[kostarae]

I was excited to receive my K-X after using a Nikon D40 for about a year as I am a low-light shooting freak and loved the fact I could use primes with stabilization and high ISO capabilities, but the pictures that are coming out of my K-X are looking like trash compared to the D40 lacking the 3D feel that the D40 brought to me when first purchasing a DSLR. The pictures also look very soft.

What is wrong here?

Not to mention the K-x files are approx. 4 times the size. Where is the data going?

HELP me get this thing right.

Shot in aperture priority mode on both cameras using center focus.

In all photos taken so far no matter what the lighting conditions, the K-x photos seem to be dull and lifeless in comparison. Lacking dynamics and 3D look.

I've loved the way photos are on the D40 but get blur on photos taken slower than 1/30 so I was hoping the in camera IS on the K-x would be my ticket.




1st picture
K-x
ISO 800
f/4.5
1/60

2nd picture
D40
ISO 220
f/3.5
1/30 sec

3rd picture
K-x
ISO 800
f/4.5
1/60

4th picture
D40
ISO 560
f/4.5
1/30

<----- That's me

Attached Images

       

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Last edited by kostarae; 12-23-2009 at 03:51 PM.

[SOldBear]

To be honest, I don't know about the "3D feel" you mentioned in your message.

Also, I assume you shoot JPEG. I haven't shot JPEG for a while so I don't know what JPEG processing settings the K-x has. I'm sure the K-x owners will jump in.

But in general, you can change the JPEG processing settings in the K-x to fine-tune contrast, brightness, saturation, .... of the photos.

Better yet, shoot RAW and do post-processing yourself on a computer. It doesn't take up much time.

The files from the K-x is larger because they are 12.4 MP, while the files from the D40 are 6.1 MP.

[planedriver]

Hi there first of all don't get dissapointed because if you're a low light freak you bought the right camera. Apart from this your pictures need some sharpening. Default jpeg setting is rather soft so all you need to do is add some sharpening in the camera (if you shoot jpeg only). If you shoot raw you can do this in the post processing quite easily. Regarding the K-x I would use +3, and also add some fine sharpening too.
Also dont be afraid to use higher sensitivity to get higher shutter speed. You can use iso1600 in a situation like that without any worries.

Hope it helps

Andras

[dadipentak]

Odd: sounds very similar to this thread.

[erickallemeyn]

Do a focus test as well.

Set it to center point AF, then shoot a newspaper or something at a 45* angle to see if the camera focuses on the right spot.

I'm not sure if the blur in your photos is a Front Focus problem or camera shake. What shutter speed were you shooting at?

[Ash]

Welcome to the forum.
3D feel only comes from the right lighting and the right depth of field for the scene.
Without being presumptuous, please consider reading up on lighting that creates the effect you want rather than expecting the camera to do it all for you.

Strobist

[Eruditass]

Play with the custom image settings, also post with EXIF info.

Lighting is definitely important, many indoor lights can be dull (in addition to inducing front focusing due to the light frequency composition).

I like how this came out - with 18-55mm kit:

Imageshack - imgp2515l - Uploaded by eruditass

[hinman]

I think everyone is jumping in to help. But from OP, the pictures are done in 1/30 and 1/60 of a second, has anyone put some thoughts into that. Before you tune any settings, try to eliminate the obvious before we jump the gun. Though the K-x has SR in body, in indoor with a moving baby at 1/30 or 1/60 of a second may have some blurring effect due to possible camera shake where the SR is not doing its job well to cover all cases?

If you are shooting in Jpg in P or Tv or Av mode, try to use auto-iso up to 3200, or 6400 or even the extended range in 12,800. But try a faster shutter speed such as 1/100 sec or faster.

Thanks,
Hin

[kostarae]

Agree Eruditass. That's a good shot but not low light which is most important to me.

The K-x is just not getting the pics I want in low light.

This is a recurring theme in the 50 or so shots I have taken in the past day comparing the D40 and K-x.

I am shooting in highest JPEG which is already pretty ridiculous with 5-6mb per picture. I have the D40 set on normal jpeg with 1-1.5mb files average and still getting better shots IMO.

There has to be some secret setting or something I am missing.

I understand lighting is important....but the lighting in the pics I am taking are identical when compared to the D40 and the camera should select the best options for ISO and shutter speed. No way it is camera shake as the D40 has NO IS and is taking at slower speeds.

[kostarae]

Hinman,

The K-x is the camera choosing 1/60 while the D40 is choosing 1/30.

So the K-x is shooting at faster shutter speed WITH stabilization and still has more blur than the D40 without stabilization at 1/2 the shutter speed.

[netrex]

When comparing blur, don't do it at pixel level, the K-x might have more due to twice the number of pixels, so each pixel is smaller, meaning you see blur easier. Dot it at full size viewing (print or resize down).

[Voytech]

Looking at the first photo it looks like the focus point is way in front of the subjects. Look at the arm rest of the sofa. I second the idea to check the AF.

[Andi Lo]

Compare the Pixels between D40 JPEGs and K-x JPEGs, there should be almost twice in the K-X. That's where all the data is going.

As for the soft images I'm suspecting focus issue... try the 45 degree focus test

[jeffkrol]

Looking at the first photo it looks like the focus point is way in front of the subjects. Look at the arm rest of the sofa. I second the idea to check the AF.

Or a bad/soft lens. What lens were you using (both the Nikon and Pentax)?

[kostarae]

Aperture priority mode on left or top.....Macro Mode with flash on right or bottom (depending on your computer's resolution)

Using a Nikon AF-S 35mm F/1.8 and Pentax 18-55mm kit lens @ 35mm