Forgot Password
Pentax Camera Forums Home
 

Reply
Show Printable Version Search this Thread
10-05-2014, 10:21 AM   #1
New Member




Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3
K50 Works with LiveView. Underexposed with Viewfinder

The night before going on vacation and a very few weeks after warrantee runs out (of course) I have the following problem with my K 50.
If I have LiveView off the camera is grossly underexposing everything. All comes out VERY dark. If I set it to a reasonable manual speed and aperture all looks OK (so sensor and optical path all seemingly good).
If I set LiveView on it works OK. But I HATE liveview and always use the viewfinder.
I've reset to factory defaults, upgraded firmware from 1.0 to 1.02, tried different lenses, cleaned contacts. Nothing helps.
Anybody seem this and have a fix ? Or does it need to go in for repair.

Cheers

Andrew

10-05-2014, 10:30 AM   #2
Veteran Member
zantaphia's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Klippan, Scania
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 509
Night shots? With an open viewfinder? Light will enter through the viewfinder and mess up the exposures. Do you have the little black plastic piece to cover it up? Or hold/ put something there to cover it during exposure. Try and see if there's a difference.

Last edited by zantaphia; 10-05-2014 at 10:40 AM.
10-05-2014, 11:04 AM   #3
Pentaxian
johnyates's Avatar

Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Saskatoon, SK
Photos: Albums
Posts: 1,344
Check that you are not metering with the 'spot' setting.
10-05-2014, 12:23 PM - 1 Like   #4
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
Welcome to the Pentax Forums. This sort of problem has been reported in the past. Do this simple test to confirm that the aperture mechanism is functioning properly:
  • M mode using optical viewfinder (live view off)
  • Shutter speed at 3 seconds
  • Aperture at maximum for the lens mounted
  • While looking into the lens from the front press the shutter release
  • Confirm that the lens stays wide open during the exposure
If the lens stops down, there is a fault with the aperture actuator mechanism. This is repairable and is covered if the camera is still under warranty.


Steve

10-05-2014, 01:20 PM   #5
Administrator
Site Webmaster
Adam's Avatar

Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Arizona
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 51,558
QuoteOriginally posted by AndrewDD Quote
The night before going on vacation and a very few weeks after warrantee runs out (of course) I have the following problem with my K 50.
If I have LiveView off the camera is grossly underexposing everything. All comes out VERY dark. If I set it to a reasonable manual speed and aperture all looks OK (so sensor and optical path all seemingly good).
If I set LiveView on it works OK. But I HATE liveview and always use the viewfinder.
I've reset to factory defaults, upgraded firmware from 1.0 to 1.02, tried different lenses, cleaned contacts. Nothing helps.
Anybody seem this and have a fix ? Or does it need to go in for repair.

Cheers

Andrew
Can you post a sample photo straight out of camera? Also, as other have stated, make sure you're in matrix metering mode and not in spot mode.

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)



PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:
10-05-2014, 02:46 PM   #6
New Member




Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3
Original Poster
It does look like an actual software failure.
Test above checking that the lens stays unstopped with wide aperture passes.

New test: In Auto mode point at evenly lit subject. See
1/200 f 7.1 iso 1600 with viewfinder
1/25 f7.1 iso 1600 with live view

Manual setting of 1/25 f7.1 iso 1600 gives correct exposure. Meter is centred with LiveView.

So some bu is screwing up metering in viewfinder mode.

Spot or multi meterd. Makes no difference. Othyer programmes except full auto also wrong.
Not night shooting with light into viewfinder.

As I said - I reset factory setting. So not a weird setting . And have upgraded to latest firmware.

Any other ideas ? I'm off on vacation with my old dL unless there's a good answer by morning.

Thanks for all of your responses.
11-10-2014, 03:34 AM - 1 Like   #7
New Member




Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3
Original Poster
Resolution

It was an actual problem with the camera. Luckily I looked at the Clifton Cameras website (where I bought it) to see if they do repairs which reminded me that I had a 2 year guarantee. So, with their usual efficiency and dispatch they sent it off for repair and it's now good as new. I'm noting this here so that if it happens to you you can say "this is a known issue with this model - Fix it ! ".

11-10-2014, 05:18 PM   #8
Otis Memorial Pentaxian
stevebrot's Avatar

Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Vancouver (USA)
Photos: Gallery | Albums
Posts: 42,007
QuoteOriginally posted by AndrewDD Quote
I'm noting this here so that if it happens to you you can say "this is a known issue with this model - Fix it ! ".
Did they indicate in the paperwork what part was fixed/replaced?


Steve
Reply

Bookmarks
  • Submit Thread to Facebook Facebook
  • Submit Thread to Twitter Twitter
  • Submit Thread to Digg Digg
Tags - Make this thread easier to find by adding keywords to it!
camera, k50, liveview, pentax help, photography, problem, troubleshooting, viewfinder
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
DA* 16-50 with K50 willwar Pentax SLR Lens Discussion 8 09-10-2014 11:46 AM
Metz flash with k50 Gerrys Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 2 08-20-2014 03:03 PM
Problem with K30 Liveview Ian Mc Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 2 04-24-2014 12:31 PM
underexposed pics with Sears MC 50mm 1.7 amyf Troubleshooting and Beginner Help 6 10-31-2012 06:49 AM
Underexposed without eye to viewfinder? WackySnapper Pentax DSLR Discussion 12 01-19-2009 01:07 AM



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 03:40 AM. | See also: NikonForums.com, CanonForums.com part of our network of photo forums!
  • Red (Default)
  • Green
  • Gray
  • Dark
  • Dark Yellow
  • Dark Blue
  • Old Red
  • Old Green
  • Old Gray
  • Dial-Up Style
Hello! It's great to see you back on the forum! Have you considered joining the community?
register
Creating a FREE ACCOUNT takes under a minute, removes ads, and lets you post! [Dismiss]
Top