K3 shutter/mirror flutter

Tandrew · 01-11-2015, 11:13 AM

got a K3 for Christmas and love it but have already experienced the infamous shutter/mirror fluttering problem...twice... Last time I got the signal that the battery was dead, so put in recharged battery and no problem. is it possible that the event happened because the battery was dead? B&H will exchange but I am trying to see if this problem has been solved by some sort of firmware upgrade or if there is any other information at hand about a solution..Have had a k5 for 2 years with no problems.

any suggestions?

robthebloke · 01-11-2015, 11:22 AM - **1 Like**

Upgrade the firmware if you haven't already done so. It seems to fix the problem for most people.

**jatrax** · 01-11-2015, 11:24 AM

Supposedly the latest firmware has a partial fix that catches and stops this if it happens. What firmware are you running? There is also supposed to be a fix that will be done under warranty but that has to go into the shop to be applied.

You need to decide whether you want to send it back for replacement or send it in to get warranty repair. Personally I would send it back to B&H for exchange.

The issue happened to me twice in about 20,000 exposures, so for me not an issue. And it has not happened since the latest firmware update. YMMV.

alamo5000 · 01-11-2015, 11:25 AM

Are you using old batteries or new ones? My K5 started acting weird and in the end it turned out my third party batteries were worn out/no good any more. I put in a new battery and all the issues went away.

**savoche** · 01-11-2015, 11:25 AM

And yes, low charge is something several seem to link to the problem. I can't confirm since I haven't had this problem.

Might be because I usually change batteries as soon as I'm down to the last bar, I don't know.

Tandrew · 01-11-2015, 11:29 AM

it came with version 1.11 and currently running same....so I assume there is nothing to upgrade to?

ScooterMaxi Jim · 01-11-2015, 11:33 AM

Originally posted by Tandrew

it came with version 1.11 and currently running same....so I assume there is nothing to upgrade to?

That is the current version. Sorry to hear of it. The only solution is that perhaps the battery was low; otherwise you probably should consider a return / repair.

danny09 · 01-11-2015, 11:51 AM

Sorry to hear that. Pls send it in to Precision Camera for a warranty fix or exchange it if you can.
I am yet to experience it so can only imagine how annoyed you will be.

dave2k · 01-11-2015, 03:48 PM

After experiencing the problem a few times, I sent my camera in for repair. However, I did experience the problem once after the repair. So the repair is not a guaranteed fix. I've always used the more recent firmware.

Tandrew · 01-11-2015, 04:10 PM

well, having given it some thought I will do the exchange...I mean the camera is worth the problem if I have to live with..it may happen on the next one,but since it is less than 20 days old and happened twice already it seems like an unnecessary risk.
thanks for the responses.
peace
tom

**UncleVanya** · 01-11-2015, 04:31 PM

Can somebody me point me to a description of this kind of problem?

robthebloke · 01-11-2015, 04:36 PM

You'd know it if you experienced it. The mirror flaps uncontrollably and the camera becomes unresponsive. Removing the battery is the only way to stop the flapping. After that, the camera is back to normal again

**UncleVanya** · 01-11-2015, 09:17 PM

Originally posted by robthebloke

You'd know it if you experienced it. The mirror flaps uncontrollably and the camera becomes unresponsive. Removing the battery is the only way to stop the flapping. After that, the camera is back to normal again

WOW! That sounds terrible. Is it a problem that was/is common?

ScooterMaxi Jim · 01-11-2015, 09:54 PM - **1 Like**

The reports indicate that it is pretty unusual, and especially so since the firmware updates. Tandrew's situation is a real exception, and he should be fairly confident that the exchange will address the concern.

I haven't experienced it, and I am sure it is alarming. On the other hand, it is something easily addressed - and even the afflicted cameras are only experiencing the problem on fairly rare occasion.

**jatrax** · 01-11-2015, 10:00 PM - **1 Like**

I've had it twice in 20,000+ exposures. Which sounds scary but makes the k-3 more reliable than just about any other device own

01-11-2015, 11:13 AM	#1
Tandrew Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 31	K3 shutter/mirror flutter got a K3 for Christmas and love it but have already experienced the infamous shutter/mirror fluttering problem...twice... Last time I got the signal that the battery was dead, so put in recharged battery and no problem. is it possible that the event happened because the battery was dead? B&H will exchange but I am trying to see if this problem has been solved by some sort of firmware upgrade or if there is any other information at hand about a solution..Have had a k5 for 2 years with no problems. any suggestions?

01-11-2015, 03:48 PM	#9
dave2k Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 419	Not a certain fix After experiencing the problem a few times, I sent my camera in for repair. However, I did experience the problem once after the repair. So the repair is not a guaranteed fix. I've always used the more recent firmware.

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01-11-2015, 11:22 AM - 1 Like	#2
robthebloke Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 844	Upgrade the firmware if you haven't already done so. It seems to fix the problem for most people.

01-11-2015, 11:24 AM	#3
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Supposedly the latest firmware has a partial fix that catches and stops this if it happens. What firmware are you running? There is also supposed to be a fix that will be done under warranty but that has to go into the shop to be applied. You need to decide whether you want to send it back for replacement or send it in to get warranty repair. Personally I would send it back to B&H for exchange. The issue happened to me twice in about 20,000 exposures, so for me not an issue. And it has not happened since the latest firmware update. YMMV.

01-11-2015, 11:25 AM	#4
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	Are you using old batteries or new ones? My K5 started acting weird and in the end it turned out my third party batteries were worn out/no good any more. I put in a new battery and all the issues went away.

01-11-2015, 11:25 AM	#5
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,311	And yes, low charge is something several seem to link to the problem. I can't confirm since I haven't had this problem. Might be because I usually change batteries as soon as I'm down to the last bar, I don't know.

01-11-2015, 11:29 AM	#6
Tandrew Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 31 Original Poster	it came with version 1.11 and currently running same....so I assume there is nothing to upgrade to?

01-11-2015, 11:33 AM	#7
ScooterMaxi Jim Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,520	Originally posted by Tandrew it came with version 1.11 and currently running same....so I assume there is nothing to upgrade to? That is the current version. Sorry to hear of it. The only solution is that perhaps the battery was low; otherwise you probably should consider a return / repair.

01-11-2015, 11:51 AM	#8
danny09 Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 417	Sorry to hear that. Pls send it in to Precision Camera for a warranty fix or exchange it if you can. I am yet to experience it so can only imagine how annoyed you will be.

01-11-2015, 04:10 PM	#10
Tandrew Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 31 Original Poster	well, having given it some thought I will do the exchange...I mean the camera is worth the problem if I have to live with..it may happen on the next one,but since it is less than 20 days old and happened twice already it seems like an unnecessary risk. thanks for the responses. peace tom

01-11-2015, 04:31 PM	#11
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,407	Can somebody me point me to a description of this kind of problem?

01-11-2015, 04:36 PM	#12
robthebloke Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 844	You'd know it if you experienced it. The mirror flaps uncontrollably and the camera becomes unresponsive. Removing the battery is the only way to stop the flapping. After that, the camera is back to normal again

01-11-2015, 09:17 PM	#13
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,407	Originally posted by robthebloke You'd know it if you experienced it. The mirror flaps uncontrollably and the camera becomes unresponsive. Removing the battery is the only way to stop the flapping. After that, the camera is back to normal again WOW! That sounds terrible. Is it a problem that was/is common?

01-11-2015, 09:54 PM - 1 Like	#14
ScooterMaxi Jim Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Minnesota Posts: 1,520	The reports indicate that it is pretty unusual, and especially so since the firmware updates. Tandrew's situation is a real exception, and he should be fairly confident that the exchange will address the concern. I haven't experienced it, and I am sure it is alarming. On the other hand, it is something easily addressed - and even the afflicted cameras are only experiencing the problem on fairly rare occasion.

01-11-2015, 10:00 PM - 1 Like	#15
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	I've had it twice in 20,000+ exposures. Which sounds scary but makes the k-3 more reliable than just about any other device own