My K-5's going to the shop—Pop-up flash problem

bwDraco · 06-14-2012, 08:35 AM

My K-5 is going to the service center for repair under warranty due to a problem with the pop-up flash. When I push the flash button, the flash won't pop up unless I pry up the flash unit as I hold down the button. The hook would barely move even if I pressed the button hard. While I generally use a shoe-mounted flash, I do use the pop-up flash for fill flash occasionally, so it matters to me. I guess I'll have to stick to my K-r for the next month, but isn't this why we keep backup camera bodies?

In any case, I'll miss the K-5's ergonomics and performance for some time...

--DragonLord

normhead · 06-14-2012, 08:39 AM

That's why you need two.

cali92rs · 06-14-2012, 10:20 AM

Originally posted by DragonLord

My K-5 is going to the service center for repair under warranty due to a problem with the pop-up flash. When I push the flash button, the flash won't pop up unless I pry up the flash unit as I hold down the button. The hook would barely move even if I pressed the button hard. While I generally use a shoe-mounted flash, I do use the pop-up flash for fill flash occasionally, so it matters to me. I guess I'll have to stick to my K-r for the next month, but isn't this why we keep backup camera bodies?

In any case, I'll miss the K-5's ergonomics and performance for some time...

--DragonLord

I actually just discovered that problem with my K-5 this weekend too

I rarely use the pop-up flash so I don't even know if I will send it back, because its more of a nuiscance to me than anything.

FrancisK7 · 06-14-2012, 04:14 PM

Is the pop-up flash adequate for light fill? Never tried it.

bwDraco · 06-14-2012, 05:03 PM

Originally posted by FrancisK7

Is the pop-up flash adequate for light fill? Never tried it.

It depends. If you're in the shade, the pop-up flash will help more often than not. If in broad daylight, it may not be helpful, especially because sync speed is only 1/180s, which makes it difficult to add much to the existing light.

--DragonLord

**NaClH2O** · 06-18-2012, 07:03 AM

Mine is going back for a pop-up problem too, only my problem with the pop-up is that it stopped working completely. It pops-up OK, but will not fire in any mode, even the dedicated flash sync mode. In addition if I check the "disable shutter while flash is charging" box in the menu, the shutter will not work at all if the flash is popped up. This is a good indication that either the flash bulb is bad or the flash charging circuit is bad (most likely due to a blown capacitor).
Like you I only use it occasionally as a fill flash, but it's nice to have.
However this weekend the camera has also started to freeze on me. I was at a music festival this weekend and it froze up about 5-6 times on Sat and at least a dozen times on Sun. If the camera is powered down (and it takes a good 10 seconds to turn off) and then turned back on it starts working again. But it was a major pain.
I could deal with the lack of pop-up flash but not the feezing. And certainly not both. Bought the camera in Feb, and it's going back...sigh,

NaCl(not a happy camper)H2O

06-14-2012, 08:35 AM	#1
bwDraco Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,071	My K-5's going to the shop—Pop-up flash problem My K-5 is going to the service center for repair under warranty due to a problem with the pop-up flash. When I push the flash button, the flash won't pop up unless I pry up the flash unit as I hold down the button. The hook would barely move even if I pressed the button hard. While I generally use a shoe-mounted flash, I do use the pop-up flash for fill flash occasionally, so it matters to me. I guess I'll have to stick to my K-r for the next month, but isn't this why we keep backup camera bodies? In any case, I'll miss the K-5's ergonomics and performance for some time... --DragonLord

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06-14-2012, 08:39 AM	#2
normhead Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Near Algonquin Park Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 40,451	That's why you need two.

06-14-2012, 10:20 AM	#3
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by DragonLord My K-5 is going to the service center for repair under warranty due to a problem with the pop-up flash. When I push the flash button, the flash won't pop up unless I pry up the flash unit as I hold down the button. The hook would barely move even if I pressed the button hard. While I generally use a shoe-mounted flash, I do use the pop-up flash for fill flash occasionally, so it matters to me. I guess I'll have to stick to my K-r for the next month, but isn't this why we keep backup camera bodies? In any case, I'll miss the K-5's ergonomics and performance for some time... --DragonLord I actually just discovered that problem with my K-5 this weekend too I rarely use the pop-up flash so I don't even know if I will send it back, because its more of a nuiscance to me than anything.

06-14-2012, 04:14 PM	#4
FrancisK7 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Montreal Photos: Gallery Posts: 474	Is the pop-up flash adequate for light fill? Never tried it.

06-14-2012, 05:03 PM	#5
bwDraco Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,071 Original Poster	Originally posted by FrancisK7 Is the pop-up flash adequate for light fill? Never tried it. It depends. If you're in the shade, the pop-up flash will help more often than not. If in broad daylight, it may not be helpful, especially because sync speed is only 1/180s, which makes it difficult to add much to the existing light. --DragonLord

06-18-2012, 07:03 AM	#6
NaClH2O Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bronx NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,631	Mine is going back for a pop-up problem too, only my problem with the pop-up is that it stopped working completely. It pops-up OK, but will not fire in any mode, even the dedicated flash sync mode. In addition if I check the "disable shutter while flash is charging" box in the menu, the shutter will not work at all if the flash is popped up. This is a good indication that either the flash bulb is bad or the flash charging circuit is bad (most likely due to a blown capacitor). Like you I only use it occasionally as a fill flash, but it's nice to have. However this weekend the camera has also started to freeze on me. I was at a music festival this weekend and it froze up about 5-6 times on Sat and at least a dozen times on Sun. If the camera is powered down (and it takes a good 10 seconds to turn off) and then turned back on it starts working again. But it was a major pain. I could deal with the lack of pop-up flash but not the feezing. And certainly not both. Bought the camera in Feb, and it's going back...sigh, NaCl(not a happy camper)H2O

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