No flash?

lexiburg · 12-22-2010, 12:39 PM

I have a Pentax K-x DSLR and I know the basics of how to use it, so I decided I wanted to play around with exposure. I used the Av button and the scroll wheel to change it around and play with it, then I set the exposure back to what it was before. But now my flash won't go off, no matter what setting I'm on, not even Auto. Is there a way I can reset the camera? How do I fix this? Thanks!

Ira · 12-22-2010, 12:52 PM

Are you popping it up first?

lexiburg · 12-22-2010, 01:08 PM

Originally posted by Ira

Are you popping it up first?

No... how do I do that?

**Just1MoreDave** · 12-22-2010, 01:15 PM

There are a couple of options to reset the camera. Page 280 of the manual explains it: Menu, Setup-3, Reset puts Record Mode, Playback and some Setup menus back to factory settings. Custom Setting 4 resets the custom functions. Some settings like time are maintained. I'm not sure resetting will fix your problem, though. It doesn't touch the Flash Mode settings that you change from the four-way controller Flash button.

Ira · 12-22-2010, 01:16 PM

There's a little button to the left of thd eyepiece that shows a lightning bolt and trash can in blue ink.

lexiburg · 12-22-2010, 01:18 PM

The flash works if I open it but everything still looks pretty dark compared to other pictures with flash. Otherwise it won't work if I don't open it first. I'll try setting it back to factory settings, thanks for helping!

Ira · 12-22-2010, 01:19 PM

If the flash fires after you do this, you'll have to go to menu settings so the flash pops up automatically when you need it in an auto mode.

But first things first.

Ira · 12-22-2010, 01:20 PM

Yeah. Go back to factory settings for now.

lexiburg · 12-22-2010, 01:23 PM

The flash comes up on its own now but doesn't always flash when it should... does anybody have any ideas?

lexiburg · 12-22-2010, 01:26 PM

Originally posted by Just1MoreDave

There are a couple of options to reset the camera. Page 280 of the manual explains it: Menu, Setup-3, Reset puts Record Mode, Playback and some Setup menus back to factory settings. Custom Setting 4 resets the custom functions. Some settings like time are maintained. I'm not sure resetting will fix your problem, though. It doesn't touch the Flash Mode settings that you change from the four-way controller Flash button.

Well guess what, factory settings actually fixed it! Thanks for the help!

Ira · 12-22-2010, 02:54 PM

Lex, you have to spend a lot of time reading that section of the manual. And learning when you want to use that pop-up flash.

The camera's high ISO quality makes flash not necessary in many situations, and at the very least, not the best way to take the shot.

And the LAST thing you want is for the flash to pop up in an auto mode. You always, always, always want to decide on flash when you decide to use it. Never in an auto mode.

If you're interested in learning some basics, the first thing I suggest for now is don't use auto ISO. Set it to MANUAL.

Then, you can learn how to properly use your flash.

DaveHolmes · 12-22-2010, 03:25 PM

Originally posted by Ira

Lex, you have to spend a lot of time reading that section of the manual. And learning when you want to use that pop-up flash.

The camera's high ISO quality makes flash not necessary in many situations, and at the very least, not the best way to take the shot.

And the LAST thing you want is for the flash to pop up in an auto mode. You always, always, always want to decide on flash when you decide to use it. Never in an auto mode.

If you're interested in learning some basics, the first thing I suggest for now is don't use auto ISO. Set it to MANUAL.

Then, you can learn how to properly use your flash.

I agree with Ira wholeheartedly on this one!
The K-x's pop-up is ok for a bit of 'fill flash' (I use a 35mm film can as a diffuser too) but that's about it... Using ISO effectivly means you need flash very rarely...

12-22-2010, 12:39 PM	#1
lexiburg Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Posts: 5	No flash? I have a Pentax K-x DSLR and I know the basics of how to use it, so I decided I wanted to play around with exposure. I used the Av button and the scroll wheel to change it around and play with it, then I set the exposure back to what it was before. But now my flash won't go off, no matter what setting I'm on, not even Auto. Is there a way I can reset the camera? How do I fix this? Thanks!

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12-22-2010, 12:52 PM	#2
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Are you popping it up first?

12-22-2010, 01:08 PM	#3
lexiburg Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ira Are you popping it up first? No... how do I do that?

12-22-2010, 01:15 PM	#4
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	There are a couple of options to reset the camera. Page 280 of the manual explains it: Menu, Setup-3, Reset puts Record Mode, Playback and some Setup menus back to factory settings. Custom Setting 4 resets the custom functions. Some settings like time are maintained. I'm not sure resetting will fix your problem, though. It doesn't touch the Flash Mode settings that you change from the four-way controller Flash button.

12-22-2010, 01:16 PM	#5
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	There's a little button to the left of thd eyepiece that shows a lightning bolt and trash can in blue ink.

12-22-2010, 01:18 PM	#6
lexiburg Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Posts: 5 Original Poster	The flash works if I open it but everything still looks pretty dark compared to other pictures with flash. Otherwise it won't work if I don't open it first. I'll try setting it back to factory settings, thanks for helping!

12-22-2010, 01:19 PM	#7
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	If the flash fires after you do this, you'll have to go to menu settings so the flash pops up automatically when you need it in an auto mode. But first things first.

12-22-2010, 01:20 PM	#8
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Yeah. Go back to factory settings for now.

12-22-2010, 01:23 PM	#9
lexiburg Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Posts: 5 Original Poster	The flash comes up on its own now but doesn't always flash when it should... does anybody have any ideas?

12-22-2010, 01:26 PM	#10
lexiburg Inactive Account Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by Just1MoreDave There are a couple of options to reset the camera. Page 280 of the manual explains it: Menu, Setup-3, Reset puts Record Mode, Playback and some Setup menus back to factory settings. Custom Setting 4 resets the custom functions. Some settings like time are maintained. I'm not sure resetting will fix your problem, though. It doesn't touch the Flash Mode settings that you change from the four-way controller Flash button. Well guess what, factory settings actually fixed it! Thanks for the help!

12-22-2010, 02:54 PM	#11
Ira Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Coral Springs, FL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,216	Lex, you have to spend a lot of time reading that section of the manual. And learning when you want to use that pop-up flash. The camera's high ISO quality makes flash not necessary in many situations, and at the very least, not the best way to take the shot. And the LAST thing you want is for the flash to pop up in an auto mode. You always, always, always want to decide on flash when you decide to use it. Never in an auto mode. If you're interested in learning some basics, the first thing I suggest for now is don't use auto ISO. Set it to MANUAL. Then, you can learn how to properly use your flash.

12-22-2010, 03:25 PM	#12
DaveHolmes Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 1,501	Originally posted by Ira Lex, you have to spend a lot of time reading that section of the manual. And learning when you want to use that pop-up flash. The camera's high ISO quality makes flash not necessary in many situations, and at the very least, not the best way to take the shot. And the LAST thing you want is for the flash to pop up in an auto mode. You always, always, always want to decide on flash when you decide to use it. Never in an auto mode. If you're interested in learning some basics, the first thing I suggest for now is don't use auto ISO. Set it to MANUAL. Then, you can learn how to properly use your flash. I agree with Ira wholeheartedly on this one! The K-x's pop-up is ok for a bit of 'fill flash' (I use a 35mm film can as a diffuser too) but that's about it... Using ISO effectivly means you need flash very rarely...