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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-17-2019, 03:59 PM
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Was it the K20 or the K7 where they first improved the stop down metering accuracy ? I believe that before this people were having more issues and inconsistencies. Maybe the move to the CMOS type sensor played a part also....?
Anyway, OP, I hope you find one or two good modern lenses within your means and put into practice the advice here. A DSLR, even a K-m, is a great photographic tool when matched up with the right lenses and accessories, and very rewarding as a skill and hobby to get stuck into!
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-17-2019, 08:48 AM
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These are processed from the camera RAW file, an approach I always take when I am aiming to optimise my camera's output and take the full advantage of what the DSLR system offers me. I will only use camera JPEGs when I am taking a lot of the same sort of shots in very consistent conditions (eg lighting and dynamic range), and where I am not needing to obtain the optimum output quality (eg taking a load of shots of the kids birthday cake and the table, where the photos will only ever end up on Facebook or WhatsApp).
The processing of those coastal shots (which are in Dorset, UK) took me about 10 mins for each one. I carried out basic RAW conversion (levels type adjustments, contrast, basic sharpening) plus I like my skies and seas blue, so I would have boosted the vibrancy of the blues, then straightening and cropping. In Photoshop I used layers to apply a selective noise reduction on the sky and sea (I like smooth textures in these areas), final sharpening and then export to JPEG. About 10 mins for each.
This RAW processing approach I see as integral to the whole point of choosing a DSLR system, over for example a bridge-type camera. The way to release the full potential of what the system offers (camera plus lenses & accessories) is to optimise the output with RAW processing.
---------- Post added 17-01-19 at 15:53 ----------
But, you didn't say what the lenses were being used on the Nikon camera, and also you haven't said what sort of subjects were being photographed and in what conditions. As has been pointed out here you are making considerable challenges for your Pentax camera by using sub-par glass, shooting technically in a fairly inexperienced way, shooting in challenging mountainous conditions with atmospheric haze to contend with, and not making any particular optimisations to the recorded output, neither through camera JPEG custom image controls nor RAW processing.
We don't know how that Nikon camera was set up, but it may have had the custom controls for JPEGs tweaked favourably ...., however the lenses used and the lighting / subject conditions are going to have had the most impact, and frankly created an uneven playing field for your comparisons.
---------- Post added 17-01-19 at 16:02 ----------
Your expectations are unrealistic if you are unwilling to invest yourself fully into a DSLR system .... that means learning and experience, acquiring the right lenses and accessories that match your expectations, and taking the time to optimise the image at both the capture stage (using the camera and lens) and the processing stage (using a computer, or alternatively optimising the JPEG custom settings on the camera). If you are unwilling to invest in these ways, then a simpler camera type, such as a bridge style, may be better for you. You will certainly be able to take great looking photos with it (given certain conditions), but ultimately your potential, both in image quality and versatility, will be far more restricted.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-16-2019, 02:06 PM
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I'm afraid all that those images (the first ones of the mountain) are really saying is that you need to get a decent lens, and one that has easier handling for you. I've got a budget Tamron AF70-300 Di LD (F4.5-5.6), about £100 new in the UK, and it would be a far better start into longer telephoto photography for you .....
And again, all with the 10 year old K7 which is not renowned for its noise performance! ..... Not trying to be some smarty pants here, but just want to indicate that its unlikely to be the age, or performance of your DSLR which is the issue for you.
BTW the second two shots you posted look really good I think! However that Helios lens looks a little soft ....Maybe a smaller aperture would be better. But you would probably be better served, at least for now, with modern lenses.
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Forum: Troubleshooting and Beginner Help
01-16-2019, 12:15 PM
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I use the 10 year old K7, and there is no doubt about its ability to produce images far better than a camera phone today, assuming I am taking advantage of the whole point of a DSLR system .... ie using a range of good lenses effectively, or specialised optical accessories (eg extension tubes, filters), or using a flash system and lighting which integrates with my camera.
All of these things that make a DSLR system elevate even my 10 year old camera well above the potential of todays smartphones. Also the resolution of the sensor ("only" 14.5mp), I believe will still allow much larger quality prints that most camera phones ..... Your KM is really a similar case. Its all about how you use a specialised photographic tool to its full advantage....
Here's the old K7 in action..... I'm not sure if anyone could take this photo with only a smartphone ? ..... and yes, its an open challenge!
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