Z-1, PZ-1 Viewfinder fading

ScotIslander · 11-07-2009, 03:29 AM

Has anyone encountered the problem of a Z-1 (PZ-1) viewfinder fading from bright to dark green?

Any help on this appreciated.

VF-19 · 11-07-2009, 05:54 AM

Do you mean the led readout on the right hand side of the viewfinder? If that's what you're talking about, mine remains bright green. Although, it's hard to see in bright sunlight.

ScotIslander · 11-07-2009, 06:00 AM

Yes, that's the one. This is supposedly fading indoors.

VF-19 · 11-07-2009, 06:29 AM

Is it possible that your batteries are dying? If you've got a fresh set lying around, try swapping them.

Also, does the display start bright when you give the shutter a half press, and then dim as it stays on, or does it flicker from bright to dim?

wlachan · 11-07-2009, 10:46 AM

It's an unwritten feature? Many Pentax AF cameras do that, including my K-m.

ScotIslander · 11-07-2009, 11:52 AM

I don't know. I've just sold my Z-1 and the person who bought it has requested a refund because of it. He states that it's a sign the display is 'dying'.

However, I'd never noticed this before the sale. I'm waiting for the camera's return to examine it myself. I'll post again when I've more details.

Stevopedia · 11-07-2009, 08:09 PM

I've noticed the same thing on my ist D. The brightness of the viewfinder indicators changes with the light level that the camera sees: the brighter the scene, the brighter the indicators (and vice versa.) It's a combination power saver-visibility thing (if the indicators stayed at daylight brightness while you're working on a dark scene, your eyes would adjust to the bright indicators, making it hard to see the scene.)

VF-19 · 11-07-2009, 09:34 PM

I confirmed it with both my K10D, and my PZ-1p. I pointed the camera at a bright lightbulb, and moved the lens cap over the lens, and lo and behold, the brightness of my viewfinder information readout changed.

Neat, I've never noticed it.

I would point your customer to this thread as proof that the camera is OK.

ScotIslander · 11-08-2009, 05:08 AM

Too late. I've asked him to send it back. I'll be examining it to see if I can replicate the 'fault' and either returning it to the shop for repair or refund (6 month warranty) or relisting it on fleabay.

little laker · 11-08-2009, 01:46 PM

That's good of you Scot,
I'm sure that the cameras fine. Every SLR I've ever seen with a display anything like that has the same feature.

Jonson PL · 11-11-2009, 02:02 PM

Originally posted by Stevopedia

I've noticed the same thing on my ist D. The brightness of the viewfinder indicators changes with the light level that the camera sees: the brighter the scene, the brighter the indicators (and vice versa.) It's a combination power saver-visibility thing (if the indicators stayed at daylight brightness while you're working on a dark scene, your eyes would adjust to the bright indicators, making it hard to see the scene.)

Yeah, I think I read it in a Pentax manual, maybe for the Super A.

I think it is a feature that Pentax uses. Sometimes they don't write everything in the manual though

11-07-2009, 03:29 AM	#1
ScotIslander Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Isle of Skye Posts: 27	Z-1, PZ-1 Viewfinder fading Has anyone encountered the problem of a Z-1 (PZ-1) viewfinder fading from bright to dark green? Any help on this appreciated.

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11-07-2009, 05:54 AM	#2
VF-19 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 364	Do you mean the led readout on the right hand side of the viewfinder? If that's what you're talking about, mine remains bright green. Although, it's hard to see in bright sunlight.

11-07-2009, 06:00 AM	#3
ScotIslander Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Isle of Skye Posts: 27 Original Poster	Yes, that's the one. This is supposedly fading indoors.

11-07-2009, 06:29 AM	#4
VF-19 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 364	Is it possible that your batteries are dying? If you've got a fresh set lying around, try swapping them. Also, does the display start bright when you give the shutter a half press, and then dim as it stays on, or does it flicker from bright to dim?

11-07-2009, 10:46 AM	#5
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	It's an unwritten feature? Many Pentax AF cameras do that, including my K-m.

11-07-2009, 11:52 AM	#6
ScotIslander Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Isle of Skye Posts: 27 Original Poster	I don't know. I've just sold my Z-1 and the person who bought it has requested a refund because of it. He states that it's a sign the display is 'dying'. However, I'd never noticed this before the sale. I'm waiting for the camera's return to examine it myself. I'll post again when I've more details.

11-07-2009, 08:09 PM	#7
Stevopedia Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Posts: 273	I've noticed the same thing on my ist D. The brightness of the viewfinder indicators changes with the light level that the camera sees: the brighter the scene, the brighter the indicators (and vice versa.) It's a combination power saver-visibility thing (if the indicators stayed at daylight brightness while you're working on a dark scene, your eyes would adjust to the bright indicators, making it hard to see the scene.)

11-07-2009, 09:34 PM	#8
VF-19 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ottawa Posts: 364	I confirmed it with both my K10D, and my PZ-1p. I pointed the camera at a bright lightbulb, and moved the lens cap over the lens, and lo and behold, the brightness of my viewfinder information readout changed. Neat, I've never noticed it. I would point your customer to this thread as proof that the camera is OK.

11-08-2009, 05:08 AM	#9
ScotIslander Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Isle of Skye Posts: 27 Original Poster	Too late. I've asked him to send it back. I'll be examining it to see if I can replicate the 'fault' and either returning it to the shop for repair or refund (6 month warranty) or relisting it on fleabay.

11-08-2009, 01:46 PM	#10
little laker Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,697	That's good of you Scot, I'm sure that the cameras fine. Every SLR I've ever seen with a display anything like that has the same feature.

11-11-2009, 02:02 PM	#11
Jonson PL Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Copenhagen Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,842	Originally posted by Stevopedia I've noticed the same thing on my ist D. The brightness of the viewfinder indicators changes with the light level that the camera sees: the brighter the scene, the brighter the indicators (and vice versa.) It's a combination power saver-visibility thing (if the indicators stayed at daylight brightness while you're working on a dark scene, your eyes would adjust to the bright indicators, making it hard to see the scene.) Yeah, I think I read it in a Pentax manual, maybe for the Super A. I think it is a feature that Pentax uses. Sometimes they don't write everything in the manual though

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