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03-20-2014, 07:39 AM   #46
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Thanks for all the feedback everyone. I wrote to Pentax again this morning to inform them I've finally returned my second K3 and have now purchased the K5-IIs instead.

I also sent them this link again and asked them to keep me posted... that there are many of us who would like to know when and if this issue gets resolved. I know of at least a few people who have written to me to tell me they won't buy the K3 until this gets addressed and fixed.

If you've had the issue and haven't yet replied to report it here, please do. If you know others who have had the problem, encourage them to reply here as well. When more users reply, I will send updates to Pentax.

Thanks again all...

03-20-2014, 09:40 AM - 1 Like   #47
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Thanks for all your work on this issue, Amy. Hope your IIs bodies work fine.

Jack
03-20-2014, 07:10 PM   #48
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After a report by GoremanX on DPR Pentax forum concerning his exhaustive testing, with pretty much the same settings I used, failing to reproduce the fault, I have to accept that its not just a firmware issue. There is some proportion of K-3's that don't get this fault it seems.
03-21-2014, 12:20 AM   #49
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This happened to me for the first (and so far only) time 2 days ago.

K-3 Serial number: 4828535. Pre-ordered and then one of the first delivered in the UK last November. Firmware 1.03.

Situation: K-3 & D-BG5 battery grip. Each with Ricoh/Pentax LI-190 batteries, which had been well-used that day and probably less than half capacity each left.
Shooting in burst mode (HI), TAv, SR on, AF-C (SEL 2).
Sandisk Extreme Pro 32 GB cards, one in each slot. DNGs, in "Sequential Use" mode.
DA* 60-250mm f/4. I was probably using the new 1.4x Teleconverter at the time.

I switched the camera off, and after a short time the effect stopped. Then I switched back on and continued.

Cool but not very cold day.


Last edited by Barry Pearson; 03-21-2014 at 12:28 AM.
03-22-2014, 11:18 AM   #50
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This happened to me today. First time but my K-3 is only two weeks old. Between that and the SDM failing on my lens I didn't have a very good day. Anyway, I don't shoot time lapse, just wildlife. I was in AF-C shooting in high burst with a battery pack. What I noticed was the batteries in the battery pack were getting low right before this happened. As soon as I disconnected the battery pack and the camera switched to the internal battery in the camera it stopped.
03-23-2014, 06:15 AM   #51
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Happened while on Safari, mirror flapping wildly but no images recorded. Happened once only. No data recorded at the time, but it is likely a Bigma was the mounted lens, two 32GB cards inserted, camera on HS multi-shot (latter two conditions 90% of the time on this trip). Camera functioned normally afterward BUT I'm skeptical of the AF accuracy. Sometimes I shifted to MF with the Bigma and suspect I got better results. Camera was pre-ordered so it's early. Still has 1.0 firmware.
03-23-2014, 06:59 AM   #52
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Date : 20.03.2014
Camera serial number : 4837799
Lens mounted : DA * 300 mm F4
Two cards in the camera.
Settings :
Av mode.
ISO 100
Spot metering
Central AF point
Exposure metering point and focus point linked.
AWB

03-24-2014, 02:56 AM   #53
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Posts: 64
I had my first encounter with this "feature"...

Shuttercount previous photo: 20936
Shuttercount next photo: 20937

Firmware
V1.03

* Memory card
2 x Transcend SDXC Card 64GB Ultimate UHS-I Class 10

* Logged errors or error messages
None

* Bad images before/after stutter
None

* Drive mode
Fast 8 shots per second / AF.C / Centre Point Select

* Camera mode
Manual

* Lens mounted
Tamron 70-200 2.8 SP

* Live view vs. viewfinder
Viewfinder

# of shutter cycles per session before mirror
approximate 800

* General use patterns (high #'s per session, cold, humidity)
Approx. 8C.

* Shutter count
+/- 21.000

* Serial number (body)
4850353

* Damage or part failure in mirror box/aperture coupling
None

* Other problems noted at the same time
None

* Actions that stopped mirror flapping
Removed the battery immediatly (I knew what was happening so I reacted fast)
03-24-2014, 06:30 PM   #54
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Mirror Flapping happened after 2499 shutter count

First time for me (21-03-2014)
K-3 Premium Silver with battery grip (2x OEM Batteries)
Firmware V1.02

  • Memory card Slot 1
    Sandisk Extreme Pro 32GB
  • Memory card Slot 2
    Sandisk Extreme 32GB
  • Logged errors or error messages
    No
  • Bad images before/after stutter
    No
  • Drive mode
    Continuous; No Timer; Shutter Button; Single Exposure
  • Camera mode
    USER 2 (Av + Continuous Shooting (H) + ISO Auto + RAW+JPG + Program Line (sport) + SR off)
  • Lens mounted
    HD DA 20-40mm Limited
  • Live view vs. viewfinder
    Viewfinder
  • # of shutter cycles per session before mirror flapping occured
    32 in this session, but I took more than 500 more after the mirror flapping and no problem
  • General use patterns (high #'s per session, cold, humidity)
    Approx. 0C (32F) and %65 humidity.
  • Shutter count
    2499 before mirror flapping
  • Serial numbers (body)
    2574484
  • Damage or part failure in mirror box/aperture coupling
    No
  • Other problems noted at the same time
    No
  • Actions that stopped mirror flapping
    Switching on/off camera few times
  • BodyBatteryStateFullBodyBatteryVoltage17.38 VBodyBatteryVoltage27.15 VPowerSourceGrip Battery
03-25-2014, 03:10 AM   #55
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Has anyone actually taken off the lens and noted that the shutter is opening as this happens or are we just speculating that the shutter is involved?

It may be solely related to the mirror mechanism as the shutter and mirror have independent motors from what I can recall.
03-25-2014, 03:16 AM   #56
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QuoteOriginally posted by DRabbit Quote
Let's start a list so we can get a sense of how many people are having the problem, and details that might be helpful.

Here's the rules:

Answer this thread only ONCE... just to report in.
Discussion is happening about the issue in plenty of other threads already. Let's keep this just a list of victims.

- https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/250865-k3-locking-up-while...ime-lapse.html
- https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/242257-odd-shutter-issue-f...0-problem.html
- https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/253961-k3-firmware-1-03-mirror-flap.html
- https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/253707-k-3-failure-couldnt...g-up-down.html
- https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/253079-shutter-flutter-pan...w-battery.html

Include your serial number and purchase date.

Describe when and how the crazy mirror lockups occurred, and what resolved it.

Include any camera settings and setups you can remember.

Members Reporting the Issue

So far, in the various threads about this issue, between me and Jhmos, we've counted a total of 59 people who have reported having the problem at least once. This is a complete list. The names with stars are the ones that have also reported here in this thread (the ones without stars have reported in one of the other threads linked above). I will update the list as more people reply here.

agchang ✭
audiobomber ✭
A.Yzerr ✭
Barry Pearson ✭
BillO ✭
bschafer ✭
bvanes ✭
carolina_sky
derekkite
dgrPhotos ✭
DimC
distudio ✭
dodel ✭
dosdan
DRabbit ✭
Edchristenson
emiliogv ✭
Erd§ ✭
esancho
Essdubbya ✭
fcrespo
fjeril ✭
Geoff Ince ✭
goubejp
Jbinpg ✭
jhmos ✭
Jon
lisbon
Mallee Boy ✭
mamethot
Martin_C ✭
mille19 ✭
naboo
Nostrildamus ✭
OJGoreng ✭
PALADIN85020 ✭
pearsaab ✭
Poit ✭
raider
rawc
RickC ✭
riseform ✭
Rite ✭
Rockville Bob ✭
Rondec ✭
s76 ✭
sharepointalex
Stagnant ✭
Tapio Kekkonen
Thomas Backa
Twino4u
umber ✭
walter ✭
WillWeaverRVA
Wired ✭
wizofoz
WPRESTO ✭
wpompen ✭

list updated 3/24/14


- - - - -

My report:


I Have Had Two K3s with The Issue.

K3 #1 was purchased in November, 2013.
K3 #2 was received from local retailer as exchange for first, in February, 2014. Serial #4859575

Crazy Mirror Sickness Occurred:

Problem has been a recurring one for me, when I shoot time-lapse photography. Has happened more times than I can count now.
Popping battery out stops the crazy mirror flapping.
Sometimes turning it on and off multiple times stops it.

Typical Settings/Setup When it Happens:

1 or 2 SD cards in the camera.
It has happened with several different brands SD cards.
Av or M mode
Interval of 3 or 4 seconds for 500-700 shots.
Shake Reduction Off (though has happened with it on)
Outdoors and Indoors
10ºF to 50ºF+
No battery grip. All genuine pentax batteries. Has happened with various batteries from old to new.
Has happened using Live View and not using Live View
WB typically set to "daylight"
JPG usually at Medium or Small
Focus is AF.S Select or Spot, but I switch to Manual before I start the time-lapse.



Crazy-Ass Mirror Sickness (CAMS) looks like this (second half of video):

Pentax K3 Locking Up... Crazy Mirror Flap Issue - YouTube
Hi,

I have allredy third K-3 with this mirror issue. Firmware 1.03. Distributor in Finland is Ok. No problem to get a replacement camera. I just can't rely on K-3. Pentax must solv this problem. Must be quite common as I have had it with 3 K-3.
03-25-2014, 09:56 AM   #57
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QuoteOriginally posted by Tapio Kekkonen Quote
Hi,

I have allredy third K-3 with this mirror issue. Firmware 1.03. Distributor in Finland is Ok. No problem to get a replacement camera. I just can't rely on K-3. Pentax must solv this problem. Must be quite common as I have had it with 3 K-3.
------------------------------------------

Sent the K-3 back because of this issue. Very disappointing, especially since the wait of six years and the K-3 is the Pentax Flagship. Just couldn't stick with the sample that came to me knowing others had up to THREE new exchanges, with THREE consecutive failures.

Will stick with the (very capable) K10-D and K-30 until the K-3 successor is launched several years from now. May go with one of the newer mirrorless platforms before then.

Rite ..
03-26-2014, 10:54 AM   #58
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Posts: 573
Same here. K3 S/N 4858537. Bought at Park Cameras, Burgess Hill, UK. Firmware 1.02.

Happened with a Hahnel battery, fully charged and which always delivered loads of endurance in a K5 which I have just sold.
03-30-2014, 08:07 AM   #59
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My turn...

Shuttercount previous photo: 23109
Shuttercount next photo: 23089 Yes it is lower... I checked several files before and after and this is what happened. Maybe it had time to do 20 flopps before I got the battery out and made subtraction...
It registred a file of 0kB.

Firmware
V1.03

* Memory card
1 x SanDisk Extreme 16GB 45MB/s Class 10 and one Pentax O-FC1 Flucard. Flucard turned OFF

* Logged errors or error messages
None

* Bad images before/after stutter
None

* Drive mode
Singled / AF.S / Matrix

* Camera mode
Av

* Lens mounted
Tamron 90 2.8 SP

* Live view vs. viewfinder
Optical viewfinder

# of shutter cycles per session before mirror
approximate 20

* General use patterns (high #'s per session, cold, humidity)
Approx. 12C.

* Shutter count
Se above

* Serial number (body)
48291xx

* Damage or part failure in mirror box/aperture coupling
None

* Other problems noted at the same time
None

* Actions that stopped mirror flapping
Removed the battery immediatly

BodyBatteryState Full
BodyBatteryVoltage1 7.13 V
BodyBatteryVoltage2 6.88 V
CameraTemperature 25 C
CameraTemperature2 27.0 C
CameraTemperature3 27.0 C

The only difference in setting was that I entered Daylight savings time.




EDIT: Battery used: Original

Last edited by Unregistered User; 04-05-2014 at 02:25 AM. Reason: Added info
03-30-2014, 09:43 AM - 1 Like   #60
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Posts: 28
K3 - SN - 4850486

Originally came with firmware 1.00.
I installed a 3rd party battery when new while the Pentax original was charging. I knew the "Maxsima foto 7.2 1860mAh" was fully charged but only showing 50% or less. Within 10 shots from new, the mirror flap just went wild so immediately removed the battery as nothing else responded. Upgraded firmware to 1.03 and installed the genuine battery and went out on a bird shoot and took 600+ shots with no issues. On return tried the fully charged Maxisma again and after again about 10 shots the mirror flap returned! Looks like mine is defintely related to a battery power issue.
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