K-3 phase detect AF problem, broken light meter, or some other tomfoolery?

shahnm · 07-16-2016, 01:31 PM

Hello Sage PF Folk,

I have a new (first) problem with my K-3. I was shooting at Niagara Falls this past weekend, when I started noticing either black or way over-exposed images. In auto mode, the shutter was pegged to 1/8000, and all of the pictures were dark. In manual mode, no matter what I set the shutter and aperture to, the exposure compensation pegged at +5. I tried a software reset, new memory card, and different lenses without improvement. Interestingly, the problem did not seem to happen in indoor lighting. The camera functioned normally with dim indoor lighting, in both auto and manual modes.

I just played with this again, and the issue seems to be related to the phase detect autofocus system. When I use Live View, the camera performs normally in both auto and manual modes.

Am I nuts? Is this type of error a thing? I searched everywhere I could think of, and I do not see this problem reported anywhere.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Adam · 07-16-2016, 02:53 PM

Originally posted by shahnm

I just played with this again, and the issue seems to be related to the phase detect autofocus system. When I use Live View, the camera performs normally in both auto and manual modes.

More likely the light meter, since the sensor is used to calculate exposure in live view, rather than the meter.

It might be time to send the camera over to Precision, IMO.

shahnm · 07-16-2016, 03:10 PM

Originally posted by Adam

It might be time to send the camera over to Precision, IMO.

Thanks for the thought and the advice. I think you're probably right... Maybe this is a sign that it's time to go K-1...

C_Jones · 07-16-2016, 06:23 PM

Your question may have already been answered, but you may want to try TAV mode in near normal lighting conditions (outside) just to see what type of reaction you get. You could maybe try F8, 250 shutter speed, and the ISO will be automatically selected by the camera (TAV mode). If you still get dark images then, you will most likely want to seek repair, as was already mentioned.

I hope everything works out alright for you.

Brooke Meyer · 07-16-2016, 06:37 PM

You could also try Manual Mode or M and adjust shutter speed, aperture and ISO while using the histogram for guidance. Haven't used a camera meter in years. If that doesn't work, then off to repair - KEH.com is flat rate. Or check out their used gear that comes with a 6 month warranty

07-16-2016, 01:31 PM	#1
shahnm Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 26	K-3 phase detect AF problem, broken light meter, or some other tomfoolery? Hello Sage PF Folk, I have a new (first) problem with my K-3. I was shooting at Niagara Falls this past weekend, when I started noticing either black or way over-exposed images. In auto mode, the shutter was pegged to 1/8000, and all of the pictures were dark. In manual mode, no matter what I set the shutter and aperture to, the exposure compensation pegged at +5. I tried a software reset, new memory card, and different lenses without improvement. Interestingly, the problem did not seem to happen in indoor lighting. The camera functioned normally with dim indoor lighting, in both auto and manual modes. I just played with this again, and the issue seems to be related to the phase detect autofocus system. When I use Live View, the camera performs normally in both auto and manual modes. Am I nuts? Is this type of error a thing? I searched everywhere I could think of, and I do not see this problem reported anywhere. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

07-16-2016, 02:53 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	Originally posted by shahnm I just played with this again, and the issue seems to be related to the phase detect autofocus system. When I use Live View, the camera performs normally in both auto and manual modes. More likely the light meter, since the sensor is used to calculate exposure in live view, rather than the meter. It might be time to send the camera over to Precision, IMO. 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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07-16-2016, 03:10 PM	#3
shahnm Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 26 Original Poster	Originally posted by Adam It might be time to send the camera over to Precision, IMO. Thanks for the thought and the advice. I think you're probably right... Maybe this is a sign that it's time to go K-1...

07-16-2016, 06:23 PM	#4
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,086	Your question may have already been answered, but you may want to try TAV mode in near normal lighting conditions (outside) just to see what type of reaction you get. You could maybe try F8, 250 shutter speed, and the ISO will be automatically selected by the camera (TAV mode). If you still get dark images then, you will most likely want to seek repair, as was already mentioned. I hope everything works out alright for you.

07-16-2016, 06:37 PM	#5
Brooke Meyer Guest	You could also try Manual Mode or M and adjust shutter speed, aperture and ISO while using the histogram for guidance. Haven't used a camera meter in years. If that doesn't work, then off to repair - KEH.com is flat rate. Or check out their used gear that comes with a 6 month warranty