Pentax PZ1 Question

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\ - 27 Jun 2004 06:35 GMT

I just got my PZ1 back from Pentax after it being broken for about 18
months. Anyway I'm trying to learn to use it again after all this time and
for the life of me I can't figure out why the metering system will not
select one of the long shutter speed settings in low light situations.
This thing is suspose to have a shutter speed of 1/8000 to 30 sec. It seems
as if when the required shutter speeds starts approaching 1 sec it droops no
lower and the flash symbol is displayed and the tv and av readings start
blinking.
I certainly hope this makes since(I've not been doing much photography the
last 5-6 years). I've tried a 50mm A, 28-80 FA, 28-105 FA and 70-200 FA
lens and get the same results.
Thanks for any information

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Bandicoot - 28 Jun 2004 01:09 GMT

> I just got my PZ1 back from Pentax after it being broken for about 18
> months. Anyway I'm trying to learn to use it again after all this time and
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> lens and get the same results.
> Thanks for any information

Are you saying it _won't_ give longer exposures, or that it just
'reccomends' flash?

The viewfinder display you cite is saying "you can't handhold this at the
speed I need, so I recommend you use flash". Have you pressed the release
then to see if it actually refuses to give a slower speed?

If it is still refusing, what mode have you set?

Cheers,

Peter

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\ - 28 Jun 2004 06:26 GMT

> > I just got my PZ1 back from Pentax after it being broken for about 18
> > months. Anyway I'm trying to learn to use it again after all this time
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>
> Peter

Bear with me on this one. What I'm saying is I have no damn idea what
I'm saying!! I aught to just go back to my ZX-5N. OK, I guess I wasn't
trying it in low enough light. When I tried it in a very dimely lite room I
got automatic shutter readings readings as slow as 15 to the limit of 30
seconds. Now I'm confused as to wheather these low light readings will give
proper exposure(without the flash) since both the flash indicator and the
shutter/apeture readings are flashing no matter what exposure mode I use.
If I turn the flash on the exposure readings naturally change but if I turn
it off the old exposure readings reappear but again in the blinking mode.
This happens even though I might have at least one more stop of shutter
exposure exposure left. Hope this makes since. Paul

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Bandicoot - 29 Jun 2004 22:35 GMT

> > > I just got my PZ1 back from Pentax after it being broken for
> > > about 18 months. Anyway I'm trying to learn to use it again
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
> Bear with me on this one. What I'm saying is I have no damn
> idea what I'm saying!!

Been there, done that!

> I aught to just go back to my ZX-5N. OK, I guess I wasn't trying
> it in low enough light. When I tried it in a very dimely lite room I
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> happens even though I might have at least one more stop of
> shutter exposure exposure left. Hope this makes since. Paul

I'm pretty sure the blinking is only to say that the camera thinks (probably
rightly) that you can't hand-hold it at the shutter speed it will set if you
take the shot without flash, so it is a reminder to either use flash, or a
tripod (or equivalent.) Try a roll of film - I think you'll find it will
set the longer speeds just fine, though the flashing 'warning' will still be
there.

Peter

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\ - 30 Jun 2004 04:26 GMT

> > > > I just got my PZ1 back from Pentax after it being broken for
> > > > about 18 months. Anyway I'm trying to learn to use it again
[quoted text clipped - 48 lines]
>
> Peter

I'm begining to think you are right on, I'll take your advice and try
some shots. It's a shame that Pentax doesn't write more informative
manuals. Thanks for the info. Paul

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