Problem with K-7 images showing up flat on rear screen, but not when downloaded.

**Tonytee** · 04-10-2020, 06:03 PM

A couple of days ago I was out shooting over at my neighbor's Tulip garden and noticed that after every shot, the image was flat and underexposed in the rear screen.

Normally, I just Format the card and move on, but this time I decided to download the images onto my computer and the images looked pretty good compared to what was

revealed in the rear screen. Okay, working with bright, harsh sunlight with my K-7 and Pentax-FA 1:4~5.6 80~320mm lens.

It is clear by the actual image, that it is far from being flat and underexposed. I am wondering if there may be a problem with the K-7's low dynamic range?

Thanks very much for viewing.

Tony

Attached Images

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Last edited by Tonytee; 04-13-2020 at 08:42 PM.

MarkJerling · 04-10-2020, 07:17 PM

What you're describing is clearly a screen display issue (perhaps in bright sunlight?) and not a problem with the camera's "dynamic range".

**Tonytee** · 04-10-2020, 07:46 PM

Originally posted by MarkJerling

What you're describing is clearly a screen display issue (perhaps in bright sunlight?) and not a problem with the camera's "dynamic range".

Thanks Mark. That is what I thought initially, however I did cover the screen and it still appeared to be flat and underexposed. I will try again soon and see what happens.

TT

MarkJerling · 04-10-2020, 07:55 PM

Originally posted by Tonytee

Thanks Mark. That is what I thought initially, however I did cover the screen and it still appeared to be flat and underexposed. I will try again soon and see what happens.

TT

Truth be told Tony, I've never cared for a moment what the screen on the back of the camera shows. It's useful for chimping, but not much else. (Not that I admit to chimping - Quite the contrary!)

**DWS1** · 04-10-2020, 08:01 PM - **2 Likes**

I only review images on the rear screen just to check the histograms. It's really not big enough for me to see any detail.

ChristianRock · 04-10-2020, 09:04 PM

There's a brightness setting for the screen (my K20D had it so I'm certain the K7 does as well). It must be set low, at least it's worth checking.

**MossyRocks** · 04-10-2020, 10:30 PM

Originally posted by ChristianRock

There's a brightness setting for the screen (my K20D had it so I'm certain the K7 does as well). It must be set low, at least it's worth checking.

I would bet this is the problem. I often forget to turn it back up after doing astro when I have it turned all the way down and shifted red so the next day the first time I want to check something I always have to reset it. Now I wonder if it is possiable to have screen settings and astro tracer be a user mode on the K-3 or K-3ii.

**Tonytee** · 04-10-2020, 10:46 PM

Okay, here is an image taken this evening. This is some fabric my wife works with. Same body, lens and UV Filter, only difference I had to use the built-in flash. Seems to be

alright at this point. No PPE on this image. So I believe the problem is I was viewing the screen with the sun directly over my left shoulder and a red flower for a subject.

I'll try it again tomorrow and see what transpires.

Thanks very much for everything.

TT

pschlute · 04-11-2020, 01:55 AM

Originally posted by DWS1

I only review images on the rear screen just to check the histograms. It's really not big enough for me to see any detail.

I too look at the histogram in instant review or playback to see if I have exposed correctly. Anything else gets dealt with in PP

I do also use the screen to check if I have the focus correct in my image. My camera is set up so one click of the rear dial gives me 100% zoom.

stevebrot · 04-11-2020, 07:46 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by MarkJerling

Truth be told Tony, I've never cared for a moment what the screen on the back of the camera shows. It's useful for chimping, but not much else. (Not that I admit to chimping - Quite the contrary!)

This ^ ^ ^

Steve

**Tonytee** · 04-11-2020, 02:19 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

This ^ ^ ^

Steve

A very interesting comment. I do rely (perhaps too much) on the results I view on the rear screen. The results on the screen reveals to me the sharpness, exposure and composition. Then I just make my adjustments based on the info. Sure, I can and do use bracketing to some extent, although not as much as I had to when shooting film.

At least with Digital, bracketing does not result in a waste of money that was spent on film. To each his own as they say and viewing the screen works very well for me.

Thanks again for all the valued comments and assistance.

TT

Pentaxlvr · 04-12-2020, 02:05 AM

I have this lens, and it is great for something so cheap! I use it with my Pentax ZX-7 and *ist DL cameras. As to the K-7, just get a new one they are cheap on keh.com.

**Tonytee** · 04-13-2020, 08:56 PM

Greetings again,

As I mentioned I would take a few more shots and see what happens. This time I used my K-7 with a different (non-Pentax) Lens and shooting my neighbor's very red Tulips, I noticed that the images showed

up flat and underexposed. (By the way, no sunlight as it was past 7:30pm.) I downloaded the images to my computer and they showed up very nice. Sharp, perfect coloring and needless to say I was a happy camper. Now I went ahead continuing to shoot but decided to change colors to the Yellow and Orange Tulips and they looked to be fantastic on the rear screen and in my computer. Logic tells me there is a problem

with the reds displaying their true colors in the rear screen. I did contact the camera sales/service center and they will not be officially open until June 15th, provided everything goes according

to Hoyle.

( Thanks for reading, Tony

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04-10-2020, 07:17 PM	#2
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	What you're describing is clearly a screen display issue (perhaps in bright sunlight?) and not a problem with the camera's "dynamic range".

04-10-2020, 07:46 PM	#3
Tonytee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 21,460 Original Poster	Originally posted by MarkJerling What you're describing is clearly a screen display issue (perhaps in bright sunlight?) and not a problem with the camera's "dynamic range". Thanks Mark. That is what I thought initially, however I did cover the screen and it still appeared to be flat and underexposed. I will try again soon and see what happens. TT

04-10-2020, 07:55 PM	#4
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	Originally posted by Tonytee Thanks Mark. That is what I thought initially, however I did cover the screen and it still appeared to be flat and underexposed. I will try again soon and see what happens. TT Truth be told Tony, I've never cared for a moment what the screen on the back of the camera shows. It's useful for chimping, but not much else. (Not that I admit to chimping - Quite the contrary!)

04-10-2020, 08:01 PM - 2 Likes	#5
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 1,169	I only review images on the rear screen just to check the histograms. It's really not big enough for me to see any detail.

04-10-2020, 09:04 PM	#6
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	There's a brightness setting for the screen (my K20D had it so I'm certain the K7 does as well). It must be set low, at least it's worth checking.

04-10-2020, 10:30 PM	#7
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Originally posted by ChristianRock There's a brightness setting for the screen (my K20D had it so I'm certain the K7 does as well). It must be set low, at least it's worth checking. I would bet this is the problem. I often forget to turn it back up after doing astro when I have it turned all the way down and shifted red so the next day the first time I want to check something I always have to reset it. Now I wonder if it is possiable to have screen settings and astro tracer be a user mode on the K-3 or K-3ii.

04-11-2020, 01:55 AM	#9
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,198	Originally posted by DWS1 I only review images on the rear screen just to check the histograms. It's really not big enough for me to see any detail. I too look at the histogram in instant review or playback to see if I have exposed correctly. Anything else gets dealt with in PP I do also use the screen to check if I have the focus correct in my image. My camera is set up so one click of the rear dial gives me 100% zoom.

04-11-2020, 07:46 AM - 1 Like	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by MarkJerling Truth be told Tony, I've never cared for a moment what the screen on the back of the camera shows. It's useful for chimping, but not much else. (Not that I admit to chimping - Quite the contrary!) This ^ ^ ^ Steve

04-11-2020, 02:19 PM	#11
Tonytee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 21,460 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot This ^ ^ ^ Steve A very interesting comment. I do rely (perhaps too much) on the results I view on the rear screen. The results on the screen reveals to me the sharpness, exposure and composition. Then I just make my adjustments based on the info. Sure, I can and do use bracketing to some extent, although not as much as I had to when shooting film. At least with Digital, bracketing does not result in a waste of money that was spent on film. To each his own as they say and viewing the screen works very well for me. Thanks again for all the valued comments and assistance. TT

04-12-2020, 02:05 AM	#12
Pentaxlvr Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 46	I have this lens, and it is great for something so cheap! I use it with my Pentax ZX-7 and *ist DL cameras. As to the K-7, just get a new one they are cheap on keh.com.

04-13-2020, 08:56 PM	#13
Tonytee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2012 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 21,460 Original Poster	Greetings again, As I mentioned I would take a few more shots and see what happens. This time I used my K-7 with a different (non-Pentax) Lens and shooting my neighbor's very red Tulips, I noticed that the images showed up flat and underexposed. (By the way, no sunlight as it was past 7:30pm.) I downloaded the images to my computer and they showed up very nice. Sharp, perfect coloring and needless to say I was a happy camper. Now I went ahead continuing to shoot but decided to change colors to the Yellow and Orange Tulips and they looked to be fantastic on the rear screen and in my computer. Logic tells me there is a problem with the reds displaying their true colors in the rear screen. I did contact the camera sales/service center and they will not be officially open until June 15th, provided everything goes according to Hoyle. ( Thanks for reading, Tony