K20D exposure issue(?)

MalcolmS · 05-14-2011, 06:28 AM

Even though I've been using my K20D for well over a year I've only just noticed this 'feature' in the viewfinder today and re-reading the manual I can't find anything that refers to it.

I'm taking a picture in Av mode (using multi segment metering), I half press the shutter, take a look at the viewfinder to check everything is ok, the EV bar is flashing dead centre and all the other indicators are to my satisfaction. I take the picture.

Looking back at the viewfinder, everything is still as it was but the EV bar is now flashing one notch below (under exposed). It does this every time.

Is this significant?

Malcolm

bimjo · 05-14-2011, 07:04 AM

Are the pics underexposed? If not I'd just chalk it up to electronic strangeness and call it good.

philippe · 05-14-2011, 08:02 AM

If the results are to your satisfaction, then bimjo might be right. But, perhaps it might help, try this: take out the battery (out of the body not only the grip) an count till 10, then put it back and see if the EV bar is still flashing. This is some kind of a reboot.

marinb · 05-14-2011, 08:34 AM

If this is a outdoor shooting, then a little more/less sun light could do that change, even if the composition is the same. If You are in a controlled indoor space, then... I noticed that only e very little change in the coming light could change the exposure reading value. So, from my point of view, there is no problem... probably ;-)

stevebrot · 05-14-2011, 11:57 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by MalcolmS

Even though I've been using my K20D for well over a year I've only just noticed this 'feature' in the viewfinder today and re-reading the manual I can't find anything that refers to it.

I'm taking a picture in Av mode (using multi segment metering), I half press the shutter, take a look at the viewfinder to check everything is ok, the EV bar is flashing dead centre and all the other indicators are to my satisfaction. I take the picture.

Looking back at the viewfinder, everything is still as it was but the EV bar is now flashing one notch below (under exposed). It does this every time.

Is this significant?

Malcolm

If you are using Av mode, you should not be seeing the EV bar at all, unless, of course, you enabled the auto-bracket feature. In which case, what you are seeing is expected. You probably got into that mode accidentally at some point or forgot to cancel the last time you used it.

Steve

JeffJS · 05-14-2011, 02:30 PM

You will see the EV bar (at least on the K5) if you've set an EV Comp to something other than 0.

MalcolmS · 05-15-2011, 02:13 AM

Spot on Stevebrot! Thank you.

I do have Auto Bracket (3 shots) turned on and have it set to 0, -, + order. So having taken just the one shot the '-' would be flashing for the next shot. Well done, now I understand.

Malcolm

Last edited by MalcolmS; 05-15-2011 at 02:25 AM.

stevebrot · 05-15-2011, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by JeffJS

You will see the EV bar (at least on the K5) if you've set an EV Comp to something other than 0.

This is correct. I should have qualified my message to read EV bar with flashing indicator.

Steve

stevebrot · 05-15-2011, 09:04 AM

Originally posted by MalcolmS

Spot on Stevebrot! Thank you.

I do have Auto Bracket (3 shots) turned on and have it set to 0, -, + order. So having taken just the one shot the '-' would be flashing for the next shot. Well done, now I understand.

Malcolm

You are not the first person to do this. I well remember the first time I accidentally stumbled into that mode. The camera suddenly seemed to have a mind of its own. I puzzled over it for some time until I saw the bracket icon in the top LCD.

Steve

BTW...Welcome to the Pentax Forums!

05-14-2011, 06:28 AM	#1
MalcolmS New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Falkirk, Scotland Posts: 3	K20D exposure issue(?) Even though I've been using my K20D for well over a year I've only just noticed this 'feature' in the viewfinder today and re-reading the manual I can't find anything that refers to it. I'm taking a picture in Av mode (using multi segment metering), I half press the shutter, take a look at the viewfinder to check everything is ok, the EV bar is flashing dead centre and all the other indicators are to my satisfaction. I take the picture. Looking back at the viewfinder, everything is still as it was but the EV bar is now flashing one notch below (under exposed). It does this every time. Is this significant? Malcolm

05-14-2011, 08:02 AM	#3
philippe Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Flanders Fields Posts: 463	If the results are to your satisfaction, then bimjo might be right. But, perhaps it might help, try this: take out the battery (out of the body not only the grip) an count till 10, then put it back and see if the EV bar is still flashing. This is some kind of a reboot. Last edited by philippe; 05-14-2011 at 10:41 AM.

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05-14-2011, 07:04 AM	#2
bimjo Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pasco, WA Posts: 967	Are the pics underexposed? If not I'd just chalk it up to electronic strangeness and call it good.

05-14-2011, 08:34 AM	#4
marinb Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Chisinau Photos: Gallery Posts: 60	If this is a outdoor shooting, then a little more/less sun light could do that change, even if the composition is the same. If You are in a controlled indoor space, then... I noticed that only e very little change in the coming light could change the exposure reading value. So, from my point of view, there is no problem... probably ;-)

05-14-2011, 11:57 AM - 1 Like	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by MalcolmS Even though I've been using my K20D for well over a year I've only just noticed this 'feature' in the viewfinder today and re-reading the manual I can't find anything that refers to it. I'm taking a picture in Av mode (using multi segment metering), I half press the shutter, take a look at the viewfinder to check everything is ok, the EV bar is flashing dead centre and all the other indicators are to my satisfaction. I take the picture. Looking back at the viewfinder, everything is still as it was but the EV bar is now flashing one notch below (under exposed). It does this every time. Is this significant? Malcolm If you are using Av mode, you should not be seeing the EV bar at all, unless, of course, you enabled the auto-bracket feature. In which case, what you are seeing is expected. You probably got into that mode accidentally at some point or forgot to cancel the last time you used it. Steve

05-14-2011, 02:30 PM	#6
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	You will see the EV bar (at least on the K5) if you've set an EV Comp to something other than 0.

05-15-2011, 02:13 AM	#7
MalcolmS New Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Falkirk, Scotland Posts: 3 Original Poster	Spot on Stevebrot! Thank you. I do have Auto Bracket (3 shots) turned on and have it set to 0, -, + order. So having taken just the one shot the '-' would be flashing for the next shot. Well done, now I understand. Malcolm Last edited by MalcolmS; 05-15-2011 at 02:25 AM.

05-15-2011, 09:00 AM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by JeffJS You will see the EV bar (at least on the K5) if you've set an EV Comp to something other than 0. This is correct. I should have qualified my message to read EV bar with flashing indicator. Steve

05-15-2011, 09:04 AM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by MalcolmS Spot on Stevebrot! Thank you. I do have Auto Bracket (3 shots) turned on and have it set to 0, -, + order. So having taken just the one shot the '-' would be flashing for the next shot. Well done, now I understand. Malcolm You are not the first person to do this. I well remember the first time I accidentally stumbled into that mode. The camera suddenly seemed to have a mind of its own. I puzzled over it for some time until I saw the bracket icon in the top LCD. Steve BTW...Welcome to the Pentax Forums!