turn off DFS with your K20D and K7

I only briefly thought about how DFS works but I knew it wouldn't work with random noise, as you can't reverse and cancel something that's random.

Anyway, I'll try and do a DFS on and off test later

With the K20D and the K7 you've the options ON or AUTO, don't know how it is with the KX, KM and the Kr.
The K5 seems to have the function to set it OFF like you could do with the K10D and your GX10.

So if you've the option to set it off in the menu this hack has no use for you so don't use it!

Nope, I'm afraid not.

Smeggy, Gareth use a GX10 the Samsung version of the K10D so he can turn it off on his camera.

Sure I was just saying you can't in the K20D.


btw - I took almost identical shots a few months ago with my K20D and K10D at night in a street and they were pretty much identical in IQ. If anything the K10D shot was less noisy

Wasn't a scientific test admittedly, but a reasonable real world test

I just did a test at 30seconds, 100ISO, with DFS on and off. No difference whatsoever, even at 3:1 magnification in lightroom.

I hope this will make some people happy because they complained about the DFS

Indeed. I have a K10D for long exposures now, but I'm glad I can alos turn the damn thing off in the K20D too. It's a shame you always have to be in Debug mode though.

The AF adjustment in the special debug section on the K10D keeps it's setting even when you are not in debug mode.

Thanks for your efforts Anvh but it's all a bit Heath Robinson for me. My next camera will be one that simply allows this in standard firmware.

Just hope it's still a Pentax!

The K5 has the option to switch DFS off

Tried this on my K7 with fw version 1.10 (Not v1.01) and it basically (from the testing I have done) disables (turns off) the Slow Shutter Speed NR menu option via the debug instead of the user menu

There's a C (does that mean configuration?) menu option 18 in my version of firmware which offers Slow Shutter Speed NR (1 On & 2 Off)
Says that Noise Reduction will not activate when using a slow shutter speed. Is this option available in v1.01? I'm guessing no?

With my firmware...
In manual mode when this menu option ( 18 ) is "Off" the exposure displays straight away after a long exposure
But when using bulb mode for >30sec exposures NR still takes place.

Why do you think exposures greater than 30 secs always use NR regardless of the menu settings?

No idea...

Got this reply from pentax support when I asked the question

Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for your enquiry.
This is the way how camera was designed. However we will take into consideration your e-mail when the new version of firmware will be created.

I hope that your question has been answered to your satisfaction.
Should you have further questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

When replying, please make sure this email is included.

With kind regards,
Pentax Digital Camera Support Team

Lets hope they release firmware for both K20 and K7 to turn the damn thing off.

I've left the text files on my SD Card so I can just start the camera with teh card door open, enable debug mode and it's gone. but its' an unnecessary hassle.

Sean282, I've had a ticket in with Pentax since 8/2009 for this. It'd be nice if they did address it in firmware, not holding my breath though.