Metering troubles with K7

fourmiX · 06-22-2010, 07:55 AM

Hi,

Got a problem with a K7:

I think i have a metering trouble:

In Av mode, whereas the light condition and the aperture : it always go at 1/8000

In Tv mode: always the small aperture of the lens...

In P mode: always 1/8000 and smallest aperure.

So my pictures are all DARK...

any idea ?

aleonx3 · 06-22-2010, 08:02 AM

I would reset the customs function first if it clears anything you might have set incorrectly by mistake.

JeffJS · 06-22-2010, 08:04 AM

Originally posted by fourmiX

Hi,

Got a problem with a K7:

I think i have a metering trouble:

In Av mode, whereas the light condition and the aperture : it always go at 1/8000

In Tv mode: always the small aperture of the lens...

In P mode: always 1/8000 and smallest aperure.

So my pictures are all DARK...

any idea ?

Sounds like you are shooting straight into the sun (that's the only time I get those settings on mine).

I doubt it matters but does it do this with All lenses?

Where is your ISO set?

Have you set the camera to M and tried setting the aperture and speed manually by using the meter to set your exposure?

RBellavance · 06-22-2010, 08:04 AM

What is you ISO setting ?

fourmiX · 06-22-2010, 08:10 AM

Same trouble at all iso's settings.

In green mode also, it goes at 1/8000 and smallest aperture.

You're right, it's like we are straight on the sun or big light...but it's not the case !

Tested with many lens, same problem...

Test in M mode, when i press the green button -> 1/8000 and smallest aperture...

I've reset the K7...same troubles...

enoeske · 06-22-2010, 08:26 AM

What lens?

Sounds like you are using a manual aperture lens (K or M series). These do not stop down in Av, Tv, Sv, or Green modes. They will meter wide open and in auto modes like these, shoot wide open. You need to be in M mode and set the aperture yourself.

fourmiX · 06-22-2010, 08:30 AM

Lens:

Da*55
Fa*200 macro
Zeiss 85 ZK
Da*50-135
...

All on the A set.

I precise that it's nor a constant trouble.
We can take 4 or 5 shoots normally (at 1/250 and f/2.8 iso 200 for example)
and without changing anything, the meter cell goes crazy and goes at 1/8000 or smallest aperture...
:/

RBellavance · 06-22-2010, 08:58 AM

Sounds like it's defective, unfortunately. You'll most likely have to send it in for service.

RonHendriks1966 · 06-22-2010, 09:57 AM

Sounds like a technical problem. Only thing that it also could be is a problem with the accu, so the energy isn't good. I would send it in for service.

fourmiX · 06-22-2010, 11:19 AM

ok...

Thanks for your advices.

I would phone the seller (4 year warranty)and explain the trouble.
I hope that he would accept a exchange ?

JeffJS · 06-22-2010, 04:59 PM

Originally posted by fourmiX

Same trouble at all iso's settings.

In green mode also, it goes at 1/8000 and smallest aperture.

You're right, it's like we are straight on the sun or big light...but it's not the case !

Tested with many lens, same problem...

Test in M mode, when i press the green button -> 1/8000 and smallest aperture...

I've reset the K7...same troubles...

It certainly sounds as if the camera is defective.

When I suggested M mode, I meant set the shutter speed and aperture with the dials. When you press the green button, you are still Auto Metering.

HEEGZ · 08-09-2010, 04:26 PM

Just wanted to report that I am having the same issue. It is fairly erratic when it occurs, sometimes on the first shot, sometimes 100 shots later. Basically the camera meters for 1/8000 and the smallest aperture size, as if pointing at the sun. Swapping lenses and environments makes no difference on when it occurs.

Only work around is to switch to Live View mode and hit the green button, works more than 50% of the time, though the problem usually returns. The other method is to simply guess the exposure and then bracket your way in to a nicely balance histogram.

Using both of these methods I was able to take images on my first big trip with my new K-7. I'm really frustrated that I got a lemon though...

Since getting home from my trip today the problem has not resurfaced. I'm afraid it may return the next time I have a lot of photo taking planned.

sighman · 08-24-2012, 03:58 AM

I am having the same issue too.It occurs occasionally. When I sent it to maintenance services in china area several times,they said they couldn't detect any problems. It is so frustrated. I made them sent it to headquarters in japan for further inspection and maintenance.Hope problem can be solved.

Allison · 08-25-2012, 10:13 AM

I am wondering if it has to do with the way metering is set. I sometimes have the opposite problem with weddings - my K5 overexposes. It is because it is trying to meter the groom's black tux to 18% gray. I generally know what the settings should be, so shooting manual or changing the metering mode fixes this issue. Is there something white in the scene that your camera could be trying to make 18% gray and therefore underexposing your images?

**RKKS08** · 08-25-2012, 02:07 PM

It sounds as if there was a bad contact somewhere internally. Could be the mode wheel or one of the other wheels.

With the ME Super this was a very common effect when dirt had entered the area beneath the ISO/EV compensation wheel.

06-22-2010, 07:55 AM	#1
fourmiX Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: France Photos: Gallery Posts: 140	Metering troubles with K7 Hi, Got a problem with a K7: I think i have a metering trouble: In Av mode, whereas the light condition and the aperture : it always go at 1/8000 In Tv mode: always the small aperture of the lens... In P mode: always 1/8000 and smallest aperure. So my pictures are all DARK... any idea ?

06-22-2010, 08:10 AM	#5
fourmiX Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: France Photos: Gallery Posts: 140 Original Poster	Same trouble at all iso's settings. In green mode also, it goes at 1/8000 and smallest aperture. You're right, it's like we are straight on the sun or big light...but it's not the case ! Tested with many lens, same problem... Test in M mode, when i press the green button -> 1/8000 and smallest aperture... I've reset the K7...same troubles... Last edited by fourmiX; 06-22-2010 at 08:24 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
New DSLR K-x troubles	MelAllsop	Pentax DSLR Discussion	7	12-17-2009 12:47 PM
Troubles but cool...	metroeloise	Post Your Photos!	5	08-23-2009 12:51 PM
50-135mm troubles or is it me?	branphlake	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	08-17-2009 10:30 PM
Evilbay troubles	Pwn4g3_P13	General Talk	26	08-17-2009 03:53 PM
Troubles with inspiration	Kim	Post Your Photos!	6	03-12-2008 02:07 AM

06-22-2010, 08:02 AM	#2
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	I would reset the customs function first if it clears anything you might have set incorrectly by mistake.

06-22-2010, 08:04 AM	#3
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by fourmiX Hi, Got a problem with a K7: I think i have a metering trouble: In Av mode, whereas the light condition and the aperture : it always go at 1/8000 In Tv mode: always the small aperture of the lens... In P mode: always 1/8000 and smallest aperure. So my pictures are all DARK... any idea ? Sounds like you are shooting straight into the sun (that's the only time I get those settings on mine). I doubt it matters but does it do this with All lenses? Where is your ISO set? Have you set the camera to M and tried setting the aperture and speed manually by using the meter to set your exposure?

06-22-2010, 08:04 AM	#4
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	What is you ISO setting ?

06-22-2010, 08:26 AM	#6
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	What lens? Sounds like you are using a manual aperture lens (K or M series). These do not stop down in Av, Tv, Sv, or Green modes. They will meter wide open and in auto modes like these, shoot wide open. You need to be in M mode and set the aperture yourself.

06-22-2010, 08:30 AM	#7
fourmiX Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: France Photos: Gallery Posts: 140 Original Poster	Lens: Da55 Fa200 macro Zeiss 85 ZK Da*50-135 ... All on the A set. I precise that it's nor a constant trouble. We can take 4 or 5 shoots normally (at 1/250 and f/2.8 iso 200 for example) and without changing anything, the meter cell goes crazy and goes at 1/8000 or smallest aperture... :/

06-22-2010, 08:58 AM	#8
RBellavance Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Near Montréal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,716	Sounds like it's defective, unfortunately. You'll most likely have to send it in for service.

06-22-2010, 09:57 AM	#9
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Sounds like a technical problem. Only thing that it also could be is a problem with the accu, so the energy isn't good. I would send it in for service.

06-22-2010, 11:19 AM	#10
fourmiX Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: France Photos: Gallery Posts: 140 Original Poster	ok... Thanks for your advices. I would phone the seller (4 year warranty)and explain the trouble. I hope that he would accept a exchange ?

06-22-2010, 04:59 PM	#11
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by fourmiX Same trouble at all iso's settings. In green mode also, it goes at 1/8000 and smallest aperture. You're right, it's like we are straight on the sun or big light...but it's not the case ! Tested with many lens, same problem... Test in M mode, when i press the green button -> 1/8000 and smallest aperture... I've reset the K7...same troubles... It certainly sounds as if the camera is defective. When I suggested M mode, I meant set the shutter speed and aperture with the dials. When you press the green button, you are still Auto Metering.

08-09-2010, 04:26 PM	#12
HEEGZ Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Missouri Photos: Albums Posts: 258	Just wanted to report that I am having the same issue. It is fairly erratic when it occurs, sometimes on the first shot, sometimes 100 shots later. Basically the camera meters for 1/8000 and the smallest aperture size, as if pointing at the sun. Swapping lenses and environments makes no difference on when it occurs. Only work around is to switch to Live View mode and hit the green button, works more than 50% of the time, though the problem usually returns. The other method is to simply guess the exposure and then bracket your way in to a nicely balance histogram. Using both of these methods I was able to take images on my first big trip with my new K-7. I'm really frustrated that I got a lemon though... Since getting home from my trip today the problem has not resurfaced. I'm afraid it may return the next time I have a lot of photo taking planned.

08-24-2012, 03:58 AM	#13
sighman New Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 2	I am having the same issue too.It occurs occasionally. When I sent it to maintenance services in china area several times,they said they couldn't detect any problems. It is so frustrated. I made them sent it to headquarters in japan for further inspection and maintenance.Hope problem can be solved.

08-25-2012, 10:13 AM	#14
Allison Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 667	I am wondering if it has to do with the way metering is set. I sometimes have the opposite problem with weddings - my K5 overexposes. It is because it is trying to meter the groom's black tux to 18% gray. I generally know what the settings should be, so shooting manual or changing the metering mode fixes this issue. Is there something white in the scene that your camera could be trying to make 18% gray and therefore underexposing your images?

08-25-2012, 02:07 PM	#15
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	It sounds as if there was a bad contact somewhere internally. Could be the mode wheel or one of the other wheels. With the ME Super this was a very common effect when dirt had entered the area beneath the ISO/EV compensation wheel.