K-3 reliability poll

*MightyMike* · 11-19-2013, 04:02 PM

How do i answer the poll? my first K-3 had FF issues, my replacement is perfectly fine

Teal · 11-19-2013, 04:07 PM

Originally posted by Adam

It would be nice if anyone that doesn't select the first choice could also reply and state the issue. That would allow us to forward the feedback to Pentax if needed.

Hey Adam, mine might not be an issue, but I voted the 2nd option. I've observed a very slight delay in Auto-Flash mode/shutter activation as compared to the Manual Flash mode (which works immediately when you press the shutter button). It could be that it's the P-TTL working correctly during Auto-flash mode, but I'm wondering why my other Pentax DSLRs don't exhibit the same sort of lag/delay/hesitation. It's a very slight lag but you can tell the difference between the two modes, let alone the K5 and K3 in Auto flash mode.

**jbinpg** · 11-19-2013, 05:03 PM

Teal - As others have tried to tell you, this is working as designed. Every K-5 series camera has had P-TTL exposure problems of some kind. The K-3 has *zero* such problems. Having P-TTL fixed is worth way more than instant shutter activation to me.

Jack

derekkite · 11-19-2013, 05:51 PM

One lockup early on, none since. A first bug fix will sort most of this out. Hardware wise it has been excellent.

alcstudios · 11-19-2013, 06:41 PM

Mine did one lock up (before grip) otherwise it has been perfect, got the grip for it last week and have had zero problems... loving this baby.

Franky2step · 11-19-2013, 06:59 PM

Mine has been absolutely flawless

Teal · 11-19-2013, 08:21 PM

Originally posted by jbinpg

Teal - As others have tried to tell you, this is working as designed. Every K-5 series camera has had P-TTL exposure problems of some kind. The K-3 has *zero* such problems. Having P-TTL fixed is worth way more than instant shutter activation to me.

Jack

This isn't really a thread for debate as it's more of a poll. If you're happy with yours, then I'm happy for you.

fyby · 11-19-2013, 11:16 PM

That flash thing seems more bug to me than feature. Its good to report it for official statement and or repair. Good!

Poit · 11-20-2013, 12:12 AM

Shutter going ballistic (like firing multiple exposures). There's another thread about this problem.

mille19 · 11-20-2013, 04:41 AM

K3 will only take a single shot if using the AF button to cancel the AF in AF.C mode even though I have the K3 set to Continuous Shooting (High), firmware problem I think and have reported to Pentax/Ricoh

PALADIN85020 · 11-20-2013, 10:46 AM

I have had only one minor problem which has since disappeared. I was taking pictures of smaller objects with a tripod outdoors in the shade. Camera was oriented pointing straight down. Set on Manual with a 2-second delay to minimize vibration. Pentax 18-135mmWR lens. Shake reduction off. White balance Auto. Auto Focus, center-weighted. ISO 100. Aperture set at f/14 with the rear control wheel. Camera set for 1/3 EV steps. Set to take JPEGs (I use the AE-L button to also record RAW when a shot looks like a keeper on the back display). This formula was set as "U1" on my mode selection wheel.

OK, I was using the front control wheel to adjust shutter speed, watching the +- indicator in the viewfinder. I could twist the wheel to my heart's content, but no change was indicated in the viewfinder as to plus or minus from zero. I thought to myself - RATS.

I then turned the camera off and then on again after a few seconds.

Then, both control wheels and the +- indicator worked normally as I made shutter speed adjustment with the front control wheel and I proceeded with my photo project.

This has happened only once; it was disconcerting, but the anomaly has not returned.

Other than this I am extremely happy with the K-3, except for a perceived increase in noise above ISO 800 compared to the K-5.

John

**Fontan** · 11-20-2013, 09:36 PM

Originally posted by MightyMike

How do i answer the poll? my first K-3 had FF issues, my replacement is perfectly fine

Yeah, I had issues K-3 not having FF either. What a travesty. I mean my God!

BTW, what was your replacement? Sony? Canon? Nikon?

Freak · 11-20-2013, 09:47 PM

Originally posted by Fontan

Yeah, I had issues K-3 not having FF either. What a travesty. I mean my God!

BTW, what was your replacement? Sony? Canon? Nikon?

He means Front Focusing, and not Full Frame....

*MightyMike* · 11-20-2013, 10:19 PM

Originally posted by Freak

He means Front Focusing, and not Full Frame....

Thanks Freak for the clarification to Fontan, and thanks Fontan for the good belly laugh at the misunderstanding.

**Fontan** · 11-21-2013, 07:06 AM

Originally posted by MightyMike

Thanks Freak for the clarification to Fontan, and thanks Fontan for the good belly laugh at the misunderstanding.

Eh my sarcasm wasn't far reaching enough it appears

View Poll Results: Have you experienced any problems with your K-3?
My K-3 has never had any problems	59	63.44%
My K-3 has or have had minor problems that do not render it unusable	30	32.26%
My K-3 has or have had major problems that render it unusable	4	4.30%
Voters: 93. You may not vote on this poll

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11-19-2013, 04:02 PM	#16
MightyMike Marketplace Reseller Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 9,322	How do i answer the poll? my first K-3 had FF issues, my replacement is perfectly fine

11-19-2013, 04:07 PM	#17
Teal Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 55	Originally posted by Adam It would be nice if anyone that doesn't select the first choice could also reply and state the issue. That would allow us to forward the feedback to Pentax if needed. Hey Adam, mine might not be an issue, but I voted the 2nd option. I've observed a very slight delay in Auto-Flash mode/shutter activation as compared to the Manual Flash mode (which works immediately when you press the shutter button). It could be that it's the P-TTL working correctly during Auto-flash mode, but I'm wondering why my other Pentax DSLRs don't exhibit the same sort of lag/delay/hesitation. It's a very slight lag but you can tell the difference between the two modes, let alone the K5 and K3 in Auto flash mode.

11-19-2013, 05:03 PM	#18
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	Teal - As others have tried to tell you, this is working as designed. Every K-5 series camera has had P-TTL exposure problems of some kind. The K-3 has zero such problems. Having P-TTL fixed is worth way more than instant shutter activation to me. Jack

11-19-2013, 05:51 PM	#19
derekkite Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Nelson B.C. Posts: 3,782	One lockup early on, none since. A first bug fix will sort most of this out. Hardware wise it has been excellent.

11-19-2013, 06:41 PM	#20
alcstudios Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Albums Posts: 146	Mine did one lock up (before grip) otherwise it has been perfect, got the grip for it last week and have had zero problems... loving this baby.

11-19-2013, 06:59 PM	#21
Franky2step Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Niagara Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	Mine has been absolutely flawless

11-19-2013, 08:21 PM	#22
Teal Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sydney Posts: 55	Originally posted by jbinpg Teal - As others have tried to tell you, this is working as designed. Every K-5 series camera has had P-TTL exposure problems of some kind. The K-3 has zero such problems. Having P-TTL fixed is worth way more than instant shutter activation to me. Jack This isn't really a thread for debate as it's more of a poll. If you're happy with yours, then I'm happy for you.

11-19-2013, 11:16 PM	#23
fyby Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 46	That flash thing seems more bug to me than feature. Its good to report it for official statement and or repair. Good!

11-20-2013, 12:12 AM	#24
Poit Banned Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 423	Shutter going ballistic (like firing multiple exposures). There's another thread about this problem.

11-20-2013, 04:41 AM	#25
mille19 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 101	K3 will only take a single shot if using the AF button to cancel the AF in AF.C mode even though I have the K3 set to Continuous Shooting (High), firmware problem I think and have reported to Pentax/Ricoh

11-20-2013, 10:46 AM	#26
PALADIN85020 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 442	I have had only one minor problem which has since disappeared. I was taking pictures of smaller objects with a tripod outdoors in the shade. Camera was oriented pointing straight down. Set on Manual with a 2-second delay to minimize vibration. Pentax 18-135mmWR lens. Shake reduction off. White balance Auto. Auto Focus, center-weighted. ISO 100. Aperture set at f/14 with the rear control wheel. Camera set for 1/3 EV steps. Set to take JPEGs (I use the AE-L button to also record RAW when a shot looks like a keeper on the back display). This formula was set as "U1" on my mode selection wheel. OK, I was using the front control wheel to adjust shutter speed, watching the +- indicator in the viewfinder. I could twist the wheel to my heart's content, but no change was indicated in the viewfinder as to plus or minus from zero. I thought to myself - RATS. I then turned the camera off and then on again after a few seconds. Then, both control wheels and the +- indicator worked normally as I made shutter speed adjustment with the front control wheel and I proceeded with my photo project. This has happened only once; it was disconcerting, but the anomaly has not returned. Other than this I am extremely happy with the K-3, except for a perceived increase in noise above ISO 800 compared to the K-5. John

11-20-2013, 09:36 PM	#27
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	Originally posted by MightyMike How do i answer the poll? my first K-3 had FF issues, my replacement is perfectly fine Yeah, I had issues K-3 not having FF either. What a travesty. I mean my God! BTW, what was your replacement? Sony? Canon? Nikon?

11-20-2013, 09:47 PM	#28
Freak Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 361	Originally posted by Fontan Yeah, I had issues K-3 not having FF either. What a travesty. I mean my God! BTW, what was your replacement? Sony? Canon? Nikon? He means Front Focusing, and not Full Frame....

11-20-2013, 10:19 PM	#29
MightyMike Marketplace Reseller Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 9,322	Originally posted by Freak He means Front Focusing, and not Full Frame.... Thanks Freak for the clarification to Fontan, and thanks Fontan for the good belly laugh at the misunderstanding.

11-21-2013, 07:06 AM	#30
Fontan Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: 5th floor Posts: 1,610	Originally posted by MightyMike Thanks Freak for the clarification to Fontan, and thanks Fontan for the good belly laugh at the misunderstanding. Eh my sarcasm wasn't far reaching enough it appears