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Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 06-22-2017, 08:13 PM  
K-30/K-50 Aperture Control Problem/Black Photo Repair - How I did it.
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 86
Views: 57,667
Is there a recommended video or stills sequence that best shows this solenoid repair process?

I've just now watched a few videos on YouTube and they weren't comprehensive enough for me.

I'm reasonably handy with a screwdriver and soldering iron, but I do best when I have good images and instructions to work from.

Oops - sorry - my camera is a K50.
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 06-10-2017, 10:12 PM  
K50: Programs to open .DNG files?
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 30
Views: 4,243
Okay, I've finished testing most of the better RAW processing apps, and here are my choices.

First, I should say that I'm something of a butterfly when it comes to computer software. I've tested and trialed hundreds - maybe thousands - of computer programs in my time as a PC builder and serviceman, and if I can't achieve a quick understanding of the way an app works, I'll usually discard it. There's too much good software around to waste time on stuff that's poorly written, badly laid out, or lacking simple and comprehensive help files.

With regard to photo editors and processors, I'm just an amateur photographer, so there's no incentive for me to endure a long learning process before I can become adept in a program's use. If I was a pro, it'd be different - I'd take the time to learn how to use the top software. Like Lightroom, for example. I've had the app for several years and never really got to grips with it. Nothing wrong with the program - just a bit too clever for this old guy :o

So, here's my list of zeros and heroes.
Zeros:
UFRaw and GIMP. Couldn't make UFRaw pass pics onto GIMP. Glitchy software, though GIMP's ok.
Paint Shop Pro X9. It's not bad, but doesn't compare with Photoshop (which I've had for years), but it does open DNG files.
RawTherapee. Even though I'm an amateur, I thought this one was a bit too simple for me. Has a lot of presets.
On1 Photo RAW 2017. Probably very good for pros but I found the interface confusing.
DxO Optics Pro 11. Has promise (good HDR presets) but I found the interface confusing.
Capture One Pro. No, for the same reasons as the preceding two. But don't get me wrong. For pros, the last three are probably marvelous.

Heroes - Grade B:
AfterShot Pro 3. Very good GUI and lots of features. Don't know how much I'll use it, but it's a keeper.
SilkyPix. Not sure about this, either, but I'll keep it for further experimentation.

Heroes - Grade A:
Faststone Viewer. Great, see below.
Camera RAW Plugin for Photoshop. Great, see below
NIK Plugins for Photoshop. Great, see below

I'm currently using Photoshop CS6 (No advantage in the latest CC version, IMHO).
To Photoshop I added the latest Camera RAW plugin, together with the (now free) NIK Plugins.
Then I associated .DNG files with Faststone Viewer, and set up Faststone to pass files over to Photoshop for editing.
This way, I only need to click a DNG to view it, and its folder-mates, in Faststone. While there, I can view pics, quickly experiment with basic adjustments, or cull files. If I wish to develop a file, I need only hit 'E' and it opens in Photoshop\Camera RAW.
Excellent system. Fast and easy. Obvious there's no file management, but I don't need that - I have my own storage system.

So there it is. As I said, the system wouldn't suit everybody but it fits my requirements perfectly.

Folks, much thanks for all the great suggestions. Hope the above might help someone else :)
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 06-08-2017, 08:05 PM  
K50: Programs to open .DNG files?
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 30
Views: 4,243
Thanks, Joe, good post. Sounds like a simple and effective process. I'd better try my Silkypix disc - so far unused :-)
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 06-04-2017, 10:04 PM  
K50: Programs to open .DNG files?
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 30
Views: 4,243
Wow, thanks heaps ripper. I'll study it.
Cheers :-)
Forum: Site Suggestions and Help 06-04-2017, 04:19 PM  
Question My avatar is being rejected even though it meets the size requirements
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 2
Views: 697
When I finished uploading, I got a message saying something like, 'it doesn't meet the size criteria'.
So I posted #1.
But now I've returned, it seems that the avatar was accepted after all. It's showing above. Say, what?
Forum: Site Suggestions and Help 06-04-2017, 12:39 AM  
Question My avatar is being rejected even though it meets the size requirements
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 2
Views: 697
I'm trying to upload an avatar that I've just finished editing.

It's 71 pix x 80 pix and is 5.55k.

According to the website rules, it should be 80p x 80p x 330K or less.

What am I missing here?
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 06-03-2017, 08:38 PM  
K50: Programs to open .DNG files?
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 30
Views: 4,243
Another good call, man! I'd noticed the 'OK' button before, but this time I unchecked the 'Keep Settings' box. It seems that this action gets the Save-As prompt with the choice to select the edited image in different formats.

Faststone is obviously more adept and useful than first appears. I reckon it needs someone to create a detailed but easy-to-follow manual. But if it cost money, I guess the makers would then have to charge for the product, and fewer would use it.

Cheers :-)
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 06-02-2017, 07:47 PM  
K50: Programs to open .DNG files?
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 30
Views: 4,243
ripper2860: Mate, it's probably my bad. I'll take another look. Where exactly is the 'OK' button?
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 06-01-2017, 09:55 PM  
K50: Programs to open .DNG files?
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 30
Views: 4,243
ripper2860: I've just installed 6.2 but the options are unchanged from 5. There's no option to 'Save-As' on the page (accessed with Ctrl\T) with the value sliders. Right-clicking the image at that point just momentarily reverts the image to its unaltered state. Sorry. Perhaps we're talking about two different things?
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 06-01-2017, 07:04 PM  
K50: Programs to open .DNG files?
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 30
Views: 4,243
Ripper2860, my apologies. You're correct, of course - those editing tools are there. I just didn't think to right-click.

Also, I note that mousing over the left edge of the image brings up a similar menu.

One small peeve: After opening a DNG and editing the colors, brightness, shadows, etc, I would like to have been able to 'Save-As', at that point. Instead, it seems that it's necessary to check 'Keep Settings' and hit 'OK', then right-click the new image again to get the 'Save-As' option. As you say, the controls aren't very intuitive. But it's fast software.

Another thing I was expecting (probably out of ignorance of RAW file processing) was that I'd be able to edit a DNG then 'Save-it-As' another DNG, ie, in its altered state. But the available options only seem to be saving-as various regular image formats, like JPG, PNG, TIFF etc?

Stevebrot: Sorry, didn't see your last post. Thanks for the explanation about LR. Seems to me that the issue of RAW processing is like a lot of other computing situations - there are lots of different ways to achieve the same, or similar, result. Obviously, some methods will be more suitable than others, depending upon the user.

I think Faststone might be a quick and easy way to do some some fairly basic editing, but I'll definitely try the other options of LR, Camera Raw, Capture One, NIK etc.

Much thanks to everyone who responded to my query :-)
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 05-31-2017, 10:15 PM  
K50: Programs to open .DNG files?
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 30
Views: 4,243
Thanks for your comments, folks.

Ripper2860: I have Faststone, and while it opens DNG files, it doesn't seem able to edit them. Maybe it forwards the image to a proper editor, but that seems like unnecessary extra handling. Re the NIK plugins, I download them, thanks for the tip.

RAART: I have Adobe Bridge, but, TBH, I've never been sure what to do with it. Duh :-)

Jatrax: Lightroom seems to get a lot of good press. But see my next comment.

Microlight: So, if I installed Camera Raw 9.1.1, all I need to do is open a DNG in Photoshop CS6? Seems too easy :-)

Calsan: SilkyPix came with the K50 camera but I got the impression from this and other forums that it wasn't well thought of.

Stevebrot: I'm confused about Lightroom. Why would I need it LR I have Photoshop CS6 with the Camera Raw plugin? Or Photoshop with the NIK plugins?

Not a Number: Thanks. As I said to Microlight, the option seems too simple.

BTW, nobody has mentioned Corel's Paint Shop Pro or AfterShot. Or Capture One. Are these not viable options?
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 05-31-2017, 04:42 PM  
K50: Programs to open .DNG files?
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 30
Views: 4,243
I've just started taking RAW + jpg for the first time.

The native RAW format of my K50 seems to be .DNG.

But I'm having difficulty opening and processing these files on my W7 Ultimate computer.

At first I tried UFRaw (0.19.2), which opened .DNGs but wanted GIMP for an editor.

So I installed GIMP 2.8.22, but UFRaw said it 'couldn't open GIMP', or words to that effect. Apparently a common result, judging by the number of posts about the error.

I installed RawTherapee 5.1 and that seems to open DNG files but the GUI is awful, IMHO, and looks like it'll involve me with a steep learning curve.

Suggestions for alternative software would be appreciated.

PS: I have PShop CS6.
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 01-27-2017, 01:09 AM  
Photos on an SD card: Delete via computer? Or camera?
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 14
Views: 2,225
Thanks for your tips, guys.



Sorry to be picky, Jatrax, but I can't agree with you. With the card in the computer, it only takes a couple of keystrokes to delete the files. Around 2 seconds, I'd say.

Whereas it takes somewhat longer to cycle through the camera's menus to 'Format' and then action it. 10 seconds?

However, I do agree that it's better to format the card in the camera than in the computer.

But it seems to me (who knows zip about modern cameras but lots about computers) that if the files are deleted in the computer, there's no need to format the card when it's returned to the camera, because nothing has been done to change the card's file system.

Which incidentally, I haven't checked as to native type. Do Pentax cameras format in FAT32 or exFAT? FAT32 is fairly universal but it does have a 4GB limit for single files, while exFAT is virtually unlimited. 16 Exabytes, I think.
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 01-26-2017, 08:33 PM  
Photos on an SD card: Delete via computer? Or camera?
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 14
Views: 2,225
To view\copy\transfer photos I always remove the SD card from my K50 and plug it into a card reader on my computer.

After doing this, I'd prefer to delete them from the SD card.

Any problems with this?

Or should I do the deletion after returning the card to the camera?
Forum: Monthly Photo Contests 01-02-2017, 01:22 PM  
Now You See Me
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 23
Views: 1,506
Not sure why it grabs me but it does...
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 01-02-2017, 12:56 PM  
A question about bracketing...
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 12
Views: 1,227
Looks like I should get a faster memory card. What's best? Is Class 10 top speed?

Later: Is this a tricky question? Like - no one has answered :-( . Should I reword my question?

OK. I'm currently using a fairly ordinary SD card, and I don't know how fast it reads and writes.

But if I'm going to be shooting bracketed photos it seems to me the camera (K50) should be writing the info as fast as it can.
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 01-01-2017, 12:50 PM  
A question about bracketing...
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 12
Views: 1,227
Guys, thanks very much for the helpful and thorough explanations.

I'll go ahead and re-program the RAW\Fx button for bracketing.

Something I hadn't considered - DeadJohn mentions using two stops either side of standard, rather than one. Is this a better approach?

Working with the three images, are we talking in-camera processing? Or post processing with Lightroom or an app that specializes in HDR?





.
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 12-31-2016, 07:01 PM  
A question about bracketing...
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 12
Views: 1,227
I was about to re-program my K50's RAW\Fx button to 3-pic bracketing when I had a sudden thought. (fairly rare these days)

My reason for taking the occasional 3-shot bracket would have been to use the images to combine into an HDR image. Or at least experiment a bit.

But, seeing as how I'm shooting in RAW+JPG, it occurs to me that I already have all the data within a RAW image, that I'd need to produce a 3-pic bracket.

Yes? Or am I making a fundamental error?

Which wouldn't be unusual for this 30-day fumbling newbie :-)
Forum: General Photography 12-29-2016, 08:29 PM  
From M to Av to P: The Wonders of Hyper-Program Mode
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 40
Views: 4,967
Modulation Transfer Function! Of course...I knew that! (in my dreams, maybe :-))

But seriously, it's quite an interesting subject. This link is best, IMHO. Who could have known that several chunks of cunningly shaped glass would someday inspire such esoteric commentary and analysis?
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 12-29-2016, 07:49 PM  
User-1\2 without Back-button focus?
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 9
Views: 1,417
This forum is supposedly a mainstream source of info for all things Pentax.
So is it unreasonable to assume that someone might have have already tried the method I'm asking about and would be happy to share the information?
Obviously, if nobody responded to a question like this, no-one has tried it, and in that case I'd expect no answers. Fine.
But I don't need to be told, 'F----d if I know, try it yourself.'
Wouldn't a better response be to skip my question altogether and instead, answer someone else's query with information that's actually helpful?
In other words, if you can't help user 'x' with his\her question, manfully resist the temptation to be a smartass and go help user 'y'.
That's if you actually know what you're talking about, of course.

Des, thanks for a helpful comment.
Forum: General Photography 12-28-2016, 12:46 PM  
From M to Av to P: The Wonders of Hyper-Program Mode
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 40
Views: 4,967
p38arover, thanks for the link, the PDF has an excellent definition of 'program line'.

I'm still puzzling over the 'MTF' that bdery refers to in post #22
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 12-27-2016, 11:22 PM  
User-1\2 without Back-button focus?
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 9
Views: 1,417
enoeske: If I'd tried it, I wouldn't be asking it were possible.

tduell: Thanks, Terry.
Forum: General Photography 12-27-2016, 10:57 PM  
From M to Av to P: The Wonders of Hyper-Program Mode
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 40
Views: 4,967
Sorry, but my K50 manual says nothing about 'Program Line'. Not in the index, anyway.
Forum: Pentax K-30 & K-50 12-27-2016, 02:06 PM  
User-1\2 without Back-button focus?
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 9
Views: 1,417
I've set up my K50 with BBF, Single-point AF and AF:C.

Could I now program a 'User' profile to operate with the default shutter-button focus?
Forum: General Photography 12-27-2016, 01:29 PM  
From M to Av to P: The Wonders of Hyper-Program Mode
Posted By pentaprickle
Replies: 40
Views: 4,967
Uh, a dopey question.
This newbie sees lots of mentions about 'program line'. But what is it?
And bdery (above) mentions 'MTF'.
Are these 'settings\configurations' only relevant to a particular camera?
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