Hin's Photo Corner

I want to share the user settings that I have been using and update this post when I find something new with my Pentax K-x. Many of my setting are actually the default settings in JPG with exception on sharpness adjustment and WB.




Summary of my settings:

• use extended iso range from 100 to 12800, adjust iso range subject to scene
• Auto ISO range in 100 to 400 in daytime outdoor setting. Use fix lower ISO in 200 when image quality and grain is important.
• For indoor setting, I use auto-iso from 100-1600 for not-so-poor lighting and 100-3200 for darker environment. I used fixed iso for situations that I know I can have a comfortable speed not slower than 1/60 or 1/30 seconds.
• For extremely dark environment, I use fixed iso in 3200, 5000, 6400, 8000 and 12800. I pay extreme attention to shutter speed in dark environment. When bracing is possible with lamp post, a rail, or knelt down position, I attempt the lowest iso for at least 1/15 second. And I will up iso for non-bracing shot so that shutter speed is at least 1/30 sec. It is all subject to shooting conditions.
• default NR in medium, default NR starts at iso 800 and above
  
• bright image mode
• Mostly AWB. Adjust as needed especially in indoor shooting
• Default Matrix Metering
  
• customized Ev to 1/3 instead of 1/2, default is already taking 1/3 Ev increments
  
• customized ISO to go with Ev increments
  
• center focal point in AF-A
• sharpness adjusted from +1 to +2 and toggle between Fine sharpness and the default -- still experimenting. Use Fine sharpness for daytime shooting and change to regular sharpness setting for indoor and dim setting to avoid noise if desired.
  
• Program mode for most cases and adjust Av as needed
• Use Tv mode for action or when movement is involved
  
• Enabled catch-in focus for AF lenses and disable for MF lenses when the feature gets in the way
• First choice of lens for video is DA with quick shift focus. The next choice is fast MF lenses to avoid noise and better flexibility.
  

Few observations to share:

• K-x has more tendency in over-exposure than my K20D
• Occasional hiccup in locking up once a video clip is displayed. This may have to do with my SD card. When that happens, I need to take out battery in order to turn off the camera
• Unreliable AWB in indoor tungsten and fluorescent lighting, preset tungsten WB> helps a bit but AWB seems way warmer than the actual scene. I should have shot in RAW and adjust in post processing.
  
• I can't see the Viewfinder clearly in cloudy outdoor and dark indoor scenes. This may be due to my use of bi-focal glass
• Image a bit soft in default setting, hence I turn up the default +1 sharpness to +2 sharpness and I am trying between Fine Sharpness vs the default sharpness
• In general, I prefer my K20D body over K-x when I am shooting manual focus lenses
• The LCD resolution can't tell a blur picture from a sharp picture.

Related:

• Pentax K-x White arrival
• Pentax K-x White HD Test Videos
  
• Pentax K-x White In Disneyland
• Pentax K-x High ISO Habit
• Pentax K-x White with DA limited
  
• Hin's Camear Gear

The K-x does extremely well in indoor kind of shooting with Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 limited. All the following are done with K-x and Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 limited with all default settings with no post processing. No flash is used. Default NR is medium.


The K-x is quite excellent in indoor shooting and it works extremely well in the dark with DA 40mm f/2.8 limited, Focus hunting is very minimal and all AF is quite responsive and I feel very empowered to make the shot in indoor. The high ISO performance in K-x is the best that I have seen in Pentax. With raw and more powerful noise handling software, I think the K-x can do even more than the few jpg pictures that I show here.


Impressions & Notes

• The best high ISO performance that I have seen from Pentax
• Shots at default Medium Noise Reduction in iso 1600 has no need for noise cleaning for me. It is clean shot.
  
• At 3200, I still think it is very reasonable. Detail in the indoor dim light environment is quite good up to 3200. Some loss of detail is noted in 6400, maybe due to the grain.
  
• At 6400, some noise becomes visible even in screen resolution. I suspect shooting in RAW and post process in Neat Image or Noise Ninja will have much better outputs than what the jpg that I have shown here
• Shots at iso higher than 3200 can easily be turned into B&W conversion and you get a film grain like in the outputs.
  
• A good Pentax compact digital body that makes the slower DA lens to shine in the dark. It turns my DA 40mm f/2.8 limited into a powerhouse for indoor performer.
• The K-x is perhaps the best body to lure one to get all DA limited primes. It work as if it can breathe at least an extra stop to all DA primes so that you can easily shoot at Tv for 1/100 sec with f/3.5 with most of my DA lenses in the dark with auto-iso range set for 100 to 12,800.
• I find the K-x fast and responsive with DA primes though I do find moments in shooting running kid on AF.S that the hunting of AF prevent me from making the shot. I have not tried to turn it into AF.C from the default AF.A mode.
• I am studying the default AF.A mode and see how the camera chooses between AF.C and AF.S and I am hoping it has some smart design into it.
  

Related:

• Pentax K-x in Disneyland
  
• Pentax K-x White and DA limited Lens
  
• Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited on Pentax SuperProgram
  
• Pentax DA primes on SuperProgram & MX
  
• Pentax K-x White with DA/FA limited Lenses
• Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 limited
• Pentax K-x White arrival
• Pentax K20D
• Hin's Camear Gear

I am totally naive on film! Specifically, I don't know what my 1st roll of b&w will happen with my SuperProgram using DA 21mm f/3.2 limited. Magically, it seems to meter in Program Auto mode when I tried it earlier. When I tried two shots using the DA 21mm on the SuperProgram, the Programmed Auto mode picks up f/3.5 in ASA 400 iso film in a indoor setting with shutter speed of 1/30 to 1/60 sec. And I don't see the vignetting around the corners.




MX not metering with DA primes

I am asking around on potential known issues that I will run into. And I mounted my DA 40mm f/2.8 limited onto my MX that I just received from impulse purchase but I don't have the batteries to try out the metering. Once I mounted the pancake DA prime lens, they look appealing and fits into the form factor of a small SLR. The bad news from others are that the MX won't be able to meter without the aperture ring. It does not have the Av, Sv or the important one and only P mode that can work on the SuperProgram. It is not ideal as the camera picks out the aperture for you.

After spending my money on a nice used copy of Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 that works well in my K20D and the white K-x that are coming in a few days, I can hardly find the reason to get an Pentax M 40mm f/2.8 unless I can find one that is around $100.00. Last year, I bought a used copy of Pentax M 40mm f/2.8 for cheap around $75.0 with a reason in probably separation of element that look like watercolor in reflection upon close examination. I sold it later for $50.00 with full disclosures, the thing is a beauty in the past and present. I really wish the DA to have an aperture ring and it will fit perfectly with the MX. And I really like the form factor of Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 and it is a good thing to be shorter than 50mm for normal lens, good close up at 0.4 meters similar to FA 50mm f/1.4 and fast AF.


After a test roll of film, I may go about asking a quote on fixing the light sealing from Eric. Or the other alternative is to learn to do the sealing myself.

I am NAIVE on film, I really like my SuperProgram, can someone clue me in why I should fall in love with the MX. I know the viewfinder is bigger but the SuperProgram has so much to offer with Av, M, Tv, B mode and I especially love the extra grip in SuperProgram for better ergonomics in the field. Yes, the Tv mode works in M with two buttons to adjust shutter as mentioned by Steve, very nice to have. The viewfinder in SuperProrgram is about 0.82 magnification [92 % coverage] which is small compared to MX 0.97 magnification [95% coverage]. Please feel free to tell me more what you like most about MX besides the viewfinder. The MX only works in M mode, that is harder for me to get used to after using digital Av and TAv mode for a while.


Impressions & Notes

• Both DA 21 and DA 40 seem to meter reasonably well in the Programed Auto mode in SuperProgram
• With consultation from others, MX can't meter with the DA lens
• I don't see the vignetting in DA 40mm f/2.8 limited for sure. When I tried DA 21mm f/3.2 on SuperProgram, the wide angle view is wonderful and I don't see the obvious vignetting from viewing the view-finder corners. Unlike the time that I play with DA 18-55mm kit's lens, I can see obvious darker corners in the wider ends of the DA kit's lens
• All are to be confirmed when I develop my 1st film roll using both DA 21 and DA 40 with Pentax SuperProgram
• I so desire more on lenses with an aperture ring so that I can choose to share with the nostalgic find in the film world. My DA lenses will envy my primes with FA 50mm f/1.4, FA 77mm f/1.8 limited, Cosina 55mm f/1.2 along with all of my Tamron Adaptall-2 lenses that have a aperture rings with AE for AutoExposures when I couple the lens with adaptall-2 P/K-A adapter
  

Update:

• Results are reported in Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited on FF bodies (results)
  

Related:

• Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited on FF bodies (results)
  
• Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited
• Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 limited
• Pentax M 40mm f/2.8
• Pentax pancake clones with M lenses
• Design compact dSLR with Crumpler 2 MDB
• Pentax Limited Trio in Traveling
• Hin's Camera Lens
  

I am someone who are careless and sells with no fear but buy back when I think I want to try it again. I still remember the day that I sold my ex-LadyQueen 31mm f/1.8 limited. Being frugal actually is more expensive when it comes to lens purchase.

I stayed away from thinking about the queen as I don't see it fit in my gear when compared to my documentary Pentax DA 35mm 1:1 macro limited lens. I call my 35mm limited as my best documentary lens as I shot all of my LBA/CBA shots exclusively from DA 35mm limited. To prepare a small combo for traveling light with K-x, I have been looking for a used copy of pancake limited and I just got it yesterday


and I have finally given in for the Pentax K-x white which should come anytime well before thanksgiving. I don't really need the 40mm limited but it is a perfect match to the K-x for traveling light and small with elegance. And the pancake primes and FA limited primes are one of the reasons to stay loyal, unique and interesting as a Pentaxian.


Initial Impressions & Notes

• It is smaller and thinner than my Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited. It is likely the smallest prime. I forget if it is any bigger than the Pentax M 40mm f/2.8 that I once have
• I am glad that my used copy come with lens hood and the original lens cap with 30.5mm size.
• With the lens hood mounted, it looks thicker but for lens protection sake, I have the lens hood mounted all the time.
• Unlike the 35mm limited, I get more correct exposures or tiny slightly over-exposures.
• AF seems quick and responsive with my K20D in indoor setting
• Somehow, I found it very odd that the Pentax logo was printed on the inside of the lens cap instead of outside like the other lens caps in the limited lens
• Minimum focusing distance is at 0.4m, quite nice for closeup in a normal lens.
  

Related:

• Pentax FA 43mm f/1.9 limited
• Pentax K-x White Indoor High ISO with DA 40mm f/2.8
• K-x white in Disneyland
• Articles tagged for K-x
  
• Articles tagged for Limited Lenses
• Pentax K-x White Indoor High ISO with DA 40mm f/2.8
  
• Pentax DA 21mm limited on FF bodies
• Pentax M 40mm f/2.8
  
• Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2
  
• How To Protect Limited Lenses
• Pentax Clones for Pancake
  
• Pentax 1 Lens Choices -- traveling trio
  
• Pentax FA 31mm f/1.8 -- Lady Queen
• Pentax DA 35mm f/2.8 1:1 macro limited -- Best Documentary Lens
  
• Hin's Camera Gear

I have the DA 21mm f/3.2 limited and I always get intrigued with the DA 40mm f/2.8 limited and I went across a used Pentax M 40mm f/2.8 and I have got to give it a try. Unlike the DA limited, the M lens has the aperture ring on the barrel. I have not used DA 40mm f/2.8 but I like the MF ring on M 40mm f/2.8. Though thin as in a pancake, the manual focusing is well done with the lens and minimum focusing distance is a bit more than other Pentax 35mm and 50mm primes, it is roughly at the 0.6meter mark.




Related:

• Pentax Pancake Clones
• Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 limited
  
• Hin's Camera Gear