K 5 II metering accuracy?

ColiNiloK · 02-02-2014, 04:00 AM

Hey guys I'm a little new to the Pentax system, and have been experimenting with my K 5 II a little, and I find the metering mode in multi-segment/ Matrix/Evaulative metering is a little off; as in I always find I need to overexpose 1.7EV-2EV to get the "correct exposure".

This seems to be the case in centred weighted metering mode too, haven't tested spot metering so can't say on this.

So is this normal to K 5 II? And which metering mode on Pentax is the most "accurate"?

Thanks

Serpiente · 02-02-2014, 06:47 AM

I think 'spot', because it is a small area, so it needs less calculations. I think the smaller the area the better. I always use center weighted (K-5 and K-5II).

ColiNiloK · 02-03-2014, 05:46 PM

Originally posted by Serpiente

I think 'spot', because it is a small area, so it needs less calculations. I think the smaller the area the better. I always use center weighted (K-5 and K-5II).

Right, I assume spot too, just like you have motioned. However is the 1.7-2EV overexposure normal?

**eccs19** · 02-03-2014, 07:55 PM

What are you taking pictures of? If your shooting mostly white (snow, walls, etc), your meter won't be able to meter correctly. I know if I'm shooting in snow, +1.5 to +2.0 is normal for any make & model of camera.

ColiNiloK · 02-04-2014, 06:43 AM

Originally posted by eccs19

What are you taking pictures of? If your shooting mostly white (snow, walls, etc), your meter won't be able to meter correctly. I know if I'm shooting in snow, +1.5 to +2.0 is normal for any make & model of camera.

Yes for snow it would be, any camera metering system would not give accurate meter. I'm talking about metering in general, I find the inaccuracy more so in backlit situations, in general situations there is tendency to underexpose too.

rawr · 02-04-2014, 11:31 PM

Originally posted by ColiNiloK

And which metering mode on Pentax is the most "accurate"?

It depends on the lighting, the scene - and the lens.

Some older lenses (or even newer non-Pentax brand lenses, perhaps) may only work in centre-weighted average metering mode.

If I am using telephoto and shooting for example small birds I will usually choose centre-weighted because all the subject is going to be in the centre. If I am shooting a landscape scene or cityscape with a wide angle lens I will choose matrix metering. If I am shooting a band in very low-light with say a lens like the FA50 1.4, I will usually switch to centre-weighted because I don't need to have all the dark background clutter on stage metered, just a single performer, and because of this centre-weighted will also let me use lower ISOs or faster shutter speeds.

You may also like to check that you don't have 'link AE to AF point' checked on your camera. That could be skewing your AE in unexpected ways.

02-02-2014, 04:00 AM	#1
ColiNiloK Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Melbourne Posts: 102	K 5 II metering accuracy? Hey guys I'm a little new to the Pentax system, and have been experimenting with my K 5 II a little, and I find the metering mode in multi-segment/ Matrix/Evaulative metering is a little off; as in I always find I need to overexpose 1.7EV-2EV to get the "correct exposure". This seems to be the case in centred weighted metering mode too, haven't tested spot metering so can't say on this. So is this normal to K 5 II? And which metering mode on Pentax is the most "accurate"? Thanks

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02-02-2014, 06:47 AM	#2
Serpiente Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 154	I think 'spot', because it is a small area, so it needs less calculations. I think the smaller the area the better. I always use center weighted (K-5 and K-5II).

02-03-2014, 05:46 PM	#3
ColiNiloK Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Melbourne Posts: 102 Original Poster	Originally posted by Serpiente I think 'spot', because it is a small area, so it needs less calculations. I think the smaller the area the better. I always use center weighted (K-5 and K-5II). Right, I assume spot too, just like you have motioned. However is the 1.7-2EV overexposure normal?

02-03-2014, 07:55 PM	#4
eccs19 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lisle, Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,510	What are you taking pictures of? If your shooting mostly white (snow, walls, etc), your meter won't be able to meter correctly. I know if I'm shooting in snow, +1.5 to +2.0 is normal for any make & model of camera.

02-04-2014, 06:43 AM	#5
ColiNiloK Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Melbourne Posts: 102 Original Poster	Originally posted by eccs19 What are you taking pictures of? If your shooting mostly white (snow, walls, etc), your meter won't be able to meter correctly. I know if I'm shooting in snow, +1.5 to +2.0 is normal for any make & model of camera. Yes for snow it would be, any camera metering system would not give accurate meter. I'm talking about metering in general, I find the inaccuracy more so in backlit situations, in general situations there is tendency to underexpose too.

02-04-2014, 11:31 PM	#6
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by ColiNiloK And which metering mode on Pentax is the most "accurate"? It depends on the lighting, the scene - and the lens. Some older lenses (or even newer non-Pentax brand lenses, perhaps) may only work in centre-weighted average metering mode. If I am using telephoto and shooting for example small birds I will usually choose centre-weighted because all the subject is going to be in the centre. If I am shooting a landscape scene or cityscape with a wide angle lens I will choose matrix metering. If I am shooting a band in very low-light with say a lens like the FA50 1.4, I will usually switch to centre-weighted because I don't need to have all the dark background clutter on stage metered, just a single performer, and because of this centre-weighted will also let me use lower ISOs or faster shutter speeds. You may also like to check that you don't have 'link AE to AF point' checked on your camera. That could be skewing your AE in unexpected ways.