Fatal Flaw In Pentax K-x For Video?

[FallenMuffinn]

very nice 

[v0lkie]

Is this fixed nowadays?

[misskorkad2]

guys, i got this camera but when i videotape it tyrnes of by it's self after a minute and a half, how do i fix that? plz don't tell me to read the manual i've already looked but didn't find anythin

[ihateskinnybitches]

i'm pretty sure the K-x has the capability to lock the exposure during videos. you just didn't read the manual completely. or if you really don't think it can lock exposure, then buy a videocam. OR, try the canon 550d. That cam had me going bananas. It was my dream cam before i saw the pentax K-x, considering this is more affordable(though the 550d has reasons to be that expensive.), w/o sacrificing performance.

[chefpetey]

@ihateskinnybitches Canon 550d 1. Left side lens release retarded 2. 2-handed aperture adjustment 3. Flush control buttons so forget cold weather shooting 4. CS mode allows no interval so program 100 shots and get one in focus the rest blurred 5. 2 sec short-end self timer instead of 3 like Pentax...enuf time for cam to settle 6. Cheek Sensor to turn off live view...gets confused at night...could go on forever...most user antagonistic cam ever built. Now on 2nd Kx and it's ORANGE!

[ihateskinnybitches]

@chefpetey Seriously? Thanks for that. :D Now i'm considering buying a K-x. What worries me is that it runs on alkaline batteries though, wouldn't that be a bit of a setback? :/

[chefpetey]

@ihateskinnybitches AAs are a PLUS because you can get them on-the-fly even in TIMBUKTU if needed. I use NiMh rechargeables and have found ENELOOP by Sanyo to be absolutely Fantastic. I keep ENELOOPs in camera and an unopeded set of Duracell Lithium in my bag. Get Eneloops from Amazon or Costco as very few retailers carry them. I sometimes hit 500 shots a night and have never had to break open the Lithiums. Tonight shot in 10 degree cold with gloves...NO WAY with Canon

[ihateskinnybitches]

@chefpetey Thanks for that! :)

[richardribuffo]

REAL QUESTION you might know the answer to:

when the camera is in movie mode i can only catpure up to a minute of video before it automatically stops recording.i looked through the manual to fix this but i have come up short. it says at the bottom of the screen that i have over 11 and a half minutes to capture. what's the deal?

[DurryQuill]

@richardribuffo In case you haven't already found the solution, I'm guessing it's due to the SD card you are using, My class 6 8GB card can record 12 min at a time, but my standard 2GB card can only do 4 minutes

[jamiewindsor]

@richardribuffo Mine doesn't do that. I can and have recorded 12 minutes straight before I had to hit record again. Maybe update your firmware?

[DustinBodenVEVO]

doesnt fatal usually mean deadly????? -.- =P

[SeikoPsycho]

You are very anal and your daughter is very ugly.

[mzw]

@SeikoPsycho pros are anal by default, and the little girl is adorable. i'm sure that there's more life in his or his daughter's little finger than in your entire ancestral lineage.

[SeikoPsycho]

@mzw pro? what kind of pro uses an entry-level dSLR like a K-x and then make a stupid video like this to complain that he doesn't know how to use a simple function like auto exposure lock?

[chefpetey]

@SeikoPsycho Thats his wife!

[ShiftyKickflip]

this is

fucking

hilarious

[soundmasterfication]

I am pissed that Pentax don't allow us to save RAW developed pictures from onboard in 8 or 16 bit TIFF files. Why the fuck restrict us to a saved "COMPRESSED" JPEG when they could have give us the option of an uncompressed TIFF file, which is more in keeping with the whole reason for altering the RAW file in the first place without degradation and then saving as a TIFF. If you have access to the big boys at Pentax, can you please ask them to put this option in a firmware update.

[Uniq8]

Y/ou should probably delete this video since it is a false alarm and you can actually lock the exposure.

[jamiewindsor]

I really think you should take down this video before Pentax sues you.

[mzw]

@jamiewindsor i'm sure they'd sue over a review video... besides, he's got a follow-up video (which i watched before this one), and it's a legitimate concern, anyhow. i'm glad he was able to work out the solution, because i'm considering a k-x, and video will be rather important for me, so it's a relief that there is a solution.

[jamiewindsor]

wtf? Fatal flaw? There's a flaw so bad it kills you? ...there's not even a flaw. You just haven't read the manual properly.

[mzw]

@jamiewindsor idiot... he means fatal as in fatal to the hd video feature. what use is hd quality video if you're not able to control the iso????? he showed you what the manual says, anyway. now, if you'd read any of his recent comments on this video properly, you'd see that he has a follow-up video with the solution to the problem.

[jamiewindsor]

@mzw Merry Christmas. Don't call people idiots — it's not very nice. Surely we can have a mature discussion without resulting to insults. I'm aware of the follow-up video, I just think he should take this video down as it's inaccurate and will put people off buying this very good camera.

[chefpetey]

@mzw Sorry MZW but I have to agree with jamie about calling someone an IDIOT. Totally inappropriate here. In a case like this there are only TWO characterizations. You may want to edit your remarks using either the traditional KNUCKLEHEAD or, my favorite, SH#T-FOR-BRAINS. Please think before you write the next time.

[choline500]

wow, this is a flawed camera. I need to buy canon 550D.

[chefpetey]

@choline500 Don't do it. See my comments above on 550D piece of junk. Just one nuisance after another.

[PumaDriver317]

It would be great if you could update the description telling people to look at your follow-up.

[snethss]

yur gonna get trolled until you put a note in your video that this was fixed.

[VonHobbit]

I don't understand why you haven't removed this video if you've solved the problem. Just lock the exposure. So if you have a "follow up" video...why do you still have this one up?

[wynos0]

what problem is that camera has auto exposure? LOL

[juealzbandana]

it's just video geez, you didn't get a dslr for hd video.

[khronicillness]

x2 AE-L solves that problem!!!

[stonetimothy]

My video reply shows quality of the video....the video was shot with medium quality.

[sonofthedestroyer]

What a 'disaster'!!!!

An SLR that does not take perfect video! After all thats what SLRs are about right?

[bobdiggitydog]

*Clears throat* Try the AE-L button.

[SamsungGX20]

A DSLR is to do one thing, take pictures. Kids now days just want everything in the DSLR, not going to be surprised if Canikon comes out with a Rebal XSi-R and D40 SuperX with built-in Mp3 players, wi-fi internet web browser, and a point-and-shoot allowing you to use the DSLR without an attached lens.

[dannycc13]

@SamsungGX20 lold so hard

[chefpetey]

@SamsungGX20 AND a selector switch for medium-format film option shot through a blow hole placed where the lens release SHOULD BE. Do Canon and Nikon keep that lens release on the left just to piss us off so we end up throwing the camera at a wall. THANKS PENTAX because I can change lenses without taking my eye away from the viewfinder

[TheRealAshland]

if you are that concerned , buy a VIDEO CAMERA, your are expecting way to much out of a camera that shoots video

[leroilightning]

Not so true (about expecting too much out of a camera for video). Alot of cameras - especially DSLRs (ike the Nikon D90) shoot great video. With the effects you can get with the lenses (such as variable depth of field) often the results are superior to domestic camcorders.

[miroslas]

ok there is a problem with the video, but for the price you pay its an off the chart camera.

if you really want a good video quality you better go and buy a video camera. The most important thing about an dslr is the image quality on the pictures, the video is just a plus

[trevor001]

You should disable comments and put a link to the "solution" video ;)

[rockageek]

But Pentax K-X is an entry level DSLR. What would you expect?!

[SpeedFreakNO]

You can lock exposure with the AE-L button if you set it to lock exposure in the custom menu. The author of this video has posted a follow-up video about it, but he really should put a link in this video about it with an annotation.

[zenmunk22]

Thanks for posting.. very common on these lower end DSLRHDC's..

[mpgxsvcd]

This is a stupid video. Half the shots were just out of focus. Sure the camera doesn't have manual ISO. It is an entry level DSLR I wouldn't expect it to.

[kiwijonowilson]

The focus poing thing doesn't bother me. I tend use spot focusing most of the time anyway because otherwise it invariably (like most cameras) focuses in the wrong place anyway.

The video looks quite good to me - but then I am used to l low def video (including on my current camcorder).

[tomcat39843]

Very few cameras give you full manual control over video settings.

However, you don't need this for your problem.Just lock the exposure.

There is no "fatal flaw".

[Stranahan]

I posted a follow up video to this one...

[SpeedFreakNO]

Maybe put up a link about the follow-up video in a link on the video so people can see that there is a sollution.

[DJbacktrack]

i think its stupid to put video on DSLR's anyway....

[ddnn3]

It's not stupid, it allows you to use nice lenses and achieve a shallow dof. Cheaper than video camcorder.

[mugupo10]

camera body is among the worst of dslr i try.

[Daroncine]

Ok, but he pointed not a exposure lock problem, but "it doesn't give you control over the ISO", a real problem to control video image.

[jorgen180]

LOL, you're talking about this as being a "fatal flaw" and you're presenting it like it's a bug YOU found, requiring Pentax to "fix it" ... and it's just a lack of control over one setting ; like you test-drive your BMW 5 and start nagging about a lack of control over ESP parameters.

[kostarae]

Its a DSLR ---- not a Camcorder

[cordovez74]

For me the real flaw is the lack of an AF-point overlay in the optical viewfinder, which means there's no visual confirmation of which points are in focus, that´s unacceptable on a DSLR.

[john240881111]

i kinda give that a yes too.. i just got mine and can't believe it doesn't have that feature.. but for the price and performance, i coudn't complain anything!! lol

[nottimid]

What the hell do you expect? It was designed primarily for the purpose of shooting pictures not video, if you want to record your backyard and your kid go to BestBuy and pick up one of those slim HD cams. It's a fatal flaw that you have nothing better to do than to post this kind of garbage. If you don't like the cam, return it. However, do NOT turn people away from purchasing this cam, it's negative exposure that is unnecessary.

[rolfo100]

You should remove this Video as there is an easy solution for your "fatal flaw"

[caramount]

wats the solution

[flipknoc]

this is a FATAL flaw? seriously?

people get SLRs primarily for shooting pictures, not videos.

[atruerushfan]

your right.

[ymghost]

Thank you this is really helping...

[nolasck]

do you find any issues with the battery indicator?

sometimes, it will go orange then red, the battery depleted and shuts off..., then i turn it on again and i have a full bar, usually happens when i record video or when i go into and out of live view mode

[jokaskates3535]

im looking to get one of these, for pictures aswell as video.... so this helped, but im still looking into it.......

[Water3296]

FLAW YES. Most video cameras are secretly set to ISO 350-400. To have my camera shifting on my out of control is a deal breaker.

I have been doing 4 days of research and i thought the K-x would be the camera for me. But now i'm leaning told the Canon Rebel that shoots 720p

[kalujny]

Maybe its obvious, but camera has to do something to prevent you from shooting yourself in the foot.

Literally if you had your ISO set to specific value when panning in and out of sky, you`d have overexposure right there when you moved the camera to point into the bright.

I hear you asking for full manual control over all of the stuff? Yeah right. If memory serves when cinematography is shot, 2 different people operate those. No good trying to fit this on a camera that fits in your one hand.

[underoath0205]

Does the KX have an audio input for external mics?

[nublackmusic]

I do not consider this a fatal flaw. It is an annoyance or inconvenience. when you consider it's price point and what it does. it is hardly fatal. thanks for pointing it out though!

[prayforsn0w]

I'm looking to get this as my first DSLR for video and you had me worried there. Thanks for figuring it out. Can you please post some videos showing if the rolling shutter effect is reduced when you use the inbuilt image stabilisation?

[grantbedford]

Stranahan, Does the camera have an audio input or just the on-board mic?

[Stranahan]

Boom! Pesterance is a genius.

It WILL lock. By default the AF / AE-L button is set to Auto Focus.

Go to Menu - it's buried a bit, but there's setting to switch.

Switch to AE-L.

NOW you can press the AE-L to lock in an exposure.

I'll post a reply video to this one.

[grantbedford]

awesome you guys for figuring it out

[jogibajr]

I use AE-L to lock exposure with my K-7 and if you have AE-L on the K-X there is no problem like you mention in your video.

[RobinEdgar]

jogibajr is right. You just have to go into the custom settings part of the menu (section 10) and adjust the AF/AE-L button to setting number 4 which makes it an automatic exposure lock button rather than an autofocus activation button which is the factory default setting. You can even lock the exposure in the Live View mode before beginning to shoot your video. If you need to change the exposure just hit the AE lock button again to end the current AE lock and then lock in a new exposure again.

[Stranahan]

I just did a test - shooting with my K-x and my Canon DV30 at the same time. I even shot my thumb on the AE-L button with the DV30.

I'll post the video later. The Pentax on full manual is CLEARLY shifting brightness all over the place. The Canon DV30 - on full manual. doesn't do it.

This is a simple, nothing shot just shooting around my desk, letting my computer monitor take up more or less of the shot to change overall light.

[Stranahan]

Solved thanks to you.

[Pesterance]

YAY!! glad to hear, i'm probably going to buy the K-X real soon and have been doing my homework and i'm so glad you got it to work!

for curiosity sake do you have to hold it down? or just click it once?

[Stranahan]

Click it once, then you can shoot. Locks it right in place.

I'll do a new video tomorrow that explains both the problem and the solution, pull this one down.

[Pesterance]

Thanks again, i learned something new, and i'm glat your able to star taking some creative videos,

Enjoy!

[Stranahan]

I would love to be wrong on this. I was hoping to be posting sweet looking video at this point.

But ...

1) The manual says sensitivity is fixed at auto. That means the ISO floats, right?

2) Tech support didn't know anything. They haven't gotten their K-x yet. Really.

I spent hours messing with it. I'll try what you're suggesting.

[Pesterance]

Yeah the iso is auto, like the K-7 D90 and some others. Try the AE-Lock on the back of the camera at the top right and all should be well.

Thanks.

[Stranahan]

I had already tried that. Just tried it again. Exact same 'automatic' brightness shift.

1) I didn't see anything about AE-Lock mentioned in the manual on the Movie sections.

2) Nothing on the interface changes when I press the button when camera is rolling - when it's shooting a movie.

3) No sign of any effect on the shifting brightness.

4) Everything else is set to manual. Ap, focus, White Balnce.

5) When I look at sample footage that Pentax uses as a demo - I see the same shifting

[Pesterance]

That is weird you should be able to press and hold the AE-Lock button down and while your holding it down it should keep the exposure from shifting, just like the D90.

[Pesterance]

i did a quick search on the web and found out that

AE Lock Can be allocated to AF button by Menu.

so maybe it is trying to autofocus instead of locking the exposure. which is silly because it cant auto focus durrin a movie.

[Pesterance]

Yes there is. The poster of the video is just confused between iso and overall brightness.

Cameras work on shutter iso and aperture and if you look at 43 seconds in you will see the ae-lock button at the bottom left hand side. if he depresses that button it will lock the current settings in thats shutter iso and aperture thus giving the affect he desires.

He is just a bit confused i am sure K-X will AE-Lock just like the K-7

[Pesterance]

i should clarify there is no control over the ISO (sensitivity) other than locking it at its current settings (AE-Lock, its the button on the back of the camera at the top right look on the web for a better picture).

The iso will remain at 200 from 1/24th of a second up to its max shutter speed. but if its dark and it needs more it will pump the iso up keeping the shutter speed at 1/24th

[Pesterance]

to further clarify only a few DSLRs have sensitivity control, full frames and i belive the nikon D300s and Cannon 7D. But ALL of the DSLRs that have video capability (even th first one the nikon D90) have the ability to Lock the Exposure. which is what Stranahan is desiring to do.

So lock exposture yes. Manually control ISO (sensitivity) no.

[karlkrawall79]

So there is NO AE-Lock Button or the possibility to lock it???

[karlkrawall79]

That's actually ruining the whole point of video implementation :(

Thx for pointing that out Stranahan!

[grantbedford]

Thanks heaps for the heads up. I thought I noticed it on some other sample videos here on youtube but didn't realize the sensitivity is fixed to auto. As ebbixx asked did they say when this might be corrected?

[MartinBerubeDotCom]

I just register on Youtube to say a big thanks to you for this video. I will wait the follow up of Pentax on this before buying one.

[ebbixx]

Did Pentax tech support give any indication of when or if there might be a firmware update to compensate for the Auto ISO (sensitivity) defect?

[ebbixx]

Thanks for the warning.