Pentax X5
Posted 27/11/2012 - 14:39 - Helpful Comment
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Manual control would mean you deciding what aperture and shutter speed, aided by the exposure meter in the camera.
What you are describing is Tv mode, where you set the speed (Time) and the camera sets the aperture.
Av mode would be where you set the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed.
There is a review on ePHOTOzine that may help you: http://www.ephotozine.com/article/pentax-x-5-review-20615
I haven't got the manual, but when setting in manual try first setting the shutter speed and then press and hold the +- button which may change the function to setting the aperture. That's how pentax cameras usually work when there's only one control wheel.
What you are describing is Tv mode, where you set the speed (Time) and the camera sets the aperture.
Av mode would be where you set the aperture and the camera sets the shutter speed.
There is a review on ePHOTOzine that may help you: http://www.ephotozine.com/article/pentax-x-5-review-20615
I haven't got the manual, but when setting in manual try first setting the shutter speed and then press and hold the +- button which may change the function to setting the aperture. That's how pentax cameras usually work when there's only one control wheel.
Best regards, John
Posted 27/11/2012 - 14:59 - Helpful Comment
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I get the impression from the manual that you set both shutter and aperture manually, switching between the two using the +/- button and then using the rear e-dial to step through the actual settings.
It does not appear to be the case that you set one parameter and the camera automatically sets the other, rather the camera will alert you if the exposure is 'out' and then leave you to adjust shutter or aperture until the exposure is correct or whatever, ie if you want under or over exposure.
What you describe are aperture priority and shutter priority modes, and you don't have them with the X-5.
If the camera is new and the retailer led you to believe that the camera did have the modes you wanted, then I'd suggest take it up with them, hopefully get a full refund and possibly put the extra towards buying a K-30, which is not a bridge camera but is a very highly regarded DSLR.
It does not appear to be the case that you set one parameter and the camera automatically sets the other, rather the camera will alert you if the exposure is 'out' and then leave you to adjust shutter or aperture until the exposure is correct or whatever, ie if you want under or over exposure.
What you describe are aperture priority and shutter priority modes, and you don't have them with the X-5.
If the camera is new and the retailer led you to believe that the camera did have the modes you wanted, then I'd suggest take it up with them, hopefully get a full refund and possibly put the extra towards buying a K-30, which is not a bridge camera but is a very highly regarded DSLR.
Posted 27/11/2012 - 15:12 - Helpful Comment
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If the Pentax Tav mode is available on that camera then you set the aperture and shutter speed and the cameras metering will set the ISO.
Edit:- Ignore my comment above, with a little further investigation it seems that all you have on this camera is Program Mode and Manual. Bridge cameras are designed to be fully auto for people with little photographic knowledge.
Edit:- Ignore my comment above, with a little further investigation it seems that all you have on this camera is Program Mode and Manual. Bridge cameras are designed to be fully auto for people with little photographic knowledge.
Chris
Posted 27/11/2012 - 15:53
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Thank you all for the helpful responses, particularly from JohnX. As said it does not have shutter or aperture priority modes. In fact what it does have is a poor attempt at manual control and is utterly useless. I am very disappointed with Pentax. If they are going to put buttons on a camera then at least make them useful. By the time you've mucked about with these the shot is long gone. It just pays lip service to manual operation. On another point; the little cord provided to secure the lens cap to the strap when threaded to the cap prevents it from seating properly in the lens.
Posted 27/11/2012 - 16:06
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delgret wrote:
Thank you all for the helpful responses, particularly from JohnX. As said it does not have shutter or aperture priority modes. In fact what it does have is a poor attempt at manual control and is utterly useless. I am very disappointed with Pentax. If they are going to put buttons on a camera then at least make them useful. By the time you've mucked about with these the shot is long gone. It just pays lip service to manual operation. On another point; the little cord provided to secure the lens cap to the strap when threaded to the cap prevents it from seating properly in the lens.
I understand your frustration, but Pentax are not alone when it comes to the design and functionality of bridge cameras, which are really no more than super point&shoot cameras, but with extended zoom, etc. At it's price, the X-5 is a good camera, but clearly not for you Thank you all for the helpful responses, particularly from JohnX. As said it does not have shutter or aperture priority modes. In fact what it does have is a poor attempt at manual control and is utterly useless. I am very disappointed with Pentax. If they are going to put buttons on a camera then at least make them useful. By the time you've mucked about with these the shot is long gone. It just pays lip service to manual operation. On another point; the little cord provided to secure the lens cap to the strap when threaded to the cap prevents it from seating properly in the lens.
Can I suggest that you don't abandon Pentax quite yet, but take a look at the K-30? It'll offer you much more versatility and control and I suspect will be better suited to your requirements, ability and enthusiasm? Yes, it'll cost you more money, but at the moment it's around at very good prices for it's specification and there's an enormous number of lenses that'll work with it, some costing just a few £'s.
Posted 27/11/2012 - 16:33
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Quote:
I understand your frustration, but Pentax are not alone when it comes to the design and functionality of bridge cameras, which are really no more than super point&shoot cameras, but with extended zoom, etc. At it's price, the X-5 is a good camera, but clearly not for you
Can I suggest that you don't abandon Pentax quite yet, but take a look at the K-30? It'll offer you much more versatility and control and I suspect will be better suited to your requirements, ability and enthusiasm? Yes, it'll cost you more money, but at the moment it's around at very good prices for it's specification and there's an enormous number of lenses that'll work with it, some costing just a few £'s
I second that
I understand your frustration, but Pentax are not alone when it comes to the design and functionality of bridge cameras, which are really no more than super point&shoot cameras, but with extended zoom, etc. At it's price, the X-5 is a good camera, but clearly not for you
Can I suggest that you don't abandon Pentax quite yet, but take a look at the K-30? It'll offer you much more versatility and control and I suspect will be better suited to your requirements, ability and enthusiasm? Yes, it'll cost you more money, but at the moment it's around at very good prices for it's specification and there's an enormous number of lenses that'll work with it, some costing just a few £'s
Regards,
Michael
Michael
Posted 27/11/2012 - 18:43
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I have a K5 a K30 and formerly had a K10 and a K20. I also have an X5 as a take to work camera/point & shoot. It`s horses for courses and the image quality of the X5 is superb which includes using a high digital magnification too. Agreed it`s not got the quality of a Pentax DSLR but it is a very decent bit of kit especially for sub £200.
Enjoy life
Posted 27/11/2012 - 20:01
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Hi Delgret,
Like yourself I also have bought a x-5 but I cannot read the manual due to a faulty cd rom drive on my PC, I think what you are looking at is a range of f no's. You set the shutter speed the camera picks the f number depending on the ISO setting. I found that by increasing the ISO setting the min aperture changed to f18 under expose and the flash required warning came on. Hope this helps.
BJ.
Like yourself I also have bought a x-5 but I cannot read the manual due to a faulty cd rom drive on my PC, I think what you are looking at is a range of f no's. You set the shutter speed the camera picks the f number depending on the ISO setting. I found that by increasing the ISO setting the min aperture changed to f18 under expose and the flash required warning came on. Hope this helps.
BJ.
Posted 27/11/2012 - 22:19
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Pentaxsam wrote:
Hi Delgret,
Like yourself I also have bought a x-5 but I cannot read the manual due to a faulty cd rom drive on my PC, I think what you are looking at is a range of f no's. You set the shutter speed the camera picks the f number depending on the ISO setting. I found that by increasing the ISO setting the min aperture changed to f18 under expose and the flash required warning came on. Hope this helps.
BJ.
You can download the pdf of the X5 User manual from the link below :-Hi Delgret,
Like yourself I also have bought a x-5 but I cannot read the manual due to a faulty cd rom drive on my PC, I think what you are looking at is a range of f no's. You set the shutter speed the camera picks the f number depending on the ISO setting. I found that by increasing the ISO setting the min aperture changed to f18 under expose and the flash required warning came on. Hope this helps.
BJ.
http://www.pentaximaging.com/support/download-details/930
Note that this is the USA site - Pentax UK are NOT so helpful !!!
Good luck
Peter
Posted 27/11/2012 - 22:44
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I've just looked at the pdf manual and have a question for the OP.
When in M mode, you can change shutter speed with the e-dial, correct? According to the manual, if you then press the EV +/- button, the e-dial then switches to controlling the aperture.
If you first set the shutter speed and then press +/- to change the aperture, does it not keep the shutter speed you set before you pressed that +/- button?
I agree the instructions are vague, and it's not clear what it does!
When in M mode, you can change shutter speed with the e-dial, correct? According to the manual, if you then press the EV +/- button, the e-dial then switches to controlling the aperture.
If you first set the shutter speed and then press +/- to change the aperture, does it not keep the shutter speed you set before you pressed that +/- button?
I agree the instructions are vague, and it's not clear what it does!
Posted 27/11/2012 - 23:26
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Quote:
If you first set the shutter speed and then press +/- to change the aperture, does it not keep the shutter speed you set before you pressed that +/- button?
Yes, that's how it works.
If you first set the shutter speed and then press +/- to change the aperture, does it not keep the shutter speed you set before you pressed that +/- button?
Best regards, John
Posted 28/11/2012 - 11:33
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unfortunately it does not work that way. When in M mode the focal length used determines the fixed choice of two apertures eg. 5.5/17.3. choosing one of those needs you then to switch to shutter mode and step through the range until you see the +(over exp) or the -(under exp) symbol disappear from the little yellow triangle alongside the f number.Setting a shutter speed first will not work. If you zoom the lens in and out you will see the f stops change but in each case you will only have a choice of two. I really cannot see why Pentax bothered with this, it is something of nothing and is very misleading as you assume that you have a much better level of control.
having said that it does produce excellent photographs.
Derek
having said that it does produce excellent photographs.
Derek
Posted 28/11/2012 - 11:58
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Many Thanks PeterKR,
Have now found and down loaded a reasonable x5 pdf user manual.
BJ.
Have now found and down loaded a reasonable x5 pdf user manual.
BJ.
K10d body, 2 sigma lens, and a benbo no4 tripod.
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3 posts
13 years
I have been persuaded to buy the X5, impressed by talk of being able to manually control exposure. My understanding was that by selecting the M setting and choosing a shutter speed the camera would automatically select the corresponding aperture for the given light condition. The camera has the ability to switch between shutter and aperture setting but the aperture remains at either f9.7 or f3.1 when stepping through the shutter speeds. Various general internet topics indicate that when choosing M setting the camera syncs shutter speed with changes of aperture or vice versa. The manual offers little information on the topic. Am I missing the point here??