K-5 IIs inconsistent exposure

RonakG · 01-26-2015, 05:43 PM

I'm getting some inconsistencies with respect to correct exposure with my K-5 IIs. I can never predict how exactly my exposure will turn out, most of the time the image is overexposed by half to full stop. My old K-x used to always underexpose by half stop, which was perfect for me. Now I have to manually dial the exposure down for some situations. I even have some back to back shots, where exposure decided by camera is completely different.

Am I missing some setting somewhere? What can be wrong here that's leading to inconsistent exposures?

enoeske · 01-26-2015, 05:59 PM

Originally posted by RonakG

I'm getting some inconsistencies with respect to correct exposure with my K-5 IIs. I can never predict how exactly my exposure will turn out, most of the time the image is overexposed by half to full stop. My old K-x used to always underexpose by half stop, which was perfect for me. Now I have to manually dial the exposure down for some situations. I even have some back to back shots, where exposure decided by camera is completely different.

Am I missing some setting somewhere? What can be wrong here that's leading to inconsistent exposures?

There are lots of things that could cause that. Can you post an example that shows the issue with EXIF data intact?

bobpur · 01-26-2015, 06:20 PM

Same here, just seems that is how they are. Leave mine at -7 ev.
What I did find after many hours of tedious testing is the metering area is quite small not a lot more
Than center weighted. Try using live view and panning around check the exposure readings and screen. So
If you change the position to fall on to a dark or light item it puts it off.
I also found on Nikon forums the D7000 has the same sensor and same exposure problem, could be related.
Never got any help here except the User Error Excuse but having other cameras that do not have this problem
It seems to be a limitation of the hardware or programming.

RonakG · 01-26-2015, 06:44 PM

Originally posted by enoeske

There are lots of things that could cause that. Can you post an example that shows the issue with EXIF data intact?

Only examples I have right now are with people, so I don't want to post them here. I'll try to get some examples when I get time and post. I mostly used center weighted metering in my K-x, so that's what I'm using even now. Have tried using matrix metering without much luck.

I've seen the same behavior with all my lenses, 18-135, DA 50 1.8 and now even Sigma 17-50 f2.8.

Originally posted by bobpur

Same here, just seems that is how they are. Leave mine at -7 ev.
What I did find after many hours of tedious testing is the metering area is quite small not a lot more
Than center weighted. Try using live view and panning around check the exposure readings and screen. So
If you change the position to fall on to a dark or light item it puts it off.
I also found on Nikon forums the D7000 has the same sensor and same exposure problem, could be related.
Never got any help here except the User Error Excuse but having other cameras that do not have this problem
It seems to be a limitation of the hardware or programming.

-7 ev doesn't sound right to me. It's not that off from actual exposure. Mine is mostly around 1 to 1 1/3 stops off. Considering how popular this camera is, I'm actually pretty sure it's something wrong I'm doing rather than the camera. There are many custom settings that can affect the exposure.

MadMathMind · 01-26-2015, 07:54 PM

Pentax's metering isn't really that good. I mean, it works, but it has a tendency to be easily fooled. It has been vastly improved in the K3, but the K-5IIs only has a 77 segment metering engine, and that's its biggest limitation. It does ok, but you just need to adjust in post and actively dial in lots of EV. Pentax cameras definitely tend to underexpose; I am surprised you are seeing over exposure. I see it with my Sigma 18-35. When I dial in EV compensation, it's always negative, usually -1 to -1/2.

I had a K110D and that thing was wild with exposures. Like, it would come up with f/8 1/4000 for bright sunny days.

RonakG · 01-26-2015, 09:42 PM

Originally posted by MadMathMind

Pentax's metering isn't really that good. I mean, it works, but it has a tendency to be easily fooled. It has been vastly improved in the K3, but the K-5IIs only has a 77 segment metering engine, and that's its biggest limitation. It does ok, but you just need to adjust in post and actively dial in lots of EV. Pentax cameras definitely tend to underexpose; I am surprised you are seeing over exposure. I see it with my Sigma 18-35. When I dial in EV compensation, it's always negative, usually -1 to -1/2.

I had a K110D and that thing was wild with exposures. Like, it would come up with f/8 1/4000 for bright sunny days.

I'm surprised to read this as I didn't have such problem of inconsistent exposure with my K-x. I don't mind if my camera consistently over or under exposes every image, I can safely predict the output in that case. Problem is overexposing only some of my images and need to dial in manual EV compensation to get right exposure.

calsan · 01-26-2015, 11:38 PM

Is it set to meter according to the focus point (custom settings)? That could give an unexpected result???

RonakG · 01-27-2015, 10:46 AM

Originally posted by calsan

Is it set to meter according to the focus point (custom settings)? That could give an unexpected result???

That's not it. I've set that to 1.

mrNewt · 01-27-2015, 10:49 AM

In what metering mode are you?

enoeske · 01-27-2015, 11:00 AM

Originally posted by RonakG

That's not it. I've set that to 1.

All we can do is shout out random things that it might be until you give us something to work with. An example with EXIF would really help.

RonakG · 01-27-2015, 11:56 AM

Originally posted by mrNewt

In what metering mode are you?

I'm in center weighted metering 99% of the time.

Originally posted by enoeske

All we can do is shout out random things that it might be until you give us something to work with. An example with EXIF would really help.

I know. I'll try to get some example shots this weekend that I can post here.

mrNewt · 01-27-2015, 12:02 PM

Originally posted by RonakG

I'm in center weighted metering 99% of the time.

I know. I'll try to get some example shots this weekend that I can post here.

Here is another thing you should try.
Let the camera meter, then switch to manual mode and keep the same settings as what the camera set itself to. Take a couple of pictures like that and see if you still have the same issue - random over and under exposed images.

RonakG · 01-27-2015, 01:07 PM

Originally posted by mrNewt

Here is another thing you should try.
Let the camera meter, then switch to manual mode and keep the same settings as what the camera set itself to. Take a couple of pictures like that and see if you still have the same issue - random over and under exposed images.

Thanks. I'll give this a try and post results. Might have to wait till weekend though.

Chikubi · 01-31-2015, 09:22 PM

In all honesty, you may want to send it in for service. I bought one a few weeks back and in bright, contrasty situations it would severly overexpose by at least a stop. Other situations as well, but not quite as bad. I've never had any other camera act this way, so I sent it in for service and when it came back it worked the way I expected it to. According to the invoice, they listed complete repair and return to factory specs. Whatever they did specifically I'm not sure, but the difference is noticeable.

RonakG · 02-02-2015, 11:59 AM

Originally posted by Chikubi

In all honesty, you may want to send it in for service. I bought one a few weeks back and in bright, contrasty situations it would severly overexpose by at least a stop. Other situations as well, but not quite as bad. I've never had any other camera act this way, so I sent it in for service and when it came back it worked the way I expected it to. According to the invoice, they listed complete repair and return to factory specs. Whatever they did specifically I'm not sure, but the difference is noticeable.

I think this is the issue with my K-5 IIs. After your comment, I'm now noticing that it's indeed overexposing only under certain conditions.

Does the program line setting have any effect on exposure?

01-26-2015, 05:43 PM	#1
RonakG Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 603	K-5 IIs inconsistent exposure I'm getting some inconsistencies with respect to correct exposure with my K-5 IIs. I can never predict how exactly my exposure will turn out, most of the time the image is overexposed by half to full stop. My old K-x used to always underexpose by half stop, which was perfect for me. Now I have to manually dial the exposure down for some situations. I even have some back to back shots, where exposure decided by camera is completely different. Am I missing some setting somewhere? What can be wrong here that's leading to inconsistent exposures?

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01-26-2015, 05:59 PM	#2
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	Originally posted by RonakG I'm getting some inconsistencies with respect to correct exposure with my K-5 IIs. I can never predict how exactly my exposure will turn out, most of the time the image is overexposed by half to full stop. My old K-x used to always underexpose by half stop, which was perfect for me. Now I have to manually dial the exposure down for some situations. I even have some back to back shots, where exposure decided by camera is completely different. Am I missing some setting somewhere? What can be wrong here that's leading to inconsistent exposures? There are lots of things that could cause that. Can you post an example that shows the issue with EXIF data intact?

01-26-2015, 06:20 PM	#3
bobpur Inactive Account Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 328	Same here, just seems that is how they are. Leave mine at -7 ev. What I did find after many hours of tedious testing is the metering area is quite small not a lot more Than center weighted. Try using live view and panning around check the exposure readings and screen. So If you change the position to fall on to a dark or light item it puts it off. I also found on Nikon forums the D7000 has the same sensor and same exposure problem, could be related. Never got any help here except the User Error Excuse but having other cameras that do not have this problem It seems to be a limitation of the hardware or programming.

01-26-2015, 06:44 PM	#4
RonakG Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 603 Original Poster	Originally posted by enoeske There are lots of things that could cause that. Can you post an example that shows the issue with EXIF data intact? Only examples I have right now are with people, so I don't want to post them here. I'll try to get some examples when I get time and post. I mostly used center weighted metering in my K-x, so that's what I'm using even now. Have tried using matrix metering without much luck. I've seen the same behavior with all my lenses, 18-135, DA 50 1.8 and now even Sigma 17-50 f2.8. Originally posted by bobpur Same here, just seems that is how they are. Leave mine at -7 ev. What I did find after many hours of tedious testing is the metering area is quite small not a lot more Than center weighted. Try using live view and panning around check the exposure readings and screen. So If you change the position to fall on to a dark or light item it puts it off. I also found on Nikon forums the D7000 has the same sensor and same exposure problem, could be related. Never got any help here except the User Error Excuse but having other cameras that do not have this problem It seems to be a limitation of the hardware or programming. -7 ev doesn't sound right to me. It's not that off from actual exposure. Mine is mostly around 1 to 1 1/3 stops off. Considering how popular this camera is, I'm actually pretty sure it's something wrong I'm doing rather than the camera. There are many custom settings that can affect the exposure.

01-26-2015, 07:54 PM	#5
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	Pentax's metering isn't really that good. I mean, it works, but it has a tendency to be easily fooled. It has been vastly improved in the K3, but the K-5IIs only has a 77 segment metering engine, and that's its biggest limitation. It does ok, but you just need to adjust in post and actively dial in lots of EV. Pentax cameras definitely tend to underexpose; I am surprised you are seeing over exposure. I see it with my Sigma 18-35. When I dial in EV compensation, it's always negative, usually -1 to -1/2. I had a K110D and that thing was wild with exposures. Like, it would come up with f/8 1/4000 for bright sunny days.

01-26-2015, 09:42 PM	#6
RonakG Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 603 Original Poster	Originally posted by MadMathMind Pentax's metering isn't really that good. I mean, it works, but it has a tendency to be easily fooled. It has been vastly improved in the K3, but the K-5IIs only has a 77 segment metering engine, and that's its biggest limitation. It does ok, but you just need to adjust in post and actively dial in lots of EV. Pentax cameras definitely tend to underexpose; I am surprised you are seeing over exposure. I see it with my Sigma 18-35. When I dial in EV compensation, it's always negative, usually -1 to -1/2. I had a K110D and that thing was wild with exposures. Like, it would come up with f/8 1/4000 for bright sunny days. I'm surprised to read this as I didn't have such problem of inconsistent exposure with my K-x. I don't mind if my camera consistently over or under exposes every image, I can safely predict the output in that case. Problem is overexposing only some of my images and need to dial in manual EV compensation to get right exposure.

01-26-2015, 11:38 PM	#7
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,548	Is it set to meter according to the focus point (custom settings)? That could give an unexpected result???

01-27-2015, 10:46 AM	#8
RonakG Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 603 Original Poster	Originally posted by calsan Is it set to meter according to the focus point (custom settings)? That could give an unexpected result??? That's not it. I've set that to 1.

01-27-2015, 10:49 AM	#9
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	In what metering mode are you?

01-27-2015, 11:00 AM	#10
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	Originally posted by RonakG That's not it. I've set that to 1. All we can do is shout out random things that it might be until you give us something to work with. An example with EXIF would really help.

01-27-2015, 11:56 AM	#11
RonakG Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 603 Original Poster	Originally posted by mrNewt In what metering mode are you? I'm in center weighted metering 99% of the time. Originally posted by enoeske All we can do is shout out random things that it might be until you give us something to work with. An example with EXIF would really help. I know. I'll try to get some example shots this weekend that I can post here.

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01-27-2015, 12:02 PM	#12
mrNewt Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ON, RH Posts: 2,181	Originally posted by RonakG I'm in center weighted metering 99% of the time. I know. I'll try to get some example shots this weekend that I can post here. Here is another thing you should try. Let the camera meter, then switch to manual mode and keep the same settings as what the camera set itself to. Take a couple of pictures like that and see if you still have the same issue - random over and under exposed images.

01-27-2015, 01:07 PM	#13
RonakG Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 603 Original Poster	Originally posted by mrNewt Here is another thing you should try. Let the camera meter, then switch to manual mode and keep the same settings as what the camera set itself to. Take a couple of pictures like that and see if you still have the same issue - random over and under exposed images. Thanks. I'll give this a try and post results. Might have to wait till weekend though.

01-31-2015, 09:22 PM	#14
Chikubi Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 29	In all honesty, you may want to send it in for service. I bought one a few weeks back and in bright, contrasty situations it would severly overexpose by at least a stop. Other situations as well, but not quite as bad. I've never had any other camera act this way, so I sent it in for service and when it came back it worked the way I expected it to. According to the invoice, they listed complete repair and return to factory specs. Whatever they did specifically I'm not sure, but the difference is noticeable.

02-02-2015, 11:59 AM	#15
RonakG Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 603 Original Poster	Originally posted by Chikubi In all honesty, you may want to send it in for service. I bought one a few weeks back and in bright, contrasty situations it would severly overexpose by at least a stop. Other situations as well, but not quite as bad. I've never had any other camera act this way, so I sent it in for service and when it came back it worked the way I expected it to. According to the invoice, they listed complete repair and return to factory specs. Whatever they did specifically I'm not sure, but the difference is noticeable. I think this is the issue with my K-5 IIs. After your comment, I'm now noticing that it's indeed overexposing only under certain conditions. Does the program line setting have any effect on exposure?