*istDS low sensitivity on start up at night

My camera has a problem. If I leave it alone for a day or two and fire it up for night shots, say for at a party. The internal flash pops up and go off when a shot is taken but the shot is very under exposed (all black). I noticed that the pre-flash is not working. This under exposure continues even if the flash is turned off and the camera pointed directly at a lamp (lamps are only just visable). When a shot is made in daylight the exposure is OK and then subsequent night/flash shots are OK for a period of time. I notice that the pre-flash is working in this case.

The camera is set for default everything. Lens is Sigma 18-50mm/1:3.5-5.6

I have upgaded the firmware to 2.0 but this has not corrected the problem

If you don't have another lens to try, I would try cleaning the electrical contacts between the lens and body. Some strange exposure issues will result if the body cannot communicate effectively with the lens (and as a side issue, I know there have been some compatibility issues with Sigma lenses. I'm not sure though if your combination is one of them - maybe a search on the 'net will help).

Also, double check your exposure setting (I presume you are using "P", or green).

Matt

Thanks for the quick response

I also have tried it with a SMC Pentax-FA 1:1.4 50mm with the same problem. The sensitivity seems to get better the longer the camera is on, but still appears washed out (low constrast). I think I may have to get it fixed under warranty.

Mark,
Yes, it sounds like a warranty repair. If the FA50/1.4 messes around, then it looks as though there's a real problem.
Matt

My pop-up flash on my DS stopped working within a week of buying it. Pentax Slough replaced the whole body under warranty.

If my addled memory serves correctly there seem to have been quite a few posts on this forum and in "other places" where people have reported various problems with the built-in flash on the DS, maybe there is a design fault or quality control problem at pentax?