K70 ISO problem

dudesohungry · 08-31-2018, 05:30 PM

Hello,

My camera (K70) started taking very dark photos all of a sudden.

While shooting outdoor in day time, with white balance meter in the center, photos just come out dark. I need to set my ISO to at least 1200, and slow the shatter speed to 1/60 so the white balance meter is all the way to the right and then photos look decent. Indoor, I need to set ISO to 12800 or higher, and significantly slow the shatter speed to get half decent photos.
It's really getting annoying.

I reset everything on the camera, thinking I accidentally turned on some setting. And to test I took a photo on Auto setting and camera chose ISO 3200 with 1/60 speed during a bright sunny day. (image included)

A few weeks ago my camera cap came off while traveling and some dust got on the mirror... maybe that has something to do with it?[IMG]1535761658684705856719.jpg[/IMG]

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aaacb · 08-31-2018, 06:14 PM

If you have more than one lens, does this happen with all of them? If it's more than one lens, read this thread to diagnose the camera. For previous models, k-30 and k-50, there have been reports of "aperture block" problems. Read this thread and follow the steps described in the first post. I don't have the k70 (nor the previous models in the series) and I believe such occurrences are rare for k70 cameras, but just to rule this out.
Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Discussion Thread - PentaxForums.com

KDD · 08-31-2018, 07:41 PM

Try different lens.

**UncleVanya** · 08-31-2018, 08:20 PM

Look in the front of the camera while setting the camera on Manual mode and adjust to a 2 second shutter speed wide open. Fire the shutter while looking into the lens - see if the iris closes down. It shouldn't but it might be.

**mikesbike** · 08-31-2018, 11:03 PM

Wide open means you set the aperture to the number the lowest it will go. Example- F3.5

Penview52 · 09-01-2018, 05:24 AM

Press Raw/Fx button many times and take shots in Av mode and auto.

If still taking black photo, go to menu camera icon4, define raw/Fx button to optical preview, then take a shot.

Not a Number · 09-01-2018, 08:56 AM

Follow the suggestions in the first post of this thread to help determine if is a settings, lens or control block failure:
Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Discussion Thread - PentaxForums.com

stevebrot · 09-01-2018, 10:55 AM

Welcome to the Pentax Forums!

To summarize the above:

If you have one, try another lens. If the problem happens with that lens too; the issue is with the body.
Test the aperture control function:
- Auto ISO turned OFF (important)
- M mode
- Set shutter speed to something long. 2s as suggested above is good.
- Set the aperture to full open and observe the iris opening from the front of the lens while depressing the shutter. The aperture should remain full open.
- Repeat the previous for each full stop in the lens' aperture range. The opening should be step-wise smaller to allow half as much light per step. The sequence goes like this: f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22, f/32 with larger numbers being for smaller openings.
- Let the camera rest overnight and try again

The reason for the second item is to test for aperture control problems, an issue that has plagued the K-30 and K-50 models, but is also (rarely) possible with more recent cameras. There is nothing you as a user can do except seek service. If your camera is still under warranty or recently came off from warranty (within last three months or so) Ricoh should repair without charge.

Steve

dudesohungry · 09-02-2018, 07:19 AM

Originally posted by aaacb

If you have more than one lens, does this happen with all of them? If it's more than one lens, read this thread to diagnose the camera. For previous models, k-30 and k-50, there have been reports of "aperture block" problems. Read this thread and follow the steps described in the first post. I don't have the k70 (nor the previous models in the series) and I believe such occurrences are rare for k70 cameras, but just to rule this out.
Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Discussion Thread - PentaxForums.com

Hi thanks for a reply and suggestions.

Unfortunatelly I currently have only one lense that came with the camera (18mm -135mm). But I just blew off the sensors on the lense and took a few photos. The images are within white balance indicator brightness again!

I'll keep monitoring the lense, but I'm so happy I don't have send out the camera. I've only had it since November and got it for it's sturdiness... since I'm in the road for majority of the year.

Thank you guys for help! I wish Pentax were more popular, the community behind it is fantastic!

**mikesbike** · 09-02-2018, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by dudesohungry

Hi thanks for a reply and suggestions.

Unfortunatelly I currently have only one lense that came with the camera (18mm -135mm). But I just blew off the sensors on the lense and took a few photos. The images are within white balance indicator brightness again!

I'll keep monitoring the lense, but I'm so happy I don't have send out the camera. I've only had it since November and got it for it's sturdiness... since I'm in the road for majority of the year.

Thank you guys for help! I wish Pentax were more popular, the community behind it is fantastic!

Be sure to clean of those contacts more thoroughly. Your Pentax DA 18-135mm is a great lens. Very versatile with very good image quality. It is exceptionally well-built with WR construction, but only when attached to a WR-built camera like your fine K-70, or having a corresponding rear cap on it. So good care is important for your equipment. Glad to hear it is just a matter of a clean-up!

stevebrot · 09-02-2018, 03:05 PM

Originally posted by dudesohungry

But I just blew off the sensors on the lense and took a few photos. The images are within white balance indicator brightness again!

Originally posted by mikesbike

Be sure to clean of those contacts more thoroughly.

A gentle buffing with a microfiber cloth is sufficient.

Do keep tabs on the lens aperture operation. If there is a control mechanism issue, it is often intermittent at first.

Steve

pentaxian_tourist · 09-04-2018, 04:00 PM

Glad you didn't have to send it off! I'm going to follow this thread if you have any updates. I'm a happy K-70 owner since February. The only trouble I've had with mine is occasionally the shutter will not actuate when I'm in timer mode. I still haven't figured out why it's doing that, but it only happens on rare occasions.

**UncleVanya** · 09-04-2018, 08:12 PM

Originally posted by pentaxian_tourist

Glad you didn't have to send it off! I'm going to follow this thread if you have any updates. I'm a happy K-70 owner since February. The only trouble I've had with mine is occasionally the shutter will not actuate when I'm in timer mode. I still haven't figured out why it's doing that, but it only happens on rare occasions.

Which timer? Self-Timer (12 or 2?), interval modes?

Penview52 · 09-05-2018, 05:59 AM

pentaxian tourist..."...The only trouble I've had with mine is occasionally the shutter will not actuate when I'm in timer mode. I still haven't figured out why it's doing that, but it only happens on rare occasions."

If you have activated the timer say 12 sec. and it work for first time, activate it again for the next time around to let it work again. If you just press down the shutter, the timer will not work.

If you are in active timer mode and go back to previous mode of shooting , you must cancel out the timer mode, if not the shutter will not work.

dubyam · 09-05-2018, 07:20 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Penview52

pentaxian tourist..."...The only trouble I've had with mine is occasionally the shutter will not actuate when I'm in timer mode. I still haven't figured out why it's doing that, but it only happens on rare occasions."

If you have activated the timer say 12 sec. and it work for first time, activate it again for the next time around to let it work again. If you just press down the shutter, the timer will not work.

If you are in active timer mode and go back to previous mode of shooting , you must cancel out the timer mode, if not the shutter will not work.

I can't speak for the K-70, specifically, but having a K-30, K-5, and K-3 in our arsenal here, I can say this isn't how the timer works on any of those bodies. For all three of the bodies I have, once you set the mode to timer, it stays there until you change it to a different mode. In some instances, if you don't have the shooting mode set as a memory item, turning the camera off and back on works to solve it, but if you have it set to remember your drive mode, the only way to toggle between them is with the four-way selector or the info button. Once it's set to a drive mode, it stays there until you change it, or turn the camera off if you don't have the box checked to save that during power down.

One additional thing to note - on the three bodies I have, pressing the shutter in timer mode will start the timer, but pressing it a second time will cancel the timer and the shutter will not fire at all. Be sure you're not accidentally pressing the shutter twice as that may cancel the shutter altogether.

09-01-2018, 10:55 AM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Welcome to the Pentax Forums! To summarize the above: If you have one, try another lens. If the problem happens with that lens too; the issue is with the body. Test the aperture control function: Auto ISO turned OFF (important) M mode Set shutter speed to something long. 2s as suggested above is good. Set the aperture to full open and observe the iris opening from the front of the lens while depressing the shutter. The aperture should remain full open. Repeat the previous for each full stop in the lens' aperture range. The opening should be step-wise smaller to allow half as much light per step. The sequence goes like this: f/1.4, f/2, f/2.8, f/4, f/5.6, f/8, f/11, f/16, f/22, f/32 with larger numbers being for smaller openings. Let the camera rest overnight and try again The reason for the second item is to test for aperture control problems, an issue that has plagued the K-30 and K-50 models, but is also (rarely) possible with more recent cameras. There is nothing you as a user can do except seek service. If your camera is still under warranty or recently came off from warranty (within last three months or so) Ricoh should repair without charge. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 09-01-2018 at 11:04 AM.

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08-31-2018, 06:14 PM	#2
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,726	If you have more than one lens, does this happen with all of them? If it's more than one lens, read this thread to diagnose the camera. For previous models, k-30 and k-50, there have been reports of "aperture block" problems. Read this thread and follow the steps described in the first post. I don't have the k70 (nor the previous models in the series) and I believe such occurrences are rare for k70 cameras, but just to rule this out. Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Discussion Thread - PentaxForums.com

08-31-2018, 07:41 PM	#3
KDD Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 403	Try different lens.

08-31-2018, 08:20 PM	#4
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,467	Look in the front of the camera while setting the camera on Manual mode and adjust to a 2 second shutter speed wide open. Fire the shutter while looking into the lens - see if the iris closes down. It shouldn't but it might be.

08-31-2018, 11:03 PM	#5
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,562	Wide open means you set the aperture to the number the lowest it will go. Example- F3.5

09-01-2018, 05:24 AM	#6
Penview52 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Photos: Albums Posts: 327	Press Raw/Fx button many times and take shots in Av mode and auto. If still taking black photo, go to menu camera icon4, define raw/Fx button to optical preview, then take a shot.

09-01-2018, 08:56 AM	#7
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Follow the suggestions in the first post of this thread to help determine if is a settings, lens or control block failure: Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Discussion Thread - PentaxForums.com

09-02-2018, 07:19 AM	#9
dudesohungry New Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Originally posted by aaacb If you have more than one lens, does this happen with all of them? If it's more than one lens, read this thread to diagnose the camera. For previous models, k-30 and k-50, there have been reports of "aperture block" problems. Read this thread and follow the steps described in the first post. I don't have the k70 (nor the previous models in the series) and I believe such occurrences are rare for k70 cameras, but just to rule this out. Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Discussion Thread - PentaxForums.com Hi thanks for a reply and suggestions. Unfortunatelly I currently have only one lense that came with the camera (18mm -135mm). But I just blew off the sensors on the lense and took a few photos. The images are within white balance indicator brightness again! I'll keep monitoring the lense, but I'm so happy I don't have send out the camera. I've only had it since November and got it for it's sturdiness... since I'm in the road for majority of the year. Thank you guys for help! I wish Pentax were more popular, the community behind it is fantastic!

09-02-2018, 10:41 AM	#10
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,562	Originally posted by dudesohungry Hi thanks for a reply and suggestions. Unfortunatelly I currently have only one lense that came with the camera (18mm -135mm). But I just blew off the sensors on the lense and took a few photos. The images are within white balance indicator brightness again! I'll keep monitoring the lense, but I'm so happy I don't have send out the camera. I've only had it since November and got it for it's sturdiness... since I'm in the road for majority of the year. Thank you guys for help! I wish Pentax were more popular, the community behind it is fantastic! Be sure to clean of those contacts more thoroughly. Your Pentax DA 18-135mm is a great lens. Very versatile with very good image quality. It is exceptionally well-built with WR construction, but only when attached to a WR-built camera like your fine K-70, or having a corresponding rear cap on it. So good care is important for your equipment. Glad to hear it is just a matter of a clean-up!

09-02-2018, 03:05 PM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by dudesohungry But I just blew off the sensors on the lense and took a few photos. The images are within white balance indicator brightness again! Originally posted by mikesbike Be sure to clean of those contacts more thoroughly. A gentle buffing with a microfiber cloth is sufficient. Do keep tabs on the lens aperture operation. If there is a control mechanism issue, it is often intermittent at first. Steve

09-04-2018, 04:00 PM	#12
pentaxian_tourist New Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 6	Glad you didn't have to send it off! I'm going to follow this thread if you have any updates. I'm a happy K-70 owner since February. The only trouble I've had with mine is occasionally the shutter will not actuate when I'm in timer mode. I still haven't figured out why it's doing that, but it only happens on rare occasions.

09-04-2018, 08:12 PM	#13
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,467	Originally posted by pentaxian_tourist Glad you didn't have to send it off! I'm going to follow this thread if you have any updates. I'm a happy K-70 owner since February. The only trouble I've had with mine is occasionally the shutter will not actuate when I'm in timer mode. I still haven't figured out why it's doing that, but it only happens on rare occasions. Which timer? Self-Timer (12 or 2?), interval modes?

09-05-2018, 05:59 AM	#14
Penview52 Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Photos: Albums Posts: 327	pentaxian tourist..."...The only trouble I've had with mine is occasionally the shutter will not actuate when I'm in timer mode. I still haven't figured out why it's doing that, but it only happens on rare occasions." If you have activated the timer say 12 sec. and it work for first time, activate it again for the next time around to let it work again. If you just press down the shutter, the timer will not work. If you are in active timer mode and go back to previous mode of shooting , you must cancel out the timer mode, if not the shutter will not work.

09-05-2018, 07:20 AM - 1 Like	#15
dubyam Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 221	Originally posted by Penview52 pentaxian tourist..."...The only trouble I've had with mine is occasionally the shutter will not actuate when I'm in timer mode. I still haven't figured out why it's doing that, but it only happens on rare occasions." If you have activated the timer say 12 sec. and it work for first time, activate it again for the next time around to let it work again. If you just press down the shutter, the timer will not work. If you are in active timer mode and go back to previous mode of shooting , you must cancel out the timer mode, if not the shutter will not work. I can't speak for the K-70, specifically, but having a K-30, K-5, and K-3 in our arsenal here, I can say this isn't how the timer works on any of those bodies. For all three of the bodies I have, once you set the mode to timer, it stays there until you change it to a different mode. In some instances, if you don't have the shooting mode set as a memory item, turning the camera off and back on works to solve it, but if you have it set to remember your drive mode, the only way to toggle between them is with the four-way selector or the info button. Once it's set to a drive mode, it stays there until you change it, or turn the camera off if you don't have the box checked to save that during power down. One additional thing to note - on the three bodies I have, pressing the shutter in timer mode will start the timer, but pressing it a second time will cancel the timer and the shutter will not fire at all. Be sure you're not accidentally pressing the shutter twice as that may cancel the shutter altogether.