K20D: DFS and Startrails

darky_mtp · 09-13-2010, 05:36 AM

Yes, tested on my K20D.

WordsOfFarewell · 09-13-2010, 05:38 PM

I guess then you need to add a file with [ENABLENR] 1@ or [DISABLENR] 0@ to switch back?

Or does the camera automatically switch back when leaving Debug mode? So I could simply carry one flash card with the debug data and one without switching back and forth between no DFS and DFS? That'd be pretty convenient for longer travels without PC which I do pretty often.

**interested_observer** · 09-13-2010, 07:14 PM

I remembered a while back seeing a website that had debug information listed for Pentax.

Pentax Debug mode

Scrolling down to the SYSPARM file section ...

FORCENR Forces noise reduction
DISABLENR Disables noise reduction

I am wondering if 2 smaller SD cards of say 256K - one to turn it off and the other to turn it back on.

I would have thought that noise reduction would have been more oriented at the other JPG noise reduction capabilities as opposed to DFS.

Interesting developments....

**LeoTaylor** · 09-13-2010, 07:32 PM

As a K100D owner I have been reading for a couple of years how dismayed the newer camera owners are with the inability to turn off long exposure NR. From what I read it is the CMOS sensor cameras that lack the option because they are noisy for long exposures. I know an accessory that will fix the problem! Just buy a used K100D for a few hundred bucks.

It is sometimes better to have a separate camera for special jobs like night photography than force a camera that is unsuitable. Used Pentax DSLRs are so cheap these days, less then some people spend on a one lens.

When I do Star Trails I set the exposure to 30 seconds, NR off, and Continuous Mode. I attach the simple Pentax mechanical remote (basically just a locking button), connect a external supply, and let it run for hours. When done I put on the lens cap and take a few dark frames of 30 sec.

The German program StarTrails does the stacking and the dark subtraction.

www.Startrails.de-Home

darky_mtp · 09-14-2010, 07:29 AM

Originally posted by interested_observer

I am wondering if 2 smaller SD cards of say 256K - one to turn it off and the other to turn it back on.

No need.
In the modset file :
[OPEN_DEBUG_MENU]

Power-on with sd slot open will bring the debug menu.
You can choose to turn on or turn off debug mode.

If debug mode is off, sysparam file is ignored so DFS 'on' or 'auto'.

WordsOfFarewell · 09-14-2010, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by darky_mtp

No need.
In the modset file :
[OPEN_DEBUG_MENU]

Power-on with sd slot open will bring the debug menu.
You can choose to turn on or turn off debug mode.

If debug mode is off, sysparam file is ignored so DFS 'on' or 'auto'.

Woah, that is indeed awesome.

Hope to get clear skies to test this tonight.

glasbak · 09-14-2010, 09:26 AM

Check this thread : https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/109720-k20d-bad-sensor-banding.html

Nass · 09-14-2010, 01:07 PM

Hello,

Fyi I played with this command in sysparam whilst in debug and it does diddlysquat to eliminate the K-7's DFS. Great if it works for your K20D =)

Anyone here who is also a K-7 owner able to mail this fellow? I can't see his email address otherwise I might ask him some questions, he seems to have explored some aspects of this. Thanks

darky_mtp · 09-14-2010, 01:17 PM - **2 Likes**

I made a package ready to use : http://darky.is-a-geek.net/debug_mode/disable_dfs.zip
Tested on my K20D, tell me if it works for you.

orly_andico · 09-15-2010, 08:33 AM

I can verify that the DFS zip file works fine on my K20D firmware 1.04

When I tried creating MODSET.442 and SYSPARAM.TXT myself, things didn't work out.. I believe it's because pentaxhack doesn't list any MODSET.XXX for firmware 1.04..

WordsOfFarewell · 09-16-2010, 11:45 PM

Originally posted by orly_andico

I can verify that the DFS zip file works fine on my K20D firmware 1.04

When I tried creating MODSET.442 and SYSPARAM.TXT myself, things didn't work out.. I believe it's because pentaxhack doesn't list any MODSET.XXX for firmware 1.04..

Ok, tried it with the MODSET.442 and SYSPARAM.TXT from the DFS.zip and it worked fine. Now I only wonder if the camera takes any damage of some sort when using it without NR since otherwise Pentax just could've given us an off switch in the first place.

Btw. does anyone know if damages caused by playing with the debug mode are covered by the waranty?

But first of all a big thanks going out to darky_mtp.

I guess you don't mind if I spread the word?

darky_mtp · 09-17-2010, 01:11 AM

You can spread the word :-)

DO NOT ALTER SETTINGS in debug mode other than focus correction.
DFS do not protect the sensor as far as I know.

systemA · 09-17-2010, 01:46 AM

Will test this with k20d now

edit: Worked perfectly! Thank you

Now to find a way to disable SDM and we'll be all set!

orly_andico · 12-08-2010, 09:47 PM

anyone gotten this working with a K-x?

other sources say you need a MODSET.492 for the K-x

Have not been able to check (no K-x for me)

09-13-2010, 05:38 PM	#32
WordsOfFarewell Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Roaming Free. Posts: 26 Original Poster	I guess then you need to add a file with [ENABLENR] 1@ or [DISABLENR] 0@ to switch back? Or does the camera automatically switch back when leaving Debug mode? So I could simply carry one flash card with the debug data and one without switching back and forth between no DFS and DFS? That'd be pretty convenient for longer travels without PC which I do pretty often. Last edited by WordsOfFarewell; 09-13-2010 at 06:01 PM.

09-13-2010, 07:14 PM	#33
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	I remembered a while back seeing a website that had debug information listed for Pentax. Pentax Debug mode Scrolling down to the SYSPARM file section ... FORCENR Forces noise reduction DISABLENR Disables noise reduction I am wondering if 2 smaller SD cards of say 256K - one to turn it off and the other to turn it back on. I would have thought that noise reduction would have been more oriented at the other JPG noise reduction capabilities as opposed to DFS. Interesting developments....

09-17-2010, 01:46 AM	#43
systemA Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York, NY Posts: 385	Will test this with k20d now edit: Worked perfectly! Thank you Now to find a way to disable SDM and we'll be all set! Last edited by systemA; 09-19-2010 at 05:06 PM.

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09-13-2010, 05:36 AM	#31
darky_mtp New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 19	Yes, tested on my K20D.

09-13-2010, 07:32 PM	#34
LeoTaylor Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Connecticut Photos: Gallery Posts: 679	As a K100D owner I have been reading for a couple of years how dismayed the newer camera owners are with the inability to turn off long exposure NR. From what I read it is the CMOS sensor cameras that lack the option because they are noisy for long exposures. I know an accessory that will fix the problem! Just buy a used K100D for a few hundred bucks. It is sometimes better to have a separate camera for special jobs like night photography than force a camera that is unsuitable. Used Pentax DSLRs are so cheap these days, less then some people spend on a one lens. When I do Star Trails I set the exposure to 30 seconds, NR off, and Continuous Mode. I attach the simple Pentax mechanical remote (basically just a locking button), connect a external supply, and let it run for hours. When done I put on the lens cap and take a few dark frames of 30 sec. The German program StarTrails does the stacking and the dark subtraction. www.Startrails.de-Home

09-14-2010, 07:29 AM	#35
darky_mtp New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 19	Originally posted by interested_observer I am wondering if 2 smaller SD cards of say 256K - one to turn it off and the other to turn it back on. No need. In the modset file : [OPEN_DEBUG_MENU] Power-on with sd slot open will bring the debug menu. You can choose to turn on or turn off debug mode. If debug mode is off, sysparam file is ignored so DFS 'on' or 'auto'.

09-14-2010, 07:58 AM	#36
WordsOfFarewell Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Roaming Free. Posts: 26 Original Poster	Originally posted by darky_mtp No need. In the modset file : [OPEN_DEBUG_MENU] Power-on with sd slot open will bring the debug menu. You can choose to turn on or turn off debug mode. If debug mode is off, sysparam file is ignored so DFS 'on' or 'auto'. Woah, that is indeed awesome. Hope to get clear skies to test this tonight.

09-14-2010, 09:26 AM	#37
glasbak Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Netherlands Posts: 369	Check this thread : https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/109720-k20d-bad-sensor-banding.html

09-14-2010, 01:07 PM	#38
Nass Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The British Isles Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,402	Hello, Fyi I played with this command in sysparam whilst in debug and it does diddlysquat to eliminate the K-7's DFS. Great if it works for your K20D =) Anyone here who is also a K-7 owner able to mail this fellow? I can't see his email address otherwise I might ask him some questions, he seems to have explored some aspects of this. Thanks

09-14-2010, 01:17 PM - 2 Likes	#39
darky_mtp New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 19	I made a package ready to use : http://darky.is-a-geek.net/debug_mode/disable_dfs.zip Tested on my K20D, tell me if it works for you.

09-15-2010, 08:33 AM	#40
orly_andico Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 97	I can verify that the DFS zip file works fine on my K20D firmware 1.04 When I tried creating MODSET.442 and SYSPARAM.TXT myself, things didn't work out.. I believe it's because pentaxhack doesn't list any MODSET.XXX for firmware 1.04..

09-16-2010, 11:45 PM	#41
WordsOfFarewell Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Roaming Free. Posts: 26 Original Poster	Originally posted by orly_andico I can verify that the DFS zip file works fine on my K20D firmware 1.04 When I tried creating MODSET.442 and SYSPARAM.TXT myself, things didn't work out.. I believe it's because pentaxhack doesn't list any MODSET.XXX for firmware 1.04.. Ok, tried it with the MODSET.442 and SYSPARAM.TXT from the DFS.zip and it worked fine. Now I only wonder if the camera takes any damage of some sort when using it without NR since otherwise Pentax just could've given us an off switch in the first place. Btw. does anyone know if damages caused by playing with the debug mode are covered by the waranty? But first of all a big thanks going out to darky_mtp. I guess you don't mind if I spread the word?

09-17-2010, 01:11 AM	#42
darky_mtp New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 19	You can spread the word :-) DO NOT ALTER SETTINGS in debug mode other than focus correction. DFS do not protect the sensor as far as I know.

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12-08-2010, 09:47 PM	#44
orly_andico Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 97	anyone gotten this working with a K-x? other sources say you need a MODSET.492 for the K-x Have not been able to check (no K-x for me)