Pentax KX Sensor Problem or?

wilynmat · 10-20-2015, 12:07 AM

Have enjoyed the camera for many years but lately when I started to shoot, the pictures were all dark almost black, viewfinder showed view was o.k. but switching to live view it was almost completely dark. Last week, I was able to solve it by switching to playback then to shoot. This week I could resolve it by increasing light intensity to maximum, took a picture then the camera would be o.k.. However, the pictures are all a bit froggy and grey now. Do you think the sensor is dying or? Any thought?

max_pyne · 10-20-2015, 12:11 AM

example pic?

wilynmat · 10-20-2015, 01:16 AM

just took this. LED light sources top, left and right.

max_pyne · 10-20-2015, 01:21 AM

what lens is this? (looks like flare? are you using a hood?) does it happen with all lenses?

wilynmat · 10-20-2015, 01:27 AM

same light source, same setting, on same tripod, nex7 picture, same f and iso

wilynmat · 10-20-2015, 01:29 AM

hmmmm

---------- Post added 10-20-15 at 01:30 AM ----------

Originally posted by max_pyne

what lens is this? (looks like flare? are you using a hood?) does it happen with all lenses?

kit 18-55 no hood, yes, all lenses.

max_pyne · 10-20-2015, 01:47 AM

what other lens do you have?

wilynmat · 10-20-2015, 01:49 AM

Pentax picture from 4 months ago. Same light sources.

---------- Post added 10-20-15 at 01:51 AM ----------

Dal 50-200

Adam · 10-20-2015, 01:52 AM

Your shutter could be dying, especially if you've used the camera extensively. With that said, perhaps it isn't- even slight changes in positioning can have a drastic impact on contrast when shooting in the studio. If you boost the contrast of the K-x image it looks almost like the one from the Sony.

max_pyne · 10-20-2015, 01:54 AM

Can you take a pic shooting out of your window (in daylight, dependent on where you are it will take a bit :-))?
do you have any filter on your lens?

wilynmat · 10-20-2015, 01:59 AM

this is it.

---------- Post added 10-20-15 at 02:01 AM ----------

both Pentax and Sony have CPL filter on

max_pyne · 10-20-2015, 02:02 AM

do the pictures look the same without the CPL (apart form the gloss..)?

wilynmat · 10-20-2015, 02:05 AM

Pentax in camera contrast already set at 3 (out of 4)

wilynmat · 10-20-2015, 02:14 AM

a bit different

---------- Post added 10-20-15 at 02:17 AM ----------

Now when I turn the camera on and go to live view, it is completely dark.

max_pyne · 10-20-2015, 02:31 AM

can you try to activate you aperture lever manually, lens not mounted on the camera, by hand? can you try another lens?

---------- Post added 20-10-15 at 11:44 ----------

Check Shutter Count & Camera Manufacture Date Online - EXIF Reader can you check the shutter count of your camera ?

10-20-2015, 12:07 AM	#1
wilynmat New Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 12	Pentax KX Sensor Problem or? Have enjoyed the camera for many years but lately when I started to shoot, the pictures were all dark almost black, viewfinder showed view was o.k. but switching to live view it was almost completely dark. Last week, I was able to solve it by switching to playback then to shoot. This week I could resolve it by increasing light intensity to maximum, took a picture then the camera would be o.k.. However, the pictures are all a bit froggy and grey now. Do you think the sensor is dying or? Any thought?

10-20-2015, 01:27 AM	#5
wilynmat New Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 12 Original Poster	same light source, same setting, on same tripod, nex7 picture, same f and iso Last edited by wilynmat; 10-20-2015 at 02:13 AM.

10-20-2015, 01:49 AM	#8
wilynmat New Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 12 Original Poster	Pentax picture from 4 months ago. Same light sources. ---------- Post added 10-20-15 at 01:51 AM ---------- Dal 50-200 Last edited by wilynmat; 10-22-2015 at 12:59 AM.

10-20-2015, 01:52 AM	#9
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	Your shutter could be dying, especially if you've used the camera extensively. With that said, perhaps it isn't- even slight changes in positioning can have a drastic impact on contrast when shooting in the studio. If you boost the contrast of the K-x image it looks almost like the one from the Sony. 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:

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10-20-2015, 12:11 AM	#2
max_pyne Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: zurich Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 409	example pic?

10-20-2015, 01:21 AM	#4
max_pyne Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: zurich Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 409	what lens is this? (looks like flare? are you using a hood?) does it happen with all lenses?

10-20-2015, 01:47 AM	#7
max_pyne Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: zurich Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 409	what other lens do you have?

10-20-2015, 01:54 AM	#10
max_pyne Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: zurich Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 409	Can you take a pic shooting out of your window (in daylight, dependent on where you are it will take a bit :-))? do you have any filter on your lens?

10-20-2015, 02:02 AM	#12
max_pyne Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: zurich Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 409	do the pictures look the same without the CPL (apart form the gloss..)?

10-20-2015, 02:05 AM	#13
wilynmat New Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 12 Original Poster	Pentax in camera contrast already set at 3 (out of 4)

10-20-2015, 02:31 AM	#15
max_pyne Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: zurich Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 409	can you try to activate you aperture lever manually, lens not mounted on the camera, by hand? can you try another lens? ---------- Post added 20-10-15 at 11:44 ---------- Check Shutter Count & Camera Manufacture Date Online - EXIF Reader can you check the shutter count of your camera ?