[johnmflores]

Happened once while on a photo assignment a couple of weeks ago. FW 1.03. Pulled the battery, restarted, and the camera performed fine after. Took it on my next assignment, no problem. Just updated to FW 1.11. We'll see. If it happens again I'll probably send it in, but not until the riding season is over.

Question for the group - has anyone had the flapping lead to a bricked camera?

I bring backup gear, of course, and am not shooting weddings or events, so I'm not that concerned. But it is good to know.

[jbinpg]

My three flapping events in January and February of this year did not lead to a bricked camera. - Jack

[asharpe]

My three flapping events in January and February of this year did not lead to a bricked camera. - Jack

Gee. You'd think, with that many flapping events, you'd've at least gotten some air.

[felixkh]

Just when I thought mine was ok, it started just for a short while today. Then no more . . . I find this weird. I am on v1.10.

Just updated to v1.11.

Let's see if it happens again.

[DimaM81]

I had a problem with my camera too.

Here are the details:
Firmware 1.10
Serial: 4878320
Shutter Count 1,205
SD Card: SanDisk
Battery: standard
Lens: Pentax SMC DA* 50-135
File type: RAW

[bwDraco]

I know first-hand that with the less expensive Pentax DSLR cameras, including the K-r, K-30, and K-50, the mirror flop issue is usually caused by a stuck or faulty aperture control mechanism. I can also cite at least three six cases where the issue is confirmed to be caused by the aperture control mechanism:

1. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/115-pentax-k-5/144309-k-5-bug-shutter-goi...ml#post1525538
2. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/116-pentax-k-r/238885-k-r-glitch-shutter-...ml#post2530809
3. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/265278-pentax-k50-mi...ml#post2861899
4. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/250133-random-mi...ml#post2739643
5. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/36-sold-items/213428-sale-sold-pentax-k-r-w-18-55-da-l.html
6. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/120-general-technical-troubleshooting/233...ml#post2473122

This problem is not limited to the less expensive models which have linked mirror and aperture mechanisms. Case #1 above involves a Pentax K-5, which has separate mirror, aperture, and shutter motors, and yet the problem was traced to the aperture control mechanism. While the K-3 has a redesigned drive system, it is still entirely possible that the aperture control mechanism is to blame for the mirror flop issue.

--DragonLord

[asharpe]

it is still entirely possible that the aperture control mechanism is to blame for the mirror flop issue.

Hence my question here https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/254464-k3-crazy-mirror-sic...ml#post2908376 asking whether anyone had experienced the issue with manual lenses.

[bwDraco]

Here's a video demonstration of how an aperture control malfunction can cause mirror flop:

You Tube

You Tube

--DragonLord

[ofer4]

Great info, DragonLord! This result is consistent with the CRIS repair performed on my K-r (replacement of the aperture control mechanism). I don't have a K-3, so I can't test its behavior for this thread. Anyone willing to try?

Now...what is causing the faulty aperture control mechanisms???

[cfraz]

Case #1 above involves a Pentax K-5, which has separate mirror, aperture, and shutter motors

The 3-motor mechanism was introduced on the K-3.

[bwDraco]

The 3-motor mechanism was introduced on the K-3.

Actually, it was introduced with the K-7, and redesigned in the K-3. Otherwise, it would not be possible to operate the shutter in Live View or stop down the aperture without cycling the mirror on a K-7 or K-5. The K-x, K-r, K-30, and K-50 have mirror and aperture mechanisms which are linked, which is why the mirror cycles when taking a picture in Live View or after using the depth-of-field preview on these cameras. However, this extra mirror cycling is not necessary and therefore not observed on the K-7, K-5, or K-3.

Pentax's mention of the three-motor design in the K-3 simply refers to a redesigned drive system for faster operation.

--DragonLord

[cfraz]

Actually, it was introduced with the K-7, and redesigned in the K-3. Otherwise, it would not be possible to operate the shutter in Live View or stop down the aperture without cycling the mirror on a K-7 or K-5. The K-x, K-r, K-30, and K-50 have mirror and aperture mechanisms which are linked, which is why the mirror cycles when taking a picture in Live View or after using the depth-of-field preview on these cameras. However, this extra mirror cycling is not necessary and therefore not observed on the K-7, K-5, or K-3.

Pentax's mention of the three-motor design in the K-3 simply refers to a redesigned drive system for faster operation.

--DragonLord

Interesting. Thanks for correcting my miss.

[Poit]

Any word on whether firmware 1.11 has resolved the issue?

[danny09]

Just upgraded to FW 1.11 yesterday. Not those many shots on the firmware;but I never ever encountered the mirror flop to begin with. Shutter count ~9K. Since Ricoh firmware update description is implying messed up settings causing this issue, I am even more curious now. Maybe I am not using the combination of settings that triggers the mirror flop??

[mamethot]

Had a second and third occurence of the disease while shooting a time lapse in movie mode (F1.10).

Had to shut down the camera and start over in both occurence.

After the second occurence of the day (third overall), I decided to resume my time lapse but this time in photo mode. No more occurence in photo mode. a bit more work at the end of the day though...

Luckily this time no debris showed up in the camera.

Now updated to F1.11 and waiting for the next occasion to shoot a time lapse in movie mode...