Pentax K10D underexposure problem

blegs38552 · 05-17-2015, 06:24 AM

In the past six months or so, I have noticed a constant underexposure when taking pictures both indoors and outdoors with my Pentax K10D. I am using the standard 18-55 lens. I have tried varying Modes, White Balance settings, exposure compensation...etc., but the problem seems to persist.

I am shooting in RAW mode. and use Adobe Photoshop Elements for my photo editing. Virtually all of the time, just clicking on "autofix" in the program adjusts the exposure and the photos are fine from there, but I am wondering what is causing this in the first place.

Possibly, I just have something set wrong on the camera, but I have tried a multitude of things to no avail.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, especially if one of the clears up the problem.

aleonx3 · 05-17-2015, 06:33 AM

Originally posted by blegs38552

In the past six months or so, I have noticed a constant underexposure when taking pictures both indoors and outdoors with my Pentax K10D. I am using the standard 18-55 lens. I have tried varying Modes, White Balance settings, exposure compensation...etc., but the problem seems to persist.

I am shooting in RAW mode. and use Adobe Photoshop Elements for my photo editing. Virtually all of the time, just clicking on "autofix" in the program adjusts the exposure and the photos are fine from there, but I am wondering what is causing this in the first place.

Possibly, I just have something set wrong on the camera, but I have tried a multitude of things to no avail.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, especially if one of the clears up the problem.

What is the photo setting on the camera - is it set to 'bright' -default or 'natural' which tend to under expose more often than not? Other settings to check would be exposure compensation EX and metering options.

photolady95 · 05-17-2015, 08:03 AM

Moved to the proper forum, DSLR discussion, not General Photography forum.

Not a Number · 05-17-2015, 08:52 AM

Are the histograms in the camera and Photoshop showing the under exposure? If not, check the calibration of your monitor. I thought my shots were coming out underexposed until I re-calibrated my monitor.

stevebrot · 05-17-2015, 10:24 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Are the histograms in the camera and Photoshop showing the under exposure? If not, check the calibration of your monitor. I thought my shots were coming out underexposed until I re-calibrated my monitor.

Yes, monitor calibration and room lighting while viewing are both important. As noted, the histogram is your best guide. You can test your exposure metering by photographing a blank white wall in even, indirect light. The histogram should be centered with the photograph itself being quite gray.

Steve

tomtor · 05-18-2015, 11:19 PM

Originally posted by blegs38552

In the past six months or so, I have noticed a constant underexposure when taking pictures both indoors and outdoors with my Pentax K10D. I am using the standard 18-55 lens. I have tried varying Modes, White Balance settings, exposure compensation...etc., but the problem seems to persist.

I am shooting in RAW mode. and use Adobe Photoshop Elements for my photo editing. Virtually all of the time, just clicking on "autofix" in the program adjusts the exposure and the photos are fine from there, but I am wondering what is causing this in the first place.

Possibly, I just have something set wrong on the camera, but I have tried a multitude of things to no avail.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, especially if one of the clears up the problem.

Are you really sure the K10D exposed brighter 6 months ago or did you not notice until recently?
How much exposure compensation is needed (eg +0.5?).

The K10D exposes in general on the dark side. That is nice if you post process your (raw) images (and you do so that's great), because it preserves the highlights,
but out of camera jpegs are often too dark.

reeftool · 05-20-2015, 05:02 AM - **1 Like**

My K10D had a tendency to meter to the left side of the histogram most of the time. This was discussed extensively back in the day. If your histogram is mostly centered, then you might want to check your monitor although if your monitor is out of whack a little, all photos will look darker, not just your own.

**MXLX** · 12-15-2021, 03:07 PM

Resurrecting an older thread, just because those who've acquired a K10D recently may not find it in the archives.

I'm having the same issue. Underexposed images in SOOC .jpgs, histogram well left. Opening the RAW images and just doing a casual autocorrect on exposure, it comes out between half and a full stop under. My calibrated eyeball had determined about .7 stop EV correction before I came in to check. This was with Pentax AF lenses, Program exposure, natural tone. I'm okay with it, I'll just leave that correction in the camera.

Funny, I've shot this camera with MF lenses and green button metering and didn't notice it as much.

Anyway, another data point for the K10D devotees.

artrasa · 12-16-2021, 10:52 AM

I also tend to get underexposed photos with the K10D when mounting M42 lenses that have non-conductive flanges. Placing a narrow strip of aluminium foil between the lens and the contacts may improve metering accuracy with such M42 lenses.

ChristianRock · 12-17-2021, 03:30 PM - **2 Likes**

K10D is a lot more conservative to preserve the highlights than the newer Pentax cameras.

But there might be some dirt in the optical path to the metering sensor. Cleaning the mirror and the screen might help...

**MXLX** · 12-17-2021, 08:01 PM

^^^^^
Meaning the "under"side of the screen, toward the mirror?

ChristianRock · 12-18-2021, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by MXLX

^^^^^
Meaning the "under"side of the screen, toward the mirror?

I read that the ideal thing is to take the focus screen off and clean it on both sides, making sure it's very dry before putting it back on.

05-17-2015, 06:24 AM	#1
blegs38552 Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 5	Pentax K10D underexposure problem In the past six months or so, I have noticed a constant underexposure when taking pictures both indoors and outdoors with my Pentax K10D. I am using the standard 18-55 lens. I have tried varying Modes, White Balance settings, exposure compensation...etc., but the problem seems to persist. I am shooting in RAW mode. and use Adobe Photoshop Elements for my photo editing. Virtually all of the time, just clicking on "autofix" in the program adjusts the exposure and the photos are fine from there, but I am wondering what is causing this in the first place. Possibly, I just have something set wrong on the camera, but I have tried a multitude of things to no avail. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, especially if one of the clears up the problem.

05-18-2015, 11:19 PM	#6
tomtor Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Netherlands Posts: 382	Originally posted by blegs38552 In the past six months or so, I have noticed a constant underexposure when taking pictures both indoors and outdoors with my Pentax K10D. I am using the standard 18-55 lens. I have tried varying Modes, White Balance settings, exposure compensation...etc., but the problem seems to persist. I am shooting in RAW mode. and use Adobe Photoshop Elements for my photo editing. Virtually all of the time, just clicking on "autofix" in the program adjusts the exposure and the photos are fine from there, but I am wondering what is causing this in the first place. Possibly, I just have something set wrong on the camera, but I have tried a multitude of things to no avail. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, especially if one of the clears up the problem. Are you really sure the K10D exposed brighter 6 months ago or did you not notice until recently? How much exposure compensation is needed (eg +0.5?). The K10D exposes in general on the dark side. That is nice if you post process your (raw) images (and you do so that's great), because it preserves the highlights, but out of camera jpegs are often too dark. Last edited by tomtor; 05-18-2015 at 11:21 PM. Reason: Removed raw remark

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05-17-2015, 06:33 AM	#2
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by blegs38552 In the past six months or so, I have noticed a constant underexposure when taking pictures both indoors and outdoors with my Pentax K10D. I am using the standard 18-55 lens. I have tried varying Modes, White Balance settings, exposure compensation...etc., but the problem seems to persist. I am shooting in RAW mode. and use Adobe Photoshop Elements for my photo editing. Virtually all of the time, just clicking on "autofix" in the program adjusts the exposure and the photos are fine from there, but I am wondering what is causing this in the first place. Possibly, I just have something set wrong on the camera, but I have tried a multitude of things to no avail. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated, especially if one of the clears up the problem. What is the photo setting on the camera - is it set to 'bright' -default or 'natural' which tend to under expose more often than not? Other settings to check would be exposure compensation EX and metering options.

05-17-2015, 08:03 AM	#3
photolady95 Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cruising the forum watching his back Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,712	Moved to the proper forum, DSLR discussion, not General Photography forum.

05-17-2015, 08:52 AM	#4
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Are the histograms in the camera and Photoshop showing the under exposure? If not, check the calibration of your monitor. I thought my shots were coming out underexposed until I re-calibrated my monitor.

05-17-2015, 10:24 AM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Not a Number Are the histograms in the camera and Photoshop showing the under exposure? If not, check the calibration of your monitor. I thought my shots were coming out underexposed until I re-calibrated my monitor. Yes, monitor calibration and room lighting while viewing are both important. As noted, the histogram is your best guide. You can test your exposure metering by photographing a blank white wall in even, indirect light. The histogram should be centered with the photograph itself being quite gray. Steve

05-20-2015, 05:02 AM - 1 Like	#7
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,553	My K10D had a tendency to meter to the left side of the histogram most of the time. This was discussed extensively back in the day. If your histogram is mostly centered, then you might want to check your monitor although if your monitor is out of whack a little, all photos will look darker, not just your own.

12-15-2021, 03:07 PM	#8
MXLX Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Western NC Photos: Albums Posts: 834	Resurrecting an older thread, just because those who've acquired a K10D recently may not find it in the archives. I'm having the same issue. Underexposed images in SOOC .jpgs, histogram well left. Opening the RAW images and just doing a casual autocorrect on exposure, it comes out between half and a full stop under. My calibrated eyeball had determined about .7 stop EV correction before I came in to check. This was with Pentax AF lenses, Program exposure, natural tone. I'm okay with it, I'll just leave that correction in the camera. Funny, I've shot this camera with MF lenses and green button metering and didn't notice it as much. Anyway, another data point for the K10D devotees.

12-16-2021, 10:52 AM	#9
artrasa Senior Member Join Date: May 2021 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 185	I also tend to get underexposed photos with the K10D when mounting M42 lenses that have non-conductive flanges. Placing a narrow strip of aluminium foil between the lens and the contacts may improve metering accuracy with such M42 lenses.

12-17-2021, 03:30 PM - 2 Likes	#10
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	K10D is a lot more conservative to preserve the highlights than the newer Pentax cameras. But there might be some dirt in the optical path to the metering sensor. Cleaning the mirror and the screen might help...

12-17-2021, 08:01 PM	#11
MXLX Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Western NC Photos: Albums Posts: 834	^^^^^ Meaning the "under"side of the screen, toward the mirror?

12-18-2021, 02:27 PM	#12
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Originally posted by MXLX ^^^^^ Meaning the "under"side of the screen, toward the mirror? I read that the ideal thing is to take the focus screen off and clean it on both sides, making sure it's very dry before putting it back on.

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