Measurebation with my new K-x

devorama · 10-17-2009, 02:28 AM

So I received my K-x today. Just in time for the Pentax World SyncSnap as well as my Livejournal photo challenge. I could not have done this photoshoot at the top of the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) with my old K2000. The high ISO performance was a distinct improvement, and the manual focusing of my tilt lens using live view was awesome! Overall, I'm really impressed with the K-x coming from the K2000.

After I got home, I took a bunch of pictures with the K-x and my old K2000 to compare their white balance and high ISO performance. Check out the "measurebation" set here: flickr link

Last edited by devorama; 10-17-2009 at 02:35 AM.

**Ash** · 10-17-2009, 02:44 AM

Cool. And thanks for sharing this quick test.
Of interest is the difference between tungsten results. Didn't think it would contrast that much.
The AWB is a definite improvement.
Looks like a fine camera.

ogl · 10-17-2009, 02:45 AM

can you show us the full-sized pictures converted from RAW to jpeg with any good fixed lens?

1. what about speed in RAW? after 5 shots in RAW - what then?
2. what batteries do you use?

devorama · 10-17-2009, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by ogl

can you show us the full-sized pictures converted from RAW to jpeg with any good fixed lens?

1. what about speed in RAW? after 5 shots in RAW - what then?
2. what batteries do you use?

For shooting in RAW, I got similar results with my Class 4 and Class 6 SDHC cards, so I think the limiting factor is the speed of the buffer flush.

For DNG, after the first fast 5 shots, it paused about a second, then it took about 1 shot per second, but at somewhat irregular intervals. Sometimes two quickly and then a longer pause, sometimes 1 per second.

Interstingly enough, the PEF files were slower. Still 5 quick shots, but then maybe 1.4 seconds per shot. I guess it has to compress the data before it can store on the card?

I'm using the Lithium batteries it came with right now, but I will use my rechargable Duracell slow discharge NiMh after that.

I took a bunch of controlled RAW shots, but I left the CD with the new version of the Pentax software at my office, and the old Photo Browser and Photo Laboratory won't open these PEF or DNG files! I will try to process them later with UFRaw.

5 frames quickly, then about a 1 second pause, then about 1 shot per second. This was with PEF or DNG on a Class 6 SDHC card

ilya80 · 10-17-2009, 04:06 PM

Guys can you please confirm / deny that k-x doesnt have per lens AF adjustment feature?

devorama · 10-17-2009, 10:12 PM

Originally posted by ilya80

Guys can you please confirm / deny that k-x doesnt have per lens AF adjustment feature?

I don't see any mention of this in the camera menus or in the printed manual, so I'm guessing it's not possible without some firmware hacking.

ogl · 10-17-2009, 10:45 PM

Originally posted by devorama

Interstingly enough, the PEF files were slower. Still 5 quick shots, but then maybe 1.4 seconds per shot. I guess it has to compress the data before it can store on the card?

K20D is the same. DNG is faster than PEF.

devorama · 10-18-2009, 02:10 AM

Originally posted by ogl

can you show us the full-sized pictures converted from RAW to jpeg with any good fixed lens?

I added some more test shots to my flickr page.

The flower shots were taken with my Pentacon 6 mount Zeiss Flektogon 50mm at F/8. That's the sharpest lens I have. They were also taken with a tripod to minimize shake.

ilya80 · 10-18-2009, 03:01 AM

Thanks a lot for additional shots. Clearly shows what the camera is capable of. For me ISO3200 is on the edge of usability and probably as far as I could go with it.

**Ash** · 10-18-2009, 04:07 AM

Great stuff.
Seems the K-x is a contender in the entry-level market.
Speed is comparable to other cams in its range, and high ISO performance reasonably impressive.
Thanks for sharing this info.

Mystic · 10-18-2009, 06:57 AM

could you tell a word on a sound of taking shots, which one is louder or more silent, is the difference noticable?

thanks

Eruditass · 10-18-2009, 08:25 AM

Originally posted by devorama

I added some more test shots to my flickr page.

The flower shots were taken with my Pentacon 6 mount Zeiss Flektogon 50mm at F/8. That's the sharpest lens I have. They were also taken with a tripod to minimize shake.

Excellent controlled shots! Nice low contrast detail shots with easy comparison images - better than some review sites.

Your dog is quite the tired one

rawr · 10-18-2009, 01:59 PM

Good, useful shots and looks like a great lens too.

The K-x is shaping up well as my street shooter to-be. Mated up to something like the 40mm pancake it should be great in that role.

MCR · 10-18-2009, 02:24 PM

Originally posted by devorama

So I received my K-x today. Just in time for the Pentax

Hi, thanks for sharing.
Could you tell a word about AF speed ? Better than K2000 ?

rawr · 10-18-2009, 02:29 PM

While we are on the subject of K-x measurebating, these are a excellent series of K-x ISO test shots from a French photo site, with JPG and DNG images available for download too.

Test Pentax K-x : gestion du bruit électronique

I'm quite impressed with the colour and detail retained even in the 3200 ISO JPG shots, under what certainly looks like less than ideal lighting.

10-17-2009, 02:28 AM	#1
devorama Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 638	Measurebation with my new K-x So I received my K-x today. Just in time for the Pentax World SyncSnap as well as my Livejournal photo challenge. I could not have done this photoshoot at the top of the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) with my old K2000. The high ISO performance was a distinct improvement, and the manual focusing of my tilt lens using live view was awesome! Overall, I'm really impressed with the K-x coming from the K2000. After I got home, I took a bunch of pictures with the K-x and my old K2000 to compare their white balance and high ISO performance. Check out the "measurebation" set here: flickr link Last edited by devorama; 10-17-2009 at 02:35 AM.

10-17-2009, 02:45 AM	#3
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	can you show us the full-sized pictures converted from RAW to jpeg with any good fixed lens? 1. what about speed in RAW? after 5 shots in RAW - what then? 2. what batteries do you use? Last edited by ogl; 10-17-2009 at 02:58 AM.

10-18-2009, 08:25 AM	#12
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Originally posted by devorama I added some more test shots to my flickr page. The flower shots were taken with my Pentacon 6 mount Zeiss Flektogon 50mm at F/8. That's the sharpest lens I have. They were also taken with a tripod to minimize shake. Excellent controlled shots! Nice low contrast detail shots with easy comparison images - better than some review sites. Your dog is quite the tired one Last edited by Eruditass; 10-18-2009 at 08:30 AM.

10-17-2009, 02:44 AM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Cool. And thanks for sharing this quick test. Of interest is the difference between tungsten results. Didn't think it would contrast that much. The AWB is a definite improvement. Looks like a fine camera.

10-17-2009, 03:47 PM	#4
devorama Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 638 Original Poster	Originally posted by ogl can you show us the full-sized pictures converted from RAW to jpeg with any good fixed lens? 1. what about speed in RAW? after 5 shots in RAW - what then? 2. what batteries do you use? For shooting in RAW, I got similar results with my Class 4 and Class 6 SDHC cards, so I think the limiting factor is the speed of the buffer flush. For DNG, after the first fast 5 shots, it paused about a second, then it took about 1 shot per second, but at somewhat irregular intervals. Sometimes two quickly and then a longer pause, sometimes 1 per second. Interstingly enough, the PEF files were slower. Still 5 quick shots, but then maybe 1.4 seconds per shot. I guess it has to compress the data before it can store on the card? I'm using the Lithium batteries it came with right now, but I will use my rechargable Duracell slow discharge NiMh after that. I took a bunch of controlled RAW shots, but I left the CD with the new version of the Pentax software at my office, and the old Photo Browser and Photo Laboratory won't open these PEF or DNG files! I will try to process them later with UFRaw. 5 frames quickly, then about a 1 second pause, then about 1 shot per second. This was with PEF or DNG on a Class 6 SDHC card

10-17-2009, 04:06 PM	#5
ilya80 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Saint-Petersburg, Russia Photos: Albums Posts: 410	Guys can you please confirm / deny that k-x doesnt have per lens AF adjustment feature?

10-17-2009, 10:12 PM	#6
devorama Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 638 Original Poster	Originally posted by ilya80 Guys can you please confirm / deny that k-x doesnt have per lens AF adjustment feature? I don't see any mention of this in the camera menus or in the printed manual, so I'm guessing it's not possible without some firmware hacking.

10-17-2009, 10:45 PM	#7
ogl Banned Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sankt Peterburg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,382	Originally posted by devorama Interstingly enough, the PEF files were slower. Still 5 quick shots, but then maybe 1.4 seconds per shot. I guess it has to compress the data before it can store on the card? K20D is the same. DNG is faster than PEF.

10-18-2009, 02:10 AM	#8
devorama Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chicago, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 638 Original Poster	Originally posted by ogl can you show us the full-sized pictures converted from RAW to jpeg with any good fixed lens? I added some more test shots to my flickr page. The flower shots were taken with my Pentacon 6 mount Zeiss Flektogon 50mm at F/8. That's the sharpest lens I have. They were also taken with a tripod to minimize shake.

10-18-2009, 03:01 AM	#9
ilya80 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Saint-Petersburg, Russia Photos: Albums Posts: 410	Thanks a lot for additional shots. Clearly shows what the camera is capable of. For me ISO3200 is on the edge of usability and probably as far as I could go with it.

10-18-2009, 04:07 AM	#10
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Great stuff. Seems the K-x is a contender in the entry-level market. Speed is comparable to other cams in its range, and high ISO performance reasonably impressive. Thanks for sharing this info.

10-18-2009, 06:57 AM	#11
Mystic Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 490	could you tell a word on a sound of taking shots, which one is louder or more silent, is the difference noticable? thanks

10-18-2009, 01:59 PM	#13
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Good, useful shots and looks like a great lens too. The K-x is shaping up well as my street shooter to-be. Mated up to something like the 40mm pancake it should be great in that role.

10-18-2009, 02:24 PM	#14
MCR Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Torun, POLAND Posts: 119	Originally posted by devorama So I received my K-x today. Just in time for the Pentax Hi, thanks for sharing. Could you tell a word about AF speed ? Better than K2000 ?

10-18-2009, 02:29 PM	#15
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	While we are on the subject of K-x measurebating, these are a excellent series of K-x ISO test shots from a French photo site, with JPG and DNG images available for download too. Test Pentax K-x : gestion du bruit électronique I'm quite impressed with the colour and detail retained even in the 3200 ISO JPG shots, under what certainly looks like less than ideal lighting.