New KP: newbie question

**Astropaps** · 03-14-2017, 05:33 AM

Hi, all. My KP just arrived. I'm new to Pentax and dslrs, having used only my Olympus m4/3 and Leica XVario the last several years. I hate to start off with such a silly question but is the viewfinder always so dark? I'm using the 15mm f/4 Limited lens, if that makes a difference. I haven't used a camera with an OVF since the '70's.

Thanks

Amy

Last edited by Astropaps; 03-16-2017 at 05:28 PM.

normhead · 03-14-2017, 05:41 AM - **1 Like**

I'm not familiar with the lens, but it sounds like the aperture may not be opening properly between exposures. Does it expose correctly?

gm4life · 03-14-2017, 05:45 AM

Originally posted by normhead

I'm not familiar with the lens, but it sounds like the aperture may not be opening properly between exposures. Does it expose correctly?

I 2nd this. I have both the camera and lens in question by the OP and never ran into troubles like this.

Sandy Hancock · 03-14-2017, 05:50 AM

With an optical viewfinder, an f/4.0 lens will give a darker viewfinder picture than an f/2.8 lens (half the light). EVF cameras can compensate for this, while OVF's can not.

**Astropaps** · 03-14-2017, 05:51 AM

Originally posted by normhead

I'm not familiar with the lens, but it sounds like the aperture may not be opening properly between exposures. Does it expose correctly?

Yes, it exposes properly.

Amy

08amczb · 03-14-2017, 07:23 AM

Correct exposeur does not mean it also opens between exposeurs. Look into the lens from the fron, take an exposeur. If the blades open slowly, there is some problem with the lens. If it opens quickly and fully, then it's okey. In the second case, yes the optical viewfinder is dark.

(I have the camera, but not the lens and I have never used EVF.)

**Pentax Syntax** · 03-14-2017, 07:34 AM

Let me preface this response by saying that I don't own a KP but have many other Pentax bodies. The KP has a true pentaprism rather than a mirror and should be giving you a fairly bright view through the finder. As an experiment, you might try setting your DOF preview setting to optical and trying the stop-down trick with different aperture settings. On most Pentax bodies, this is done by rotating the On-Off switch further after the camera is switched on to the position indicated by the small aperture icon. If working properly, the only aperture that should not be obviously different is the F4.0 setting. All of the higher settings should darken the viewfinder substantially. Up to about 5.6 or 8.0, the viewfinder should remain fairly usable.

**sibyrnes** · 03-14-2017, 07:35 AM

I think maybe the OP is not used to looking through an f4 lens. Yesterday I put my 50mm f1.2 on my KP and WOW, what a view!

**mattt** · 03-14-2017, 07:35 AM

I'm assuming you are indoors. IMO compared to an illuminated EVF an F4 lens through an OVF will look dark.

**Astropaps** · 03-14-2017, 07:39 AM - **1 Like**

Thanks for your replies. I was trying it out last night and it just looked very dim because of the poor lighting. It seems to be working fine. I pointed it out a window this morning and the light through the viewfinder is just a bit darker than the lighting outside. I guess I just need to get used to using an OVF again. I'm experimenting with manual focus and focus peaking now. I'm trapped indoors all day because of the blizzard/nor'easter so it's a good opportunity to read the manual and experiment with settings.

My first impression of this camera: HEAVY. It feels very solid and rugged. The dials also seem pretty robust, especially compared to the first generation OM-D I had.

Thanks again for responding.

Amy

gm4life · 03-14-2017, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by Astropaps

Thanks for your replies. I was trying it out last night and it just looked very dim because of the poor lighting. It seems to be working fine. I pointed it out a window this morning and the light through the viewfinder is just a bit darker than the lighting outside. I guess I just need to get used to using an OVF again. I'm experimenting with manual focus and focus peaking now. I'm trapped indoors all day because of the blizzard/nor'easter so it's a good opportunity to read the manual and experiment with settings.

My first impression of this camera: HEAVY. It feels very solid and rugged. The dials also seem pretty robust, especially compared to the first generation OM-D I had.

Thanks again for responding.

Amy

Awesome, glad it appears to be working. As others suggested something as simple as an 1.4 or 2.8 lens could make all the difference in how bright stuff appears. The DA15 F4 Limited has a near cult following on this website, I sure love mine. Good luck getting acquainted with your new KP.

**Astropaps** · 03-16-2017, 10:39 AM

A first shot. I was stuck inside during the blizzard/nor'easter/hurricane the day after the Pentax arrived so my subject choices were limited.

**Astropaps** · 03-16-2017, 10:53 AM

And one after the cold front blew the storm out. I ran out in the freezing cold and howling winds after setting the aperture and couldn't take the time to compose or adjust exposure before running back into the car:

**TER-OR** · 03-17-2017, 05:47 AM

Originally posted by Astropaps

My first impression of this camera: HEAVY. It feels very solid and rugged. The dials also seem pretty robust, especially compared to the first generation OM-D I had.

Thanks again for responding.

Amy

I always like handing my K3II or previously the K5 to a lower-level Nikon shooter (Ti series etc) and watching their reaction at the weight and solidity of the camera. That and my K5 looks pretty beaten-up, I've been more careful with the K3II. Don't be afraid of letting it get wet, within reason.

**Just1MoreDave** · 03-17-2017, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by TER-OR

I always like handing my K3II or previously the K5 to a lower-level Nikon shooter (Ti series etc) and watching their reaction at the weight and solidity of the camera. That and my K5 looks pretty beaten-up, I've been more careful with the K3II. Don't be afraid of letting it get wet, within reason.

And if you have a WR lens, use a snowdrift as a tripod, or a rock in the middle of a stream. That'll get the attention of people used to babying their cameras. Last year I went on a guided hike and got rained on a bit. I kept taking pictures. The guide stopped in the middle of his talk and asked what kind of camera it was.

03-14-2017, 05:33 AM	#1
Astropaps Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 121	New KP: newbie question Hi, all. My KP just arrived. I'm new to Pentax and dslrs, having used only my Olympus m4/3 and Leica XVario the last several years. I hate to start off with such a silly question but is the viewfinder always so dark? I'm using the 15mm f/4 Limited lens, if that makes a difference. I haven't used a camera with an OVF since the '70's. Thanks Amy Last edited by Astropaps; 03-16-2017 at 05:28 PM.

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03-14-2017, 05:41 AM - 1 Like	#2
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	I'm not familiar with the lens, but it sounds like the aperture may not be opening properly between exposures. Does it expose correctly?

03-14-2017, 05:45 AM	#3
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	Originally posted by normhead I'm not familiar with the lens, but it sounds like the aperture may not be opening properly between exposures. Does it expose correctly? I 2nd this. I have both the camera and lens in question by the OP and never ran into troubles like this.

03-14-2017, 05:50 AM	#4
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,276	With an optical viewfinder, an f/4.0 lens will give a darker viewfinder picture than an f/2.8 lens (half the light). EVF cameras can compensate for this, while OVF's can not.

03-14-2017, 05:51 AM	#5
Astropaps Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 121 Original Poster	Originally posted by normhead I'm not familiar with the lens, but it sounds like the aperture may not be opening properly between exposures. Does it expose correctly? Yes, it exposes properly. Amy

03-14-2017, 07:23 AM	#6
08amczb Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 796	Correct exposeur does not mean it also opens between exposeurs. Look into the lens from the fron, take an exposeur. If the blades open slowly, there is some problem with the lens. If it opens quickly and fully, then it's okey. In the second case, yes the optical viewfinder is dark. (I have the camera, but not the lens and I have never used EVF.)

03-14-2017, 07:34 AM	#7
Pentax Syntax Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Maryland Posts: 595	Let me preface this response by saying that I don't own a KP but have many other Pentax bodies. The KP has a true pentaprism rather than a mirror and should be giving you a fairly bright view through the finder. As an experiment, you might try setting your DOF preview setting to optical and trying the stop-down trick with different aperture settings. On most Pentax bodies, this is done by rotating the On-Off switch further after the camera is switched on to the position indicated by the small aperture icon. If working properly, the only aperture that should not be obviously different is the F4.0 setting. All of the higher settings should darken the viewfinder substantially. Up to about 5.6 or 8.0, the viewfinder should remain fairly usable.

03-14-2017, 07:35 AM	#8
sibyrnes Site Supporter Join Date: May 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, Pa. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 447	I think maybe the OP is not used to looking through an f4 lens. Yesterday I put my 50mm f1.2 on my KP and WOW, what a view!

03-14-2017, 07:35 AM	#9
mattt Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,907	I'm assuming you are indoors. IMO compared to an illuminated EVF an F4 lens through an OVF will look dark.

03-14-2017, 07:39 AM - 1 Like	#10
Astropaps Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 121 Original Poster	Thanks for your replies. I was trying it out last night and it just looked very dim because of the poor lighting. It seems to be working fine. I pointed it out a window this morning and the light through the viewfinder is just a bit darker than the lighting outside. I guess I just need to get used to using an OVF again. I'm experimenting with manual focus and focus peaking now. I'm trapped indoors all day because of the blizzard/nor'easter so it's a good opportunity to read the manual and experiment with settings. My first impression of this camera: HEAVY. It feels very solid and rugged. The dials also seem pretty robust, especially compared to the first generation OM-D I had. Thanks again for responding. Amy

03-14-2017, 09:02 AM	#11
gm4life Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 602	Originally posted by Astropaps Thanks for your replies. I was trying it out last night and it just looked very dim because of the poor lighting. It seems to be working fine. I pointed it out a window this morning and the light through the viewfinder is just a bit darker than the lighting outside. I guess I just need to get used to using an OVF again. I'm experimenting with manual focus and focus peaking now. I'm trapped indoors all day because of the blizzard/nor'easter so it's a good opportunity to read the manual and experiment with settings. My first impression of this camera: HEAVY. It feels very solid and rugged. The dials also seem pretty robust, especially compared to the first generation OM-D I had. Thanks again for responding. Amy Awesome, glad it appears to be working. As others suggested something as simple as an 1.4 or 2.8 lens could make all the difference in how bright stuff appears. The DA15 F4 Limited has a near cult following on this website, I sure love mine. Good luck getting acquainted with your new KP.

03-17-2017, 05:47 AM	#14
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Originally posted by Astropaps My first impression of this camera: HEAVY. It feels very solid and rugged. The dials also seem pretty robust, especially compared to the first generation OM-D I had. Thanks again for responding. Amy I always like handing my K3II or previously the K5 to a lower-level Nikon shooter (Ti series etc) and watching their reaction at the weight and solidity of the camera. That and my K5 looks pretty beaten-up, I've been more careful with the K3II. Don't be afraid of letting it get wet, within reason.

03-17-2017, 10:17 AM	#15
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by TER-OR I always like handing my K3II or previously the K5 to a lower-level Nikon shooter (Ti series etc) and watching their reaction at the weight and solidity of the camera. That and my K5 looks pretty beaten-up, I've been more careful with the K3II. Don't be afraid of letting it get wet, within reason. And if you have a WR lens, use a snowdrift as a tripod, or a rock in the middle of a stream. That'll get the attention of people used to babying their cameras. Last year I went on a guided hike and got rained on a bit. I kept taking pictures. The guide stopped in the middle of his talk and asked what kind of camera it was.