to turn it back on when I take it off, this, to me, is another of many neat features. (If that was explained in the manual, I missed it or glossed over it.)
Now, many of you may have known that already, but maybe you can share some neat features you've discovered as well.

**GregK8** · 09-24-2010, 06:51 PM

This is something that took me over a year and a half to discover also. I also would constantly forget to turn SR off and if I did remember, I would forget to turn it back on when I was done. So since I discovered that, I no longer use my cable release at all. Just turn on 2-second self timer and fire away. Of course, now I forget to turn off the 2 second delay, so my first shot next time pick it up is always missed.

It really is a nice camera. Another feature that it took me awhile to pick up on was that if you work in P mode, you can manually change the aperture and the camera will adjust the shutter speed just like Av mode. Then if you adjust the shutter speed, it will adjust the aperture like your in Tv mode. I used to be constantly switching back between the two modes. Now I leave it in P almost all the time and I can take control or just let the camera do its thing depending on the shot.

Ron Kruger · 09-24-2010, 07:37 PM

Yes, I found out about the front and rear dial adjustments in P mode one day by accident. Neat thing about this as well, is that when you turn the camera off, then back on again, it cancels the adjusted AV or TV setting and reverts back to the standard P exposure.
Another thing some might not know, is the K20D has an in-camera HDR feature. Only works on JPEGs, so if you shoot RAW only, as I do, first you have to convert it to a JPEG in camera, then use the HDR filter on it. All the info on how to do this is in the manual.

JohnBee · 09-24-2010, 07:42 PM

Originally posted by Ron Kruger

Another thing some might not know, is the K20D has an in-camera HDR feature. Only works on JPEGs, so if you shoot RAW only, as I do, first you have to convert it to a JPEG in camera, then use the HDR filter on it. All the info on how to do this is in the manual.

I heard this earlier(very interesting!)
Do you know if/how it handles alignment?

chalion · 09-24-2010, 07:46 PM

I've owned my K20D for 6 months (bought from forums) and still have alot to learn about the difference from a K200D. (manual? who has time to read that?) lol.

imtheguy · 09-24-2010, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by JohnBee

I heard this earlier(very interesting!)
Do you know if/how it handles alignment?

Its not a multi-shot HDR. Ever taken a RAW shot and extracted 2 JPGs, one exposed for highlights, one for shadows, then combine the 2. No alignment needed.

JohnBee · 09-24-2010, 09:09 PM

Originally posted by imtheguy

Its not a multi-shot HDR. Ever taken a RAW shot and extracted 2 JPGs, one exposed for highlights, one for shadows, then combine the 2. No alignment needed.

Aaaah IC

Makes lots of sense now.
Thanks!

fb_penpho · 09-25-2010, 12:16 AM

Two things I use:

1) Use the custom feature of allocating wheel functions consistently. i.e I always use the front wheel for changing speed.

2) For inspecting pics on the viewer, I use the custom feature of jumping straight to a magnified version and then the green button and +/- button for zooming in and out. Turning the wheel got to be a hassle, this makes it much easier.

**GregK8** · 09-25-2010, 06:19 AM

Originally posted by fb_penpho

2) For inspecting pics on the viewer, I use the custom feature of jumping straight to a magnified version and then the green button and +/- button for zooming in and out.

Whoah! I learned something new today. I think I like this.

**GregK8** · 09-25-2010, 06:25 AM

Since we're talking about the K20D, I'd like to ask others that own it if they experience this problem.

I have the rear e-dial set to zoom into 8x both after a shot and in playback mode because I think that is a good magnification to make sure I got good focus. Sometimes though, and quite often, when I zoom in to a shot, and then use the four-way controller to move around the image, the image will suddenly disappear from the LCD and the camera will return to record mode. I'm not accidentally hitting the OK button, because OK would just remove the zoom, but the camera would stay in review mode.

JohnBee · 09-25-2010, 07:24 AM

Originally posted by fb_penpho

Turning the wheel got to be a hassle, this makes it much easier.

Not to mention the added wear and tear also.

**klh** · 09-25-2010, 07:41 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by GregK8

Since we're talking about the K20D, I'd like to ask others that own it if they experience this problem.

I have the rear e-dial set to zoom into 8x both after a shot and in playback mode because I think that is a good magnification to make sure I got good focus. Sometimes though, and quite often, when I zoom in to a shot, and then use the four-way controller to move around the image, the image will suddenly disappear from the LCD and the camera will return to record mode. I'm not accidentally hitting the OK button, because OK would just remove the zoom, but the camera would stay in review mode.

Did you maybe hit the shutter? I often have this happen when I bump one of the shutters (using the battery grip).

imtheguy · 09-25-2010, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by klh

Did you maybe hit the shutter? I often have this happen when I bump one of the shutters (using the battery grip).

That's exactly what happens in my case also at least once a day. Then I reposition my hand so its no where near either shutter button and the problem is solved until the next day.

billtin59 · 09-25-2010, 08:16 AM

Originally posted by Ron Kruger

Yes, I found out about the front and rear dial adjustments in P mode one day by accident. Neat thing about this as well, is that when you turn the camera off, then back on again, it cancels the adjusted AV or TV setting and reverts back to the standard P exposure.

Or you can just push the green button to go back.

Penmacgal · 09-25-2010, 08:25 AM

Wow, what a helpful little thread! I've had my K20D for a year, have pretty much gotten up to speed with most controls, read the manual several times, read on the forum all the time, and still learned new stuff today.

I finally get P mode, and didn't realize the difference with SR between the cable remote and the wireless remote.

Thanks everyone!

09-24-2010, 05:19 PM	#1
Ron Kruger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 534	Still Learning The K20D I've owned the K20D for a couple of years, read through the manual numerous times, like a monk with a Bible, shot it almost every day, experimented with the many options, bells and wistles, but I'm still learning neat things it will do. I'm still amazed they can put such a sophisticated, computerized bundle of possibilities into such a small package. For instance, I just figured out a couple of days ago that when you use it on remote or delay, it automatically disables SR. Since I so often forget to turn SR off when using it on a tripod, then often forget to turn it back on when I take it off, this, to me, is another of many neat features. (If that was explained in the manual, I missed it or glossed over it.) Now, many of you may have known that already, but maybe you can share some neat features you've discovered as well.

09-24-2010, 07:46 PM	#5
chalion Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: SE Pennsylvania Photos: Albums Posts: 628	I've owned my K20D for 6 months (bought from forums) and still have alot to learn about the difference from a K200D. (manual? who has time to read that?) lol. Last edited by chalion; 09-24-2010 at 07:46 PM. Reason: spelling error corrections.......or is it keyboard error?

09-25-2010, 06:25 AM	#10
GregK8 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 614	Disappearing image in playback Since we're talking about the K20D, I'd like to ask others that own it if they experience this problem. I have the rear e-dial set to zoom into 8x both after a shot and in playback mode because I think that is a good magnification to make sure I got good focus. Sometimes though, and quite often, when I zoom in to a shot, and then use the four-way controller to move around the image, the image will suddenly disappear from the LCD and the camera will return to record mode. I'm not accidentally hitting the OK button, because OK would just remove the zoom, but the camera would stay in review mode.

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09-24-2010, 06:51 PM	#2
GregK8 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 614	This is something that took me over a year and a half to discover also. I also would constantly forget to turn SR off and if I did remember, I would forget to turn it back on when I was done. So since I discovered that, I no longer use my cable release at all. Just turn on 2-second self timer and fire away. Of course, now I forget to turn off the 2 second delay, so my first shot next time pick it up is always missed. It really is a nice camera. Another feature that it took me awhile to pick up on was that if you work in P mode, you can manually change the aperture and the camera will adjust the shutter speed just like Av mode. Then if you adjust the shutter speed, it will adjust the aperture like your in Tv mode. I used to be constantly switching back between the two modes. Now I leave it in P almost all the time and I can take control or just let the camera do its thing depending on the shot.

09-24-2010, 07:37 PM	#3
Ron Kruger Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 534 Original Poster	Yes, I found out about the front and rear dial adjustments in P mode one day by accident. Neat thing about this as well, is that when you turn the camera off, then back on again, it cancels the adjusted AV or TV setting and reverts back to the standard P exposure. Another thing some might not know, is the K20D has an in-camera HDR feature. Only works on JPEGs, so if you shoot RAW only, as I do, first you have to convert it to a JPEG in camera, then use the HDR filter on it. All the info on how to do this is in the manual.

09-24-2010, 07:42 PM	#4
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Originally posted by Ron Kruger Another thing some might not know, is the K20D has an in-camera HDR feature. Only works on JPEGs, so if you shoot RAW only, as I do, first you have to convert it to a JPEG in camera, then use the HDR filter on it. All the info on how to do this is in the manual. I heard this earlier(very interesting!) Do you know if/how it handles alignment?

09-24-2010, 08:58 PM	#6
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	Originally posted by JohnBee I heard this earlier(very interesting!) Do you know if/how it handles alignment? Its not a multi-shot HDR. Ever taken a RAW shot and extracted 2 JPGs, one exposed for highlights, one for shadows, then combine the 2. No alignment needed.

09-24-2010, 09:09 PM	#7
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Originally posted by imtheguy Its not a multi-shot HDR. Ever taken a RAW shot and extracted 2 JPGs, one exposed for highlights, one for shadows, then combine the 2. No alignment needed. Aaaah IC Makes lots of sense now. Thanks!

09-25-2010, 12:16 AM	#8
fb_penpho Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Photos: Gallery Posts: 212	Two things I use: 1) Use the custom feature of allocating wheel functions consistently. i.e I always use the front wheel for changing speed. 2) For inspecting pics on the viewer, I use the custom feature of jumping straight to a magnified version and then the green button and +/- button for zooming in and out. Turning the wheel got to be a hassle, this makes it much easier.

09-25-2010, 06:19 AM	#9
GregK8 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Western New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 614	Originally posted by fb_penpho 2) For inspecting pics on the viewer, I use the custom feature of jumping straight to a magnified version and then the green button and +/- button for zooming in and out. Whoah! I learned something new today. I think I like this.

09-25-2010, 07:24 AM	#11
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	Originally posted by fb_penpho Turning the wheel got to be a hassle, this makes it much easier. Not to mention the added wear and tear also.

09-25-2010, 07:41 AM - 1 Like	#12
klh Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2009 Location: West Lafayette, Indiana, USA Posts: 827	Originally posted by GregK8 Since we're talking about the K20D, I'd like to ask others that own it if they experience this problem. I have the rear e-dial set to zoom into 8x both after a shot and in playback mode because I think that is a good magnification to make sure I got good focus. Sometimes though, and quite often, when I zoom in to a shot, and then use the four-way controller to move around the image, the image will suddenly disappear from the LCD and the camera will return to record mode. I'm not accidentally hitting the OK button, because OK would just remove the zoom, but the camera would stay in review mode. Did you maybe hit the shutter? I often have this happen when I bump one of the shutters (using the battery grip).

09-25-2010, 07:46 AM	#13
imtheguy Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,950	Originally posted by klh Did you maybe hit the shutter? I often have this happen when I bump one of the shutters (using the battery grip). That's exactly what happens in my case also at least once a day. Then I reposition my hand so its no where near either shutter button and the problem is solved until the next day.

09-25-2010, 08:16 AM	#14
billtin59 Banned Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Massachusetts, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 84	Originally posted by Ron Kruger Yes, I found out about the front and rear dial adjustments in P mode one day by accident. Neat thing about this as well, is that when you turn the camera off, then back on again, it cancels the adjusted AV or TV setting and reverts back to the standard P exposure. Or you can just push the green button to go back.

09-25-2010, 08:25 AM	#15
Penmacgal Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Wilmington, Delaware Photos: Gallery Posts: 73	Wow, what a helpful little thread! I've had my K20D for a year, have pretty much gotten up to speed with most controls, read the manual several times, read on the forum all the time, and still learned new stuff today. I finally get P mode, and didn't realize the difference with SR between the cable remote and the wireless remote. Thanks everyone!