K5IIs under exposes

robert · 04-15-2019, 05:35 PM

Ir seems to be a problem in a lot of situations. These shots were taken with the around noon with the sun behind me.

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**bkpix** · 04-15-2019, 05:48 PM

Yes, from the EXIF as well as the image, that's underexposed. Might you have bumped the exposure compensation?

robert · 04-15-2019, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by bkpix

Yes, from the EXIF as well as the image, that's underexposed. Might you have bumped the exposure compensation?

I don't believe so. I will have to test further to make sure

photoptimist · 04-15-2019, 06:10 PM

Besides accidental EC, another common cause is the AE meter set to "spot." (In these two images, the meter would seen just the sky and exposed the image just for that.)

robert · 04-15-2019, 06:16 PM

Originally posted by photoptimist

Besides accidental EC, another common cause is the AE meter set to "spot." (In these two images, the meter would seen just the sky and exposed the image just for that.)

I had it set to center weighted

Adam · 04-15-2019, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by robert

I had it set to center weighted

Any reason you're not using matrix metering in a situation like this? In any case, since the center isn't the brightest in this shot, it's a little weird that it turned out so dark.

pschlute · 04-15-2019, 08:03 PM

Were you using a tripod ?

**bkpix** · 04-15-2019, 08:10 PM

Originally posted by robert

I don't believe so. I will have to test further to make sure

I believe the EXIF will show whether exposure compensation was activated if you delve deep enough into the file.

stevebrot · 04-15-2019, 08:16 PM

High noon
Sunny day
Significant sky
Center weighted
Light clouds and/or white walls in the center 2/3rd of the frame

f/8, 1/1000s, ISO 100

Sunny 16 would indicate the same, but 1/500s so the exposure is close...only 1 stop under if going that route. A chimp of histogram looks to have indicated about 2 stops under in the field and possible even 2.5-3.0 stops to bring up the values of the barn and clouds, though either of those could have been addressed in PP.

This looks to be reasonable performance for center-weighted metering based on the contents of the scene.

Steve

stevebrot · 04-15-2019, 08:20 PM

Originally posted by bkpix

I believe the EXIF will show whether exposure compensation was activated if you delve deep enough into the file.

No EC according to the EXIF. This appears to be the classic wide-angle landscape trap where the meter gets fooled by sky. I suspect the images could have been salvaged from the RAW in PP.

Steve

stevebrot · 04-15-2019, 08:21 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by pschlute

Were you using a tripod ?

Brilliant! The next question is whether the eyepiece was open to direct sun. If so, that is the smoking gun.

Note: Not to diminish the fact of the obvious underexposure of the photos in the original post or the possibility that the camera meter might be failing.

Steve

**Apet-Sure** · 04-16-2019, 11:45 AM

Originally posted by robert

K5IIs under exposes.It seems to be a problem in a lot of situations.

I was having the same problem when I got my new (to me) K-5 IIs recently. Different compositions, lighting situations, etc. Switched to matrix metering and the problem went away.

**mikesbike** · 04-17-2019, 12:31 PM

I can see no particular reason for these scenes to be shot using center-weighted metering. The default matrix metering should be fine. That said, the K-5 series does tend to slightly under expose, I'd say about 1/3 stop or so, which is not always noticeable. But the examples shown here are way off from that.

And yes, stray light entering through the VF eyepiece can wreak havoc on exposure!

The K-5 IIs is a great camera.

**caliscouser** · 04-17-2019, 09:44 PM

Center weighted metering with the majority of the center being sky......no mystery here I would say.

Evaluative/Matrix metering is designed for scenes like this.

It would be interesting to shoot the same scenes again with matrix metering then spot metering for the grass. Then review the results.

Wheatfield · 04-22-2019, 04:27 PM

Originally posted by robert

Ir seems to be a problem in a lot of situations. These shots were taken with the around noon with the sun behind me.

It’s definitely preserving the highlights. Does your camera do this with every lens or just with the 21?

04-15-2019, 06:26 PM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	Originally posted by robert I had it set to center weighted Any reason you're not using matrix metering in a situation like this? In any case, since the center isn't the brightest in this shot, it's a little weird that it turned out so dark. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

04-15-2019, 08:21 PM - 2 Likes	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by pschlute Were you using a tripod ? Brilliant! The next question is whether the eyepiece was open to direct sun. If so, that is the smoking gun. Note: Not to diminish the fact of the obvious underexposure of the photos in the original post or the possibility that the camera meter might be failing. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 04-16-2019 at 08:52 AM.

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04-15-2019, 05:48 PM	#2
bkpix Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Creswell, Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 568	Yes, from the EXIF as well as the image, that's underexposed. Might you have bumped the exposure compensation?

04-15-2019, 06:10 PM	#3
robert Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 336 Original Poster	Originally posted by bkpix Yes, from the EXIF as well as the image, that's underexposed. Might you have bumped the exposure compensation? I don't believe so. I will have to test further to make sure

04-15-2019, 06:10 PM	#4
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,121	Besides accidental EC, another common cause is the AE meter set to "spot." (In these two images, the meter would seen just the sky and exposed the image just for that.)

04-15-2019, 06:16 PM	#5
robert Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: ohio Posts: 336 Original Poster	Originally posted by photoptimist Besides accidental EC, another common cause is the AE meter set to "spot." (In these two images, the meter would seen just the sky and exposed the image just for that.) I had it set to center weighted

04-15-2019, 08:03 PM	#7
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,185	Were you using a tripod ?

04-15-2019, 08:10 PM	#8
bkpix Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Creswell, Oregon Photos: Albums Posts: 568	Originally posted by robert I don't believe so. I will have to test further to make sure I believe the EXIF will show whether exposure compensation was activated if you delve deep enough into the file.

04-15-2019, 08:16 PM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	High noon Sunny day Significant sky Center weighted Light clouds and/or white walls in the center 2/3rd of the frame f/8, 1/1000s, ISO 100 Sunny 16 would indicate the same, but 1/500s so the exposure is close...only 1 stop under if going that route. A chimp of histogram looks to have indicated about 2 stops under in the field and possible even 2.5-3.0 stops to bring up the values of the barn and clouds, though either of those could have been addressed in PP. This looks to be reasonable performance for center-weighted metering based on the contents of the scene. Steve

04-15-2019, 08:20 PM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by bkpix I believe the EXIF will show whether exposure compensation was activated if you delve deep enough into the file. No EC according to the EXIF. This appears to be the classic wide-angle landscape trap where the meter gets fooled by sky. I suspect the images could have been salvaged from the RAW in PP. Steve

04-16-2019, 11:45 AM	#12
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,861	Originally posted by robert K5IIs under exposes.It seems to be a problem in a lot of situations. I was having the same problem when I got my new (to me) K-5 IIs recently. Different compositions, lighting situations, etc. Switched to matrix metering and the problem went away.

04-17-2019, 12:31 PM	#13
mikesbike Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeastern Michigan Posts: 4,547	I can see no particular reason for these scenes to be shot using center-weighted metering. The default matrix metering should be fine. That said, the K-5 series does tend to slightly under expose, I'd say about 1/3 stop or so, which is not always noticeable. But the examples shown here are way off from that. And yes, stray light entering through the VF eyepiece can wreak havoc on exposure! The K-5 IIs is a great camera.

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04-17-2019, 09:44 PM	#14
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	Center weighted metering with the majority of the center being sky......no mystery here I would say. Evaluative/Matrix metering is designed for scenes like this. It would be interesting to shoot the same scenes again with matrix metering then spot metering for the grass. Then review the results.

04-22-2019, 04:27 PM	#15
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,975	Originally posted by robert Ir seems to be a problem in a lot of situations. These shots were taken with the around noon with the sun behind me. It’s definitely preserving the highlights. Does your camera do this with every lens or just with the 21?