K30 overexposure problems

E-man · 02-25-2017, 09:37 PM

So I'm getting kind of frustrated with this K30. It seems to consistently overexpose shots in bright, outdoor conditions. No matter which mode I choose, it does this. The worst is TAv mode, in which it insists on extremely slow shutter speeds, as in several seconds, regardless of what I specify. But even in green mode, it chooses an inappropriate exposure. I get similar results regardless of the lens being used. Is there a way to calibrate it?

Adam · 02-25-2017, 09:45 PM

Is your camera suffering from the aperture block failure?

stevebrot · 02-25-2017, 10:00 PM

According to your description, you get unreasonably long exposures regardless of the shutter speed you set. Can you confirm?

Steve

E-man · 02-25-2017, 10:11 PM

Steve--that would be correct. I am getting unreasonably long exposures.
Adam--How would I know if I were experiencing an aperture block failure? Would I see an error message to that effect? I haven't seen any error messages.

I'm not getting the black frames associated with aperture block failure; rather, the visual effect is more of a 'white-out'.

Last edited by E-man; 02-25-2017 at 10:18 PM.

**Alex645** · 02-25-2017, 10:13 PM

Double check that you didnʻt accidentally set the Exposure Compensation EV+/- to plus something. In all manual, with EV compensation at 0.0, it is over-exposing? Using a linear polarizer? If you could post an example with the EXIF metadata, that would help. Also, does this happen with more than one lens?

reh321 · 02-25-2017, 10:19 PM

Originally posted by E-man

Steve--that would be correct. I am getting unreasonably long exposures.
Adam--How would I know if I were experiencing an aperture block failure? Would I see an error message to that effect? I haven't seen any error messages.

Aperture Block Failure usually results in an overly dark image, but I'm not positive that is always the case.
The root issue in that case is that the camera doesn't actually use the aperture it says it is using; here is is basic description
Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Read me first! - PentaxForums.com

Do you have some other way of determining correct exposure - even better, of taking a picture? Alex645 has several good suggestions, also.

stevebrot · 02-25-2017, 11:50 PM

Originally posted by E-man

Steve--that would be correct. I am getting unreasonably long exposures.

So, in TAv mode you might set for f/5.6 and 1/125s and you would get several second exposure? The same should also happen in M mode. That would indicate a problem with the shutter or its controller.

Steve

madphys · 02-26-2017, 04:08 AM

If the camera (the brain) suggests long (unreasonable) exposures and it executes it accordingly then there shouldn't be mechanical problem. Something is wrong with the metering.
When did this start? Has is started recently and abruptly? Has the camera experienced shock prior this revelation?

What changes when you change between spot, center, evaluative metering? As suggested above - what is your exposure comp value?

E-man · 02-26-2017, 09:59 AM

I've only had the camera for about three weeks and it's been this way ever since I've had it. As far as I can tell, the exposure comp value is set to zero. While it consistently blows out the exposures in bright light, it conversely does do reasonably well metering exposures in low light situations.

madphys · 02-26-2017, 10:55 AM

Ok - you bought it new or second hand?
And what happens when you switch between metering modes?

E-man · 02-26-2017, 09:00 PM

I bought it second hand, approximately 26,000 shutter actuations. When I switch between metering modes, the rear screen briefly displays which mode it's in with along with a brief explanation of that mode before displaying the status screen. Much of what's on the screen flashes on and off for several seconds before settling down to be steadily on. In addition, the mirror locks up upon entering movie mode and locks down into its normal position upon exiting movie mode.

**Alex645** · 02-26-2017, 09:13 PM

Originally posted by E-man

I bought it second hand, approximately 26,000 shutter actuations. When I switch between metering modes, the rear screen briefly displays which mode it's in with along with a brief explanation of that mode before displaying the status screen. Much of what's on the screen flashes on and off for several seconds before settling down to be steadily on. In addition, the mirror locks up upon entering movie mode and locks down into its normal position upon exiting movie mode.

The K-30 should be fine to at least 50,000 or more actuations and everything youʻve described here is normal. In movie mode, it uses LiveView and the mirror must lock up to shoot video.

Again, try more than one lens, and if that doesnʻt seem to make a difference, post a outdoor day shot and show the EXIF metadata. Set the camera to Manual exposure mode (M) at ISO 125, f/16 @ 1/125" (sunny 16 rule). If itʻs hazy sun then ISO 125, f/11 @ 1/125", bright cloudy day ISO 125 f/8 @1/125", or in the open shade on a sunny day ISO 125 f/5.6 @ 1/125".

Are you suspecting the light meter is off or the shutter speed or aperture is not doing what it says it should be?

stevebrot · 02-27-2017, 01:23 PM

Originally posted by Alex645

Are you suspecting the light meter is off or the shutter speed or aperture is not doing what it says it should be?

That is the $50,000,000 question. In the original post it was stated that exposures in TAv were much longer (several seconds) than the set shutter speed. Normally that would indicate a hardware issue (shutter or shutter controller) issue. Despite that, the discussion has centered on potential metering issues.

Steve

SpecialK · 02-27-2017, 01:47 PM

Originally posted by E-man

Is there a way to calibrate it?

Any sample images with exif?

**Alex645** · 02-27-2017, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

That is the $50,000,000 question. In the original post it was stated that exposures in TAv were much longer (several seconds) than the set shutter speed. Normally that would indicate a hardware issue (shutter or shutter controller) issue. Despite that, the discussion has centered on potential metering issues.

Steve

Too many variables IMO with TAv and before trying to troubleshoot the CPU, might be best to start with M. If OP sets it at 1/500" and he's obviously getting 1/5" blur, then we have confirmation the shutter is too slow.

On the other hand if the meter is telling him in daylight on a sunny day that a normal exposure is 1/5" @ f/16 with ISO 100, then we know it's the light meter.

Examples with EXIF metadata would help us to help OP.

02-25-2017, 09:37 PM	#1
E-man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 678	K30 overexposure problems So I'm getting kind of frustrated with this K30. It seems to consistently overexpose shots in bright, outdoor conditions. No matter which mode I choose, it does this. The worst is TAv mode, in which it insists on extremely slow shutter speeds, as in several seconds, regardless of what I specify. But even in green mode, it chooses an inappropriate exposure. I get similar results regardless of the lens being used. Is there a way to calibrate it?

02-25-2017, 09:45 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,594	Is your camera suffering from the aperture block failure? Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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02-25-2017, 10:00 PM	#3
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	According to your description, you get unreasonably long exposures regardless of the shutter speed you set. Can you confirm? Steve

02-25-2017, 10:11 PM	#4
E-man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 678 Original Poster	Steve--that would be correct. I am getting unreasonably long exposures. Adam--How would I know if I were experiencing an aperture block failure? Would I see an error message to that effect? I haven't seen any error messages. I'm not getting the black frames associated with aperture block failure; rather, the visual effect is more of a 'white-out'. Last edited by E-man; 02-25-2017 at 10:18 PM.

02-25-2017, 10:13 PM	#5
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Double check that you didnʻt accidentally set the Exposure Compensation EV+/- to plus something. In all manual, with EV compensation at 0.0, it is over-exposing? Using a linear polarizer? If you could post an example with the EXIF metadata, that would help. Also, does this happen with more than one lens?

02-25-2017, 10:19 PM	#6
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,177	Originally posted by E-man Steve--that would be correct. I am getting unreasonably long exposures. Adam--How would I know if I were experiencing an aperture block failure? Would I see an error message to that effect? I haven't seen any error messages. Aperture Block Failure usually results in an overly dark image, but I'm not positive that is always the case. The root issue in that case is that the camera doesn't actually use the aperture it says it is using; here is is basic description Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Read me first! - PentaxForums.com Do you have some other way of determining correct exposure - even better, of taking a picture? Alex645 has several good suggestions, also.

02-25-2017, 11:50 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by E-man Steve--that would be correct. I am getting unreasonably long exposures. So, in TAv mode you might set for f/5.6 and 1/125s and you would get several second exposure? The same should also happen in M mode. That would indicate a problem with the shutter or its controller. Steve

02-26-2017, 04:08 AM	#8
madphys Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Riga, Latvia Posts: 98	If the camera (the brain) suggests long (unreasonable) exposures and it executes it accordingly then there shouldn't be mechanical problem. Something is wrong with the metering. When did this start? Has is started recently and abruptly? Has the camera experienced shock prior this revelation? What changes when you change between spot, center, evaluative metering? As suggested above - what is your exposure comp value?

02-26-2017, 09:59 AM	#9
E-man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 678 Original Poster	I've only had the camera for about three weeks and it's been this way ever since I've had it. As far as I can tell, the exposure comp value is set to zero. While it consistently blows out the exposures in bright light, it conversely does do reasonably well metering exposures in low light situations.

02-26-2017, 10:55 AM	#10
madphys Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Riga, Latvia Posts: 98	Ok - you bought it new or second hand? And what happens when you switch between metering modes?

02-26-2017, 09:00 PM	#11
E-man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 678 Original Poster	I bought it second hand, approximately 26,000 shutter actuations. When I switch between metering modes, the rear screen briefly displays which mode it's in with along with a brief explanation of that mode before displaying the status screen. Much of what's on the screen flashes on and off for several seconds before settling down to be steadily on. In addition, the mirror locks up upon entering movie mode and locks down into its normal position upon exiting movie mode.

02-26-2017, 09:13 PM	#12
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by E-man I bought it second hand, approximately 26,000 shutter actuations. When I switch between metering modes, the rear screen briefly displays which mode it's in with along with a brief explanation of that mode before displaying the status screen. Much of what's on the screen flashes on and off for several seconds before settling down to be steadily on. In addition, the mirror locks up upon entering movie mode and locks down into its normal position upon exiting movie mode. The K-30 should be fine to at least 50,000 or more actuations and everything youʻve described here is normal. In movie mode, it uses LiveView and the mirror must lock up to shoot video. Again, try more than one lens, and if that doesnʻt seem to make a difference, post a outdoor day shot and show the EXIF metadata. Set the camera to Manual exposure mode (M) at ISO 125, f/16 @ 1/125" (sunny 16 rule). If itʻs hazy sun then ISO 125, f/11 @ 1/125", bright cloudy day ISO 125 f/8 @1/125", or in the open shade on a sunny day ISO 125 f/5.6 @ 1/125". Are you suspecting the light meter is off or the shutter speed or aperture is not doing what it says it should be?

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02-27-2017, 01:23 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Alex645 Are you suspecting the light meter is off or the shutter speed or aperture is not doing what it says it should be? That is the $50,000,000 question. In the original post it was stated that exposures in TAv were much longer (several seconds) than the set shutter speed. Normally that would indicate a hardware issue (shutter or shutter controller) issue. Despite that, the discussion has centered on potential metering issues. Steve

02-27-2017, 01:47 PM	#14
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Originally posted by E-man Is there a way to calibrate it? Any sample images with exif?

02-27-2017, 02:14 PM	#15
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by stevebrot That is the $50,000,000 question. In the original post it was stated that exposures in TAv were much longer (several seconds) than the set shutter speed. Normally that would indicate a hardware issue (shutter or shutter controller) issue. Despite that, the discussion has centered on potential metering issues. Steve Too many variables IMO with TAv and before trying to troubleshoot the CPU, might be best to start with M. If OP sets it at 1/500" and he's obviously getting 1/5" blur, then we have confirmation the shutter is too slow. On the other hand if the meter is telling him in daylight on a sunny day that a normal exposure is 1/5" @ f/16 with ISO 100, then we know it's the light meter. Examples with EXIF metadata would help us to help OP.