*istD displays flashing Av in all modes

**paulh** · 05-31-2014, 11:21 AM

Hi - I've been shooting my old *istD with manual lenses for many years. These days I use the camera almost exclusively with completely manual K, M, & 3rd party lenses, of course using M mode & green button metering. Today I took my Zenitar 16 out with my *istD, but I get a flashing Av on the top LCD in all shooting modes, including M. I can set iso, white balance, etc on the control wheel as usual. The camera behaves this way with any manual lens that lacks contacts, except for my Vivitar 135/2.8, which has a black anodized mount. That lens has always worked with the istD, except it lacks focus confirmation in the VF. I *can* use the Vivitar in the camera's present state, along with my A, and AF lenses, which have contacts.

Anyone know what's happening here? I cleaned off the camera's contacts with a bit of rubbing alcohol, but with the same results. Again, I get a flashing Av in the top LCD, using any shooting mode with any manual lens lacking contacts. The one exception is the Vivitar 135 with the anodized mount. Thanks!

Last edited by paulh; 06-02-2014 at 01:19 PM.

**Just1MoreDave** · 06-02-2014, 10:56 AM - **1 Like**

My idea is something is up with the position of the arm that moves the lens's aperture lever - possibly it moves too far now.The arm only moves between "fully open" and "fully closed" when you're using a lens without contacts. When the lens does have contacts, the arm is either "fully open" or at an intermediate position based on the aperture setting on the body. So my theory suggests some issue when it tries to move to the "fully closed" position.

When does the flashing Av happen - after a shot, or all the time?

One hole in my theory: the arm only moves to the "fully closed" position in M mode, while you see a flashing Av in all modes.

The arm isn't broken or the camera wouldn't work with an A lens. Recent exposure errors with A or newer lenses suggest a loose or worn lever.

I'll keep thinking about it. Some K10Ds had arm issues but I can't recall any other problems like this.

**paulh** · 06-02-2014, 11:12 AM

Thanks Dave. The flashing Av starts as soon as the camera is turned on. I just tried using my A35/2.8, which works fine on the A setting. Setting the aperture using the ring results in the flashing Av again. As I mentioned, the only manual lens that works with stopdown metering is the Vivitar 135 with the anodized mount. Exposure seems fine using that lens in M mode. I'll keep experimenting and thanks for the suggestions.

Fogel70 · 06-02-2014, 12:52 PM - **1 Like**

You probably need to go to custom settings and set the camera to permit use of aperture ring. I believe the option you need to enable is called "F Stop other than A" on *ist-D.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-pentax-beginners-corner-q/110658-using...x-dslrs-f.html

**paulh** · 06-02-2014, 01:18 PM

Originally posted by Fogel70

You probably need to go to custom settings and set the camera to permit use of aperture ring. I believe the option you need to enable is called "F Stop other than A" on *ist-D.
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-pentax-beginners-corner-q/110658-using...x-dslrs-f.html

That was the problem! Apparently, the extra cell that keeps track of the istD's settings had died, resetting the camera back to the factory settings (including not allowing aperture ring set to other than A). Well, that's a relief - I was already thinking about picking up another *ist to replace my old one. I really love this old camera

Thanks Fogel & Dave for your help!

**RKKS08** · 06-05-2014, 04:51 AM

Quote:

...the extra cell that keeps track of the istD's settings had died...

Is there an easy way to fix this?
If not: Is the reset happening every time you switch off, or only when removing the battery?

**paulh** · 06-05-2014, 07:32 AM

Originally posted by RKKS08

Is there an easy way to fix this?
If not: Is the reset happening every time you switch off, or only when removing the battery?

The easiest fix would be to simply replace the CR2016 cell & you should be good for another 10 yrs or so.

**RKKS08** · 06-11-2014, 03:07 PM

Quote:

The easiest fix would be to simply replace the CR2016 cell & you should be good for another 10 yrs or so.

Sorry, I forgot the *istD has an external battery for this.
I think with all other Pentax DSLRs it is some element inside the body, probably even on the main board.

05-31-2014, 11:21 AM	#1
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,313	istD displays flashing Av in all modes - Solved! Hi - I've been shooting my old istD with manual lenses for many years. These days I use the camera almost exclusively with completely manual K, M, & 3rd party lenses, of course using M mode & green button metering. Today I took my Zenitar 16 out with my istD, but I get a flashing Av on the top LCD in all shooting modes, including M. I can set iso, white balance, etc on the control wheel as usual. The camera behaves this way with any manual lens that lacks contacts, except for my Vivitar 135/2.8, which has a black anodized mount. That lens has always worked with the istD, except it lacks focus confirmation in the VF. I can* use the Vivitar in the camera's present state, along with my A, and AF lenses, which have contacts. Anyone know what's happening here? I cleaned off the camera's contacts with a bit of rubbing alcohol, but with the same results. Again, I get a flashing Av in the top LCD, using any shooting mode with any manual lens lacking contacts. The one exception is the Vivitar 135 with the anodized mount. Thanks! Last edited by paulh; 06-02-2014 at 01:19 PM.

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06-02-2014, 10:56 AM - 1 Like	#2
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	My idea is something is up with the position of the arm that moves the lens's aperture lever - possibly it moves too far now.The arm only moves between "fully open" and "fully closed" when you're using a lens without contacts. When the lens does have contacts, the arm is either "fully open" or at an intermediate position based on the aperture setting on the body. So my theory suggests some issue when it tries to move to the "fully closed" position. When does the flashing Av happen - after a shot, or all the time? One hole in my theory: the arm only moves to the "fully closed" position in M mode, while you see a flashing Av in all modes. The arm isn't broken or the camera wouldn't work with an A lens. Recent exposure errors with A or newer lenses suggest a loose or worn lever. I'll keep thinking about it. Some K10Ds had arm issues but I can't recall any other problems like this.

06-02-2014, 11:12 AM	#3
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,313 Original Poster	Thanks Dave. The flashing Av starts as soon as the camera is turned on. I just tried using my A35/2.8, which works fine on the A setting. Setting the aperture using the ring results in the flashing Av again. As I mentioned, the only manual lens that works with stopdown metering is the Vivitar 135 with the anodized mount. Exposure seems fine using that lens in M mode. I'll keep experimenting and thanks for the suggestions.

06-02-2014, 12:52 PM - 1 Like	#4
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	You probably need to go to custom settings and set the camera to permit use of aperture ring. I believe the option you need to enable is called "F Stop other than A" on *ist-D. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-pentax-beginners-corner-q/110658-using...x-dslrs-f.html

06-02-2014, 01:18 PM	#5
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,313 Original Poster	Originally posted by Fogel70 You probably need to go to custom settings and set the camera to permit use of aperture ring. I believe the option you need to enable is called "F Stop other than A" on ist-D. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-pentax-beginners-corner-q/110658-using...x-dslrs-f.html That was the problem! Apparently, the extra cell that keeps track of the istD's settings had died, resetting the camera back to the factory settings (including not allowing aperture ring set to other than A). Well, that's a relief - I was already thinking about picking up another ist to replace my old one. I really love this old camera Thanks Fogel & Dave for your help!

06-05-2014, 04:51 AM	#6
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	Quote: ...the extra cell that keeps track of the istD's settings had died... Is there an easy way to fix this? If not: Is the reset happening every time you switch off, or only when removing the battery?

06-05-2014, 07:32 AM	#7
paulh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DFW Texas/Ventura County, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 33,313 Original Poster	Originally posted by RKKS08 Is there an easy way to fix this? If not: Is the reset happening every time you switch off, or only when removing the battery? The easiest fix would be to simply replace the CR2016 cell & you should be good for another 10 yrs or so.

06-11-2014, 03:07 PM	#8
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	Quote: The easiest fix would be to simply replace the CR2016 cell & you should be good for another 10 yrs or so. Sorry, I forgot the *istD has an external battery for this. I think with all other Pentax DSLRs it is some element inside the body, probably even on the main board.