K-3 Weirdness

Wolfeye · 11-18-2014, 07:43 AM

Some Minolta cameras had an "Eye Start" sensor, which, when enabled, turned the camera on and focused it when brought to the eye. Now, the K-3 has no such thing, but mine does.

I have an elderly (1990's vintage) Tamron 28-300mm lens. Nice lens. Very sharp, especially at the lower end of the zoom range. But it behaves as if there's an eye start mechanism. When you point the camera at a new object it focuses, in S + spot focus mode. It doesn't do it all the time, but reliably does it when you zoom.

Another K-3 weirdness is that I have frequently taken a picture and looked at the rear LCD and no picture appears. The card indicator light isn't lit, there's just nothing. The info display is gone too. It's a black screen. And if you press the playback review button, you're taken back to the info screen, and sometimes, after a few seconds, the picture suddenly shows.

I'm thinking my K-3 is defective. WDYT? Any of this happened to you?

Please don't reply with theories or other camera models. I'm only interested in K-3 experiences. Thanks!

AquaDome · 11-18-2014, 08:00 AM

I have seen the blank screen after taking a picture.
I had a very old, slow 4GB memory card in the camera at the time and was shooting RAW.
Switching back to a proper high-speed card solved the problem.

Originally posted by Wolfeye

Please don't reply with theories or other camera models. I'm only interested in K-3 experiences. Thanks!

My theory is that your old Tamaron has electrical problems and is freaking out your K-3. If I had this experience, I would not do it again.

Unregistered User · 11-18-2014, 08:00 AM

If you use another lens, does it behave the same?

Wolfeye · 11-18-2014, 08:12 AM

Originally posted by Tjompen1968

If you use another lens, does it behave the same?

I had never noticed the AF behavior with another lens. The blacked-out LCD happens with any lens. The SD card is a class 10 64gb SDXC card.

---------- Post added 11-18-14 at 09:14 AM ----------

Originally posted by AquaDome

I have seen the blank screen after taking a picture.
I had a very old, slow 4GB memory card in the camera at the time and was shooting RAW.
Switching back to a proper high-speed card solved the problem.

I am indeed shooting RAW (+ jpg) but the card is new.

AquaDome · 11-18-2014, 08:16 AM

Originally posted by Wolfeye

I had never noticed the AF behavior with another lens. The blacked-out LCD happens with any lens. The SD card is a class 10 64gb SDXC card.

The slow card was the only occasion I ever saw that behavior on the K-3.
I'm already one theory past my limit, so I will leave it there.

stevebrot · 11-18-2014, 09:39 AM

Originally posted by Wolfeye

Another K-3 weirdness is that I have frequently taken a picture and looked at the rear LCD and no picture appears. The card indicator light isn't lit, there's just nothing. The info display is gone too. It's a black screen. And if you press the playback review button, you're taken back to the info screen, and sometimes, after a few seconds, the picture suddenly shows.

If your camera is still on warranty, I would contact Ricoh/Pentax. You probably have a fault on one of the main circuit boards.

Steve

rawr · 11-18-2014, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by Wolfeye

class 10 64gb SDXC card

Try another card to verify that the issue is not card related.
Preferably a Sandisk one, and maybe not so big as 64GB.

The lens issue may be contacts related or general lens/body electrical. My K-5 went a bit crazy once when I used a teleconverter that seemed to cause some sort of electrical problem or short.

stevebrot · 11-18-2014, 02:34 PM

Originally posted by rawr

The lens issue may be contacts related or general lens/body electrical. My K-5 went a bit crazy once when I used a teleconverter that seemed to cause some sort of electrical problem or short.

That AF behavior is the strange part of all this. The body turns the AF screw based on instructions from the user, not the lens.

Steve

**jbinpg** · 11-18-2014, 03:13 PM

Check the contacts at the base of the lens *and* the two gold contacts on the body that provide the focus and data circuits between body and lens. If any of these are bent out of shape, contact will be lost and all kinds of weird stuff ensues.

Jack

Wolfeye · 11-21-2014, 01:33 PM - **1 Like**

Well, I discovered the problem. It's the grip or grip contacts. With the grip on, if I tilt the camera down about 45 degrees, the back LCD goes black and nothing will revive it. Take the grip off and everything works fine. Oddly, with the grip attached, you don't even need a battery to make it happen.

I am going to try and return it to Adorama or failing that, will send it in for repair.

Here's what the grip's pins look like - all over the place as far as height, which may or may not matter...

stevebrot · 11-21-2014, 01:43 PM

Originally posted by Wolfeye

Well, I discovered the problem. It's the grip or grip contacts. With the grip on, if I tilt the camera down about 45 degrees, the back LCD goes black and nothing will revive it. Take the grip off and everything works fine. Oddly, with the grip attached, you don't even need a battery to make it happen.

I am going to try and return it to Adorama or failing that, will send it in for repair.

Here's what the grip's pins look like - all over the place as far as height, which may or may not matter...

Joy in PentaxLand!

Out of curiosity, is this the Pentax grip?

Steve

rawr · 11-21-2014, 02:06 PM

Originally posted by Wolfeye

With the grip on, if I tilt the camera down about 45 degrees, the back LCD goes black and nothing will revive it. Take the grip off and everything works fine.

Interesting result from a simple and definitive test. That grip contacts issue might explain why my K-3 w.grip display froze once during image review, and locked the camera up.

However the unevenness of the pin heights shouldn't be an issue, I would have thought, since once mounted on the camera the pins are all pressed down flat by the camera body. As long as there is a degree of spring pressure behind them all, contact should be consistent and good.

Wolfeye · 11-21-2014, 02:15 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Joy in PentaxLand!

Out of curiosity, is this the Pentax grip?

Steve

Yes, this is the Pentax grip.

---------- Post added 11-21-14 at 03:17 PM ----------

Originally posted by rawr

Interesting result from a simple and definitive test. That grip contacts issue might explain why my K-3 w.grip display froze once during image review, and locked the camera up.

However the unevenness of the pin heights shouldn't be an issue, I would have thought, since once mounted on the camera the pins are all pressed down flat by the camera body. As long as there is a degree of spring pressure behind them all, contact should be consistent and good.

I am going to send in the grip alone for repair, not to deprive myself of an otherwise working K-3. If it comes back and still doesn't work right it must be something in the grip contacts, and I'll then send the body in.

**Schraubstock** · 11-22-2014, 03:06 AM

The contacts on my genuine Pentax grip look exactly like the ones in your photo, they are not all of the same height.

Greetings

Wolfeye · 11-22-2014, 09:08 AM

Originally posted by Schraubstock

The contacts on my genuine Pentax grip look exactly like the ones in your photo, they are not all of the same height.

Greetings

Thanks! At least that isn't teh problem then, assuming your camera/grip works properly.

Does anyone know where the serial number is on the battery grip?

11-18-2014, 07:43 AM	#1
Wolfeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 782	K-3 Weirdness Some Minolta cameras had an "Eye Start" sensor, which, when enabled, turned the camera on and focused it when brought to the eye. Now, the K-3 has no such thing, but mine does. I have an elderly (1990's vintage) Tamron 28-300mm lens. Nice lens. Very sharp, especially at the lower end of the zoom range. But it behaves as if there's an eye start mechanism. When you point the camera at a new object it focuses, in S + spot focus mode. It doesn't do it all the time, but reliably does it when you zoom. Another K-3 weirdness is that I have frequently taken a picture and looked at the rear LCD and no picture appears. The card indicator light isn't lit, there's just nothing. The info display is gone too. It's a black screen. And if you press the playback review button, you're taken back to the info screen, and sometimes, after a few seconds, the picture suddenly shows. I'm thinking my K-3 is defective. WDYT? Any of this happened to you? Please don't reply with theories or other camera models. I'm only interested in K-3 experiences. Thanks!

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11-18-2014, 08:00 AM	#2
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	I have seen the blank screen after taking a picture. I had a very old, slow 4GB memory card in the camera at the time and was shooting RAW. Switching back to a proper high-speed card solved the problem. Originally posted by Wolfeye Please don't reply with theories or other camera models. I'm only interested in K-3 experiences. Thanks! My theory is that your old Tamaron has electrical problems and is freaking out your K-3. If I had this experience, I would not do it again.

11-18-2014, 08:00 AM	#3
Unregistered User Guest	If you use another lens, does it behave the same?

11-18-2014, 08:12 AM	#4
Wolfeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 782 Original Poster	Originally posted by Tjompen1968 If you use another lens, does it behave the same? I had never noticed the AF behavior with another lens. The blacked-out LCD happens with any lens. The SD card is a class 10 64gb SDXC card. ---------- Post added 11-18-14 at 09:14 AM ---------- Originally posted by AquaDome I have seen the blank screen after taking a picture. I had a very old, slow 4GB memory card in the camera at the time and was shooting RAW. Switching back to a proper high-speed card solved the problem. I am indeed shooting RAW (+ jpg) but the card is new.

11-18-2014, 08:16 AM	#5
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	Originally posted by Wolfeye I had never noticed the AF behavior with another lens. The blacked-out LCD happens with any lens. The SD card is a class 10 64gb SDXC card. The slow card was the only occasion I ever saw that behavior on the K-3. I'm already one theory past my limit, so I will leave it there.

11-18-2014, 09:39 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Wolfeye Another K-3 weirdness is that I have frequently taken a picture and looked at the rear LCD and no picture appears. The card indicator light isn't lit, there's just nothing. The info display is gone too. It's a black screen. And if you press the playback review button, you're taken back to the info screen, and sometimes, after a few seconds, the picture suddenly shows. If your camera is still on warranty, I would contact Ricoh/Pentax. You probably have a fault on one of the main circuit boards. Steve

11-18-2014, 01:28 PM	#7
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Wolfeye class 10 64gb SDXC card Try another card to verify that the issue is not card related. Preferably a Sandisk one, and maybe not so big as 64GB. The lens issue may be contacts related or general lens/body electrical. My K-5 went a bit crazy once when I used a teleconverter that seemed to cause some sort of electrical problem or short.

11-18-2014, 02:34 PM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by rawr The lens issue may be contacts related or general lens/body electrical. My K-5 went a bit crazy once when I used a teleconverter that seemed to cause some sort of electrical problem or short. That AF behavior is the strange part of all this. The body turns the AF screw based on instructions from the user, not the lens. Steve

11-18-2014, 03:13 PM	#9
jbinpg Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Prince George, BC Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,546	Check the contacts at the base of the lens and the two gold contacts on the body that provide the focus and data circuits between body and lens. If any of these are bent out of shape, contact will be lost and all kinds of weird stuff ensues. Jack

11-21-2014, 01:33 PM - 1 Like	#10
Wolfeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 782 Original Poster	Well, I discovered the problem. It's the grip or grip contacts. With the grip on, if I tilt the camera down about 45 degrees, the back LCD goes black and nothing will revive it. Take the grip off and everything works fine. Oddly, with the grip attached, you don't even need a battery to make it happen. I am going to try and return it to Adorama or failing that, will send it in for repair. Here's what the grip's pins look like - all over the place as far as height, which may or may not matter...

11-21-2014, 01:43 PM	#11
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Wolfeye Well, I discovered the problem. It's the grip or grip contacts. With the grip on, if I tilt the camera down about 45 degrees, the back LCD goes black and nothing will revive it. Take the grip off and everything works fine. Oddly, with the grip attached, you don't even need a battery to make it happen. I am going to try and return it to Adorama or failing that, will send it in for repair. Here's what the grip's pins look like - all over the place as far as height, which may or may not matter... Joy in PentaxLand! Out of curiosity, is this the Pentax grip? Steve

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11-21-2014, 02:06 PM	#12
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Wolfeye With the grip on, if I tilt the camera down about 45 degrees, the back LCD goes black and nothing will revive it. Take the grip off and everything works fine. Interesting result from a simple and definitive test. That grip contacts issue might explain why my K-3 w.grip display froze once during image review, and locked the camera up. However the unevenness of the pin heights shouldn't be an issue, I would have thought, since once mounted on the camera the pins are all pressed down flat by the camera body. As long as there is a degree of spring pressure behind them all, contact should be consistent and good.

11-21-2014, 02:15 PM	#13
Wolfeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 782 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Joy in PentaxLand! Out of curiosity, is this the Pentax grip? Steve Yes, this is the Pentax grip. ---------- Post added 11-21-14 at 03:17 PM ---------- Originally posted by rawr Interesting result from a simple and definitive test. That grip contacts issue might explain why my K-3 w.grip display froze once during image review, and locked the camera up. However the unevenness of the pin heights shouldn't be an issue, I would have thought, since once mounted on the camera the pins are all pressed down flat by the camera body. As long as there is a degree of spring pressure behind them all, contact should be consistent and good. I am going to send in the grip alone for repair, not to deprive myself of an otherwise working K-3. If it comes back and still doesn't work right it must be something in the grip contacts, and I'll then send the body in.

11-22-2014, 03:06 AM	#14
Schraubstock Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,386	The contacts on my genuine Pentax grip look exactly like the ones in your photo, they are not all of the same height. Greetings

11-22-2014, 09:08 AM	#15
Wolfeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 782 Original Poster	Originally posted by Schraubstock The contacts on my genuine Pentax grip look exactly like the ones in your photo, they are not all of the same height. Greetings Thanks! At least that isn't teh problem then, assuming your camera/grip works properly. Does anyone know where the serial number is on the battery grip?