Faulty OptioWP

Has anyone had a faulty OptioWP. Mine went faulty while in Greece. One day it worked OK. The next it produced way over exposed shots. Horizontal banding present on review. Tried resetting expose etc to no avail. Works OK in movie mode.
As it works OK in movie mode both 30FPS and 15FPS where exposure is no greater than 1/30th second or 1/15 I assume the CCD exposure control is at fault in single shot mode.

Are there any software fixes available via PC connection? Factory resets etc?

Brian,

On this forum there is a section called "Troubleshooter", and another called "Pentax Digital Optio Cameras".

Either of them would provide a suitable home for your question.

This section, which is called "Pentax Digital SLRs" is intended for people who wish to discuss matters pertaining to (you've guessed it - I hope!) Pentax Digital SLRs. A Pentax Digital Optio camera is not a Pentax Digital SLR, and sadly never will be.

However, as you are new, here is a link to the latest firmware for your camera. It's certainly worth trying to install it.

http://www.pentaximaging.com/customer_care/show_firmware?firmId=6442215

G

And here we are in the Optio section!

Hope you get it sorted OK.

I had a very similar problem with my Optio WPi shortly after I bought it. Returned it to Pentax under warranty, the fault actually turned out to be with the autofocus mechanism, and not with the sensor (which is what I assumed from the exposure and banding!)

I have carried out thr firmware update to version 1.01 as suggested.
No improvement!! Didn't think there would be as V 1.01 is to add Auto focus tracking but it was worth a try.

The reason for suggesting you upgrade was because it was an easy way of replacing the program in your camera. If that had somehow been corrupted, the upgrade would have fixed it.

Also, Pentax usually include bug-fixes in their firmware upgrades, but do not announce them.

G

Thanks George, I wasn't sure if it would be a full software rebulid. So that now inplies that it is a fault with the camera and not the soft/firmware. Labour costs being what they are,(I used to be a broadcast engineer maintaining TV cameras and studio gear, now semi retired!) it looks like I now have a small WP movie camera and will have to buy a new WP still camera. It's not cost effective to pay for a repair. Meanwhile I'll use my Panasonic SV-AV10U or Nikon D70 or even Coolpix 995 also a bit iffy for general shots or even get out the Olympus OM10's and OM2n cameras that have not been used for a few years. Maybe even the old Practika LLC's gathering dust somewhere. Oh dear they need a perculiar battery for the meter. At least they would work being almost clockwork! Oh the joys of film! Its always a suprise when you get the prints back. It also pays to use a Fuji "Gold standard" lab to get them printed.