k5 shuter speed difference between 0.4" and 4

nirVaan · 03-04-2012, 12:39 AM

hi guys

well basically my k5 shows shutter speed as 4 and some times 0.4" are these two the same shutter speed values or are they different. some times this happens with shutter speed of 3 as well . up to i was thinking that 4 means 1/4 of a second and 4" means 4 seconds but then when i see 0.4" im getting all confused. so basically does 0.4" and 4 mean the same thing (1/4 of a second) and that K5 decides to show it differently at different times .

thanks

philbaum · 03-04-2012, 12:57 AM

Yes, you're right - that can be confusing until you understand the convention used in Pentax dslrs, and probably others.

When you see a whole number 1000 without any double hash ", then that whole number is to be placed as a denominator in a fraction with 1 as the numerator and adding the sec. measurement unit, i.e. 1/1000sec

So seeing 4 without a " means 1/4" which equals 0.25sec. Seeing 0.4" means 0.4sec.

I think this situation occurred because photographers are most often talking about fractions of a second when dealing with exposures. So it was common to list the denominator, like 1000, and have everybody understand that that meant 1/1000" without putting a tiny fraction in an lcd window. At least thats my take on it

penmaker · 03-04-2012, 09:40 AM

4 would be 4 seconds and 0.4 would be 4/10 of a second. The K5 is very clear on shutter speeds. I just looked at my K5 to confirm this.

penmaker · 03-04-2012, 09:42 AM

I appologize. I was wrong. I looked at the lcd screen when I posted that. After looking in the viewfinder, I see what you're talking about and I compared the lcd and the viewfinder. The other person was right.

Sorry Philbaum. I opened my "mouth" before verifying my information.

03-04-2012, 12:39 AM	#1
nirVaan Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Tokyo Posts: 115	k5 shuter speed difference between 0.4" and 4 hi guys well basically my k5 shows shutter speed as 4 and some times 0.4" are these two the same shutter speed values or are they different. some times this happens with shutter speed of 3 as well . up to i was thinking that 4 means 1/4 of a second and 4" means 4 seconds but then when i see 0.4" im getting all confused. so basically does 0.4" and 4 mean the same thing (1/4 of a second) and that K5 decides to show it differently at different times . thanks

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03-04-2012, 12:57 AM	#2
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	Yes, you're right - that can be confusing until you understand the convention used in Pentax dslrs, and probably others. When you see a whole number 1000 without any double hash ", then that whole number is to be placed as a denominator in a fraction with 1 as the numerator and adding the sec. measurement unit, i.e. 1/1000sec So seeing 4 without a " means 1/4" which equals 0.25sec. Seeing 0.4" means 0.4sec. I think this situation occurred because photographers are most often talking about fractions of a second when dealing with exposures. So it was common to list the denominator, like 1000, and have everybody understand that that meant 1/1000" without putting a tiny fraction in an lcd window. At least thats my take on it

03-04-2012, 09:40 AM	#3
penmaker Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Arkansas Photos: Gallery Posts: 27	4 would be 4 seconds and 0.4 would be 4/10 of a second. The K5 is very clear on shutter speeds. I just looked at my K5 to confirm this.

03-04-2012, 09:42 AM	#4
penmaker Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Arkansas Photos: Gallery Posts: 27	I appologize. I was wrong. I looked at the lcd screen when I posted that. After looking in the viewfinder, I see what you're talking about and I compared the lcd and the viewfinder. The other person was right. Sorry Philbaum. I opened my "mouth" before verifying my information.