K1000 Metering Issue at 1/2s?

TATJ · 01-03-2023, 04:45 PM

Hi,

Both my son and I are using K1000's and we are both having the same issue where once we put the shutter speed to 1/2s, the needle jumps to the top. It's not just a small step that you would see moving from one stop to the next.

We could be at the bottom of the meter at 1/4s.. and once we move the shutter speed to 1/2s... the needle jumps to the top. It does not move down if we point to a darker/shaded area.

Is this a common thing? Both cameras have just had a CLA.

Ausable · 01-03-2023, 06:45 PM

That doesn't sound right to me. If both cameras were serviced by the same person, I'd say it is probable that the technician made an identical error with each camera.

Ole · 01-03-2023, 09:15 PM - **2 Likes**

I think that your cameras are ok.

Depending on the speed of the film and the fastest F-stop of your lens (e.g. F1.4), you may experience that 1/2 sec is outside the meter's range.
The meter's range is 3 to 18 EV.
With an ISO (ASA) 100 film, 1/4 sec and F1.4 represents 3 EV, i.e. the lower limit of the meter.

At ISO 100 the meter range is illustrated with the "A" area, whereas "B" is outside range.

Pioneer · 01-03-2023, 10:58 PM

This is interesting. I think I'll explore this a bit more but it would seem that Ole is right. Once you are outside of your meter's effective range it just defaults to a fail mode.

TATJ · 01-04-2023, 11:50 AM

Interesting. We were both shooting 400, and this is happening even at f/22.

The same thing happens with 1/2s and 1s if I change the speed to 200.

Ole · 01-04-2023, 02:01 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by TATJ

Interesting. We were both shooting 400, and this is happening even at f/22.

It is the max. aperture of the lens that matters (e.g. F1.4), since the light is measured at fully open aperture.

Originally posted by TATJ

The same thing happens with 1/2s and 1s if I change the speed to 200.

At ISO 200 the meter's lower range (EV 3) would be 1/8 sec with an F1.4 lens.

**grog85361** · 01-04-2023, 09:24 PM - **1 Like**

Your camera is behaving normally. Ole has it right, the meter is out of it's usable range. Here is a chart from the SP500 manual, showing the usable range of the meter. The K1000 meter should be the same.

Attached Images

kayakfari · 01-05-2023, 09:15 AM

These cameras use an old school Cds light meter that's not particularly suited to low light readings.
The later cams moved on to Silicon and Gallium meters which were much more sensitive, i.e. ME series, LX..

TATJ · 01-05-2023, 05:38 PM

Thank you everyone for your help, especially to Ole and Grog! ��

Ole · 01-05-2023, 06:33 PM

Originally posted by TATJ

Thank you everyone for your help, especially to Ole and Grog! ��

You're welcome, only glad to help!

01-03-2023, 04:45 PM	#1
TATJ New Member Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 7	K1000 Metering Issue at 1/2s? Hi, Both my son and I are using K1000's and we are both having the same issue where once we put the shutter speed to 1/2s, the needle jumps to the top. It's not just a small step that you would see moving from one stop to the next. We could be at the bottom of the meter at 1/4s.. and once we move the shutter speed to 1/2s... the needle jumps to the top. It does not move down if we point to a darker/shaded area. Is this a common thing? Both cameras have just had a CLA.

01-03-2023, 09:15 PM - 2 Likes	#3
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	I think that your cameras are ok. Depending on the speed of the film and the fastest F-stop of your lens (e.g. F1.4), you may experience that 1/2 sec is outside the meter's range. The meter's range is 3 to 18 EV. With an ISO (ASA) 100 film, 1/4 sec and F1.4 represents 3 EV, i.e. the lower limit of the meter. At ISO 100 the meter range is illustrated with the "A" area, whereas "B" is outside range. Attached Images

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01-03-2023, 06:45 PM	#2
Ausable Senior Member Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 148	That doesn't sound right to me. If both cameras were serviced by the same person, I'd say it is probable that the technician made an identical error with each camera.

01-03-2023, 10:58 PM	#4
Pioneer Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wandering the Streets Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,411	This is interesting. I think I'll explore this a bit more but it would seem that Ole is right. Once you are outside of your meter's effective range it just defaults to a fail mode.

01-04-2023, 11:50 AM	#5
TATJ New Member Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 7 Original Poster	Interesting. We were both shooting 400, and this is happening even at f/22. The same thing happens with 1/2s and 1s if I change the speed to 200.

01-04-2023, 02:01 PM - 1 Like	#6
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	Originally posted by TATJ Interesting. We were both shooting 400, and this is happening even at f/22. It is the max. aperture of the lens that matters (e.g. F1.4), since the light is measured at fully open aperture. Originally posted by TATJ The same thing happens with 1/2s and 1s if I change the speed to 200. At ISO 200 the meter's lower range (EV 3) would be 1/8 sec with an F1.4 lens.

01-04-2023, 09:24 PM - 1 Like	#7
grog85361 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Phoenix Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 893	Your camera is behaving normally. Ole has it right, the meter is out of it's usable range. Here is a chart from the SP500 manual, showing the usable range of the meter. The K1000 meter should be the same. Attached Images

01-05-2023, 09:15 AM	#8
kayakfari Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: South Florida Posts: 173	These cameras use an old school Cds light meter that's not particularly suited to low light readings. The later cams moved on to Silicon and Gallium meters which were much more sensitive, i.e. ME series, LX..

01-05-2023, 05:38 PM	#9
TATJ New Member Join Date: May 2022 Posts: 7 Original Poster	Thank you everyone for your help, especially to Ole and Grog! ��

01-05-2023, 06:33 PM	#10
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,408	Originally posted by TATJ Thank you everyone for your help, especially to Ole and Grog! �� You're welcome, only glad to help!

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