K-50 Dark Images

john4str · 07-14-2017, 11:46 AM - **1 Like**

I have enjoyed a couple of years of wonderful photography with my K-50 camera, but all of a sudden I began getting very dark images, regardless of the use of a flash. There is a unique difference in the images that result. If the picture is taken by means of the Viewfinder the resulting image is dark. If the shot is taken through the monitor; the result is a clear, accurate picture. The camera seems to mechanically function properly. I have gone through the Operating Manual thoroughly and found no solution. Please Help! Attached is a representative dark image...one taken through the View Finder.

John4str

Attached Images

IMGP3228.pdf (3.05 MB, 102 views)

**pepperberry farm** · 07-14-2017, 11:56 AM

sounds like the beginnings of the aperture failure that the K-30/K-50 suffer from - over in the forum for the K-30/K-50, you'll find several threads regarding this issue and several potential fixes for you....

is your K-50 still under warranty, perhaps?

**jatrax** · 07-14-2017, 12:10 PM

Search this forum for "aperture block" and you will find a lot of information on an issue that might be the problem.

**pixelsaurus** · 07-14-2017, 01:45 PM

I have this issue with my K-500. I finally determined the DLI109 battery was the culprit. Even fully charged, it would no longer power the camera properly as I continually got a low battery warning. When I got the camera, I also bought an AA battery clip. Dry cells (AA) worked ok for a while and then the dark frames appeared again. I finally settled on Eneloop NiMH AA rechargeables and have no issues since. I'm sure now my issues with dry cells was due to a rogue batch.

swanlefitte · 07-14-2017, 02:08 PM

By "through the monitor " you mean in live view with the back of the camera? That is a twist to the aperture block failure. Perhaps a fluke? Perhaps another means to a solution?

john4str · 07-14-2017, 09:29 PM

Originally posted by pepperberry farm

sounds like the beginnings of the aperture failure that the K-30/K-50 suffer from - over in the forum for the K-30/K-50, you'll find several threads regarding this issue and several potential fixes for you....

is your K-50 still under warranty, perhaps?

Unfortunately, the camera is not within the warranty window. Thanks for the quick responses.

John4str

john4str · 07-14-2017, 09:31 PM

Originally posted by pixelsaurus

I have this issue with my K-500. I finally determined the DLI109 battery was the culprit. Even fully charged, it would no longer power the camera properly as I continually got a low battery warning. When I got the camera, I also bought an AA battery clip. Dry cells (AA) worked ok for a while and then the dark frames appeared again. I finally settled on Eneloop NiMH AA rechargeables and have no issues since. I'm sure now my issues with dry cells was due to a rogue batch.

I'll try the battery solutions and see what happens. Thanks.

John4str

john4str · 07-14-2017, 09:33 PM

Originally posted by swanlefitte

By "through the monitor " you mean in live view with the back of the camera? That is a twist to the aperture block failure. Perhaps a fluke? Perhaps another means to a solution?

Yes, the Live View shots come through as anticipated. At least I have that option; although I prefer the View Finder to take most shots, avoiding the glare on the monitor while shooting.

John4str

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07-14-2017, 11:56 AM	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,783	sounds like the beginnings of the aperture failure that the K-30/K-50 suffer from - over in the forum for the K-30/K-50, you'll find several threads regarding this issue and several potential fixes for you.... is your K-50 still under warranty, perhaps?

07-14-2017, 12:10 PM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	Search this forum for "aperture block" and you will find a lot of information on an issue that might be the problem.

07-14-2017, 01:45 PM	#4
pixelsaurus Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Te Kuiti, NZ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 986	I have this issue with my K-500. I finally determined the DLI109 battery was the culprit. Even fully charged, it would no longer power the camera properly as I continually got a low battery warning. When I got the camera, I also bought an AA battery clip. Dry cells (AA) worked ok for a while and then the dark frames appeared again. I finally settled on Eneloop NiMH AA rechargeables and have no issues since. I'm sure now my issues with dry cells was due to a rogue batch.

07-14-2017, 02:08 PM	#5
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	By "through the monitor " you mean in live view with the back of the camera? That is a twist to the aperture block failure. Perhaps a fluke? Perhaps another means to a solution?

07-14-2017, 09:29 PM	#6
john4str New Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Northern California, U.S.A. Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by pepperberry farm sounds like the beginnings of the aperture failure that the K-30/K-50 suffer from - over in the forum for the K-30/K-50, you'll find several threads regarding this issue and several potential fixes for you.... is your K-50 still under warranty, perhaps? Unfortunately, the camera is not within the warranty window. Thanks for the quick responses. John4str

07-14-2017, 09:31 PM	#7
john4str New Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Northern California, U.S.A. Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by pixelsaurus I have this issue with my K-500. I finally determined the DLI109 battery was the culprit. Even fully charged, it would no longer power the camera properly as I continually got a low battery warning. When I got the camera, I also bought an AA battery clip. Dry cells (AA) worked ok for a while and then the dark frames appeared again. I finally settled on Eneloop NiMH AA rechargeables and have no issues since. I'm sure now my issues with dry cells was due to a rogue batch. I'll try the battery solutions and see what happens. Thanks. John4str

07-14-2017, 09:33 PM	#8
john4str New Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Northern California, U.S.A. Posts: 9 Original Poster	Originally posted by swanlefitte By "through the monitor " you mean in live view with the back of the camera? That is a twist to the aperture block failure. Perhaps a fluke? Perhaps another means to a solution? Yes, the Live View shots come through as anticipated. At least I have that option; although I prefer the View Finder to take most shots, avoiding the glare on the monitor while shooting. John4str