My K-1 ii LCD is "grainy" in very low light situations like astrophotography.

**Botanizer** · 04-04-2021, 07:51 AM

I use live view to manually focus and reposition my camera during astrotracer sessions. I did not have the grainy LCD display with my K-1. You can see the difference in the attached photos that I made with the same settings and with the body cap on to simulate a dark sky. The LCD works perfectly except in the dark. Is there a setting that I need to adjust or is the LCD defective?

---------- Post added 04-04-21 at 07:53 AM ----------

Originally posted by Botanizer

I use live view to manually focus and reposition my camera during astrotracer sessions. I did not have the grainy LCD display with my K-1. You can see the difference in the attached photos that I made with the same settings and with the body cap on to simulate a dark sky. The LCD works perfectly except in the dark. Is there a setting that I need to adjust or is the LCD defective?

The OK LVQ in the lower right hand corner of the K-1 ii LCD display disappears in a second.

Attached Images

aaacb · 04-04-2021, 08:09 AM - **2 Likes**

The LCD isn't defective, the noise is because it's amplifying to very high ISO in an attempt to show something in no light. In Bulb mode the camera isn't showing exposure preview in live view, it instead switches to trying to show some exposure that's viewable; same when working with manual aperture lenses. Some of the other camera brands allow you to toggle between these behaviors, but I think Pentax goes to one setting or another depending on the mode.

**Crooski** · 04-04-2021, 09:12 AM - **3 Likes**

With the K1-II, focus peaking is probably on and on the K1 this is switched off

**Bob 256** · 04-04-2021, 12:36 PM

I think there must have been some setting differences between the K-1 and the K-1II as previously mentioned. I've seen lots of "grain" on my K-1 when using Liveview in low light so seeing it on the K-1II is no surprise. If you have the ability to set the two cameras side-by-side and with identical settings, they would probably be comparable in this aspect, though I may be wrong not having the K-1II myself.

wkraus · 04-04-2021, 03:04 PM

Lens was the same in the comparison?

swanlefitte · 04-04-2021, 04:39 PM

Originally posted by wkraus

Lens was the same in the comparison?

Says the body cap is on. But what are we seeing then? Light through the ovf?

**Botanizer** · 04-04-2021, 07:03 PM

The top photo is the K-1 ii the bottom photo is the K-1 with the cameras side by side with identical settings and a body cap on each.

**AstroDave** · 04-04-2021, 07:18 PM

Originally posted by Botanizer

a body cap on each

There seems to be some light (?) on the left side in both frames?!

**Botanizer** · 04-04-2021, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by Crooski

With the K1-II, focus peaking is probably on and on the K1 this is switched off

Thanks Crooski !!!

**Botanizer** · 04-05-2021, 06:51 AM

Originally posted by AstroDave

There seems to be some light (?) on the left side in both frames?!

Just a reflection of ambient lighting.

**Crooski** · 04-05-2021, 09:58 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Botanizer

Thanks Crooski !!!

Thank you
Had the same problem once

**lazarustx** · 04-11-2021, 06:42 PM

Hey folks.. So was a determination made in the OP's question? Or did ysll decide it wasn't an issue?

damianc · 04-11-2021, 11:15 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by lazarustx

So was a determination made

Switch focus peaking off. Did it with mine, now it's much easier finding stars

SirTomster · 04-18-2021, 03:23 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Botanizer

Thanks Crooski !!!

I had this too. Freaked me out.

04-04-2021, 07:51 AM	#1
Botanizer Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 286	My K-1 ii LCD is "grainy" in very low light situations like astrophotography. I use live view to manually focus and reposition my camera during astrotracer sessions. I did not have the grainy LCD display with my K-1. You can see the difference in the attached photos that I made with the same settings and with the body cap on to simulate a dark sky. The LCD works perfectly except in the dark. Is there a setting that I need to adjust or is the LCD defective? ---------- Post added 04-04-21 at 07:53 AM ---------- Originally posted by Botanizer I use live view to manually focus and reposition my camera during astrotracer sessions. I did not have the grainy LCD display with my K-1. You can see the difference in the attached photos that I made with the same settings and with the body cap on to simulate a dark sky. The LCD works perfectly except in the dark. Is there a setting that I need to adjust or is the LCD defective? The OK LVQ in the lower right hand corner of the K-1 ii LCD display disappears in a second. Attached Images

04-04-2021, 08:40 PM	#9
Botanizer Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 286 Original Poster	Focus peaking on the K-1 ii was the problem Originally posted by Crooski With the K1-II, focus peaking is probably on and on the K1 this is switched off Thanks Crooski !!!

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04-04-2021, 08:09 AM - 2 Likes	#2
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,725	The LCD isn't defective, the noise is because it's amplifying to very high ISO in an attempt to show something in no light. In Bulb mode the camera isn't showing exposure preview in live view, it instead switches to trying to show some exposure that's viewable; same when working with manual aperture lenses. Some of the other camera brands allow you to toggle between these behaviors, but I think Pentax goes to one setting or another depending on the mode.

04-04-2021, 09:12 AM - 3 Likes	#3
Crooski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rozenburg , Zuid-Holland Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,680	With the K1-II, focus peaking is probably on and on the K1 this is switched off

04-04-2021, 12:36 PM	#4
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,375	I think there must have been some setting differences between the K-1 and the K-1II as previously mentioned. I've seen lots of "grain" on my K-1 when using Liveview in low light so seeing it on the K-1II is no surprise. If you have the ability to set the two cameras side-by-side and with identical settings, they would probably be comparable in this aspect, though I may be wrong not having the K-1II myself.

04-04-2021, 03:04 PM	#5
wkraus Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Near Vienna, Austria Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,059	Lens was the same in the comparison?

04-04-2021, 04:39 PM	#6
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Originally posted by wkraus Lens was the same in the comparison? Says the body cap is on. But what are we seeing then? Light through the ovf?

04-04-2021, 07:03 PM	#7
Botanizer Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 286 Original Poster	The top photo is the K-1 ii the bottom photo is the K-1 with the cameras side by side with identical settings and a body cap on each.

04-04-2021, 07:18 PM	#8
AstroDave Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Location: Flagstaff, Arizona Posts: 1,637	Originally posted by Botanizer a body cap on each There seems to be some light (?) on the left side in both frames?!

04-05-2021, 06:51 AM	#10
Botanizer Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 286 Original Poster	Originally posted by AstroDave There seems to be some light (?) on the left side in both frames?! Just a reflection of ambient lighting.

04-05-2021, 09:58 AM - 1 Like	#11
Crooski Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Rozenburg , Zuid-Holland Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,680	Originally posted by Botanizer Thanks Crooski !!! Thank you Had the same problem once

04-11-2021, 06:42 PM	#12
lazarustx Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Austin Tx Posts: 209	Hey folks.. So was a determination made in the OP's question? Or did ysll decide it wasn't an issue?

04-11-2021, 11:15 PM - 1 Like	#13
damianc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Highlands of Scotland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 360	Originally posted by lazarustx So was a determination made Switch focus peaking off. Did it with mine, now it's much easier finding stars

04-18-2021, 03:23 PM - 1 Like	#14
SirTomster Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 416	Originally posted by Botanizer Thanks Crooski !!! I had this too. Freaked me out.