Can't disagree with this, but your subtle point I think may be missing the point ? Smeggie's shot was posted (I believe) to demonstrate a situation where the technical 'ideals' we were talking about were of less importance to the aesthetic aspects, or the 'capturing the moment' element, and where some technical compromise was therefore acceptable (ie the noise, some blurring, lack of sharpness right to the edges etc).

My shot ( which I described as 'just a tree and some houses') was posted to demonstrate a situation where, to produce a very large print with no noticable technical compromises and edge to edge sharpness, you would need to apply the very technical 'ideals' we were discussing. This I contend it has achieved in demonstrating.

Just to add some balance

No, of course not. The fact that you're on here with the rest of us involved in all this would be proof enough of your 'seriousness' I think.

By my definition, you are serious, because I am assuming that you have considered the technical limitations of the equipment, weighed up the priorities and compromises involved, and based on your intended use of the photo, accepted these limitations and compromises. All serious stuff

Yes Peter, f8.0 for everything is a bit limiting! But why not experiement with the MTF Program Line function (on my K7 this is set from the Control Panel). Then, when you are shooting in 'P' you can be assured that your DA lens will be set to the optimum aperture for image quality.

The other options for program line on my camera are Speed and DOF I think, so would prioritise apertures to suit scenes that need those. Personally I am rather sceptical that for standard zooms the differences would be the much really, depending on the focal length - maybe at longest zoom you'd see something, but at the widest end I'm not so sure??

I am saying that anyone serious about their photography needs to consider the effects of noise (and any other IQ challenges) in relation to their intended output and display. Anyone not serious would probably be blissfully unaware of the issues, and their shots are more likely to contain multiple technical flaws.

I see technical limitations as something inherant to each individual model of equipment, and therefore the same for everyone. (Technique limits would obviously depend on the photographer - each to their own). Equipment technical limitations are something for 'serious' photographers to understand and try to limit, and intelligently choose what to prioritise, and where to compromise, for any given shooting environment and intended output.

This is why the questions about modes and other settings are of interest here - I mean, we're all pretty serious photographers, right?

It is a good testimony to the K5s low light abilities that these could be shot handheld (and of course your photograhy technique!). Maybe a smaller aperture wouldn't have made much difference with this wide angle and long view?

All true, yes, but this is a forum about Pentax equipment, and the thread is about specific ideas on settings on a Pentax camera. I said earlier, and I hope that others can at least agree with this, that Pentax equipment provides us users with a very special range and choice of operating modes.

The good choice of which one would be optimal in differing situations is something that should be shouted out loud, not least to inform those (like me) relatively new to the brand; to inspire those who have used the cameras for much longer to try out different things, and of course to hopefully persuade new buyers that Pentax offers more than the rest!

I hope that the discussions about MTF, Program Line, Tav, Sv, colour noise etc will go some way to meeting such objectives. I don't think that everything should just be dismissed as of no importance so long as the image is 'great'.

Well, it was worth a shot...

Mat, these are very impressive. I love the deep dark tones, your blacks are lovely, and there is a great dynamic range (although I wonder if the floor in the last one would benefit from some 'highight redution / recovery) ?
There is a great sense of realism with visible detail throughout as you scan around.

Out of interest (and considering the recent 'f8.0' thread about noise control, ISO settings, modes etc) - what sort of settings were used, and did you need some camera support in order to use them? And mode (I'm guessing Av would be standard for this type of shooting?)

Not sure if I'd enlarge it to fill my wall though - but I'd like to see if I can spot any noise on it - anything, anywhere!! It'll keep me awake if I can't.

It is certainly stimulating - I mean, a thread that started off with the OP saying he wants to set f.8 in aperture priority mode , with the aim of getting the best IQ out of his lenses, has ended up with aesthetic comparisons between the shots posted!

As usual, my own interest in this is to provoke responses that are Pentax specific, for the benefit of all levels of photographer who might be looking. So, thinking about Tav mode, and the Program Line settings are useful I think. On our Pentax DSLRs we are spoiled for choice in which automatic exposure mode to use - yes, they can all end up giving us the same result, but some are plainly more intuitive to use or more suited to certain situations than others.

My own personal feeling is that having a firm grip on ISO, and consequently noise and other IQ aspects, is a priority. But I fully accept the points made that when there is no other way of getting a useable image, and the shot is not going to subject to critical gaze at an enlarged size, then let rip and take what ISO is thrown at you.

Interestingly, Smeggy, I recall you have often placed at the top of your Pentax 'wish list' a desire for better low light / high ISO performance - that has been your priority - yet here you appear not to be at all concerned about colour noise

Actually, I am thinking there needs to be much stricter controls on it - in fact, along with tripods and flash it should be banned from the underground on the basis of misrepresenting true black, and any Pentax user should be prohibited from using Tav mode on any platform.

Oh come on, please yes, we love it!!