Problems with K100D and night photos

Asimilatrixu · 07-10-2007, 11:45 PM

I bought not for long a K100D having the 18-55 mm lens. I was really impressed by the quality of the photos. Until i tried to take some pictures in the night. Even if i used a tripod, the photos were blurred. Most of them unutilisables, even if i shooted in RAW. I do not know where this problem came from: it is a problem of optical system (lens, autofocus) or an electronic problem of K100D?

mattdm · 07-11-2007, 03:46 AM

Can you post an example, with the EXIF data?

Edvinas · 07-11-2007, 03:58 AM

For night photos using tripod make sure that:
1) Noise reduction is ON
2) Shake reduction is OFF
3) Use 2 sec timer.

godwine · 07-11-2007, 04:41 AM

Yeah examples will help.

Do you have the same blur with a brighter environment? What was the shutter set to and what is the aperture size?

godwine · 07-11-2007, 04:49 AM

This was taken with my K100d last year. a tripod was use:

Focal: 18mm
fstop: 16
ISO - 800
Shutter: 6sec

Matthew Roberts · 07-11-2007, 05:04 AM

These are some night sky photos that I took last year. Slightly noisy, but they are at ISO 3200, I believe, maybe ISO 1600.

post oak studio - 2006 - Lost Maples SNA - 10 of 14 - gallery - nightlostmaples_001

post oak studio - 2006 - Lost Maples SNA - 11 of 14 - gallery - nightlostmaples_002

post oak studio - 2006 - Lost Maples SNA - 12 of 14 - gallery - nightlostmaples_003

post oak studio - 2006 - Lost Maples SNA - 13 of 14 - gallery - nightlostmaples_004

post oak studio - 2006 - Lost Maples SNA - 14 of 14 - gallery - nightlostmaples_005

Asimilatrixu · 07-11-2007, 05:09 AM

Thanks all for the suggestions! I see a great feedback from Pentax community! The person that indicates me that forum was right.
@Edvinas: points 1 & 3 accomplished. Concerning 2, tested w or w/o SR and the same. i'll make more tests and i will post the results

Deni · 07-11-2007, 05:24 AM

If the camera is steady, there shouldn't be any issues.

Here's one at 30 seconds:

Model : PENTAX K100D
ExposureTime : 30.00Sec
FNumber : F10.0
ExposureProgram : Manual
ISOSpeedRatings : 200
ExposureBiasValue : EV0.0
MeteringMode : Spot
FocalLength : 28.00(mm)

Kingsofronin · 07-11-2007, 05:37 AM

meh.

Peter Zack · 07-11-2007, 05:57 AM

Originally posted by Kingsofronin

meh.

I'll get a little off topic but what the hell is the point of posting "MEH"? It's a serious question from someone that is trying to learn. That's one of the purposes of this forum. If you're apathetic, don't waste the bandwidth.

As for the real question at hand, I would suggest:
1) use a tripod
2) cable release or 2 second mirror lockup timer
3) SR turned off and the results should be just fine. Once you've tried these post a pic or 2. I doubt there would still be an issue.

Mike Cash · 07-11-2007, 06:19 AM

In addition to the above suggested steps, I also move the AF/MF switch to the manual focus position.

Asimilatrixu · 07-11-2007, 07:08 AM

Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll follow as soon as possible all the advice u done me. And i hope the results will be better. Have a nice day all of you!

RiceHigh · 07-11-2007, 07:59 AM

Originally posted by Asimilatrixu

I bought not for long a K100D having the 18-55 mm lens. I was really impressed by the quality of the photos. Until i tried to take some pictures in the night. Even if i used a tripod, the photos were blurred. Most of them unutilisables, even if i shooted in RAW. I do not know where this problem came from: it is a problem of optical system (lens, autofocus) or an electronic problem of K100D?

Turn off the 11-point AF and use central point only and do AF on contrasty object only. Worst come to the worst, use MF and do focus bracketing or focusing by eyes if you still can in the dark. Well, the 00 mark of modern DSLRs and lenses are not as accurate as in the old MF days, so the best thing is that the AF does its job for night scene, however, it doesn't, especially when 11-point AF is used.

Good luck. When you have got the focus right, I'm sure you will like your photos again.

SpecialK · 07-11-2007, 06:44 PM

Originally posted by Asimilatrixu

Thanks all for the suggestions! I see a great feedback from Pentax community! The person that indicates me that forum was right.
@Edvinas: points 1 & 3 accomplished. Concerning 2, tested w or w/o SR and the same. i'll make more tests and i will post the results

When you use any of the self-timer modes, the SR is automatically turned off. Look at the manual in the SR section for other times SR is automatically turned off.

little laker · 07-11-2007, 08:33 PM

All the info should be on my pic's except the F-stop on those where I used a completely manual lens (it's f2 then)

and although not pitch black yet this is a very low light 18 photo panoramic

I had to brighten it up to see the boats.

I can show you plenty more as well if you want.

My secret is use a tripod, ISO 200 and turn off SR.
I always use the lowest F-stop, and play around with the shutter speed until I find the 1 that has the effect that I want

07-10-2007, 11:45 PM	#1
Asimilatrixu New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 10	Problems with K100D and night photos I bought not for long a K100D having the 18-55 mm lens. I was really impressed by the quality of the photos. Until i tried to take some pictures in the night. Even if i used a tripod, the photos were blurred. Most of them unutilisables, even if i shooted in RAW. I do not know where this problem came from: it is a problem of optical system (lens, autofocus) or an electronic problem of K100D?

07-11-2007, 04:49 AM	#5
godwine Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 42	This was taken with my K100d last year. a tripod was use: Focal: 18mm fstop: 16 ISO - 800 Shutter: 6sec Attached Images

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07-11-2007, 03:46 AM	#2
mattdm Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Boston, MA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,948	Can you post an example, with the EXIF data?

07-11-2007, 03:58 AM	#3
Edvinas Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kaunas Posts: 1,458	For night photos using tripod make sure that: 1) Noise reduction is ON 2) Shake reduction is OFF 3) Use 2 sec timer.

07-11-2007, 04:41 AM	#4
godwine Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toronto Canada Posts: 42	Yeah examples will help. Do you have the same blur with a brighter environment? What was the shutter set to and what is the aperture size?

07-11-2007, 05:04 AM	#6
Matthew Roberts Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bertram Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 584	These are some night sky photos that I took last year. Slightly noisy, but they are at ISO 3200, I believe, maybe ISO 1600. post oak studio - 2006 - Lost Maples SNA - 10 of 14 - gallery - nightlostmaples_001 post oak studio - 2006 - Lost Maples SNA - 11 of 14 - gallery - nightlostmaples_002 post oak studio - 2006 - Lost Maples SNA - 12 of 14 - gallery - nightlostmaples_003 post oak studio - 2006 - Lost Maples SNA - 13 of 14 - gallery - nightlostmaples_004 post oak studio - 2006 - Lost Maples SNA - 14 of 14 - gallery - nightlostmaples_005

07-11-2007, 05:09 AM	#7
Asimilatrixu New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 10 Original Poster	Thanks all for the suggestions! I see a great feedback from Pentax community! The person that indicates me that forum was right. @Edvinas: points 1 & 3 accomplished. Concerning 2, tested w or w/o SR and the same. i'll make more tests and i will post the results

07-11-2007, 05:24 AM	#8
Deni Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Tirana, Albania, South Europe, Planet Earth Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 621	If the camera is steady, there shouldn't be any issues. Here's one at 30 seconds: Model : PENTAX K100D ExposureTime : 30.00Sec FNumber : F10.0 ExposureProgram : Manual ISOSpeedRatings : 200 ExposureBiasValue : EV0.0 MeteringMode : Spot FocalLength : 28.00(mm)

07-11-2007, 05:37 AM	#9
Kingsofronin Banned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 150	meh.

07-11-2007, 05:57 AM	#10
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Originally posted by Kingsofronin meh. I'll get a little off topic but what the hell is the point of posting "MEH"? It's a serious question from someone that is trying to learn. That's one of the purposes of this forum. If you're apathetic, don't waste the bandwidth. As for the real question at hand, I would suggest: 1) use a tripod 2) cable release or 2 second mirror lockup timer 3) SR turned off and the results should be just fine. Once you've tried these post a pic or 2. I doubt there would still be an issue.

07-11-2007, 06:19 AM	#11
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	In addition to the above suggested steps, I also move the AF/MF switch to the manual focus position.

07-11-2007, 07:08 AM	#12
Asimilatrixu New Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 10 Original Poster	Thanks all for the suggestions. I'll follow as soon as possible all the advice u done me. And i hope the results will be better. Have a nice day all of you!

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07-11-2007, 07:59 AM	#13
RiceHigh Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,934	Originally posted by Asimilatrixu I bought not for long a K100D having the 18-55 mm lens. I was really impressed by the quality of the photos. Until i tried to take some pictures in the night. Even if i used a tripod, the photos were blurred. Most of them unutilisables, even if i shooted in RAW. I do not know where this problem came from: it is a problem of optical system (lens, autofocus) or an electronic problem of K100D? Turn off the 11-point AF and use central point only and do AF on contrasty object only. Worst come to the worst, use MF and do focus bracketing or focusing by eyes if you still can in the dark. Well, the 00 mark of modern DSLRs and lenses are not as accurate as in the old MF days, so the best thing is that the AF does its job for night scene, however, it doesn't, especially when 11-point AF is used. Good luck. When you have got the focus right, I'm sure you will like your photos again.

07-11-2007, 06:44 PM	#14
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Originally posted by Asimilatrixu Thanks all for the suggestions! I see a great feedback from Pentax community! The person that indicates me that forum was right. @Edvinas: points 1 & 3 accomplished. Concerning 2, tested w or w/o SR and the same. i'll make more tests and i will post the results When you use any of the self-timer modes, the SR is automatically turned off. Look at the manual in the SR section for other times SR is automatically turned off.

07-11-2007, 08:33 PM	#15
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	All the info should be on my pic's except the F-stop on those where I used a completely manual lens (it's f2 then) and although not pitch black yet this is a very low light 18 photo panoramic I had to brighten it up to see the boats. I can show you plenty more as well if you want. My secret is use a tripod, ISO 200 and turn off SR. I always use the lowest F-stop, and play around with the shutter speed until I find the 1 that has the effect that I want