Shutter problems. Any ideas before my *istD goes back?

The exposures of my *istD have gone somewhat completely hatstand. I have been getting odd pictures that were really burned out overexposed every now and then but thought it was just me getting used to the metering modes of the camera. Anyway over the weekend it seems to have gone nutty altogether and only in lowish light indoors do you seem to get anything like the right exposure. I thought it was metering at first but today have concluded its actually the cameras control of the shuttering that is wrong.
I have measured all the shutter speeds and from 1/4000 to 1/250 there is NO change in shutter speed - and the exposure that is made at all these settings is equivalent to about 1/12 sec. The only shutter speed with a zero error is 1.5 seconds, and due to the nature of the timing control i would expect any errors to be very small indeed. I have concluded this is an electronic problem as there isnt any consistency with the errors (ie they are all over the show), that there would be if it was a mechanical problem such as if the shutter were dragging on open or closure.
So after my ramble the question is - does anyone know if there is any way to do a master reset on the electronics system (ive already removed the backup and main batteries for 5 mins).
Im not expecting much here - rather clutching at straws before i send it to pentax, but any bright ideas are welcome.
Rob

can you give us some more info to go on.
What settings, iso, green auto, p, av. tv, m. Metering setting spot centre matrix. Lens was is set to `A` position. Take it compensation = 0
Can you cross ref the metering result the cam gives with either a seperate handheld meter or other cam?

Jayson

Hi Jayson
please check out the following link it should hopefully give you all the info and you will see samples of the pictures the camera is currently taking

http://www.stanwax.plus.com/pentax1.htm

and yes the compensation is zero.

One slightly worrying thing is that i spoke to pentax this morning and was told 'the guy that repairs that model is not at his desk'
I didnt expect the staffing at pentax to be on a level to compete with canon or nikon but its a worry that there is only one person and he takes phone calls! - though he hasn't tried ringing back yet. Hmmmmmm.

You didn't mention how you measured the shutter speeds, but if the figures are correct, it looks like you have a dodgy/sticky shutter curtain. That would explain all the overexposures too.

Also, there's no information about differing apertures. Have you tried to fix the shutter speed and vary the aperture? Or can you try another lens?

Hope you get it sorted (take it back to where you bought it, or to Pentax).

Matt

I was wondering when someone would ask how i measured the speeds
Basically its very simple - if you have the right gear....
I shine a beam of light into the camera which reflects off the sensor to a photo diode wired in series with a resistor to a power supply. I then use a digital storage oscilloscope to 'capture' the pulse and measure the duration.
If you have looked on the link i posted, the second page shows picures with a fixed shutter setting and varying the apeture. The results are clear!
I have spoken to Pentax today and im sending it back
As it still works OK for indoor shots im gonna wait til after xmas as I doubt anything will happen this year anyway.
Rob

Stan,

Thanks for the explanation As an electronics engineer and firmware coder, I know exactly what you mean!

Hope it all gets sorted. I've been well pleased with my *ist-D

Matt

I had a similar problem with a brand new 77mm lens. A really good cleaning of the contacts fixed the problem.

Well my camera has now been returned to me and is working just great. I posted it on the 5 Jan and it arrived back yesterday (10 feb), which is longer than I would have liked but according to Pentax it has been away to the European repair centre as they could not facilitate the repairs in the UK.
The paperwork states:
Repaired printed circuit board.
Repaired zoom mechanism (what ever that is...???? didn't think istd had one).
Repaired light meter error.

Any way the most important thing is that it is fixed and significantly it was done under warranty following purchase from America - so the world wide warranty is good!

Only quibble - which I will take up with them today, is that the view finder appears to be scratched quite heavily. This was certainly not done by me before it went away so I will be interested to see what thay have to say.
Will keep you informed

Rob

Well I spoke to Pentax about the scratched viewfinder and they did not argue, and just said that they would replace it if I sent it back. It was duly dispatched and a week later it was returned with a new viewfinder. The only problem now is that the parcel has obviously been thrown around in transit suffeciently for the left hand strap eyelet to have piered the polystyrene packing and the outer box. This impact hes bent the eyelet down at about 45 degrees, marked the paint on it and closed the strap slot up towards the camera body.
The camnera does work fine (or appears to) which is testament to the solid build but there is always that doubt in my mind now that there is some hidden damage which may promote premature failure of the camera. Plus I cant fit the strap so there is now a greater risk of me dropping it.
So now it has to go back to Pentax for a repair estimate which i'm then gonna have to try and claim off the Post office - luckily it was sent special delivery with addequate compensation for damage or loss.
Iv'e now had the camera for 4 months and have been without it for 6 weeks. Soon Pentax will have had it more than me!
I've never had faith in the post office but now i really hate them.
Lucky it didn't have FRAGILE written on it.......
Rob