Camera set on auto but photos dark

jax123 · 07-25-2017, 08:48 AM

Hello, i wonder if anyone can advise me? i am finding that with my camera set on auto the photos are coming out too dark? even on a nice day? How can i get more light into the camera? i am going to do a wedding soon, this is not a one off i have been having this issue for some time? and in fact my mobile phone actually takes brighter pictures which are more realistic to the day it self? I really love my camera but need brighter pictures? Any help would be very much appreciated.

**limestonecowboy** · 07-25-2017, 08:58 AM

Can you tell us what camera and what lens?

**microlight** · 07-25-2017, 09:00 AM

Hi jax123, welcome.

We'll help if we can, but we'll need more information - camera model, lens used, mode ('green' mode, Tv, Av etc).

slartibartfast01 · 07-25-2017, 09:05 AM

Sounds like the dreaded aperture block on the K-30

jax123 · 07-25-2017, 09:08 AM

Hi, Pentax K30, with Pentax 18-55mm lens. set on auto.

Thank you for your help

The Squirrel Mafia · 07-25-2017, 09:13 AM

K-30 / K-50 Aperture Block Failue - Repair Solution available - PentaxForums.com

K30/K50 aperture update - PentaxForums.com

K-50 / K-500 Aperture Solenoid fix (DIY with pics) - PentaxForums.com

^ I'm guessing that you have a K-30 or a K-50 that has experienced an aperture motor failure. Those threads have more information.

If so, you can still use with a manual aperture ring. If you have a K-50 & update the firmware to the latest version, you can use the Pentax DA 55-300mm PLM lens with no issues, since the aperture motor is inside the lens. It's the only KAF4 lens at the moment, but more will eventually come.

stevebrot · 07-25-2017, 09:58 AM

Originally posted by jax123

Hi, Pentax K30, with Pentax 18-55mm lens. set on auto.

Thank you for your help

As noted by "The Squirrel Mafia", there is a common problem that afflicts both K-30 and K-50 cameras where the aperture controller fails to properly stop down to the set diameter. The symptom is underexposure. The cost of the repair is between $150 and $200 USD. Since the cost of repair often exceeds the value of the camera, many users have opted to purpose their cameras for use with manual aperture adapted screw mount lenses.

This may not be the case with your camera, but the odds are not in your favor.

Steve

ChristianRock · 07-25-2017, 10:19 AM - **1 Like**

100 dollars at Pentax Camera Repair - Aperture Control Repair

I am not affiliated with them... But it seems like a good option.

stevebrot · 07-25-2017, 11:55 AM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

100 dollars at Pentax Camera Repair - Aperture Control Repair

I am not affiliated with them... But it seems like a good option.

Any word yet on the longevity of the repair or what they actually do?*

Steve

* Rumored to be a transplant of salvage parts from older and unaffected model Pentax cameras.

ChristianRock · 07-25-2017, 12:06 PM

They give it a one year warranty and say it should be a permanent fix... And thar is the first time I hear this rumor about salvaged parts...

--peanutbutter-- · 07-26-2017, 11:58 AM

Jax123, before you ship the K30 off for repair, consider trying the AA battery adapter and some new, freshly charged AA NiMH batteries instead of the LI109 rechargeable that comes with the camera. This completely solved my K30 underexposure problem.

07-25-2017, 08:48 AM	#1
jax123 New Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 5	Camera set on auto but photos dark Hello, i wonder if anyone can advise me? i am finding that with my camera set on auto the photos are coming out too dark? even on a nice day? How can i get more light into the camera? i am going to do a wedding soon, this is not a one off i have been having this issue for some time? and in fact my mobile phone actually takes brighter pictures which are more realistic to the day it self? I really love my camera but need brighter pictures? Any help would be very much appreciated.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K-30 takes black photos normally but proper photos in live view?	Newtophotos	Pentax DSLR Discussion	7	06-04-2016 10:49 AM
Shooting on Auto: does aperture need to be set to auto?	heyjoe	Welcomes and Introductions	2	05-27-2015 01:32 PM
Photos good in camera LCD but dark/dull in computer	pspentax	Pentax Q	13	04-23-2013 07:21 PM
Nature Dark, dark skies and dazzling sunlight	newmikey	Post Your Photos!	4	10-14-2012 10:17 PM
For Sale - Sold: Pentax Bellows II M Set and Auto Extensions Tube Set K (US/CAN)	Nick	Sold Items	3	08-12-2010 07:07 PM

07-25-2017, 08:58 AM	#2
limestonecowboy Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Photos: Albums Posts: 151	Can you tell us what camera and what lens?

07-25-2017, 09:00 AM	#3
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Hi jax123, welcome. We'll help if we can, but we'll need more information - camera model, lens used, mode ('green' mode, Tv, Av etc).

07-25-2017, 09:05 AM	#4
slartibartfast01 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,931	Sounds like the dreaded aperture block on the K-30

07-25-2017, 09:08 AM	#5
jax123 New Member Join Date: Jul 2017 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Hi, Pentax K30, with Pentax 18-55mm lens. set on auto. Thank you for your help

07-25-2017, 09:13 AM	#6
The Squirrel Mafia Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 3,054	K-30 / K-50 Aperture Block Failue - Repair Solution available - PentaxForums.com K30/K50 aperture update - PentaxForums.com K-50 / K-500 Aperture Solenoid fix (DIY with pics) - PentaxForums.com ^ I'm guessing that you have a K-30 or a K-50 that has experienced an aperture motor failure. Those threads have more information. If so, you can still use with a manual aperture ring. If you have a K-50 & update the firmware to the latest version, you can use the Pentax DA 55-300mm PLM lens with no issues, since the aperture motor is inside the lens. It's the only KAF4 lens at the moment, but more will eventually come.

07-25-2017, 09:58 AM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by jax123 Hi, Pentax K30, with Pentax 18-55mm lens. set on auto. Thank you for your help As noted by "The Squirrel Mafia", there is a common problem that afflicts both K-30 and K-50 cameras where the aperture controller fails to properly stop down to the set diameter. The symptom is underexposure. The cost of the repair is between $150 and $200 USD. Since the cost of repair often exceeds the value of the camera, many users have opted to purpose their cameras for use with manual aperture adapted screw mount lenses. This may not be the case with your camera, but the odds are not in your favor. Steve

07-25-2017, 10:19 AM - 1 Like	#8
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	100 dollars at Pentax Camera Repair - Aperture Control Repair I am not affiliated with them... But it seems like a good option.

07-25-2017, 11:55 AM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by ChristianRock 100 dollars at Pentax Camera Repair - Aperture Control Repair I am not affiliated with them... But it seems like a good option. Any word yet on the longevity of the repair or what they actually do?* Steve * Rumored to be a transplant of salvage parts from older and unaffected model Pentax cameras.

07-25-2017, 12:06 PM	#10
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	They give it a one year warranty and say it should be a permanent fix... And thar is the first time I hear this rumor about salvaged parts...

07-26-2017, 11:58 AM	#11
--peanutbutter-- New Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 4	Jax123, before you ship the K30 off for repair, consider trying the AA battery adapter and some new, freshly charged AA NiMH batteries instead of the LI109 rechargeable that comes with the camera. This completely solved my K30 underexposure problem.