Pentax K2 Shutter speed problem

mdgjj123 · 12-12-2020, 06:24 PM

My Pentax K2 was working all right until I started having some problems with the shutter speed. Today I was using the camera on automatic mode, and the photometer was (apparently) working, or at least the needle seemed to move, so I didn't mind the speed the shutter was firing at. Later I tried setting the speed at 1 second and noticed that the shutter was clicking too fast; then I set it at 2 seconds, and had the same result; 4 seconds, same thing; 8, etc. Bulb mode worked. I can shoot at all speeds, but the shutter only fires at this unknown speed regardless of which speed I set it at, with the exception of bulb mode.
I tried to check for the batteries. The battery check button doesn't seem to work, but the photometer needle is still moving. Can it be the batteries still? Or does the button have a separate problem, along with the shutter?
The camera was working fine until I got it from a repair shop, where I sent it to adjust the ISO ring. There is a possibility that something went awry during the repair, but I can't be sure.

Thank you...

Aaron28 · 12-12-2020, 06:40 PM

did you adjust the iso at all and still get the same exposure reading and shutter speed that seems to be occurring........

mdgjj123 · 12-12-2020, 06:43 PM

Originally posted by Aaron28

did you adjust the iso at all and still get the same exposure reading and shutter speed that seems to be occurring........

Yes, I did that. I changed the ISO and still got the same shutter speed. I even covered the lens with the lens cap and tried shooting in auto, to see if it would fire at a slow shutter speed, but still got the same thing.

mdgjj123 · 12-12-2020, 06:44 PM

The photometer changes the recommended shutter speed if I change the ISO, so I think it's working. I don't know if the batteries are causing the problem...

**UncleVanya** · 12-12-2020, 08:06 PM

What mode?

stevebrot · 12-12-2020, 08:27 PM

Originally posted by mdgjj123

The battery check button doesn't seem to work

Welcome to the Pentax Forums!

If B works and every other setting results in 1/125s, the battery is dead (upside down maybe?). If the battery check lamp does not light, battery dead.

Steve

mdgjj123 · 12-12-2020, 08:44 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

What mode?

Speed priority mode.

---------- Post added 12-12-20 at 08:45 PM ----------

Originally posted by stevebrot

Welcome to the Pentax Forums!

If B works and every other setting results in 1/125s, the battery is dead (upside down maybe?). If the battery check lamp does not light, battery dead.

Steve

Thank you. I thought of that, but wouldn't the photometer stop working too?

MadBill · 12-13-2020, 01:18 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by mdgjj123

Speed priority mode.

---------- Post added 12-12-20 at 08:45 PM ----------

Thank you. I thought of that, but wouldn't the photometer stop working too?

In modern digital cameras if the battery is low nothing works because everything is run by a microprocessor. In an old camera like the K2, when the battery is low the simple meter circuitry might work to move the needle, even though the voltage is too low to run the more complex shutter control circuity. Hopefully new batteries will get it working. You might also make certain the battery contacts are clean since most of these old cameras have at least some corrosion.

Aaron28 · 12-13-2020, 07:04 PM

Originally posted by mdgjj123

I don't know if the batteries are causing the problem...

could very well be

mdgjj123 · 12-14-2020, 11:48 AM - **1 Like**

Bought new batteries and tested everything. It's working now, thankfully. Thank you for your help.

35mmfilmfan · 12-14-2020, 11:55 AM

Rule one for any battery-powered items - always carry spare batteries !

Aaron28 · 12-14-2020, 08:08 PM

Originally posted by mdgjj123

Bought new batteries and tested everything. It's working now,

terrific!

12-12-2020, 06:24 PM	#1
mdgjj123 New Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 5	Pentax K2 Shutter speed problem My Pentax K2 was working all right until I started having some problems with the shutter speed. Today I was using the camera on automatic mode, and the photometer was (apparently) working, or at least the needle seemed to move, so I didn't mind the speed the shutter was firing at. Later I tried setting the speed at 1 second and noticed that the shutter was clicking too fast; then I set it at 2 seconds, and had the same result; 4 seconds, same thing; 8, etc. Bulb mode worked. I can shoot at all speeds, but the shutter only fires at this unknown speed regardless of which speed I set it at, with the exception of bulb mode. I tried to check for the batteries. The battery check button doesn't seem to work, but the photometer needle is still moving. Can it be the batteries still? Or does the button have a separate problem, along with the shutter? The camera was working fine until I got it from a repair shop, where I sent it to adjust the ISO ring. There is a possibility that something went awry during the repair, but I can't be sure. Thank you...

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12-12-2020, 06:40 PM	#2
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	did you adjust the iso at all and still get the same exposure reading and shutter speed that seems to be occurring........

12-12-2020, 06:43 PM	#3
mdgjj123 New Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by Aaron28 did you adjust the iso at all and still get the same exposure reading and shutter speed that seems to be occurring........ Yes, I did that. I changed the ISO and still got the same shutter speed. I even covered the lens with the lens cap and tried shooting in auto, to see if it would fire at a slow shutter speed, but still got the same thing.

12-12-2020, 06:44 PM	#4
mdgjj123 New Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 5 Original Poster	The photometer changes the recommended shutter speed if I change the ISO, so I think it's working. I don't know if the batteries are causing the problem...

12-12-2020, 08:06 PM	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	What mode?

12-12-2020, 08:27 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by mdgjj123 The battery check button doesn't seem to work Welcome to the Pentax Forums! If B works and every other setting results in 1/125s, the battery is dead (upside down maybe?). If the battery check lamp does not light, battery dead. Steve

12-12-2020, 08:44 PM	#7
mdgjj123 New Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya What mode? Speed priority mode. ---------- Post added 12-12-20 at 08:45 PM ---------- Originally posted by stevebrot Welcome to the Pentax Forums! If B works and every other setting results in 1/125s, the battery is dead (upside down maybe?). If the battery check lamp does not light, battery dead. Steve Thank you. I thought of that, but wouldn't the photometer stop working too?

12-13-2020, 01:18 AM - 1 Like	#8
MadBill Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2018 Posts: 76	Originally posted by mdgjj123 Speed priority mode. ---------- Post added 12-12-20 at 08:45 PM ---------- Thank you. I thought of that, but wouldn't the photometer stop working too? In modern digital cameras if the battery is low nothing works because everything is run by a microprocessor. In an old camera like the K2, when the battery is low the simple meter circuitry might work to move the needle, even though the voltage is too low to run the more complex shutter control circuity. Hopefully new batteries will get it working. You might also make certain the battery contacts are clean since most of these old cameras have at least some corrosion.

12-13-2020, 07:04 PM	#9
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	Originally posted by mdgjj123 I don't know if the batteries are causing the problem... could very well be

12-14-2020, 11:48 AM - 1 Like	#10
mdgjj123 New Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Bought new batteries and tested everything. It's working now, thankfully. Thank you for your help.

12-14-2020, 11:55 AM	#11
35mmfilmfan Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Norfolk, UK Posts: 4,342	Rule one for any battery-powered items - always carry spare batteries !

12-14-2020, 08:08 PM	#12
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	Originally posted by mdgjj123 Bought new batteries and tested everything. It's working now, terrific!