K-3 exposure issues

Romeo Bravo · 07-26-2014, 10:11 AM

Hello PF members-

I'm having an unusual problem with my otherwise fantastic K-3. It has been severely underexposing photos when in natural light. The shutter speed will automatically climb to 1/8000th and the aperture will go to the highest stop it can. The latest firmware (1.10) is on it and it seems to be shooting indoors perfectly fine. Is there anyone else who had experienced this? Any theories as to the cause? Even changing the metering won't help and on Manual it forces the EV to stop down as far as it can. Thanks for whatever help you can give!

-Romeo

MarkJerling · 07-26-2014, 03:47 PM

Is it doing this with all your lenses? (I.e. is it a lens specific problem?)
What does it do in good old "Green Mode"? (I.e. is it a settings problem?)

derekkite · 07-26-2014, 07:50 PM

Are you using spot metering? It is extreme and will act like that if you have a white spot large enough to fill the focus point in a darker background.

stevebrot · 07-27-2014, 08:19 AM

Originally posted by Romeo Bravo

Even changing the metering won't help and on Manual it forces the EV to stop down as far as it can.

??? On manual, you control the EV. I assume you are saying that the meter suggests minimum possible EV.

While you might gain some interesting information from a discussion here, I would suggest that you bring Pentax support into the loop. If your camera ALWAYS meters for severe underexposure, it is not something that can be solved on this forum. If it only does it in moderate to bright light (outdoors), it is still something that is beyond what can be addressed.

There are no settings or configuration options on the camera that would explain the behavior you describe.

Steve

07-26-2014, 10:11 AM	#1
Romeo Bravo New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Orange County Posts: 14	K-3 exposure issues Hello PF members- I'm having an unusual problem with my otherwise fantastic K-3. It has been severely underexposing photos when in natural light. The shutter speed will automatically climb to 1/8000th and the aperture will go to the highest stop it can. The latest firmware (1.10) is on it and it seems to be shooting indoors perfectly fine. Is there anyone else who had experienced this? Any theories as to the cause? Even changing the metering won't help and on Manual it forces the EV to stop down as far as it can. Thanks for whatever help you can give! -Romeo

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07-26-2014, 03:47 PM	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	Is it doing this with all your lenses? (I.e. is it a lens specific problem?) What does it do in good old "Green Mode"? (I.e. is it a settings problem?)

07-26-2014, 07:50 PM	#3
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	Are you using spot metering? It is extreme and will act like that if you have a white spot large enough to fill the focus point in a darker background.

07-27-2014, 08:19 AM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Romeo Bravo Even changing the metering won't help and on Manual it forces the EV to stop down as far as it can. ??? On manual, you control the EV. I assume you are saying that the meter suggests minimum possible EV. While you might gain some interesting information from a discussion here, I would suggest that you bring Pentax support into the loop. If your camera ALWAYS meters for severe underexposure, it is not something that can be solved on this forum. If it only does it in moderate to bright light (outdoors), it is still something that is beyond what can be addressed. There are no settings or configuration options on the camera that would explain the behavior you describe. Steve