K30 metering problem?

MEtoK110D · 08-10-2014, 01:02 PM

My K30 has suddenly started underexposing by about 4 stops. I'm not clear whether I've set something, but if so I've no idea what - it's not exposure compensation, which is too obvious.

Comparing with my K110D, the meter reading seems about right, but to get a decent picture recorded I need to set exposure compensation to +4. I was using AA batteries when this started, but I've swapped back to the Pentax battery with no difference.

I'm using the standard zoom which is, as above, working with my K110D.

Any thoughts?

stevebrot · 08-10-2014, 01:41 PM

Try in Av mode with the lens set to full open. Confirm that the lens does not stop down at exposure time by looking into the lens from the front.

Steve

Inexorable · 08-10-2014, 07:22 PM

Originally posted by MEtoK110D

My K30 has suddenly started underexposing by about 4 stops. I'm not clear whether I've set something, but if so I've no idea what - it's not exposure compensation, which is too obvious.

Comparing with my K110D, the meter reading seems about right, but to get a decent picture recorded I need to set exposure compensation to +4. I was using AA batteries when this started, but I've swapped back to the Pentax battery with no difference.

I'm using the standard zoom which is, as above, working with my K110D.

Any thoughts?

I had the problem. At the suggestion of a forum member responding to an earlier post about the issue, I wiped my lens mount and contacts and removed a surprising amount of grime! The problem hasn't recurred.

MEtoK110D · 08-11-2014, 07:05 AM

inexorable - tried that, thanks. Even tried some gentle application of a contact-cleaning pencil (being careful about which way up I held the camera/lens and where any dust might go). No difference.

stevebrot - that seems to be it. I put the camera on manual to get an exposure of seconds, so I could see easily. With the lens set to wide open, it stops down. I compared the same lens on my K110D to be sure, and it was fine. Any suggestions what this could mean?

stevebrot · 08-11-2014, 09:39 AM

Originally posted by MEtoK110D

Any suggestions what this could mean?

It means that the mechanism that controls the stop-down is not functioning properly (defective) and is always doing full stop-down even when you have indicated otherwise. If you are still on warranty, this should be covered. If not...

Steve

MEtoK110D · 08-11-2014, 10:11 AM

I've dropped a line to Park Cameras (where I bought the body). I'd assume it's out of warranty - I'll check, but I've had it nearly two years. Only 2800 actuations, so pretty light use.

Thanks for the advice, anyway.

SOldBear · 08-11-2014, 04:16 PM

Please read this thread. Your camera may have the same problem.

Note that the thread is about a K10D. The behavior of the K-30 is slightly different. See this post.

stevebrot · 08-11-2014, 06:52 PM

Originally posted by SOldBear

Please read this thread. Your camera may have the same problem.

Probably similar. I can't say for sure (didn't ask), but I believe the OP for this thread has a bright viewfinder image, but the lens stops down inappropriately for exposure.

Steve

MEtoK110D · 08-12-2014, 12:25 PM

Thanks both.

stevebrot - it's correct that I have a bright viewfinder image (as normal, as far as I can tell), but the camera stops down inappropriately for exposure. Bit hard to say whether the error is in aperture, shutter speed or both.

SOldBear - I've been through that thread and tried to work out the key points. I could dig out an old film lens with an A setting, but I have not done so thus far.

Unlike the OP in that thread, I do not have a dark viewfinder (except in optical preview, when it's expected). I can see through the lens when looking through the camera in reverse, as described by JeffJS. Performing SOldBear's test on the actuator, there is (substantial) spring resistance. As noted, optical preview works as I'd expect; I set for a very small aperture on purpose, and in preview the viewfinder went quite dark.

Let me know if I've missed anything significant.

SOldBear · 08-12-2014, 12:30 PM

Thanks for the update, MEtoK110D. If you don't have a dark viewfinder, it's not that problem then.

stevebrot · 08-12-2014, 01:47 PM

Originally posted by MEtoK110D

Bit hard to say whether the error is in aperture, shutter speed or both.

The error is in the aperture actuator mechanism. It is driven by a stepping motor and either the motor itself is bad or the controller that tells it how far to step. The repair will be expensive, but quite a bit less than a replacement camera.

Steve

MEtoK110D · 08-12-2014, 02:44 PM

Thanks. Any special recommendations on repairers? My first thought is to take it back to where I bought it which, as above, is Park Cameras. I'm in North Herts, UK.

stevebrot · 08-12-2014, 03:55 PM

Ricoh's official service center?

Service Support Centre - RICOH IMAGING UK LTD.

Steve

MEtoK110D · 08-19-2014, 09:51 AM

I've shown the camera to Park. They have pointed out that it works in live view, but not when I use the viewfinder. Any impact on diagnosis?

stevebrot · 08-19-2014, 11:23 AM

Originally posted by MEtoK110D

I've shown the camera to Park. They have pointed out that it works in live view, but not when I use the viewfinder. Any impact on diagnosis?

The two systems have a different sequence. The fact that the camera works fine in one mode and not the other is not pertinent.

Steve

08-10-2014, 01:02 PM	#1
MEtoK110D New Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hitchin UK Posts: 23	K30 metering problem? My K30 has suddenly started underexposing by about 4 stops. I'm not clear whether I've set something, but if so I've no idea what - it's not exposure compensation, which is too obvious. Comparing with my K110D, the meter reading seems about right, but to get a decent picture recorded I need to set exposure compensation to +4. I was using AA batteries when this started, but I've swapped back to the Pentax battery with no difference. I'm using the standard zoom which is, as above, working with my K110D. Any thoughts?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
sigma 70mm macro / K30 metering	damianc	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	4	07-24-2014 09:00 AM
K30 Problem	kennypa4	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	8	03-26-2014 11:42 AM
Super Tak Metering Problem	Kozlok	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	30	03-14-2014 05:08 PM
Stop Down Metering in K30 (with Extension Tube & Lens Reversed)	rp_dxn	Pentax K-30 & K-50	5	09-23-2013 11:43 PM
k30 problem	jennverr	Pentax K-30 & K-50	5	10-04-2012 05:33 PM

08-10-2014, 01:41 PM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Try in Av mode with the lens set to full open. Confirm that the lens does not stop down at exposure time by looking into the lens from the front. Steve

08-10-2014, 07:22 PM	#3
Inexorable Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Noida, UP Posts: 145	Originally posted by MEtoK110D My K30 has suddenly started underexposing by about 4 stops. I'm not clear whether I've set something, but if so I've no idea what - it's not exposure compensation, which is too obvious. Comparing with my K110D, the meter reading seems about right, but to get a decent picture recorded I need to set exposure compensation to +4. I was using AA batteries when this started, but I've swapped back to the Pentax battery with no difference. I'm using the standard zoom which is, as above, working with my K110D. Any thoughts? I had the problem. At the suggestion of a forum member responding to an earlier post about the issue, I wiped my lens mount and contacts and removed a surprising amount of grime! The problem hasn't recurred.

08-11-2014, 07:05 AM	#4
MEtoK110D New Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hitchin UK Posts: 23 Original Poster	inexorable - tried that, thanks. Even tried some gentle application of a contact-cleaning pencil (being careful about which way up I held the camera/lens and where any dust might go). No difference. stevebrot - that seems to be it. I put the camera on manual to get an exposure of seconds, so I could see easily. With the lens set to wide open, it stops down. I compared the same lens on my K110D to be sure, and it was fine. Any suggestions what this could mean?

08-11-2014, 09:39 AM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by MEtoK110D Any suggestions what this could mean? It means that the mechanism that controls the stop-down is not functioning properly (defective) and is always doing full stop-down even when you have indicated otherwise. If you are still on warranty, this should be covered. If not... Steve

08-11-2014, 10:11 AM	#6
MEtoK110D New Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hitchin UK Posts: 23 Original Poster	I've dropped a line to Park Cameras (where I bought the body). I'd assume it's out of warranty - I'll check, but I've had it nearly two years. Only 2800 actuations, so pretty light use. Thanks for the advice, anyway.

08-11-2014, 04:16 PM	#7
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Please read this thread. Your camera may have the same problem. Note that the thread is about a K10D. The behavior of the K-30 is slightly different. See this post.

08-11-2014, 06:52 PM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by SOldBear Please read this thread. Your camera may have the same problem. Probably similar. I can't say for sure (didn't ask), but I believe the OP for this thread has a bright viewfinder image, but the lens stops down inappropriately for exposure. Steve

08-12-2014, 12:25 PM	#9
MEtoK110D New Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hitchin UK Posts: 23 Original Poster	Thanks both. stevebrot - it's correct that I have a bright viewfinder image (as normal, as far as I can tell), but the camera stops down inappropriately for exposure. Bit hard to say whether the error is in aperture, shutter speed or both. SOldBear - I've been through that thread and tried to work out the key points. I could dig out an old film lens with an A setting, but I have not done so thus far. Unlike the OP in that thread, I do not have a dark viewfinder (except in optical preview, when it's expected). I can see through the lens when looking through the camera in reverse, as described by JeffJS. Performing SOldBear's test on the actuator, there is (substantial) spring resistance. As noted, optical preview works as I'd expect; I set for a very small aperture on purpose, and in preview the viewfinder went quite dark. Let me know if I've missed anything significant.

08-12-2014, 12:30 PM	#10
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	Thanks for the update, MEtoK110D. If you don't have a dark viewfinder, it's not that problem then.

08-12-2014, 01:47 PM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by MEtoK110D Bit hard to say whether the error is in aperture, shutter speed or both. The error is in the aperture actuator mechanism. It is driven by a stepping motor and either the motor itself is bad or the controller that tells it how far to step. The repair will be expensive, but quite a bit less than a replacement camera. Steve

08-12-2014, 02:44 PM	#12
MEtoK110D New Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hitchin UK Posts: 23 Original Poster	Thanks. Any special recommendations on repairers? My first thought is to take it back to where I bought it which, as above, is Park Cameras. I'm in North Herts, UK.

08-12-2014, 03:55 PM	#13
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Ricoh's official service center? Service Support Centre - RICOH IMAGING UK LTD. Steve

08-19-2014, 09:51 AM	#14
MEtoK110D New Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Hitchin UK Posts: 23 Original Poster	I've shown the camera to Park. They have pointed out that it works in live view, but not when I use the viewfinder. Any impact on diagnosis?

08-19-2014, 11:23 AM	#15
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by MEtoK110D I've shown the camera to Park. They have pointed out that it works in live view, but not when I use the viewfinder. Any impact on diagnosis? The two systems have a different sequence. The fact that the camera works fine in one mode and not the other is not pertinent. Steve