K3 Crazy Mirror Sickness (Mirror Flapping Lockup) - Report Yours Here!

NicoleC · 09-26-2014, 08:34 AM

I just sent mine off for the warranty repair. 6 weeks, they say.

So I pull out my old K-x and try a few shots and half of them have black frames which is why I retired it. *sigh* Gonna be a long few weeks.

stevebrot · 09-26-2014, 08:44 AM

Originally posted by Corcodel

I am a suspicious guy and I think Adorama knew about the issue with this particular camera (approx manufacturing time is end of May) when they offered a so good deal...but I might be wrong.

Return for exchange and don't worry about Adorama dumping bad goods at a discount.

Steve

Unregistered User · 09-26-2014, 08:57 AM

Originally posted by NicoleC

I just sent mine off for the warranty repair. 6 weeks, they say.

So I pull out my old K-x and try a few shots and half of them have black frames which is why I retired it. *sigh* Gonna be a long few weeks.

6 weeks! Is the tv-series "Revolution" for real?

Bummer...

With postage it takes 3-4 days in Sweden if I send it myself. It would go faster for you to send it to Sweden for repair...

PALADIN85020 · 09-26-2014, 10:23 AM - **1 Like**

I took my K-3 in to C.R.I.S. for a warranty "fix" on the mirror flutter problem on June 16. I had two instances of the problem between November of '13 and June of '14, using the camera regularly. Since the June "fix" I'm pleased to report that I have had NO further occurrences. I estimate that I use the camera for one purpose or another maybe a dozen times per week. So it's been over 3 months and counting. I installed firmware v. 1.11 as soon as it became available, and have noticed no ill effects with it, either. Knock on wood, but I'd recommend doing the warranty fix if you've had even one instance of mirror flutter. The K-3 is a superlative camera, and mine is now operating flawlessly in every respect.

John
PENTAX : PENTAX Photo Gallery artist page

NicoleC · 09-26-2014, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by PALADIN85020

Since the June "fix" I'm pleased to report that I have had NO further occurrences.

That's excellent news. I love my K3 and could live with a rare event with what I shoot, but I figured I'd better go ahead and do it before the warranty runs out. (Did I really order the K3 on 10/21? Tempus fugit!)

I really hope they are "underpromising" on the turnaround time so I will be happy when it comes back in 3 weeks.

------
RE: Adorama, I really doubt it they were dumping anything. They are a major player not a shady gray market shop. They get a bunch of boxes and they pull one as needed to fill an order. Just exchange it, since you got a bad one.

**DRabbit** · 09-27-2014, 09:37 AM

I hope you're right Nicole, but my experience with Pentax service was dismal to say the least (not with K3). It always takes forever. It's actually one of the reasons I'm now moving away from Pentax.

Erd§ · 09-27-2014, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by PALADIN85020

Some good news for a change...

I wouldn't count your chickens just yet. There was a report by a user a few pages back who had the "Reflex Mirror Overrun Problem" after it was returned from CRIS for repair for that very problem...here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/254464-k3-crazy-mirror-sic...ml#post2925924

Last edited by Erd§; 09-27-2014 at 04:51 PM. Reason: Link added

**BarryE** · 10-18-2014, 02:22 AM

I assume this thread is fading away as the flapping events disappear. I've been with v1.11 since its release and it's looking good. I did get one blank frame, but that has been in thousands of exposures, so few worries now.

Paul the Sunman · 10-18-2014, 12:43 PM

So it would seem. Now, if only they fixed the flash delay issue, I'd have nothing to complain about at all ...

bschafer · 10-19-2014, 06:40 AM

I have had the issue twice since upgrading to V1.11. The most recent was yesterday. In both incidents the flapping stopped after about 5 times

awaldram · 10-19-2014, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

So it would seem. Now, if only they fixed the flash delay issue, I'd have nothing to complain about at all ...

But where would we be then.!

Paul the Sunman · 10-19-2014, 12:19 PM

Originally posted by bschafer

I have had the issue twice since upgrading to V1.11. The most recent was yesterday. In both incidents the flapping stopped after about 5 times

Sorry to hear you're still having trouble. I assume no images were stored from these 5 flappings, i.e., it wasn't just an unintended burst?

Nevertheless, it seems V1.11 puts some intervention process in place that stops the flapping runaway, and in most cases before it ever really starts.

mamethot · 10-19-2014, 12:55 PM

I've had it a few times using 4k movie mode timelapse. Today being the last.

It flapped a few times then stopped. No blank frames recorded, just a shorter movie saved.

Settings from the camera were reverted to the last setting that had been in the camera at the last succesful file saved.

---------- Post added Oct 19th, 2014 at 15:56 ----------

I've had it a few times using 4k movie mode timelapse. Today being the last.

It flapped a few times then stopped. No blank frames recorded, just a shorter movie saved.

Settings from the camera were reverted to the last setting that had been in the camera at the last succesful file saved.

stevebrot · 10-19-2014, 05:27 PM

Originally posted by bschafer

I have had the issue twice since upgrading to V1.11. The most recent was yesterday. In both incidents the flapping stopped after about 5 times

I would suggest that you seek warranty repair while the camera is still covered.

Steve

---------- Post added 10-19-14 at 05:29 PM ----------

Originally posted by mamethot

I've had it a few times using 4k movie mode timelapse. Today being the last.

It flapped a few times then stopped. No blank frames recorded, just a shorter movie saved.

I would seek warranty service for the issue. It is not going to go away by itself.

Steve

mamethot · 10-19-2014, 05:49 PM

And I will after the holidays.

09-26-2014, 10:23 AM - 1 Like	#619
PALADIN85020 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 442	Some good news for a change... I took my K-3 in to C.R.I.S. for a warranty "fix" on the mirror flutter problem on June 16. I had two instances of the problem between November of '13 and June of '14, using the camera regularly. Since the June "fix" I'm pleased to report that I have had NO further occurrences. I estimate that I use the camera for one purpose or another maybe a dozen times per week. So it's been over 3 months and counting. I installed firmware v. 1.11 as soon as it became available, and have noticed no ill effects with it, either. Knock on wood, but I'd recommend doing the warranty fix if you've had even one instance of mirror flutter. The K-3 is a superlative camera, and mine is now operating flawlessly in every respect. John PENTAX : PENTAX Photo Gallery artist page

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K-3 failure - couldn't stop the mirror flapping up and down	Photodana	Pentax K-3 & K-3 II	26	06-11-2014 03:19 PM
Help - Pentax K2 Mirror Lockup replacement	barbosas	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	6	11-06-2013 08:09 AM
Mirror lockup	O'Brien 860	Pentax K-30 & K-50	23	07-14-2013 05:16 PM
Pentax MX mirror lockup lever mod?	asaru	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	4	12-24-2012 07:45 AM
mirror lockup	Andrew Crouch	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	5	12-13-2012 04:42 AM

09-26-2014, 08:34 AM	#616
NicoleC Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 448	I just sent mine off for the warranty repair. 6 weeks, they say. So I pull out my old K-x and try a few shots and half of them have black frames which is why I retired it. sigh Gonna be a long few weeks.

09-26-2014, 08:44 AM	#617
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Corcodel I am a suspicious guy and I think Adorama knew about the issue with this particular camera (approx manufacturing time is end of May) when they offered a so good deal...but I might be wrong. Return for exchange and don't worry about Adorama dumping bad goods at a discount. Steve

09-26-2014, 08:57 AM	#618
Unregistered User Guest	Originally posted by NicoleC I just sent mine off for the warranty repair. 6 weeks, they say. So I pull out my old K-x and try a few shots and half of them have black frames which is why I retired it. sigh Gonna be a long few weeks. 6 weeks! Is the tv-series "Revolution" for real? Bummer... With postage it takes 3-4 days in Sweden if I send it myself. It would go faster for you to send it to Sweden for repair...

09-26-2014, 01:53 PM	#620
NicoleC Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 448	Originally posted by PALADIN85020 Since the June "fix" I'm pleased to report that I have had NO further occurrences. That's excellent news. I love my K3 and could live with a rare event with what I shoot, but I figured I'd better go ahead and do it before the warranty runs out. (Did I really order the K3 on 10/21? Tempus fugit!) I really hope they are "underpromising" on the turnaround time so I will be happy when it comes back in 3 weeks. ------ RE: Adorama, I really doubt it they were dumping anything. They are a major player not a shady gray market shop. They get a bunch of boxes and they pull one as needed to fill an order. Just exchange it, since you got a bad one.

09-27-2014, 09:37 AM	#621
DRabbit Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 593 Original Poster	I hope you're right Nicole, but my experience with Pentax service was dismal to say the least (not with K3). It always takes forever. It's actually one of the reasons I'm now moving away from Pentax.

09-27-2014, 04:49 PM	#622
Erd§ Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SEQ Posts: 323	Originally posted by PALADIN85020 Some good news for a change... I wouldn't count your chickens just yet. There was a report by a user a few pages back who had the "Reflex Mirror Overrun Problem" after it was returned from CRIS for repair for that very problem...here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/254464-k3-crazy-mirror-sic...ml#post2925924 Last edited by Erd§; 09-27-2014 at 04:51 PM. Reason: Link added

10-18-2014, 02:22 AM	#623
BarryE Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,653	I assume this thread is fading away as the flapping events disappear. I've been with v1.11 since its release and it's looking good. I did get one blank frame, but that has been in thousands of exposures, so few worries now.

10-18-2014, 12:43 PM	#624
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	So it would seem. Now, if only they fixed the flash delay issue, I'd have nothing to complain about at all ...

10-19-2014, 06:40 AM	#625
bschafer New Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: PA Posts: 7	I have had the issue twice since upgrading to V1.11. The most recent was yesterday. In both incidents the flapping stopped after about 5 times

10-19-2014, 07:17 AM	#626
awaldram Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 732	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman So it would seem. Now, if only they fixed the flash delay issue, I'd have nothing to complain about at all ... But where would we be then.!

10-19-2014, 12:19 PM	#627
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,843	Originally posted by bschafer I have had the issue twice since upgrading to V1.11. The most recent was yesterday. In both incidents the flapping stopped after about 5 times Sorry to hear you're still having trouble. I assume no images were stored from these 5 flappings, i.e., it wasn't just an unintended burst? Nevertheless, it seems V1.11 puts some intervention process in place that stops the flapping runaway, and in most cases before it ever really starts.

10-19-2014, 12:55 PM	#628
mamethot Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Greater Montreal Area Posts: 736	I've had it a few times using 4k movie mode timelapse. Today being the last. It flapped a few times then stopped. No blank frames recorded, just a shorter movie saved. Settings from the camera were reverted to the last setting that had been in the camera at the last succesful file saved. ---------- Post added Oct 19th, 2014 at 15:56 ---------- I've had it a few times using 4k movie mode timelapse. Today being the last. It flapped a few times then stopped. No blank frames recorded, just a shorter movie saved. Settings from the camera were reverted to the last setting that had been in the camera at the last succesful file saved.

10-19-2014, 05:27 PM	#629
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by bschafer I have had the issue twice since upgrading to V1.11. The most recent was yesterday. In both incidents the flapping stopped after about 5 times I would suggest that you seek warranty repair while the camera is still covered. Steve ---------- Post added 10-19-14 at 05:29 PM ---------- Originally posted by mamethot I've had it a few times using 4k movie mode timelapse. Today being the last. It flapped a few times then stopped. No blank frames recorded, just a shorter movie saved. I would seek warranty service for the issue. It is not going to go away by itself. Steve

10-19-2014, 05:49 PM	#630
mamethot Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Greater Montreal Area Posts: 736	And I will after the holidays.