Problem with AE-L and K-5

melander · 11-20-2010, 07:18 AM

Been trying to do some panoramas with my K-5, and I have problem when you have locked the exposure, getting the * in the viewfinder.

Most of the times the exposure stays the same but it jumpes from times to times. Like yesterday when I was taking a looong panorama I started with a messurement at the sunset 1/100s, iso 80, f/9, locked the exposure. No problem with the following 3 shots. 1/100 for all of them. This is where I start to get to the dark part of the picture. Suddenly the exposure goes down to 1/200, iso 80, f/9, for 3 shots, then it goes up to 1/100 for one shot, down to 1/160 for 2 shots and down to 1/200 for 3 shots.

I still have the * in the viewfinder

Did a few tests with the camera, and it never realy locks the exposure it jumps a EV stop up and down even if I point it to a bright light or put the lenscap on.

Fault in camera or user error. Never had these problems with my K20D, and I have taken alot alot of panos with that camera.

Anyone else experience the same problem or do I need to send the camera back

Wheatfield · 11-20-2010, 09:13 AM

You really should be using manual exposure anyway, but send your camera back if it makes you feel better, just don't expect the new one to show a different behaviour.
There is a menu option for automatically correcting exposure if it can't find the right one with the settings in use, perhaps you need to investigate your menu options.

Page 1, Line 7 of Custom Functions. Are you set to 1 or 2?

kittykat46 · 11-20-2010, 09:38 AM

A few things you might want to check out.
What lens where you using ?

Could you check the AE-L with AF-Locked setting ?
If its ON it will override whatever original exposure you set with the AE-Lock button when you refocus. Default should be OFF

ragingtornado · 11-20-2010, 10:44 AM

why not use manual mode in this case?

blende8 · 11-20-2010, 11:54 AM

Just checked with my K5.
No problems.
Did you try resetting all menu settings?

melander · 11-20-2010, 11:58 AM

Why would I use manual when there is a dedicated button for it that has worked splendid the last 2.5 years with my k20d.

Stop beeing so defencive

Wheatfield: set to 1, off

melander · 11-20-2010, 12:04 PM

I found the problem, it was Page 1 line 6

I use center focus point

WerTicus · 11-23-2010, 11:36 AM

another way to do this is shoot manual and use green button to auto meter

would be just as easy as * button.

WightWalker · 04-09-2012, 03:52 AM

I've also used this method on my previous *istDS/K10 with complete success without having to disable settings to do with AE-L with AF Locked & Link AE to AF Point.

If you use TAv Mode it does exactly what you want - all other modes have this error.

Yes, it was also suggested to me use M Mode BUT, what users here don't seem to realise is that there is a fault with the AE-L feature.

Check out these threads for my earlier comments:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5-forum/173546-faulty-automatic-...-function.html
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5-forum/181124-k5-segment-meteri...point-set.html

11-20-2010, 07:18 AM	#1
melander Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden, Umea Posts: 876	Problem with AE-L and K-5 Been trying to do some panoramas with my K-5, and I have problem when you have locked the exposure, getting the * in the viewfinder. Most of the times the exposure stays the same but it jumpes from times to times. Like yesterday when I was taking a looong panorama I started with a messurement at the sunset 1/100s, iso 80, f/9, locked the exposure. No problem with the following 3 shots. 1/100 for all of them. This is where I start to get to the dark part of the picture. Suddenly the exposure goes down to 1/200, iso 80, f/9, for 3 shots, then it goes up to 1/100 for one shot, down to 1/160 for 2 shots and down to 1/200 for 3 shots. I still have the * in the viewfinder Did a few tests with the camera, and it never realy locks the exposure it jumps a EV stop up and down even if I point it to a bright light or put the lenscap on. Fault in camera or user error. Never had these problems with my K20D, and I have taken alot alot of panos with that camera. Anyone else experience the same problem or do I need to send the camera back

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K-5 battery problem? camera problem? user problem?	imtheguy	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	39	11-03-2010 06:02 PM
Anyone have this problem?	dankuno	Pentax DSLR Discussion	9	12-10-2009 08:00 AM
Need help with problem	dankuno	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	11	08-17-2009 02:09 AM
Card read problem K20d. Have you had this problem?	rsi1986	Pentax DSLR Discussion	8	12-27-2008 05:25 AM
Problem with my ZX-50	midwest 1953	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	2	05-25-2008 06:51 AM

11-20-2010, 09:13 AM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	You really should be using manual exposure anyway, but send your camera back if it makes you feel better, just don't expect the new one to show a different behaviour. There is a menu option for automatically correcting exposure if it can't find the right one with the settings in use, perhaps you need to investigate your menu options. Page 1, Line 7 of Custom Functions. Are you set to 1 or 2?

11-20-2010, 09:38 AM	#3
kittykat46 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 923	A few things you might want to check out. What lens where you using ? Could you check the AE-L with AF-Locked setting ? If its ON it will override whatever original exposure you set with the AE-Lock button when you refocus. Default should be OFF

11-20-2010, 10:44 AM	#4
ragingtornado Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 49	why not use manual mode in this case?

11-20-2010, 11:54 AM	#5
blende8 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bremen, Germany Photos: Albums Posts: 1,521	Just checked with my K5. No problems. Did you try resetting all menu settings?

11-20-2010, 11:58 AM	#6
melander Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden, Umea Posts: 876 Original Poster	Why would I use manual when there is a dedicated button for it that has worked splendid the last 2.5 years with my k20d. Stop beeing so defencive Wheatfield: set to 1, off

11-20-2010, 12:04 PM	#7
melander Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sweden, Umea Posts: 876 Original Poster	I found the problem, it was Page 1 line 6 I use center focus point

11-23-2010, 11:36 AM	#8
WerTicus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perth Australia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,514	another way to do this is shoot manual and use green button to auto meter would be just as easy as * button.

04-09-2012, 03:52 AM	#9
WightWalker Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: IW Posts: 113	I've also used this method on my previous istDS/K10 with complete success without having to disable settings to do with AE-L with AF Locked & Link AE to AF Point. If you use TAv Mode it does exactly what you want - all other modes have this error. Yes, it was also suggested to me use M Mode BUT*, what users here don't seem to realise is that there is a fault with the AE-L feature. Check out these threads for my earlier comments: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5-forum/173546-faulty-automatic-...-function.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-k-5-forum/181124-k5-segment-meteri...point-set.html