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RobG · 10-27-2013, 04:51 AM

My k5iis is generally wonderful, but a couple of times now, it has used completely silly shutter speeds in program mode. Here's an example.

As you can see, it's utterly underexposed because the shutter speed was 1/3200s instead of about 1/320s. This happened for about 4 photos today, then it was ok for a few, then got stuck this way for about ten images before I actually checked the LCD. I had to pull the battery out to reset the camera. Has anyone else experienced this? It's firmware 1.05. The camera also seemed to be hunting a lot more than usual with focus on the DA55-300 today. The camera is set for centre focus; I seldom use multipoint focus.

I've just checked the EXIF more carefully and the camera seems to be forgetting which mode it's in. It was set for Program Mode with a bias toward shutter speed, which is correctly reported in an earlier image as "action program". However, at this point the camera has decided that it's in Shutter Priority with the speed set to 1/3200s. The dial was still set to P. I most definitely didn't set it to shutter priority! So the question becomes - has anyone else experienced the K-5iis suddenly changing exposure modes without the user changing the setting?

Last edited by RobG; 10-27-2013 at 04:58 AM. Reason: update

JJJPhoto · 10-27-2013, 05:53 AM

I'm not sure about what's causing your problem, but if you're certain the dial was in the Program position but the EXIF says it was in Shutter Priority mode then you may have a fault in the electrical/mechanical connection of the mode dial. I had K20D years ago that had a messed up mode dial and whenever I put the camera in Aperture Priority mode my K20D thought it was in Manual Mode ... I had to move the dial "between settings" to get the camera into Aperture Priority mode. That was annoying. Luckily that was the only time I ever had a problem with a Pentax camera (knock on wood).

That might not be your problem, but it's the first thing that popped into my mind when you said the mode was set to Program but the EXIF says Shutter Priority.

I hope you're able to get it sorted quickly and without any additional problems.

RobG · 10-27-2013, 06:37 AM

Originally posted by JJJPhoto

I'm not sure about what's causing your problem, but if you're certain the dial was in the Program position but the EXIF says it was in Shutter Priority mode then you may have a fault in the electrical/mechanical connection of the mode dial.

That makes sense, although I don't understand why it dosn't happen more frequently if that's the case, and I swear it has only happened since BIOS version 1.05. That may only be coincidence however.

Col · 10-27-2013, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by RobG

That makes sense, although I don't understand why it dosn't happen more frequently if that's the case, and I swear it has only happened since BIOS version 1.05. That may only be coincidence however.

Aren't we at 1.06 this month?

RobG · 10-27-2013, 03:15 PM

Originally posted by Col

Aren't we at 1.06 this month?

If so, I wasn't aware of it. I'll check for a firmware update.

RobG · 10-27-2013, 06:27 PM

I've updated the camera to 1.06 and run a quick test to see that it's working. I'll need to do a lot more testing to see if the exposure bug is gone.

rawr · 10-27-2013, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by RobG

I'll need to do a lot more testing to see if the exposure bug is gone.

If it isn't, drop CRK an email, report the issue, ask for suggestions.
I get the feeling the K-5II series have been pretty trouble free, so it will give them something to do down there.

RobG · 10-27-2013, 09:44 PM

Originally posted by rawr

If it isn't, drop CRK an email, report the issue, ask for suggestions.
I get the feeling the K-5II series have been pretty trouble free, so it will give them something to do down there.

I'm hoping that a firmware update gets the AF back to how good it seemed to be with 1.0 of the firmware.

**Digitalis** · 10-27-2013, 09:53 PM

My K5IIs is still running FW version 1.01 - I haven't noticed anything unusual, I'm using the "normal" program line mind you.

adwb · 10-28-2013, 12:27 AM

I had a brand new k30 sent yo me that had a mode fail that also find strange things, got it replaced the next day.

RobG · 10-28-2013, 03:10 AM

Originally posted by adwb

I had a brand new k30 sent yo me that had a mode fail that also find strange things, got it replaced the next day.

Great service from the camera store! This is only a recent phenomenon for me. I really suspect that it's firmware related. I'll need to do more testing - some pics at sunset this evening were fine.

**gaweidert** · 10-28-2013, 06:57 PM

Every once in awhile, my K5-IIs gives a funky off color photo. Sometimes a cyan tint to the photo. Sometimes the exposure is off. It has happened only a few times, but it is there. Here is a sample of what has happened.

**Digitalis** · 10-28-2013, 07:08 PM

Originally posted by gaweidert

Every once in awhile, my K5-IIs gives a funky off color photo.

probably because your have you camera set to auto white balance( I checked the EXIF in the images you posted). I have my K5IIs set to 5000K - that way, I don't get any surprises they way you do when you rely on automatic corrections.

RobG · 10-28-2013, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by gaweidert

Every once in awhile, my K5-IIs gives a funky off color photo. Sometimes a cyan tint to the photo. Sometimes the exposure is off. It has happened only a few times, but it is there. Here is a sample of what has happened.

The first image looks under-exposed compared to the second - I wonder if the focus has any impact on that? I also note that you're using a manual lens. Logically, Pentax cameras should be able to compensate for colour behaviour in their own lenses, but having said that, you'd expect the behaviour with the same manual lens to be consistent. Which version of the firmware are you using?

RobG · 10-28-2013, 07:15 PM

Originally posted by Digitalis

probably because your have you camera set to auto white balance( I checked the EXIF in the images you posted). I have my K5IIs set to 5000K - that way, I don't get any surprises they way you do when you rely on automatic corrections.

Interesting that you have it set as low as 5000K. Isn't that a bit low for normal daylight?

10-27-2013, 04:51 AM	#1
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,905	K5iis exposure fault My k5iis is generally wonderful, but a couple of times now, it has used completely silly shutter speeds in program mode. Here's an example. As you can see, it's utterly underexposed because the shutter speed was 1/3200s instead of about 1/320s. This happened for about 4 photos today, then it was ok for a few, then got stuck this way for about ten images before I actually checked the LCD. I had to pull the battery out to reset the camera. Has anyone else experienced this? It's firmware 1.05. The camera also seemed to be hunting a lot more than usual with focus on the DA55-300 today. The camera is set for centre focus; I seldom use multipoint focus. I've just checked the EXIF more carefully and the camera seems to be forgetting which mode it's in. It was set for Program Mode with a bias toward shutter speed, which is correctly reported in an earlier image as "action program". However, at this point the camera has decided that it's in Shutter Priority with the speed set to 1/3200s. The dial was still set to P. I most definitely didn't set it to shutter priority! So the question becomes - has anyone else experienced the K-5iis suddenly changing exposure modes without the user changing the setting? Last edited by RobG; 10-27-2013 at 04:58 AM. Reason: update

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10-27-2013, 05:53 AM	#2
JJJPhoto Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 419	I'm not sure about what's causing your problem, but if you're certain the dial was in the Program position but the EXIF says it was in Shutter Priority mode then you may have a fault in the electrical/mechanical connection of the mode dial. I had K20D years ago that had a messed up mode dial and whenever I put the camera in Aperture Priority mode my K20D thought it was in Manual Mode ... I had to move the dial "between settings" to get the camera into Aperture Priority mode. That was annoying. Luckily that was the only time I ever had a problem with a Pentax camera (knock on wood). That might not be your problem, but it's the first thing that popped into my mind when you said the mode was set to Program but the EXIF says Shutter Priority. I hope you're able to get it sorted quickly and without any additional problems.

10-27-2013, 06:37 AM	#3
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,905 Original Poster	Originally posted by JJJPhoto I'm not sure about what's causing your problem, but if you're certain the dial was in the Program position but the EXIF says it was in Shutter Priority mode then you may have a fault in the electrical/mechanical connection of the mode dial. That makes sense, although I don't understand why it dosn't happen more frequently if that's the case, and I swear it has only happened since BIOS version 1.05. That may only be coincidence however.

10-27-2013, 08:57 AM	#4
Col Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stansted Essex Photos: Gallery Posts: 614	Originally posted by RobG That makes sense, although I don't understand why it dosn't happen more frequently if that's the case, and I swear it has only happened since BIOS version 1.05. That may only be coincidence however. Aren't we at 1.06 this month?

10-27-2013, 03:15 PM	#5
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,905 Original Poster	Originally posted by Col Aren't we at 1.06 this month? If so, I wasn't aware of it. I'll check for a firmware update.

10-27-2013, 06:27 PM	#6
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,905 Original Poster	I've updated the camera to 1.06 and run a quick test to see that it's working. I'll need to do a lot more testing to see if the exposure bug is gone.

10-27-2013, 08:57 PM	#7
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by RobG I'll need to do a lot more testing to see if the exposure bug is gone. If it isn't, drop CRK an email, report the issue, ask for suggestions. I get the feeling the K-5II series have been pretty trouble free, so it will give them something to do down there.

10-27-2013, 09:44 PM	#8
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,905 Original Poster	Originally posted by rawr If it isn't, drop CRK an email, report the issue, ask for suggestions. I get the feeling the K-5II series have been pretty trouble free, so it will give them something to do down there. I'm hoping that a firmware update gets the AF back to how good it seemed to be with 1.0 of the firmware.

10-27-2013, 09:53 PM	#9
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,695	My K5IIs is still running FW version 1.01 - I haven't noticed anything unusual, I'm using the "normal" program line mind you.

10-28-2013, 12:27 AM	#10
adwb Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Bristol UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,636	I had a brand new k30 sent yo me that had a mode fail that also find strange things, got it replaced the next day.

10-28-2013, 03:10 AM	#11
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,905 Original Poster	Originally posted by adwb I had a brand new k30 sent yo me that had a mode fail that also find strange things, got it replaced the next day. Great service from the camera store! This is only a recent phenomenon for me. I really suspect that it's firmware related. I'll need to do more testing - some pics at sunset this evening were fine.

10-28-2013, 07:08 PM	#13
Digitalis Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Melbourne, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,695	Originally posted by gaweidert Every once in awhile, my K5-IIs gives a funky off color photo. probably because your have you camera set to auto white balance( I checked the EXIF in the images you posted). I have my K5IIs set to 5000K - that way, I don't get any surprises they way you do when you rely on automatic corrections.

10-28-2013, 07:09 PM	#14
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,905 Original Poster	Originally posted by gaweidert Every once in awhile, my K5-IIs gives a funky off color photo. Sometimes a cyan tint to the photo. Sometimes the exposure is off. It has happened only a few times, but it is there. Here is a sample of what has happened. The first image looks under-exposed compared to the second - I wonder if the focus has any impact on that? I also note that you're using a manual lens. Logically, Pentax cameras should be able to compensate for colour behaviour in their own lenses, but having said that, you'd expect the behaviour with the same manual lens to be consistent. Which version of the firmware are you using?

10-28-2013, 07:15 PM	#15
RobG Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,905 Original Poster	Originally posted by Digitalis probably because your have you camera set to auto white balance( I checked the EXIF in the images you posted). I have my K5IIs set to 5000K - that way, I don't get any surprises they way you do when you rely on automatic corrections. Interesting that you have it set as low as 5000K. Isn't that a bit low for normal daylight?

K5iis exposure fault

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