Not sharp

No that's okay, as you can adjust the focusing on the K20D. I think that may be the main trouble, try the adjustment and see how you get on.

Dan

Dan

Looks like my photos are a desaster. I have a plain glass protective filter on the lense. Would the 16/45 DA lense preform better than the 15/55mk11?.
Do you think the 15/55 mk11 could be faulty? Or maybe it is the way I have taken them.

Well, my 16-45 produces better shots than that on my K10D, but I would say take that filter off and try again, that may well be your problem. If it's still like it, the lens may be faulty, see if you can try another somewhere. The Mk11 version is supposed to be better than the Mk1, and the Mk1 was generally well regarded.

I don't like the idea of 'protective' filters anyway.

Hopefully someone can come up with an idea about the noise in the other photo. Any other K20D owners care to comment (when you've woken up of course, just realised it's well past my bedtime! ).

Dan

I really think issues with the focus should be separated from issues with the lens and issues with noise.

As always, 'real-life' pictures are hopeless for finding out exactly where the camera is focusing.

Download the focus test chart, set it up properly, with the camera on a tripod, eliminate shake by using the delayed mirror-up release and find out where it's focusing for sure.

Quite agree. When in doubt, investigate the most likely cause first - human error.

Is the camera set to focus on the centre only? If not, it should be.

But I really can't believe the noise. Was it exposed properly?

G

Take the filter off, it may well be the root cause of your problems, it certainly can't be helping. I used to use a UV filter for years on film cameras, as soom as I stopped using them, my shots got a lot sharper.

I've never used an 18-55MkII, but I know my 16-45 is a great bit of kit.

Thanks for all your help. I will spend some time over the weekend trying things out. It could just be that I am not using the right settings. I think I will get out the manual and try and look at the sharpness settings etc in the menu. Dont be suprised to see another thread over the weekend maybe with some better shots if I can work out how to send them with a thread.

A plain glass or UV filter shouldn't cause any major deterioration in image quality unless it has greasy smears on it, or something like that.

I've used both lenses and failed to see any consistent difference in sharpness between them.

My god, what have I started !!!! I have had my K20D for a few weeks now and tried several different lenses on it.
It sems that it all depends on having the correct setting for the prevaling conditions and lens. I have shot some poor pics (as anyone would expect, even David Bailey shot poor pics from time to time I'm sure) but, get the settings right and the pics are as good as anything I have shot before and on many occasions better.
I remeber the write ups saying this camera was not for the novice and they are right it's not, unfortunately I am still a novice but it is a great tool, it just takes a bit of time to get to know it, but you can have fun getting aquainted.

Well folk I had a day out today,to give my K20 a good work out!.......the outcome?..........it's rubbish, all my shots are rubbish,i've tried in camera sharpening but to no avail!..........it's going back!............Ken

So did you try a like for like test? Same conditions for each camera, same subject etc? From that shot of the flower, it looks to me as though the sharpness is there, just that there was some movement, either the camera or the flower. I don't see that there's any fundamental problem with sharpness.

Did you download and try the focus test chart that ChrisA pointed you to? The camera was mis-focused, either by yourself, or because it picked the wrong focus point, or it front focuses. All these are correctable, either by technique or using the settings on the camera.

Only when you've tested it in a controlled situation, such as doing the test chart, or a like for like shot such as the poppy head, will anyone be able to say with any certainty that there's a problem with the camera. You may feel there is, but there may well not be.

Dan

steve 908.
Your coments are incouraging.I am a novice also and I have tended to use the auto settings on my orther cameras. I have a lot to learn and must spend some time with the manual and camera.

CAPABILITIES,
I have just got another lens (older pentax 28-80mm) manual focus. It is producing real good images they are sharp so stick with it. I refuse to use the auto settings, I pretend it doesnt have auto, the shots will get better.

Good news!........I think!...before I sent my K20 back I took it in to my mate in the local camera shop!............He vanished for 20 mins and came back with a smile on his face, your focus was out he said!......by much ?,I asked!..............F-----g miles he said!.....not a man to mince words my friend. So with a bit of luck and good managment I should be able to take some reasonable shots!............Thanks Dan for all your effort,it is much appreciated!.................Ken

No problem! Now, before you do any serious shooting, do yourself a favour and do a few controlled test shots. Indoors, by a window for good lighting, using a tripod. Something like the poppy shot.

If everything's fine, that's great, and you'll have confidence in the camera, and knowledge that any more duff shots are down to you.

If things still aren't right for you, you might be able to actually pinpoint the problem, rather than the quite vague 'rubbish' comments so far. It will help you, and help us help you.

Hope things are good for you now.

Dan