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joecollinsphoto · 10-21-2018, 12:59 PM

I really enjoy shooting the P5 in metered manual mode. Here’s my situation: The first photograph taken when switched to manual mode has no information in the viewfinder. Every subsequent shot has the information. I feel like I must be missing something. I went through the owner’s manual and cannot figure out where I am going wrong. (Typically,with me, it is an operator error.) Any suggestions?

jpipg · 10-21-2018, 03:52 PM

Just do a light half press on the shutter button, and that should activate the meter

joecollinsphoto · 10-21-2018, 07:01 PM

Originally posted by jpipg

Just do a light half press on the shutter button, and that should activate the meter

That’s the perplexing thing. It doesn’t activate. But after the first frame it will activate. And then if I shut it off and come back to it in a bit the same thing happens.

---------- Post added 10-21-18 at 07:06 PM ----------

I have a P30 that has the same (or very similar) metering system and it works as expected. I wonder if the electronics in the P5 are starting to give up the ghost.

**gofour3** · 10-21-2018, 10:27 PM

Have you tried new batteries and cleaning the battery cap?

Phil.

**ChrisPlatt** · 10-22-2018, 06:20 AM

I had a different model Pentax body exhibiting similar erratic behavior.
IIRC Eric had to adjust the meter activation switch on the shutter release.

Chris

johnha · 10-22-2018, 01:45 PM

As gofour3 mentioned, try new batteries, otherwise it looks like the 'half-press' switch isn't working but the meter switches on when you fully press the release, staying on for a number of seconds. The meter lock 'ML' button might activate the meter?

10-21-2018, 12:59 PM	#1
joecollinsphoto New Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 4	Pentax P5 viewfinder information I really enjoy shooting the P5 in metered manual mode. Here’s my situation: The first photograph taken when switched to manual mode has no information in the viewfinder. Every subsequent shot has the information. I feel like I must be missing something. I went through the owner’s manual and cannot figure out where I am going wrong. (Typically,with me, it is an operator error.) Any suggestions?

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10-21-2018, 03:52 PM	#2
jpipg Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Posts: 60	Just do a light half press on the shutter button, and that should activate the meter

10-21-2018, 07:01 PM	#3
joecollinsphoto New Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Posts: 4 Original Poster	Originally posted by jpipg Just do a light half press on the shutter button, and that should activate the meter That’s the perplexing thing. It doesn’t activate. But after the first frame it will activate. And then if I shut it off and come back to it in a bit the same thing happens. ---------- Post added 10-21-18 at 07:06 PM ---------- I have a P30 that has the same (or very similar) metering system and it works as expected. I wonder if the electronics in the P5 are starting to give up the ghost.

10-21-2018, 10:27 PM	#4
gofour3 Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 8,093	Have you tried new batteries and cleaning the battery cap? Phil.

10-22-2018, 06:20 AM	#5
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,702	I had a different model Pentax body exhibiting similar erratic behavior. IIRC Eric had to adjust the meter activation switch on the shutter release. Chris

10-22-2018, 01:45 PM	#6
johnha Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lancashire, UK Photos: Albums Posts: 1,155	As gofour3 mentioned, try new batteries, otherwise it looks like the 'half-press' switch isn't working but the meter switches on when you fully press the release, staying on for a number of seconds. The meter lock 'ML' button might activate the meter?

Pentax P5 viewfinder information

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