Changing Metering Modes on a K-1 with Guide Display Off

**Sailor** · 12-25-2016, 04:13 PM

This Christmas afternoon, I've been alternatively (and happily) shooting photos and customizing my new K-1 to reproduce the setup on my K-3. One of the first things I did was turn off the Guide Dislplay (which I find annoying); on my K-3 the Guide Display isn't useful to me, since the LCD window on top of the camera communicates all operational changes I make during daily use of the camera (ISO, EV comp, meter mode etc.). The tiny window on top of the K-1 appears to offer less info; in particular, best I can tell in order to change metering modes (Multi-, Center-, Spot) on the K-1 with the Guide Display off, one has to hit the Info button twice, then turn the Guide Display back on and - finally - change the metering mode.

I don't think Pentax would have such a clumsy procedure simply to change to spot metering for those of us that prefer the Guide Display to be off during normal use of the camera. What am I missing?

Thanks

Jer

**wizofoz** · 12-25-2016, 04:46 PM

Sorry Jer, if you don't like to have the guide display on, you are out of luck, that is the only way I know of to see which metering mode is active. One suggestion may be to assign three of your user modes to the three metering modes, then name them accordingly. As you turn the dial the display will tell you the name of the user mode.

leekil · 12-25-2016, 04:59 PM

You can push the metering button to the left of the viewfinder and then turn the rear dial. The metering mode is indicated in the viewfinder. The mode will be indicated slightly to the right and below the f-stop. There are icons for center-weighted, spot, and no icon means multi.

**wizofoz** · 12-25-2016, 05:36 PM

Originally posted by leekil

You can push the metering button to the left of the viewfinder and then turn the rear dial. The metering mode is indicated in the viewfinder. The mode will be indicated slightly to the right and below the f-stop. There are icons for center-weighted, spot, and no icon means multi.

Thats great Leekil, As I look at the rear display when changing metering modes I've never noticed. Thanks

**Sailor** · 12-25-2016, 06:45 PM

Hey, guys - thanks for the quick response!

leekil - I tried just what you described, but I was outside and either I was fooled by the lack of a "multi" symbol or by my 70-year-old eyes.

Thanks for tutoring me - now I can sleep tonight knowing my K-1 is ready to rumble.

Jer

noelpolar · 12-25-2016, 07:35 PM

Yes...I've had to move from top screen glance to in the viewfinder peer for the same reasons.... most annoying...

Adam · 12-26-2016, 02:37 AM

You can also check in the control panel, but the VF icon is the most convenient IMO.

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:

Unregistered User · 12-26-2016, 05:44 AM

I have put the metering mode in the Info display. One press and you have it.

**Sailor** · 12-26-2016, 08:17 AM

Originally posted by noelpolar

Yes...I've had to move from top screen glance to in the viewfinder peer for the same reasons.... most annoying...

Originally posted by Adam

You can also check in the control panel, but the VF icon is the most convenient IMO.

It takes a bit of "work" for my old eyes to see the icon in the VF when shooting in the sun, but now that I know it's there, it's a bit easier.

Originally posted by Tjompen1968

I have put the metering mode in the Info display. One press and you have it.

To be honest, I didn't even know you can do that

. I went to the manual and added to my control panel. Thanks much.

12-25-2016, 04:13 PM	#1
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,205	Changing Metering Modes on a K-1 with Guide Display Off This Christmas afternoon, I've been alternatively (and happily) shooting photos and customizing my new K-1 to reproduce the setup on my K-3. One of the first things I did was turn off the Guide Dislplay (which I find annoying); on my K-3 the Guide Display isn't useful to me, since the LCD window on top of the camera communicates all operational changes I make during daily use of the camera (ISO, EV comp, meter mode etc.). The tiny window on top of the K-1 appears to offer less info; in particular, best I can tell in order to change metering modes (Multi-, Center-, Spot) on the K-1 with the Guide Display off, one has to hit the Info button twice, then turn the Guide Display back on and - finally - change the metering mode. I don't think Pentax would have such a clumsy procedure simply to change to spot metering for those of us that prefer the Guide Display to be off during normal use of the camera. What am I missing? Thanks Jer

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Is it normal for a K1 with the Pentax-FA 1:1.8 77 MM lens to display F-- on screen?	HP 56948	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	6	12-15-2016 10:04 AM
Is there a guide or summary of how the in-camera sharpening modes work?	BigMackCam	Pentax DSLR Discussion	14	11-28-2015 06:42 AM
Changing between modes (Pentax K-5 problem)	alexuv	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	5	03-19-2012 09:44 AM
Anyone planning on testing the metering modes for the K-5?	brecklundin	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	8	11-06-2010 10:40 AM
Metering Modes (on K20D)	Mann	Pentax DSLR Discussion	17	06-04-2009 07:46 PM

12-25-2016, 04:46 PM	#2
wizofoz Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Outer east. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,695	Sorry Jer, if you don't like to have the guide display on, you are out of luck, that is the only way I know of to see which metering mode is active. One suggestion may be to assign three of your user modes to the three metering modes, then name them accordingly. As you turn the dial the display will tell you the name of the user mode.

12-25-2016, 04:59 PM	#3
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	You can push the metering button to the left of the viewfinder and then turn the rear dial. The metering mode is indicated in the viewfinder. The mode will be indicated slightly to the right and below the f-stop. There are icons for center-weighted, spot, and no icon means multi.

12-25-2016, 05:36 PM	#4
wizofoz Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Outer east. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,695	Originally posted by leekil You can push the metering button to the left of the viewfinder and then turn the rear dial. The metering mode is indicated in the viewfinder. The mode will be indicated slightly to the right and below the f-stop. There are icons for center-weighted, spot, and no icon means multi. Thats great Leekil, As I look at the rear display when changing metering modes I've never noticed. Thanks

12-25-2016, 06:45 PM	#5
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,205 Original Poster	Hey, guys - thanks for the quick response! leekil - I tried just what you described, but I was outside and either I was fooled by the lack of a "multi" symbol or by my 70-year-old eyes. Thanks for tutoring me - now I can sleep tonight knowing my K-1 is ready to rumble. Jer

12-25-2016, 07:35 PM	#6
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	Yes...I've had to move from top screen glance to in the viewfinder peer for the same reasons.... most annoying...

12-26-2016, 02:37 AM	#7
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	You can also check in the control panel, but the VF icon is the most convenient IMO. 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:

12-26-2016, 05:44 AM	#8
Unregistered User Guest	I have put the metering mode in the Info display. One press and you have it.

12-26-2016, 08:17 AM	#9
Sailor Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Coastal Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 26,205 Original Poster	Originally posted by noelpolar Yes...I've had to move from top screen glance to in the viewfinder peer for the same reasons.... most annoying... Originally posted by Adam You can also check in the control panel, but the VF icon is the most convenient IMO. It takes a bit of "work" for my old eyes to see the icon in the VF when shooting in the sun, but now that I know it's there, it's a bit easier. Originally posted by Tjompen1968 I have put the metering mode in the Info display. One press and you have it. To be honest, I didn't even know you can do that . I went to the manual and added to my control panel. Thanks much.