Not sharp

I moved from a bridge camera some time ago & went through exactly the same thought process...

The lenses attached to decent bridge cameras usually out-perform the "budget" kit lenses supplied with DSLRs - I immediately upgraded my kit to the Sigma 17-70 & the difference was enormous, at least in my eyes !!

Also, as already mentioned, the small sensor of the bridge gives greater natural DOF & to achieve similar effects the DSLR needs stopping down a bit more - roughly about 2 stops I think.

simon

I am using my k20 in auto mode so perhaps I should try some custom settings as you have suggested. I will have to sit down with the manual and camera and try some settings. It's a long time since I have used a SLR, back in the 35mm days, so it may take me some time to get used to it.

Many thanks for the advice

What is auto mode on a K20 :

Auto mode.

Sorry, what I ment was that I was using the K20 with the exsosure in GREEN MODE (Auto) and the focus set to AFC (Auto). I assume that when using these settings the camera would make basic adjustments taking into account the conditions but I realise that with more exsperence, I will most probally get better results making my own customised settings. To give me a start, I would appreciate any advice from any of you more exsperenced users of the K10/20 on any usefull customised settings you use.

AF-C focus mode is really meant for moving subjects, as the camera will continually adjust focus, and fire the shutter if it's got good focus or not.

AF-S will lock the focus, and only allow the shutter to fire when it considers focus is good. So if you're taking a pic of a flower or whatever, you're probably better to use this mode, and ensure it's focused on the subject. Using AF-C, the camera could refocus on something else at any time.

Dan

Just had another look and it is set in AFS not AFC

I'm jumping on the band wagon!....I have just bought a K20 and find the images very soft!....I do alot of macro work and it just doesn't seem up to the job!...I upgraded from a ist ds,which was a superb tool for macro shots coupled with a Tamron 90mm!..........I may have to start fiddling with settings to sharpen things up a bit ,but I'm not a happy ,as I feel I shouldn't have too!...........Ken

You should have to. This is not a point and shoot camera. It's a sophisticated tool designed for photographers.

However, it is possible the camera or lens is faulty. If you suspect this, take them back to the shop.

G

Thank you George!.....I know it is a sophisticated bit of kit,I have it set up the same as my Previous camera but it is still short of the mark.Nothing the matter with the Tamron ,it is a superb lens and still produces the goods on the ds!....I still believe that the K20 on bog standard settings should produce shots of "Decent!" quality!.........but it doesn't!..................I may have to send it back down the country!...........

I am also very disapointed and getting fed up with the K20. Following my thread a about a week ago I have tried many settings but the definition is still very fuzzy and does not compare with the results from two of my old 4mp and 6mp 5 year old cameras. Surely a near £1,000 kit should preform better.

I am using the twin kit lenses. In many recent reveiws they do not rate the 18/55 kit lense mainly due to poor colour around the edges but there is no mention of fuzzyness.

If any one who has a new K20 and get sharp pics I would like some advice. I am a novice and fairly new to DSLR's so I donot understand some of the tec. terms etc.

Are the shots in focus but soft, or out of focus?

Dan

I recently upgraded from the *istD to the K20 and images are fine, I would say if anything they are sharper. But then, I'm shooting RAW and develop in SilkyPix.
This shot is an example (but of course it is resized):



I should see if I can pull out a 100% crop of it, wait a moment...

100% crop:



100% crop with a bit of USM:



Prieni

Don
I would say they are soft with out much definition.

Mine are in focus but soft!.........and its hard to find anything in focus in the above shot!....................I've bumped up the sharpness level yet another notch!.......I'll try again tomorrow!................

Hi Capabilities,

My question was aimed at Beginner - we posted at the same time. However, it may help. Ah, just seen his reply too (accompanied by the required number of exclamation marks).

So, the images are focused but not sharp, lacking in definition. And, Beginner, this is a direct comparison with your DS, using the same lens.

I have not got a K20D, or handled one for any length of time, but I did take a couple of very quick test shots with one in a camera shop several weeks ago, and the impression I got then was that it was fine, certainly comparable with my K10D. If I could find the pics I took I'd post them.

Can one/both of you post an example photo. Now rather than reducing it in size to fit, which quite frankly won't show anything, can you crop down the image so that we're looking at one small area of it at 100%? If you can't post images, feel free to email one to me and I can do it. Email address is on the contact page of my website here.

Finally, where are you both? You never know, there may be another K20D user just round the corner who may be able to help.

Dan