K-5 Underexposes! Any help?

PentaxForums-User · 05-21-2011, 04:37 AM

I'm sure this has been covered, but I can't find the thread.

My K-5 underexposes bad in AUTO green mode.

My K20D underexposed in Auto.
My K-7 was about perfect in Auto.
My K-5 is about as bad or worse than my K20D in underexposing!

I can put it on P with an exposure compensation boost (or shoot manual), but what's the point of Auto mode if it's unusable?

I can't get one well-exposed shot out of Auto.

Does anyone else's K-5 underexpose? Any fixes besides P-mode + exposure compensation boost?

I notice there are white balance differences, etc between P and auto, even if all the settings are the same... so it would be nice to use Auto every now and then.

**Ash** · 05-21-2011, 05:52 AM

Are you noticing what types of scenes you are exposing for when you shoot?
Are they bright outdoor scenes with dark-ish foregrounds?
This seems to be the biggest error I hear of when people suggest underexposure. The camera seeks to expose for the brighter areas in the scene (usually the sky), leaving the foreground dark so as to avoid massive blowing of highlights.

At EV0 (as with auto mode), the K-5 exposes reasonably well with most lenses. I boost EV to +1 or thereabouts for more bright scenes, or spot meter for small subjects on an overly bright or dark background. Exposures are usually on the mark, whether in green mode, P mode or other semi-auto mode.

Can you post examples of your underexposed results?

PentaxForums-User · 05-21-2011, 06:59 AM

My K-5 underexposes everything, every scene. I'll try to post photos today.

bobell69 · 05-21-2011, 08:48 AM

Check page 119 of your K5 manual. Possibly you have your EV compensation set to underexpose. I have done this in error more than once.

KLSMpls · 05-21-2011, 09:21 AM

As bobell69 says check the EV compensation, but if that's not it then you need to send it for servicing obviously. I have not had any such problems with my K-5.

krypticide · 05-21-2011, 10:01 AM

Yes, please post some examples.

Sent from my EVO 4G with MIUI

PentaxForums-User · 05-21-2011, 10:39 AM

As stated in my first post, it underexposes in AUTO MODE.

I don't think you can adjust much of anything in AUTO.

I can adjust exposure compensation in all other modes like "P" mode, and that fixes it, but why have AUTO if it's nearly useless?

creampuff · 05-21-2011, 12:19 PM

Without any photo with exif intact posted, this thread and the claim that the camera underexposes in Auto is heresay.
Until the OP can adduce concrete evidence to back up his assertion, I'm inclined to believe the problem lies behind the camera...

Read page 104 of the K-5 manual on the limitations of Green Mode, that is why there is a Program Mode provided.
There is NO EV COMPENSATION available in Green Mode.

**Ash** · 05-21-2011, 04:46 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by PentaxForums-User

My K-5 underexposes everything, every scene. I'll try to post photos today.

Green mode is not useless.
My K-5 would underexpose every scene too, if they were backlit.
Please show us that it is not the shot selection that is giving you the underexposed results, bearing in mind that Pentax generally avoids highlight clipping like the plague. And it's much better to expose for the shadows and process for the highlights than to start off with a well-exposed shadow area but unsalvageable highlight areas to work with.

KLSMpls · 05-25-2011, 06:55 AM

No examples so you figured out the problem?

MrPetkus · 05-25-2011, 09:29 AM

Aside from what other's have mentioned, do you use a split prism focus screen like a Katz Eye? That'll underexpose when metering is set to spot.

dreamfoto · 05-25-2011, 01:47 PM

I have noticed with my previous body (K-5 body I mean) underexposure with my Sigma 70-300 macro zoom. Not sure who's to blame since all other lenses are Ok, including the Sigma primes.

Haven't re-done the tests for the new K-5 body thou...

05-21-2011, 04:37 AM	#1
PentaxForums-User Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 263	K-5 Underexposes! Any help? I'm sure this has been covered, but I can't find the thread. My K-5 underexposes bad in AUTO green mode. My K20D underexposed in Auto. My K-7 was about perfect in Auto. My K-5 is about as bad or worse than my K20D in underexposing! I can put it on P with an exposure compensation boost (or shoot manual), but what's the point of Auto mode if it's unusable? I can't get one well-exposed shot out of Auto. Does anyone else's K-5 underexpose? Any fixes besides P-mode + exposure compensation boost? I notice there are white balance differences, etc between P and auto, even if all the settings are the same... so it would be nice to use Auto every now and then.

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05-21-2011, 05:52 AM	#2
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Are you noticing what types of scenes you are exposing for when you shoot? Are they bright outdoor scenes with dark-ish foregrounds? This seems to be the biggest error I hear of when people suggest underexposure. The camera seeks to expose for the brighter areas in the scene (usually the sky), leaving the foreground dark so as to avoid massive blowing of highlights. At EV0 (as with auto mode), the K-5 exposes reasonably well with most lenses. I boost EV to +1 or thereabouts for more bright scenes, or spot meter for small subjects on an overly bright or dark background. Exposures are usually on the mark, whether in green mode, P mode or other semi-auto mode. Can you post examples of your underexposed results?

05-21-2011, 06:59 AM	#3
PentaxForums-User Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 263 Original Poster	My K-5 underexposes everything, every scene. I'll try to post photos today.

05-21-2011, 08:48 AM	#4
bobell69 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Courtenay BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 498	Check page 119 of your K5 manual. Possibly you have your EV compensation set to underexpose. I have done this in error more than once.

05-21-2011, 09:21 AM	#5
KLSMpls Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 77	As bobell69 says check the EV compensation, but if that's not it then you need to send it for servicing obviously. I have not had any such problems with my K-5.

05-21-2011, 10:01 AM	#6
krypticide Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,079	Yes, please post some examples. Sent from my EVO 4G with MIUI

05-21-2011, 10:39 AM	#7
PentaxForums-User Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 263 Original Poster	As stated in my first post, it underexposes in AUTO MODE. I don't think you can adjust much of anything in AUTO. I can adjust exposure compensation in all other modes like "P" mode, and that fixes it, but why have AUTO if it's nearly useless?

05-21-2011, 12:19 PM	#8
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Without any photo with exif intact posted, this thread and the claim that the camera underexposes in Auto is heresay. Until the OP can adduce concrete evidence to back up his assertion, I'm inclined to believe the problem lies behind the camera... Read page 104 of the K-5 manual on the limitations of Green Mode, that is why there is a Program Mode provided. There is NO EV COMPENSATION available in Green Mode.

05-21-2011, 04:46 PM - 1 Like	#9
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Originally posted by PentaxForums-User My K-5 underexposes everything, every scene. I'll try to post photos today. Green mode is not useless. My K-5 would underexpose every scene too, if they were backlit. Please show us that it is not the shot selection that is giving you the underexposed results, bearing in mind that Pentax generally avoids highlight clipping like the plague. And it's much better to expose for the shadows and process for the highlights than to start off with a well-exposed shadow area but unsalvageable highlight areas to work with.

05-25-2011, 06:55 AM	#10
KLSMpls Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 77	No examples so you figured out the problem?

05-25-2011, 09:29 AM	#11
MrPetkus Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 387	Aside from what other's have mentioned, do you use a split prism focus screen like a Katz Eye? That'll underexpose when metering is set to spot.

05-25-2011, 01:47 PM	#12
dreamfoto Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: france Photos: Albums Posts: 163	I have noticed with my previous body (K-5 body I mean) underexposure with my Sigma 70-300 macro zoom. Not sure who's to blame since all other lenses are Ok, including the Sigma primes. Haven't re-done the tests for the new K-5 body thou...