Higher ISO with Pentax
Over the years I have used many cameras. Early on, after I got more serious with my photography I switched to DSLR Pentax cameras. After going through many different upgrades, I later sold my latest DSLR Pentax camera when I thought that I needed to find something smaller and lighter. Now I am finding that my thinking is swinging back based on quality of the gear and the images.
While seeing if I still preferred the Pentax DSLR cameras and if I could manage them, I used a Pentax KP camera with the 20-40mm limited lens to make the test images above, all of them made at ISO 12800. The images you see are from raw files made with Adobe colors in LR. I did not use auto tone or make any changes except for applying a little noise reduction (+25). What I am finding is that I like working with the Pentax files and they bring back many happy memories.
I now find myself thinking about selling all of my micro 4/3 gear that you see in the first image and switching back to using the larger heavier Pentax camera and lenses. Since I am not anxious to make a mistake in going back, I might go back to a dual system with over lapping cameras and lenses for a while. If I decide to do that, I’m not sure about what lenses I would get for a Pentax system. I only know I need to keep the cost and weight of the lenses to a minimum. Should I stick with a few limited lenses or get a longer zoom lens?
I am amazed at the quality of the high ISO files. I have no problems with them for the types of photography that I do. I also prefer the Pentax program curve and the way I can control it for maintaining the qualities I need for my Homewood photography.