Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version 1 Like Search this Thread
12-09-2016, 03:08 PM   #1
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
mgvh's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MD
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 1,033
Help me understand Av mode and Auto ISO on the K-3

Just got a K-3, coming from a K-30:
On my K-30, I mainly use Av mode. I set my ISO parameters. When I shoot, I adjust my aperture, and as I do so, the shutter speed and the ISO changes while measuring both light and lens focal length. The longer the focal length, the faster the shutter and the higher the ISO. The camera is figuring out optimal values and it works very well.

This is apparently NOT how things work with the K-3. I've looked through the K-3 manual, and it is very little help on this matter. I've looked through the threads here, and I'm trying to confirm what's going on with the K-3.

In Av mode on the K-3, as I change the aperture, the shutter speed changes but not the ISO even though I have chosen Auto ISO. I can hit the ISO button and change the ISO which will change the shutter speed, of course, but there doesn't seem to be any interaction of shutter, aperture, and ISO as on my K-30.

Am I missing something? Did I hit a wrong button? Does something need to be changed in the menu system? Or is this just a difference between the K-30 and K-3?

I can us TAv, and the Auto ISO floats just fine, but then I'm needing to keep my eye on both shutter and aperture.

If I go to P mode, it says "Av Hyper" on the rear LCD, but it seems to work identically to Av mode.

Is there a way to set a User setting to reduplicate what I'm used to on the K-30? I.e., I control aperture, and the camera will adjust shutter and ISO (within the set parameters) in relation to light and focal length?

Thanks for any help...

12-09-2016, 03:16 PM   #2
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Sep 2013
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 1,799
Is it possible that your Auto ISO limit is set weird? I upgraded from a K-30 to a K-1 and had to both change the ISO AUTO Setting under the first camera menu, AND add Auto ISO to the Memory section on the fifth camera menu.
12-09-2016, 03:54 PM   #3
Administrator
Site Webmaster
Adam's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arizona
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 51,608
Yup, you can configure the upper and lower bounds for the auto ISO range, as well as how quickly the camera starts adjusting the ISO.

All this is in the main menu

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:
12-09-2016, 04:04 PM   #4
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
QuoteOriginally posted by lithedreamer Quote
Is it possible that your Auto ISO limit is set weird?
...or something else in the settings?* What you are describing is not the usual behavior. Since you purchased your K-3 used, it might be good to do a general reset (menu/setup3/reset) along with custom functions reset (menu/C4/Reset Custom Functions). That should return the camera to close to factory settings. You may then go through the menus and set things up according to your needs. The user manual and "recommended settings" on this site can serve as a guide.

Pentax K-3 Review - Recommended Settings | PentaxForums.com Reviews


Steve

* The most probable culprit is the Auto ISO settings in menu/rec2/ISO Auto. The default setting is most predictable.

12-09-2016, 04:59 PM - 1 Like   #5
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
UncleVanya's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2014
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 28,468
As others indicated that is odd. I use mine in fixed and auto ISO frequently with Av mode with my k-3. One thing that stumped me was how to get back to auto. Press ISO button and then while still pressing that press the green button. Otherwise go into the menus which really is slow by comparison.
12-09-2016, 05:46 PM   #6
Site Supporter
Site Supporter
mgvh's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: MD
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 1,033
Original Poster
QuoteOriginally posted by UncleVanya Quote
As others indicated that is odd. I use mine in fixed and auto ISO frequently with Av mode with my k-3. One thing that stumped me was how to get back to auto. Press ISO button and then while still pressing that press the green button. Otherwise go into the menus which really is slow by comparison.
Bless you, UncleVanya! I had worked through everything else, but you correctly identified the issue. It works as expected now! If you push the ISO button and then use the rear dial, it kicks it out of Auto ISO. Push the ISO button and then the green button puts it back into Auto ISO.
Thanks again!
12-09-2016, 06:22 PM   #7
Site Supporter
Site Supporter




Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 563
You guys are good!

Really cool when someone get their problem solved so quickly by all you skilled individuals, and you know who you are


12-09-2016, 06:30 PM   #8
Loyal Site Supporter
Loyal Site Supporter
UncleVanya's Avatar

Join Date: Jul 2014
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 28,468
QuoteOriginally posted by mgvh Quote
Bless you, UncleVanya! I had worked through everything else, but you correctly identified the issue. It works as expected now! If you push the ISO button and then use the rear dial, it kicks it out of Auto ISO. Push the ISO button and then the green button puts it back into Auto ISO.
Thanks again!
I got that answer from the school of hard knocks. Lol.
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
aperture, auto, av, change, dslr, iso, k-3, k3, length, mode, pentax k-3, shutter

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
K-3 How is the high speed profile and ISO auto programmed to work ? Stumpy Pentax K-3 & K-3 II 18 07-23-2015 09:56 AM
What's going on? K5, Av and auto-iso drec Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 16 09-28-2012 12:06 AM
Auto ISO in the Pentax K-5 in Av mode beholder3 Pentax K-5 & K-5 II 17 05-27-2012 02:11 AM
Auto ISO in Av Mode v5planet Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 8 03-30-2011 09:46 AM
K-x and default ISO in Av mode NaClH2O Pentax DSLR Discussion 3 06-30-2010 09:33 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:09 PM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top