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

aaalegre · 06-08-2014, 09:11 PM

Originally posted by chuckp8

Hey, has anyone noticed this happening on the K3 Silver edition?

Well it happened to me with the Silver addition. I was taking 5 image exposure shots and it started flapping.

Twino4u · 06-09-2014, 12:25 AM

Hi Ofer,

please read my quote #322....it looks like that they can't fix K3 mirror flopping via firmware.....I had to send my camera to their service partner for an software update a there days ago....now waiting to get my K3 back....

So let's cross our fingers, that this really solves the mirror flopping issue (although it will be fairly hard to check, flopping happened to me only twice)....

Originally posted by ofer4

Agreed. I've been following this thread closely, even though I do not own a K-3. This problem has plagued the original K-5, the K-r, and now the K-3. I'm glad to see that the reports for the K-3, at least, are being documented carefully.

ofer4 · 06-09-2014, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by Twino4u

Hi Ofer,

please read my quote #322....it looks like that they can't fix K3 mirror flopping via firmware.....I had to send my camera to their service partner for an software update a there days ago....now waiting to get my K3 back....

So let's cross our fingers, that this really solves the mirror flopping issue (although it will be fairly hard to check, flopping happened to me only twice)....

Hi, Twino4u... Yes, I agree. My K-r had to go in for service. It (eventually) got fixed, but they had to replace the aperture mechanism. I still suspect that some faulty electronics have been plaguing all of these models, and the K-3 just happens to have provided the high-$ motivation to make some noise here.

ofer4 · 06-09-2014, 05:03 PM

Just had a report of a K-50 mirror flop, too... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/265278-pentax-k50-mirror-flopping.html

Edit: Doesn't look like the same issue. Nothing to see here.

Last edited by ofer4; 06-09-2014 at 06:51 PM.

audiobomber · 06-09-2014, 06:20 PM

Originally posted by ofer4

Just had a report of a K-50 mirror flop, too... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/265278-pentax-k50-mirror-flopping.html

That looks nothing like what I experienced (twice).

ofer4 · 06-09-2014, 06:51 PM

Originally posted by audiobomber

That looks nothing like what I experienced (twice).

Agreed... I hadn't actually watched the video until now. Sorry!

Steve.Ledger · 06-09-2014, 07:01 PM

Originally posted by ofer4

It (eventually) got fixed, but they had to replace the aperture mechanism.

Isn't the aperture in the lens?

ofer4 · 06-09-2014, 08:38 PM

Originally posted by Steve.Ledger

Isn't the aperture in the lens?

It was the aperture control mechanism. I just got a little sloppy with my language.

For an interesting video (from CRIS) about replacing one, see here:

You Tube

Anyway, I've taken this thread off-track. I'll be quiet now.

audiobomber · 06-10-2014, 03:59 AM

Originally posted by ofer4

Agreed... I hadn't actually watched the video until now. Sorry!

I'm glad you brought it up. Lots of people think the mirror-flop started with some K-5 and K-r bodies, and continues with the K-3. The symptoms are quite different and the cause is likely different too.

awaldram · 06-10-2014, 05:15 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

I'm glad you brought it up. Lots of people think the mirror-flop started with some K-5 and K-r bodies, and continues with the K-3. The symptoms are quite different and the cause is likely different too.

as far as I'm aware the k5 flop was a direct result of the motor being out of sync curtain to shutter usually sue to wear.

The k3 having seperate motors for this function cannot possibly flop for the same reason so I agree with you

ofer4 · 06-10-2014, 07:21 AM

Originally posted by audiobomber

I'm glad you brought it up. Lots of people think the mirror-flop started with some K-5 and K-r bodies, and continues with the K-3. The symptoms are quite different and the cause is likely different too.

Hi, Dan. While the cause may be different, the symptoms are exactly the same as what I saw with my K-r. (They just happen to differ from the K-50 poster's symptoms.) Personally, I think that the cause is the same, but I would be gladly proven wrong. Regardless, it stinks that this issue has appeared in several models now.

Twino4u · 06-11-2014, 06:25 AM

Hi Ofer

received today after 2 working days my K3 back from the repair shop. Repair documents state "firmware installed (was before already/after repair 1.03), camera checked, mirror mechanics repaired".

So I my cross fingers that my K3 want flop hopefully anymore ;-)

Twino4u

Originally posted by ofer4

Hi, Twino4u... Yes, I agree. My K-r had to go in for service. It (eventually) got fixed, but they had to replace the aperture mechanism. I still suspect that some faulty electronics have been plaguing all of these models, and the K-3 just happens to have provided the high-$ motivation to make some noise here.

**DRabbit** · 06-11-2014, 07:23 AM

Originally posted by ofer4

Hi, Dan. While the cause may be different, the symptoms are exactly the same as what I saw with my K-r. (They just happen to differ from the K-50 poster's symptoms.) Personally, I think that the cause is the same, but I would be gladly proven wrong. Regardless, it stinks that this issue has appeared in several models now.

It would be a fairly large coincidence that this issue seems to be shared with other models of Pentax DSLRs to varying degrees but not some relational cause to why it happens. It may not be the exact same problem, but it's nothing less than odd that it has plagued Pentax alone.

Originally posted by Twino4u

received today after 2 working days my K3 back from the repair shop. Repair documents state "firmware installed (was before already/after repair 1.03), camera checked, mirror mechanics repaired".

Twino4u and I have been in touch by email and I'm trying to get confirmation from Pentax/Ricoh USA that his experience with the repair center in Germany/Austria is something we are going to see more globally... that indeed a fix has been found for the mirror-flapping.

awaldram · 06-11-2014, 07:33 AM

Originally posted by DRabbit

It would be a fairly large coincidence that this issue seems to be shared with other models of Pentax DSLRs to varying degrees but not some relational cause to why it happens. It may not be the exact same problem, but it's nothing less than odd that it has plagued Pentax alone.

You Tube

enjoy

And a d800 that that 'fixed' doesn't re-seat mirror (flop)
http://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/1956/d800-mirror-gets-stuck-and-view...mes-blurred/p1

https://www.flickr.com/photos/buddymcbride/14153634101/#sthash.6U8Nacu0.dpuf

you sometimes have wonder if the cure is worse than the symptom?

http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/news/eos_5d_mirror_repair.do

"Canon has learned that in rare occurrences the main mirror of some EOS 5D digital SLR cameras may fall off"
You sometime just have to smile !
At least it won't flop when it's sat on the floor with you camera in your hand

**DRabbit** · 06-11-2014, 07:38 AM

Very interesting. Of course, I think it also proves you wrong as well, with your battery assumption. LOL

Just goes to show that not everyone knows everything. You and me included. :P

06-09-2014, 12:25 AM	#332
Twino4u New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany-NRW Posts: 11	Software (not firmware!) update for K3 mirror flopping Hi Ofer, please read my quote #322....it looks like that they can't fix K3 mirror flopping via firmware.....I had to send my camera to their service partner for an software update a there days ago....now waiting to get my K3 back.... So let's cross our fingers, that this really solves the mirror flopping issue (although it will be fairly hard to check, flopping happened to me only twice).... Originally posted by ofer4 Agreed. I've been following this thread closely, even though I do not own a K-3. This problem has plagued the original K-5, the K-r, and now the K-3. I'm glad to see that the reports for the K-3, at least, are being documented carefully.

06-11-2014, 06:25 AM	#342
Twino4u New Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany-NRW Posts: 11	K3 mirror flopping repaired Hi Ofer received today after 2 working days my K3 back from the repair shop. Repair documents state "firmware installed (was before already/after repair 1.03), camera checked, mirror mechanics repaired". So I my cross fingers that my K3 want flop hopefully anymore ;-) Twino4u Originally posted by ofer4 Hi, Twino4u... Yes, I agree. My K-r had to go in for service. It (eventually) got fixed, but they had to replace the aperture mechanism. I still suspect that some faulty electronics have been plaguing all of these models, and the K-3 just happens to have provided the high-$ motivation to make some noise here.

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06-08-2014, 09:11 PM	#331
aaalegre Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: new jersey Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 112	Originally posted by chuckp8 Hey, has anyone noticed this happening on the K3 Silver edition? Well it happened to me with the Silver addition. I was taking 5 image exposure shots and it started flapping.

06-09-2014, 01:53 PM	#333
ofer4 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 428	Originally posted by Twino4u Hi Ofer, please read my quote #322....it looks like that they can't fix K3 mirror flopping via firmware.....I had to send my camera to their service partner for an software update a there days ago....now waiting to get my K3 back.... So let's cross our fingers, that this really solves the mirror flopping issue (although it will be fairly hard to check, flopping happened to me only twice).... Hi, Twino4u... Yes, I agree. My K-r had to go in for service. It (eventually) got fixed, but they had to replace the aperture mechanism. I still suspect that some faulty electronics have been plaguing all of these models, and the K-3 just happens to have provided the high-$ motivation to make some noise here.

06-09-2014, 05:03 PM	#334
ofer4 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 428	Just had a report of a K-50 mirror flop, too... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/265278-pentax-k50-mirror-flopping.html Edit: Doesn't look like the same issue. Nothing to see here. Last edited by ofer4; 06-09-2014 at 06:51 PM.

06-09-2014, 06:20 PM	#335
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by ofer4 Just had a report of a K-50 mirror flop, too... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/265278-pentax-k50-mirror-flopping.html That looks nothing like what I experienced (twice).

06-09-2014, 06:51 PM	#336
ofer4 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 428	Originally posted by audiobomber That looks nothing like what I experienced (twice). Agreed... I hadn't actually watched the video until now. Sorry!

06-09-2014, 07:01 PM	#337
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301	Originally posted by ofer4 It (eventually) got fixed, but they had to replace the aperture mechanism. Isn't the aperture in the lens?

06-10-2014, 03:59 AM	#339
audiobomber Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Sudbury, Ontario Photos: Albums Posts: 6,806	Originally posted by ofer4 Agreed... I hadn't actually watched the video until now. Sorry! I'm glad you brought it up. Lots of people think the mirror-flop started with some K-5 and K-r bodies, and continues with the K-3. The symptoms are quite different and the cause is likely different too.

06-10-2014, 05:15 AM	#340
awaldram Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery Posts: 732	Originally posted by audiobomber I'm glad you brought it up. Lots of people think the mirror-flop started with some K-5 and K-r bodies, and continues with the K-3. The symptoms are quite different and the cause is likely different too. as far as I'm aware the k5 flop was a direct result of the motor being out of sync curtain to shutter usually sue to wear. The k3 having seperate motors for this function cannot possibly flop for the same reason so I agree with you

06-10-2014, 07:21 AM	#341
ofer4 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 428	Originally posted by audiobomber I'm glad you brought it up. Lots of people think the mirror-flop started with some K-5 and K-r bodies, and continues with the K-3. The symptoms are quite different and the cause is likely different too. Hi, Dan. While the cause may be different, the symptoms are exactly the same as what I saw with my K-r. (They just happen to differ from the K-50 poster's symptoms.) Personally, I think that the cause is the same, but I would be gladly proven wrong. Regardless, it stinks that this issue has appeared in several models now.

06-11-2014, 07:23 AM	#343
DRabbit Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 593 Original Poster	Originally posted by ofer4 Hi, Dan. While the cause may be different, the symptoms are exactly the same as what I saw with my K-r. (They just happen to differ from the K-50 poster's symptoms.) Personally, I think that the cause is the same, but I would be gladly proven wrong. Regardless, it stinks that this issue has appeared in several models now. It would be a fairly large coincidence that this issue seems to be shared with other models of Pentax DSLRs to varying degrees but not some relational cause to why it happens. It may not be the exact same problem, but it's nothing less than odd that it has plagued Pentax alone. Originally posted by Twino4u received today after 2 working days my K3 back from the repair shop. Repair documents state "firmware installed (was before already/after repair 1.03), camera checked, mirror mechanics repaired". Twino4u and I have been in touch by email and I'm trying to get confirmation from Pentax/Ricoh USA that his experience with the repair center in Germany/Austria is something we are going to see more globally... that indeed a fix has been found for the mirror-flapping.

06-11-2014, 07:38 AM	#345
DRabbit Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 593 Original Poster	Very interesting. Of course, I think it also proves you wrong as well, with your battery assumption. LOL Just goes to show that not everyone knows everything. You and me included. :P