I read this thread just yesterday and started writing a report knowing this would happen again. Quite timely I guess but this happens the very next day. This is my 2nd occurence, the first happening on the first day of using this black K3 on June 3. Most of what I recorded is on the second occurrence but I will note my first occurrence.
K3 Mirror Flutter Report
Logged errors or error messages
Frozen LCD, forgot which screen it was on =\ as I wanted to turn it off asap. I knew to do this after seeing the "girl's crazy" video where the battery did not have to be pulled.
Bad images before/after stutter
I think it happened right as I was going to start a sequence so don't know if it took that sequence. Looking at times on seagull sequences but did not double check the actual time it occurred =/
Drive mode: high speed continuous
Lens mounted: DA* 60-250
Live view vs. viewfinder: Viewfinder
# of shutter cycles before it crops up:
With the camera on, probably only 2 sequences of 5 shots total. With the lens on, around 237 shots.
General use patterns (high #'s per session, cold, humidity)
6/21 around 6:43p, Outdoors, 68F degrees, WSW 6mph, 50% humidity, Sunny near Sunset
First occurrence was indoors at home.
Camera Temperature: not sure but I shut off and rinsed at least 2-3 minutes before this occurred. (Nice that I did not even consider that it was water that damaged it as I checked and rechecked the seals and the camera turned on fine after the rinsing)
Shutter count
About 619
Firmware: V1.03
Serial numbers (body and battery): Pentax K3 Black 4926430
Pentax battery 201308 first occurrence, DSTE third party second occurrence
Body Battery State: Fully charged (first occurence), 1 green bar (second occurrence)
No battery grip is installed
Memory cards: Sony 16GB SDHC UHS-1 SF16UXD in slot 1 (writing RAW+JPG on 1), Sandisk Extreme Plus 32GB in slot 2
Mirror up during shutter stutter: I'm guessing up as I hit the button to shoot.
Mirror down during shutter stutter
Mirror flips with each stutter (i.e. normal mirror/shutter cycle): Waited around 5 seconds before turning off power. so at 8frames/sec, plus the three seconds before it shutdown, I'm guessing around 64 flaps.
Normal cycle: Turned off power and waited around 3 seconds. Waited a few seconds and turned back on and started shooting again to get my shots. (first time, I turned off but did not wait long and pulled battery, did not realize I could wait for a few more seconds before it shuts down on its' own).
Damage or part failure in mirror box/aperture coupling: None.
Other problems noted at the same time: none
Actions to remedy: Turned off and waited 3 seconds before it FINALLY turned off. I wanted to try NOT to pull the battery and hope for normal shutdown as I read about this yesterday and had it happen before.
Originally posted by DRabbit Radman:
My thought on the repair is that I'd love to confirm it... but unfortunately, I don't have a K3 for testing anymore.
I don't like that the email Bruce received indicates that it would "resolve/reduce" the problem - as opposed to just RESOLVE it completely.
I'm also concerned that the email I received said testing is still ongoing. I'm glad they are working on it, but the fact a real fix is taking so long makes me wonder if the K3 has some fatal flaw that just cannot be fixed completely. Admittedly though, I've lost a bit of faith because of all the time that's passed and all the back and forth I personally went through, so I'm going to demand a little more proof than probably the next person.
This seems to be positive progress and movement in the right direction, but because these emails are so vague, and because Pentax isn't replying to the community, rather individual owners one at a time, I'm left feeling less than satisfied that the issue is gone for good.
How long was it for your first email to them to the last? I'm wondering how much time was spent before they got the issue settled. The time taken by each individual case could easily be solved now if they are upfront to the general public regarding the issue and proactively pursue fixing(at least pre order parts in quantity to have in stock prior so the customer won't have to wait 2 weeks for a part to arrive or offer a fast fix solution). Although quality is always the main priority, I wonder if time spent efficiently for the customer is on Pentax mind.
Originally posted by Rite --------------------------------------------------------------
Originally, I was going with a Silver collector's edition of the K-3, but held off due to them having the shutter issue. After waiting six months, the Silver Edition became hard to find, so I went with the black version, which exhibited the shutter problem twice within ten minutes of unboxing.
Ricoh's product support reputation is anything but 'Silver' on the K-3.
Just the facts.
~ Rite
I wonder, would not having the mirror flutter have sold out the Silver edition? =) I had the mirror flutter within the first day as well. This second time didn't scare me so much even with the first rinse i've done with the camera happening just minutes before.
Originally posted by DRabbit Another reply from a member (in another thread) about the fix that is now available. This matches up with Twino4u's experience, and the paperwork I was able to confirm through Pentax/Ricoh USA. I know Paladin goes on to say that this is all "off the record" but this experience isn't unique nor a secret.
If you have a K3 that exhibits the mirror-flapping problem, you should get in touch with Pentax and CRIS to send your camera in.
I'm worried about the length of time to get the part and the service timeframe. Can EVERYONE who's had the fix list the amount of time it's taken to get fixed. PLEASE EDIT ON YOUR PREVIOUS POST. Start from the day you ship out the camera to when you get it shipped back to you. I feel this is more real time and Pentax needs to feel the customer's pain (and love) for the time they are without their beloved.