Originally posted by panicAttack know if I can check serial key somewhere online before I buy k-3 to check if that body is the one with mirror flop issues?
There are folk who claim that the issue is limited to a given serial number range, but the range spans all K-3s sold from the beginning in fall 2014 through August 2015. Even within that range, it is obvious that not all cameras are affected. From all appearance, the runaway mirror (not really mirror flop...different symptoms on earlier cameras) problem was due to one or more bad batches of the third-party component that controls the mirror subsystem. The bad boards made their way into production with no predictable pattern. For example, my K-3 is apparently unaffected, but the serial number is very close to the bodies that DRabbit had problems with. Go figure. The vast majority of K-3 bodies are unaffected.
If you buy new, the chances are low that your camera will have a problem. If you buy used, ask the seller pointedly whether they have ever had an episode of runaway mirror. If so, and they chose to not have the camera serviced (Ricoh will fix), buy a different camera.
Steve