Dark images when using viewfinder

ShadowCat · 12-25-2018, 11:41 AM

Hello Everyone,

New member here and a novice in this world of SLR.
So, It seems I have an issue that may not be so new.
I have been looking through the forum on this issue and seems big on the K30s and 50s.
I have a K70 and seems to be having this issue. I hadn't used the camera for a few months.
Husband bought me a new lense for christmas and when testing it out, I noticed the images were very dark. Testing in bright light outside, images were still on the dark side.
I placed the kit lense back on the body and is doing the same thing with the dark images. Even with flash on.
I checked out taking a photo with live view and the image looks more normal for lighting.
In using the viewfinder, I had tried different settings and going on the higher iso like 25000 the image will have the level of brightness it normally. The iris appears to be opening/closing fine.
I had checked the card for the images and all appear to have the normal settings, just dark. Appears this issue may have happened a little prior to the new lense.

So is it me or the camera that gets a shot in the foot?
Idea, suggestions I can do to check? Remember novice here and words may need to be dumbed down for me.
Thank you.

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**pepperberry farm** · 12-25-2018, 11:56 AM

at a glance, this sounds like aperture block failure - you may want to check your warranty status...

Wasp · 12-25-2018, 12:04 PM

Sorry to bring bad news on Christmas day, but your camera may be in need of repair. The electromagnet that operates the aperture may be failing. There may be another cause to your problem but this is a likely explanation.

This thread explains the problem.

K-70 Underexposed Photo Reports - PentaxForums.com

Adam · 12-25-2018, 03:44 PM

Possibly unrelated but it also looks like you're in spot metering mode, which may lead to unexpected exposures if the lighting in the scene is uneven.

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:

wl02356427 · 12-25-2018, 07:20 PM

Merry Christmas ShadowCat, I am not sure what mode you were using, but there is clearly that noise is really full of these pictures. As you mentioned that iso was at 25000. It would happen on my Kp too even K1. You could try to use AV/M mode to control your ios, then make sure your aperture, then check your shutter is upper than the save shutter. Another suggestion for you is that you could use the built-in flash if it is possible, or to buy a small external flash.

reh321 · 12-26-2018, 05:37 PM

Originally posted by ShadowCat

Hello Everyone,

New member here and a novice in this world of SLR.
So, It seems I have an issue that may not be so new.
I have been looking through the forum on this issue and seems big on the K30s and 50s.
I have a K70 and seems to be having this issue. I hadn't used the camera for a few months.
Husband bought me a new lense for christmas and when testing it out, I noticed the images were very dark. Testing in bright light outside, images were still on the dark side.
I placed the kit lense back on the body and is doing the same thing with the dark images. Even with flash on.
I checked out taking a photo with live view and the image looks more normal for lighting.
In using the viewfinder, I had tried different settings and going on the higher iso like 25000 the image will have the level of brightness it normally. The iris appears to be opening/closing fine.
I had checked the card for the images and all appear to have the normal settings, just dark. Appears this issue may have happened a little prior to the new lense.

So is it me or the camera that gets a shot in the foot?
Idea, suggestions I can do to check? Remember novice here and words may need to be dumbed down for me.
Thank you.

Here is the best way to test for an aperture control issue:

Originally posted by stevebrot

Diagnostic is to set to M mode with aperture set wide open with a 1s shutter speed, AF off. Observe the lens from the front while pressing the shutter button. If the lens stops down, there is an aperture control problem. Whether it is the aperture control block requires a more intensive diagnostic; fault may be in the camera electronics.

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12-25-2018, 11:56 AM	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,679	at a glance, this sounds like aperture block failure - you may want to check your warranty status...

12-25-2018, 12:04 PM	#3
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	Sorry to bring bad news on Christmas day, but your camera may be in need of repair. The electromagnet that operates the aperture may be failing. There may be another cause to your problem but this is a likely explanation. This thread explains the problem. K-70 Underexposed Photo Reports - PentaxForums.com

12-25-2018, 03:44 PM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Possibly unrelated but it also looks like you're in spot metering mode, which may lead to unexpected exposures if the lighting in the scene is uneven. 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:

12-25-2018, 07:20 PM	#5
wl02356427 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: New Taipei City, Taiwan Photos: Albums Posts: 32	Merry Christmas ShadowCat, I am not sure what mode you were using, but there is clearly that noise is really full of these pictures. As you mentioned that iso was at 25000. It would happen on my Kp too even K1. You could try to use AV/M mode to control your ios, then make sure your aperture, then check your shutter is upper than the save shutter. Another suggestion for you is that you could use the built-in flash if it is possible, or to buy a small external flash.

12-26-2018, 05:37 PM	#6
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by ShadowCat Hello Everyone, New member here and a novice in this world of SLR. So, It seems I have an issue that may not be so new. I have been looking through the forum on this issue and seems big on the K30s and 50s. I have a K70 and seems to be having this issue. I hadn't used the camera for a few months. Husband bought me a new lense for christmas and when testing it out, I noticed the images were very dark. Testing in bright light outside, images were still on the dark side. I placed the kit lense back on the body and is doing the same thing with the dark images. Even with flash on. I checked out taking a photo with live view and the image looks more normal for lighting. In using the viewfinder, I had tried different settings and going on the higher iso like 25000 the image will have the level of brightness it normally. The iris appears to be opening/closing fine. I had checked the card for the images and all appear to have the normal settings, just dark. Appears this issue may have happened a little prior to the new lense. So is it me or the camera that gets a shot in the foot? Idea, suggestions I can do to check? Remember novice here and words may need to be dumbed down for me. Thank you. Here is the best way to test for an aperture control issue: Originally posted by stevebrot Diagnostic is to set to M mode with aperture set wide open with a 1s shutter speed, AF off. Observe the lens from the front while pressing the shutter button. If the lens stops down, there is an aperture control problem. Whether it is the aperture control block requires a more intensive diagnostic; fault may be in the camera electronics.