Bulb setting on KX

[BradGC]

I've tried a few times using my bulb setting with a remote... and it seems my camera switches itself off after a minute? Maybe I'm doing something wrong or maybe I have to turn off the auto shutoff every time I do long exposures, but surely pentax must have thought out the fact that it shouldn't auto turn off on a long exposure even with the shut off mode on?

maybe i'm doing something wrong, has anyone else had this problem?

[tim71]

have you tried making the auto shut off delay longer or switched it off? You may have to set bulb to on or program it some how etc? will have a read of my k7 manual but may be different to kx

[Kym]

Latest firmware? http://www.pentax.jp/english/support/digital/k-x_s.html

This is not the behaviour on a K-7 and they both use the same base software (PRIME II)

What remote are you using? Is your remote losing contact with the body?

[BradGC]

What remote are you using? Is your remote losing contact with the body?

I'm using a proper pentax remote, and have the setting so that I have to push the remote a second time to close the shutter... then when i tried to close it the camera didnt respond, so i tried to push the button on the camera itself and there was no response.
I read the manual and it said that i need to make sure that the batteries are at full charge because its still using battery power when the shutter is open. From what i remember, the batteries were at full charge but maybe ill try again with freshly charged batterys just so that i cant rule out the fact that it might have been the batterys that died the first time.

[Rattus79]

Never had this problem with my k10, but I'm using a home made release (just a couple of switches a film canister and the wiring from an old skool hands free kit)

[BradGC]

I think I've worked out what's happening... after I have taken a photo on bulb setting of over 30 seconds, the camera seemed to be non-responsive, the blue light was on, but the live view screen at the back didn't show my picture or anything... but it turns out that maybe I was just too impatient.
After taking a photo on bulb setting, I have to wait like 30 secs for the camera to kind of "Process" the image, and finally the image turns up.
I was just confused and thought the camera had crashed or something after, or turned itself off as it never happens with a 30 sec exposure, the photo always appears instantly on the screen as soon as the photo has been taken.
I guess I just need to be be more patient.

[Wizofoz]

Try page 92 of the manual. It deals with long exposure noise reduction. I think this is your problem.

[BradGC]

Try page 92 of the manual. It deals with long exposure noise reduction. I think this is your problem.

Yea I see how it says it uses NR when I have a shutter speed of slower than 30 secs, so I guess, if im not having any probs with the clarity of the image, i could turn it off to save time with the image processing.

[BradGC]

I tried it again with the slow shutter noise reduction turned OFF and it still seems to takes like 40 seconds and even like a minute and a half to process the image, it can be kind of annoying at times... I take a pic that is 1 minute long.... and I have to wait nearly a minute or even longer to view it.

Has anyone noticed this on other Pentax's like the K7?

[Kym]

If its over 30 seconds it does a NR regardless, basically doubling time
The NR is a 'dark' image for about the same time that is subtracted from the real image

[BradGC]

It can be switched off in the custom settings, and i tried it switched off and it still took a LONG time

[milesy]

the DFS (Dark Frame Subtraction) is forced for exposures over 30sec.........that is you cannot turn it off

[tim71]

glad you worked it out

[Rattus79]

The wait on the dark frame is annoying, but it's still quicker then it was waiting for film to develop :D

The only time it's really annoying is when you're trying to photograph lightning. It always seems you get the biggest strikes while you're waiting.

[OzzieTraveller]

G'day Brad

Just re-reading this thread ... have you found the solution to your Q??
if -y-, I would be interested to hear your conclusion & solution

Regards, Phil