k30 sensor cleaning timer work around?

Not a Number · 12-22-2014, 05:37 AM

Originally posted by EarlVonTapia

This is what I'm thinking. Perhaps it's a firmware thing with the K30 that has been fixed in the K50. Maybe a firmware upgrade will solve it.

Or maybe just a different battery. The battery on constant drain may be signally low voltage for the purposes of sensor cleaning but still be high enough for normal shooting. Or try the AC adapter. Try taking a "B" exposure for as long as it takes normally for the mirror up cleaning "time out". The light flashing faster is a low battery indicator. I've found the charge indicator on most cameras to be next to useless.

When my camera auto-shuts-off due to low battery I can turn it back on and take maybe 5 more exposures before it shuts off again. I can repeat this several times before there actually isn't enough juice to take any more shots.

ABel · 12-22-2014, 07:14 AM

My K30 with firmware 1.05 works in the same way.
When I select Mirror Up, the frontal LED starts to blink slowly. After about a minute camera also starts to beep and LED blinks frequently. I've never tried to wait untill the mirror closes, and I don't know how long it will blink/beep.

Anyway, when I need to clean the sensor I prefer switching the camera into LiveView, so nothing distracts me.

altopiet · 12-22-2014, 08:32 AM

I actually appreciate the blinking light, as it gives me a warning when to get out, before the mirror comes down.

I've cleaned my K-30 numerous times, if the battery is in order and fully charged, it shouldn't be a problem.

I normally have it open for not more than 30 sec at a time..... keeping swab ready, removing lens, activating mirror up, turn around, swab both ways, switch off replace lens and go and check outside with a shot of the sky to see if I've got it clean enough. If you need to have it open longer than that, the chance of more dust entering the camera while you're cleaning it, is probably higher....

Lately I don't even check it at f22 any more, only f16, as I never shoot at more than f10, so if I see nothing at f16, why bother cleaning it

AldaCZ · 12-22-2014, 09:17 AM

Originally posted by altopiet

I actually appreciate the blinking light, as it gives me a warning when to get out, before the mirror comes down.

I've cleaned my K-30 numerous times, if the battery is in order and fully charged, it shouldn't be a problem.

I normally have it open for not more than 30 sec at a time..... keeping swab ready, removing lens, activating mirror up, turn around, swab both ways, switch off replace lens and go and check outside with a shot of the sky to see if I've got it clean enough. If you need to have it open longer than that, the chance of more dust entering the camera while you're cleaning it, is probably higher....

Lately I don't even check it at f22 any more, only f16, as I never shoot at more than f10, so if I see nothing at f16, why bother cleaning it

I'm doint it the same way but with lollipop: It hasn't closed when I cleaned it.

Danas_Anis · 12-22-2014, 11:59 AM

I think the key word here is AC adapter, maybe when it is on constant power source it behaves differently, because each time I had to clean it I was on a battery, since I don;t have any other power source to attach to it,
The timer indicator is a good thing, but at the same time it makes the one be very cautious and perform the cleaning in less detail manner, but today I just tried to be relaxed and took my time while cleaning the sensor.

I think I skipped the last firmware upgrade since it only offered updates related to handling HD lenses, as of yet I am with vintage manual lenses only so no point in the upgrade, unless Ricoh forgot to mention some minor fixes like sensor cleaning mode updates etc

ScooterMaxi Jim · 12-23-2014, 03:47 PM

Originally posted by EarlVonTapia

This is what I'm thinking. Perhaps it's a firmware thing with the K30 that has been fixed in the K50. Maybe a firmware upgrade will solve it.

(for the record I'm still on the ORIGINAL firmware, around 40,000 clicks and still going strong)

Earl, do you realise that AF performance in live view - especially in low light - is markedly improved with the newer firmware versions?

While I understand possible misgivings, I'm not aware of anyone who feels that K-30 firmware upgrades have in any way degraded any camera function.

SteveB · 12-24-2014, 01:02 AM

I just tried mirror up on my K-30 which is on the latest firmware 1.06. The battery was showing full throughout and long after. After about 4 minutes, the slow blinking speeds up and there's beeping for perhaps 5sec bursts, this happens a few times over the next minute and then it runs fast constantly but the mirror stays up throughout. I gave up at 6 minutes as there's no way I would ever have my sensor exposed that long as it defeats the whole purpose. The beeping and faster blinking is obviously just a reminder that you're in cleaning mode. I've never noticed this before because I only clean perhaps once or twice a year and it takes 30 seconds.

EarlVonTapia · 12-24-2014, 02:31 AM

Originally posted by ScooterMaxi Jim

Earl, do you realise that AF performance in live view - especially in low light - is markedly improved with the newer firmware versions?

While I understand possible misgivings, I'm not aware of anyone who feels that K-30 firmware upgrades have in any way degraded any camera function.

Yea, upgrading firmware is probably a safe and overall better play. Honestly, I'm just being a lazy bum about it all.

AF live view in low light isn't compelling enough for me to go through the motions for an upgrade, since I hardly use that function anyways.

12-22-2014, 07:14 AM	#17
ABel Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Middle of Siberia Photos: Gallery Posts: 212	My K30 with firmware 1.05 works in the same way. When I select Mirror Up, the frontal LED starts to blink slowly. After about a minute camera also starts to beep and LED blinks frequently. I've never tried to wait untill the mirror closes, and I don't know how long it will blink/beep. Anyway, when I need to clean the sensor I prefer switching the camera into LiveView, so nothing distracts me. Last edited by ABel; 12-22-2014 at 07:24 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K30 cleaning	alouise	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	3	10-22-2014 11:01 AM
Sensor cleaning	aaronjamesgray	Pentax K-30 & K-50	8	10-15-2013 10:55 AM
Sensor cleaning	hooferinsane	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	19	10-01-2013 12:09 AM
Sensor Cleaning?	troika	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	10	07-23-2013 09:26 PM
Sensor cleaning: Pec-Pads or Sensor Swabs	gadgetnu	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	29	09-24-2007 10:52 AM

12-22-2014, 05:37 AM	#16
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by EarlVonTapia This is what I'm thinking. Perhaps it's a firmware thing with the K30 that has been fixed in the K50. Maybe a firmware upgrade will solve it. Or maybe just a different battery. The battery on constant drain may be signally low voltage for the purposes of sensor cleaning but still be high enough for normal shooting. Or try the AC adapter. Try taking a "B" exposure for as long as it takes normally for the mirror up cleaning "time out". The light flashing faster is a low battery indicator. I've found the charge indicator on most cameras to be next to useless. When my camera auto-shuts-off due to low battery I can turn it back on and take maybe 5 more exposures before it shuts off again. I can repeat this several times before there actually isn't enough juice to take any more shots.

12-22-2014, 08:32 AM	#18
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	I actually appreciate the blinking light, as it gives me a warning when to get out, before the mirror comes down. I've cleaned my K-30 numerous times, if the battery is in order and fully charged, it shouldn't be a problem. I normally have it open for not more than 30 sec at a time..... keeping swab ready, removing lens, activating mirror up, turn around, swab both ways, switch off replace lens and go and check outside with a shot of the sky to see if I've got it clean enough. If you need to have it open longer than that, the chance of more dust entering the camera while you're cleaning it, is probably higher.... Lately I don't even check it at f22 any more, only f16, as I never shoot at more than f10, so if I see nothing at f16, why bother cleaning it

12-22-2014, 09:17 AM	#19
AldaCZ Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: North Bohemia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,251	Originally posted by altopiet I actually appreciate the blinking light, as it gives me a warning when to get out, before the mirror comes down. I've cleaned my K-30 numerous times, if the battery is in order and fully charged, it shouldn't be a problem. I normally have it open for not more than 30 sec at a time..... keeping swab ready, removing lens, activating mirror up, turn around, swab both ways, switch off replace lens and go and check outside with a shot of the sky to see if I've got it clean enough. If you need to have it open longer than that, the chance of more dust entering the camera while you're cleaning it, is probably higher.... Lately I don't even check it at f22 any more, only f16, as I never shoot at more than f10, so if I see nothing at f16, why bother cleaning it I'm doint it the same way but with lollipop: It hasn't closed when I cleaned it.

12-22-2014, 11:59 AM	#20
Danas_Anis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 198 Original Poster	I think the key word here is AC adapter, maybe when it is on constant power source it behaves differently, because each time I had to clean it I was on a battery, since I don;t have any other power source to attach to it, The timer indicator is a good thing, but at the same time it makes the one be very cautious and perform the cleaning in less detail manner, but today I just tried to be relaxed and took my time while cleaning the sensor. I think I skipped the last firmware upgrade since it only offered updates related to handling HD lenses, as of yet I am with vintage manual lenses only so no point in the upgrade, unless Ricoh forgot to mention some minor fixes like sensor cleaning mode updates etc

12-23-2014, 03:47 PM	#21
ScooterMaxi Jim Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,520	Originally posted by EarlVonTapia This is what I'm thinking. Perhaps it's a firmware thing with the K30 that has been fixed in the K50. Maybe a firmware upgrade will solve it. (for the record I'm still on the ORIGINAL firmware, around 40,000 clicks and still going strong) Earl, do you realise that AF performance in live view - especially in low light - is markedly improved with the newer firmware versions? While I understand possible misgivings, I'm not aware of anyone who feels that K-30 firmware upgrades have in any way degraded any camera function.

12-24-2014, 01:02 AM	#22
SteveB Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: U.K. Posts: 685	I just tried mirror up on my K-30 which is on the latest firmware 1.06. The battery was showing full throughout and long after. After about 4 minutes, the slow blinking speeds up and there's beeping for perhaps 5sec bursts, this happens a few times over the next minute and then it runs fast constantly but the mirror stays up throughout. I gave up at 6 minutes as there's no way I would ever have my sensor exposed that long as it defeats the whole purpose. The beeping and faster blinking is obviously just a reminder that you're in cleaning mode. I've never noticed this before because I only clean perhaps once or twice a year and it takes 30 seconds.

12-24-2014, 02:31 AM	#23
EarlVonTapia Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,207	Originally posted by ScooterMaxi Jim Earl, do you realise that AF performance in live view - especially in low light - is markedly improved with the newer firmware versions? While I understand possible misgivings, I'm not aware of anyone who feels that K-30 firmware upgrades have in any way degraded any camera function. Yea, upgrading firmware is probably a safe and overall better play. Honestly, I'm just being a lazy bum about it all. AF live view in low light isn't compelling enough for me to go through the motions for an upgrade, since I hardly use that function anyways.