K200D - images are very dark
Posted 14/07/2009 - 08:32 - Helpful Comment
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It's hard to say without seeing the pics - can you upload one? What were you taking pictures of and which lens were you using?
The auto settings can be fooled by shooting towards the sun etc. In which case, angle the camera away from the source of light, towards the area which you want to be perfectly exposed, press AEL (auto exposure lock), recompose the shot and shoot.
The auto settings can be fooled by shooting towards the sun etc. In which case, angle the camera away from the source of light, towards the area which you want to be perfectly exposed, press AEL (auto exposure lock), recompose the shot and shoot.
Posted 14/07/2009 - 10:10
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Thanks for your help.
I must be stupid or something as i can't see a way of uploading a pic. If i click on the image button, I just get the word in this box.
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I am using pentax lenses - an 18-55 and a 55-300. The main problem is when I zoom in to take close-ups, but it does seem dark at other times.
I suppose I can use software to lighten the pics, but I'd rather they were good in the first place.
I will try the AEL now..thanks
I must be stupid or something as i can't see a way of uploading a pic. If i click on the image button, I just get the word in this box.
I am using pentax lenses - an 18-55 and a 55-300. The main problem is when I zoom in to take close-ups, but it does seem dark at other times.
I suppose I can use software to lighten the pics, but I'd rather they were good in the first place.
I will try the AEL now..thanks
Posted 14/07/2009 - 10:21 - Helpful Comment
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An image can't be posted directly to the forum. Upload your pic to a photo hosting site such as Photobucket, then post a link to it here.
See https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/Linking-Images-Into-Posts-4791
The camera tends to under-expose in difficult situations to prevent the highlights from being blown (over-exposed). It's easier with software to lighten the dark areas than recover detail from the over-bright areas.
You may (or may not) get results more to your liking with Centre Weighted metering. Also have a go with EV Compensation as well as AE-L.
See https://www.pentaxuser.com/forum/topic/Linking-Images-Into-Posts-4791
The camera tends to under-expose in difficult situations to prevent the highlights from being blown (over-exposed). It's easier with software to lighten the dark areas than recover detail from the over-bright areas.
You may (or may not) get results more to your liking with Centre Weighted metering. Also have a go with EV Compensation as well as AE-L.
~Pete
Posted 14/07/2009 - 11:19
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As Pete mentions the Pentax bodies tend to be cautious with highlights - I have +0.7EV permanently dialled into the exposure compensation and then check the histogram after each shot, generally works out pretty good when shooting RAW
simon
simon
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Posted 14/07/2009 - 12:02
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You could try bracketing a few shots to see if its the cameras exposure being cautious as mentioned above.
Maybe try setting it to +0.3 and then +0.5 etc to see what happens
You could also check the in camera processing settings if shooting jpegs
I too have a K200D and it does generally under expose, usually end up going up about +0.5
Have also set the contrast and sharpness up by +1 too
Cheers
Rich
Maybe try setting it to +0.3 and then +0.5 etc to see what happens
You could also check the in camera processing settings if shooting jpegs
I too have a K200D and it does generally under expose, usually end up going up about +0.5
Have also set the contrast and sharpness up by +1 too
Cheers
Rich
Posted 14/07/2009 - 13:08
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Quote:
The main problem is when I zoom in to take close-ups, but it does seem dark at other times.
That sounds odd - you'd espect the opposite to be the case if this was the meter being affected by highlights.The main problem is when I zoom in to take close-ups, but it does seem dark at other times.
When I first read your problem I wondered if it might have been to do with the LCD on the camera. I had to brighten my camera's LCD display a lot - the default setting looked too dark, in fact I thought there was a problem with the camera initially!
Posted 15/07/2009 - 12:21
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Are they looking dark on ure PC or on the cameras LCD screen? If its just the PC maby you need to brighten your monitor up as I had a problem with this when I first got my K20.
Lil Andy
K20D, PENTAX DA 18-55, TAMRON DI 70-300, PENTAX SMC-K 135 f2.5
www.ajohnson-photography.co.uk
K20D, PENTAX DA 18-55, TAMRON DI 70-300, PENTAX SMC-K 135 f2.5
www.ajohnson-photography.co.uk
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2 posts
17 years
I had a good SLR years agao, but haven't used one for about 15 years and so am starting again with a K200D.
I am keen to get using the camera properly, but find that even on the automatic setting, the images come out very dark.
If anyone can give me simpleton advice on how to rectify this, I'd be very grateful
Thanks