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Jtax · 12-01-2020, 03:51 PM

Hello,

I'm new to Pentax, so I'm still learning about this camera. The settings at the bottom of the screen have been flashing red, and I don't know how to fix it. Any help would be appreciated.

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pschlute · 12-01-2020, 04:14 PM

Originally posted by Jtax

I'm new to Pentax, so I'm still learning about this camera. The settings at the bottom of the screen have been flashing red, and I don't know how to fix it. Any help would be appreciated.

Your meter is showing 3 stops underexposed. Perhaps that is why.

**Pentax Syntax** · 12-01-2020, 04:55 PM

Welcome! Try changing the dial on the left top of the camera to either P or Green mode and you should be in business. Note that you may have to depress the center button to move the dial. Shooting in full manual will come later when you get comfortable with the camera.

stevebrot · 12-01-2020, 05:38 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Jtax

Hello,

I'm new to Pentax, so I'm still learning about this camera. The settings at the bottom of the screen have been flashing red, and I don't know how to fix it. Any help would be appreciated.

I am not sure, ~~but I suspect that the range of settings for the bracket used by HDR go beyond the range of available apertures~~ Edit: My suspicions were wrong, see below. (Red blinkies usually mean you are stepping outside what is possible.)

~~I would avoid doing bracketing or HDR from M mode until you are familiar with how those features manage the exposure settings.~~

What is really going on here: As noted above, the camera was warning that something with the exposure was outside capabilities. I was able to reproduce this behavior with identical settings by using the camera where ambient light was below the linear range of the meter (-3 to 20 EV100). While the EV scale shows -3 stops underexposed, the actual underexposure will be more, hence the blinkies. Yes, this did involve walking into dark rooms with the camera in live view.

Steve

Last edited by stevebrot; 12-02-2020 at 12:12 PM. Reason: Update

**K(s)evin** · 12-02-2020, 04:41 AM - **1 Like**

It's just letting you know that your settings (shutter, aperture & iso) are outside of what the metering system says will give you an effective exposure. Get out of M mode as described above.

35mmfilmfan · 12-02-2020, 05:00 AM

Have you tried taking it off HDR ? it maybe this is incompatible with other settings.

splash_fr · 12-02-2020, 05:21 AM - **1 Like**

You're in manual mode and the cam is telling you that you're underexposing. Open aperture, increase ISO or lower shutter speed.

stevebrot · 12-02-2020, 12:01 PM

Originally posted by K(s)evin

It's just letting you know that your settings (shutter, aperture & iso) are outside of what the metering system says will give you an effective exposure.

Close...

Originally posted by splash_fr

You're in manual mode and the cam is telling you that you're underexposing.

Note the EV scale. In M-mode the camera is usually quite happy to let you set underexposure, no blinkies, as long as the ambient light is within the meter range. In the above photo in the original post, the meter reading (what shows in the EV scale) says -3 stops underexposed, but the camera is warning that the light to the meter is less than -3 EV100 (below meter sensitivity, meaning that the underexposure is likely more than the -3 stops shown on the EV scale).

The more common source of red blinkies on the exposure line in live view is with automated exposure where the metering indicates a setting outside what may be set on the camera (e.g. Tv mode where f/2.0 would be required, but the mounted lens is f/2.8 maximum aperture). In both cases, the shutter button will still work, but what you get is not the meter's fault, hence the red blinkies. The blinkies just indicate an "out of bounds" condition.

FWIW...none of this is in the manual and actually required some walking into dark rooms this morning with my K-3. My post above regarding HDR and/or bracketing was wrong. The camera is quite willing to attempt a bracket series even when that series means going out-of-bounds. It does not even blink!

Steve

**Apet-Sure** · 12-02-2020, 12:16 PM

Welcome to the forum! As you can see, there are lots of helpful people here. Congratulations on jumping into Pentax with a K-3. Very capable, highly regarded camera. Your question is answered above with the comments about the underexposure warning.

You may want to consider getting Yvon Bourque's K-3 guidebook to go along with your owner's manual. Yvon was a former PF member (now passed away). I have his books for my K-5IIs and KP, and found them to be worth the money. You get tips and expanded explanations of features. Go to the donations page and scroll down until you see the listing for the K-3/K-3II e-book.
PentaxForums.com PayPal Donations

Looking forward to seeing you post some pics once you get everything figured out.

stevebrot · 12-02-2020, 12:47 PM

BTW...

Welcome to the Pentax Forums!

Steve

EnglishBob · 12-16-2020, 07:35 AM

Use your Iphone flashlight (the one you used to take the picture of the screen) and switch from camera mode to flashlight mode. Aim the flashlight at the dark wall (the target of the K3) and see if that helps. You can even aim the flashlight off target until you get the desired effect. It is fun to just experiment with light and shadow and a good way to see what happens.
If manual operation is your goal, it helps to have fun as you gain new skills.

12-02-2020, 12:01 PM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by K(s)evin It's just letting you know that your settings (shutter, aperture & iso) are outside of what the metering system says will give you an effective exposure. Close... Originally posted by splash_fr You're in manual mode and the cam is telling you that you're underexposing. Note the EV scale. In M-mode the camera is usually quite happy to let you set underexposure, no blinkies, as long as the ambient light is within the meter range. In the above photo in the original post, the meter reading (what shows in the EV scale) says -3 stops underexposed, but the camera is warning that the light to the meter is less than -3 EV100 (below meter sensitivity, meaning that the underexposure is likely more than the -3 stops shown on the EV scale). The more common source of red blinkies on the exposure line in live view is with automated exposure where the metering indicates a setting outside what may be set on the camera (e.g. Tv mode where f/2.0 would be required, but the mounted lens is f/2.8 maximum aperture). In both cases, the shutter button will still work, but what you get is not the meter's fault, hence the red blinkies. The blinkies just indicate an "out of bounds" condition. FWIW...none of this is in the manual and actually required some walking into dark rooms this morning with my K-3. My post above regarding HDR and/or bracketing was wrong. The camera is quite willing to attempt a bracket series even when that series means going out-of-bounds. It does not even blink! Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 12-02-2020 at 12:13 PM.

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12-01-2020, 04:14 PM	#2
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,222	Originally posted by Jtax I'm new to Pentax, so I'm still learning about this camera. The settings at the bottom of the screen have been flashing red, and I don't know how to fix it. Any help would be appreciated. Your meter is showing 3 stops underexposed. Perhaps that is why.

12-01-2020, 04:55 PM	#3
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	Welcome! Try changing the dial on the left top of the camera to either P or Green mode and you should be in business. Note that you may have to depress the center button to move the dial. Shooting in full manual will come later when you get comfortable with the camera.

12-01-2020, 05:38 PM - 1 Like	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Jtax Hello, I'm new to Pentax, so I'm still learning about this camera. The settings at the bottom of the screen have been flashing red, and I don't know how to fix it. Any help would be appreciated. I am not sure, ~~but I suspect that the range of settings for the bracket used by HDR go beyond the range of available apertures~~ Edit: My suspicions were wrong, see below. (Red blinkies usually mean you are stepping outside what is possible.) ~~I would avoid doing bracketing or HDR from M mode until you are familiar with how those features manage the exposure settings.~~ What is really going on here: As noted above, the camera was warning that something with the exposure was outside capabilities. I was able to reproduce this behavior with identical settings by using the camera where ambient light was below the linear range of the meter (-3 to 20 EV100). While the EV scale shows -3 stops underexposed, the actual underexposure will be more, hence the blinkies. Yes, this did involve walking into dark rooms with the camera in live view. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 12-02-2020 at 12:12 PM. Reason: Update

12-02-2020, 04:41 AM - 1 Like	#5
K(s)evin Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 476	It's just letting you know that your settings (shutter, aperture & iso) are outside of what the metering system says will give you an effective exposure. Get out of M mode as described above.

12-02-2020, 05:00 AM	#6
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,342	Have you tried taking it off HDR ? it maybe this is incompatible with other settings.

12-02-2020, 05:21 AM - 1 Like	#7
splash_fr Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 178	You're in manual mode and the cam is telling you that you're underexposing. Open aperture, increase ISO or lower shutter speed.

12-02-2020, 12:16 PM	#9
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,872	Welcome to the forum! As you can see, there are lots of helpful people here. Congratulations on jumping into Pentax with a K-3. Very capable, highly regarded camera. Your question is answered above with the comments about the underexposure warning. You may want to consider getting Yvon Bourque's K-3 guidebook to go along with your owner's manual. Yvon was a former PF member (now passed away). I have his books for my K-5IIs and KP, and found them to be worth the money. You get tips and expanded explanations of features. Go to the donations page and scroll down until you see the listing for the K-3/K-3II e-book. PentaxForums.com PayPal Donations Looking forward to seeing you post some pics once you get everything figured out.

12-02-2020, 12:47 PM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	BTW... Welcome to the Pentax Forums! Steve

12-16-2020, 07:35 AM	#11
EnglishBob Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Maryland Posts: 159	Use your Iphone flashlight (the one you used to take the picture of the screen) and switch from camera mode to flashlight mode. Aim the flashlight at the dark wall (the target of the K3) and see if that helps. You can even aim the flashlight off target until you get the desired effect. It is fun to just experiment with light and shadow and a good way to see what happens. If manual operation is your goal, it helps to have fun as you gain new skills.

Settings flashing red on LCD screen (K-3)

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