K20D

Sorry Gwyn, what is this 'D Range' switched on?
Lilly

The D-Range (expand dynamic range) function limits the possibility of over-exposed areas occurring in the image. With this turned on, the sensitivity range is limited to 200-3200 ISO.

thanks for that link Gwyn, that has definately put the K20D on my Xmas list, I just wish I knew what else Pentax had up their sleeves before commiting to buy one.

Does this link prove that the K20D is the way to go for budding (and pro) wedding photographers? no more worries about blowing out the brides dress

Yes and no.

I did a friend's wedding with the K20D and D-Range in RAW.
However, I did completely blow out one shot (came outside from inside with the Metz and neglected to adjust settings). Silkypix managed to bring back a surprising amount of detail... but it was still blown. So, I turned it B&W in SP and did the best I could. What was very interesting was that the resulting shot (which I was apologising profusely for) - everyone loved!

I've not done any scientific tests, but even without D-Range the K20D has an astonishing amount of detail and a pretty wide dynamic range in the first place! When looking at the RAW detail I have found it difficult to discern the difference between D-Range on and off... which leads to another question...

When a RAW is taken with D-Range on, are the individual pixels adjusted, or is a region, or is nothing much changed and extra information stored in the EXIF for handling at a later stage. There's not been too much technical detail on it all...

Matt

I've always assumed D-Range would be processing applied to an in camera jpeg, surely RAW is raw? Not that I've looked into it at all, not having a K20D...

Dan

I wish you lot would stop tempting me to trade in my K10 for a K20... I have spent too much on cameras lately!

Go on Kris you know you want tooo

Resistance is futile Kris. Just give in.

Just ring srs, pass your c/card number, job done, painless.

Its not a trade in......its an upgrade

And you could always keep the K10D as well

Not true, I find it hurts my ears

But presumably only afterwards, once you have been found out :

No the K20D has a filter which can be applied to jpegs in camera, but D-range works with RAW. I haven't yet done any tests to see how much more you can regain with it on, but after seeing Wim's photo I was convinced of it's usefulness. Coming from an Ist DS having ISO start at 200 is no problem for me.

Just to back that up, I yesterday had a first stroll around with the 16-50 and remembered this threat. So I did overexpose a few shots by 2 stops. No problem recovering _nearly_ all detail. My example was perhaps not as impressive as the example from the Dutch site, but it certainly did reduce my fear of overexposure a bit.

Of course I forgot to do the obvious and switch of D-Range (I always have it on on the K20). I was more focussed to get some shots with the 16-50 wide open. Today it's raining, so no chance of repeating it...

When I had the K20 new I did try a side by side comparison with/without D-Range. Not much difference, but that was on well exposed shots.

We have to do a proper comparison. I would do an indoor setup but there are still sooo many pics from the Hawai'i trip waiting to be processed...

Prieni

any chance you cd post a few pics, wd be very interested to see if you have 5 mins?

Once I'm back home I'll do that...