DFS hack

**eccentricphotography** · 02-16-2010, 02:21 PM

Does anybody have any news on hacking firmware to turn of the f*#@ing DFS on the Kx and K7?

Daveinozbikes · 02-17-2010, 04:45 AM

What is DFS ??

Jasvox · 02-17-2010, 04:56 AM

Originally posted by Daveinozbikes

What is DFS ??

Dark Frame Subtraction.

Jason

Nass · 02-17-2010, 05:29 AM

I wish. If you find something, let us know

WillCarney · 02-17-2010, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by Nass

I wish. If you find something, let us know

Yep, one of the primary reasons for me not to buy a Kx or K7 right now. Starting to look at Canon instead, just a matter of time before I switch. Unless Pentax comes up with a fix or a new camera that does not do it by later summer.

William

**kmccanta** · 02-17-2010, 09:21 AM

Isnt the DFS only activated at 30sec. exposures or longer?

When is stacking multiple shots unacceptable?

How about using neg. exp. compensation to offset the multiple, and use the bracketing feature to automatically fire off a sequence?

kent · 02-17-2010, 09:39 AM

what does that DFS do?

**eccentricphotography** · 02-17-2010, 09:45 AM

Originally posted by kmccanta

Isnt the DFS only activated at 30sec. exposures or longer?

When is stacking multiple shots unacceptable?

How about using neg. exp. compensation to offset the multiple, and use the bracketing feature to automatically fire off a sequence?

I just had my Kx converted to IR and had a heat tranfer cooling system installed to keep the sensor from heating up on long exposures and introducing noise. Depending on the application for the shot stacking will not work. I want control of my camera.

wildlifephotog · 02-17-2010, 09:48 AM

DFS is a noise removal procedure. If you take a 1 minute photo, the camera adds a 1 minute dark frame. Then it processes the two together to reduce noise.
If you take a 10 minute nebula shot, the camera will sit for ten minutes before it can continue shooting.
For star trails you can use a 30 second exposure, and take a lot of them. Then stack using startrails software. But for longer shots, there is too much of a gap between shots.

maxwolfie · 10-07-2010, 11:52 PM

Originally posted by eccentricphotography

I just had my Kx converted to IR and had a heat tranfer cooling system installed to keep the sensor from heating up on long exposures and introducing noise. Depending on the application for the shot stacking will not work. I want control of my camera.

Why would you go ahead with those modifications without learning of the cameras limitations first?

On another note though - Yes I agree, there really need to be the option to turn this off.

Does anyone have any updates on whether Pentax are looking at this, or if there are 3rd party firmware developments?

weneto · 10-07-2010, 11:58 PM

Originally posted by maxwolfie

Does anyone have any updates on whether Pentax are looking at this, or if there are 3rd party firmware developments?

Do you really trust to use a 3rd party developed firmware?

WerTicus · 10-08-2010, 12:16 AM

the k-5 apparently has the ability to turn it off.

maxwolfie · 10-08-2010, 01:06 AM

Originally posted by weneto

Do you really trust to use a 3rd party developed firmware?

So long as there are some guinea pigs to test it!!

Not me!!

**jpzk** · 10-08-2010, 07:16 AM

Can you not just turn the NR off completely, all across the camera modes?

Not sure about that, and that's why I am asking.

JP

P.S.: here is a thread which discusses the DFS at length:
It doesn't mention your need for a hack but I thought you'd want to take a look at it if you haven't already.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/115244-k5-dfs-can-switched-off.html

Cheers.

Nass · 10-08-2010, 07:25 AM

Originally posted by jpzk

Can you not just turn the NR off completely, all across the camera modes?

Not sure about that, and that's why I am asking.

JP

On the K-7, you can "switch it off", but this doesn't mean what it says, because it automatically activates on Bulb mode for any exposure above 30s. I believe it is the same for K-x but I don't own one so cannot verify this.

On the K-5, current reports are that it doesn't automatically activate on Bulb mode for any exposure above 30s if you switch it off. Hallelujah.

I suspect it's only a matter of time before someone tries to install K-5 firmware onto the K-7.

02-16-2010, 02:21 PM	#1
eccentricphotography Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 182	DFS hack Does anybody have any news on hacking firmware to turn of the f*#@ing DFS on the Kx and K7?

10-08-2010, 07:16 AM	#14
jpzk Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Québec Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,251	Can you not just turn the NR off completely, all across the camera modes? Not sure about that, and that's why I am asking. JP P.S.: here is a thread which discusses the DFS at length: It doesn't mention your need for a hack but I thought you'd want to take a look at it if you haven't already. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-news-rumors/115244-k5-dfs-can-switched-off.html Cheers. Last edited by jpzk; 10-08-2010 at 07:25 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K5: DFS can be switched off?	blende8	Pentax News and Rumors	47	05-10-2012 07:27 AM
K5 - NR and DFS - can it be turned off	Mortox	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	2	11-02-2010 07:56 PM
DFS question	WillCarney	Pentax DSLR Discussion	8	11-20-2009 06:03 PM
K-7 long exposures without DFS	SelrahCharleS	Pentax DSLR Discussion	1	07-22-2009 04:01 AM
Is DFS necessary?	joefru	Pentax DSLR Discussion	2	07-05-2008 08:20 PM

02-17-2010, 04:45 AM	#2
Daveinozbikes Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Dawesville,Western Australia. Photos: Gallery Posts: 128	What is DFS ??

02-17-2010, 04:56 AM	#3
Jasvox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 3,107	Originally posted by Daveinozbikes What is DFS ?? Dark Frame Subtraction. Jason

02-17-2010, 05:29 AM	#4
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	I wish. If you find something, let us know

02-17-2010, 09:02 AM	#5
WillCarney Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Bloomington, Illinois Posts: 66	Originally posted by Nass I wish. If you find something, let us know Yep, one of the primary reasons for me not to buy a Kx or K7 right now. Starting to look at Canon instead, just a matter of time before I switch. Unless Pentax comes up with a fix or a new camera that does not do it by later summer. William

02-17-2010, 09:21 AM	#6
kmccanta Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Portland, Oregon Photos: Gallery Posts: 218	Isnt the DFS only activated at 30sec. exposures or longer? When is stacking multiple shots unacceptable? How about using neg. exp. compensation to offset the multiple, and use the bracketing feature to automatically fire off a sequence?

02-17-2010, 09:39 AM	#7
kent Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Lithuania Photos: Gallery Posts: 344	what does that DFS do?

02-17-2010, 09:45 AM	#8
eccentricphotography Site Supporter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 182 Original Poster	Originally posted by kmccanta Isnt the DFS only activated at 30sec. exposures or longer? When is stacking multiple shots unacceptable? How about using neg. exp. compensation to offset the multiple, and use the bracketing feature to automatically fire off a sequence? I just had my Kx converted to IR and had a heat tranfer cooling system installed to keep the sensor from heating up on long exposures and introducing noise. Depending on the application for the shot stacking will not work. I want control of my camera.

02-17-2010, 09:48 AM	#9
wildlifephotog Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: USA Posts: 924	DFS is a noise removal procedure. If you take a 1 minute photo, the camera adds a 1 minute dark frame. Then it processes the two together to reduce noise. If you take a 10 minute nebula shot, the camera will sit for ten minutes before it can continue shooting. For star trails you can use a 30 second exposure, and take a lot of them. Then stack using startrails software. But for longer shots, there is too much of a gap between shots.

10-07-2010, 11:52 PM	#10
maxwolfie Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 91	Originally posted by eccentricphotography I just had my Kx converted to IR and had a heat tranfer cooling system installed to keep the sensor from heating up on long exposures and introducing noise. Depending on the application for the shot stacking will not work. I want control of my camera. Why would you go ahead with those modifications without learning of the cameras limitations first? On another note though - Yes I agree, there really need to be the option to turn this off. Does anyone have any updates on whether Pentax are looking at this, or if there are 3rd party firmware developments?

10-07-2010, 11:58 PM	#11
weneto Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Saluzzo (Northern Italy) Photos: Gallery Posts: 46	Originally posted by maxwolfie Does anyone have any updates on whether Pentax are looking at this, or if there are 3rd party firmware developments? Do you really trust to use a 3rd party developed firmware?

10-08-2010, 12:16 AM	#12
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	the k-5 apparently has the ability to turn it off.

10-08-2010, 01:06 AM	#13
maxwolfie Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 91	Originally posted by weneto Do you really trust to use a 3rd party developed firmware? So long as there are some guinea pigs to test it!! Not me!!

10-08-2010, 07:25 AM	#15
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	Originally posted by jpzk Can you not just turn the NR off completely, all across the camera modes? Not sure about that, and that's why I am asking. JP On the K-7, you can "switch it off", but this doesn't mean what it says, because it automatically activates on Bulb mode for any exposure above 30s. I believe it is the same for K-x but I don't own one so cannot verify this. On the K-5, current reports are that it doesn't automatically activate on Bulb mode for any exposure above 30s if you switch it off. Hallelujah. I suspect it's only a matter of time before someone tries to install K-5 firmware onto the K-7.