Problem with K3-Help Needed Please

Setter Dog · 02-26-2015, 04:35 PM

Hi Folks,

I've had my K3 about 10 days and it's worked flawlessly. I also have a K50 so using the K3 seemed normal and simple to work around.

I got it out today to shoot some scenery and I'm getting a strange presentation. The upper LCD in P mode shows nothing but battery charge level, shots remaining on the LCD card, and a large letter F with two dashes, like this F--. That symbol also shows on the info page. Also, the view through the EVF seems to show very tiny dots, sort of a dusty look. Of course, it will not focus.

I've reset the camera and cycled the battery in and out. The manual doesn't shed any light on this problem at all. Normally, I'd think I had messed up the settings but I didn't change anything from the last time I used the camera.

Any ideas? I like the camera but need to solve this soon or send the camera back. Thanks for any help!

Jack

Adam · 02-26-2015, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by Setter Dog

Hi Folks,

I've had my K3 about 10 days and it's worked flawlessly. I also have a K50 so using the K3 seemed normal and simple to work around.

I got it out today to shoot some scenery and I'm getting a strange presentation. The upper LCD in P mode shows nothing but battery charge level, shots remaining on the LCD card, and a large letter F with two dashes, like this F--. That symbol also shows on the info page. Also, the view through the EVF seems to show very tiny dots, sort of a dusty look. Of course, it will not focus.

I've reset the camera and cycled the battery in and out. The manual doesn't shed any light on this problem at all. Normally, I'd think I had messed up the settings but I didn't change anything from the last time I used the camera.

Any ideas? I like the camera but need to solve this soon or send the camera back. Thanks for any help!

Jack

If you have a lens with an aperture ring, make sure that the ring is set to "A". Otherwise, try to clean the lens mount and the lens contacts and see if that solves the issue.

RollsUp · 02-26-2015, 04:48 PM

Also, try removing and reattaching the lens.

Stavri · 02-26-2015, 04:50 PM

Like Adam said, make sure the Aperture ring on the lens is set to -A, and that it's communicating with the camera properly. Also on the functions menu No. 23. Using Aperture Ring needs to be set at 2 (allow)

Setter Dog · 02-26-2015, 05:03 PM

Thanks to all of you! The lens was not securely attached. All is well now. Apparently, I had hit the button and loosened it when putting the lens hood on and off. When I started to take the lens off as suggested, it nearly fell off in my hand. Kinda scary but at least the problem seems solved.

Aperture setting? I don't seem to have anything like that. I'm using the 18-135WR on the K3.

Your help is appreciated!

Jack

Adam · 02-26-2015, 05:14 PM

Originally posted by Setter Dog

Aperture setting? I don't seem to have anything like that. I'm using the 18-135WR on the K3.

That setting is only necessary if you plan to use manual lenses. You should be all set as is with the 18-135

Stavri · 02-26-2015, 05:16 PM

Originally posted by Setter Dog

Thanks to all of you! The lens was not securely attached. All is well now. Apparently, I had hit the button and loosened it when putting the lens hood on and off. When I started to take the lens off as suggested, it nearly fell off in my hand. Kinda scary but at least the problem seems solved.

Aperture setting? I don't seem to have anything like that. I'm using the 18-135WR on the K3.

Your help is appreciated!

Jack

As you noticed the issue was the misscommunication between the lens and the mount due to displacement.

The DA 18-135mm lens doesn't have an aperture ring like older -A, F/FA, D-FA lenses (all DA lenses are not equipped with one) If you ever get the chance to use a lens with an aperture ring on it, then you'll need to enable step 23 on the program's menu.

sterretje · 02-27-2015, 03:47 AM

Originally posted by Stavri

The DA 18-135mm lens doesn't have an aperture ring like older -A, F/FA, D-FA lenses (all DA lenses are not equipped with one) If you ever get the chance to use a lens with an aperture ring on it, then you'll need to enable step 23 on the program's menu.

Only if you don't put the lens in 'A' (or if the lens does not have that option).

02-26-2015, 04:35 PM	#1
Setter Dog Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Orange County California Posts: 117	Problem with K3-Help Needed Please Hi Folks, I've had my K3 about 10 days and it's worked flawlessly. I also have a K50 so using the K3 seemed normal and simple to work around. I got it out today to shoot some scenery and I'm getting a strange presentation. The upper LCD in P mode shows nothing but battery charge level, shots remaining on the LCD card, and a large letter F with two dashes, like this F--. That symbol also shows on the info page. Also, the view through the EVF seems to show very tiny dots, sort of a dusty look. Of course, it will not focus. I've reset the camera and cycled the battery in and out. The manual doesn't shed any light on this problem at all. Normally, I'd think I had messed up the settings but I didn't change anything from the last time I used the camera. Any ideas? I like the camera but need to solve this soon or send the camera back. Thanks for any help! Jack

02-26-2015, 04:44 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Originally posted by Setter Dog Hi Folks, I've had my K3 about 10 days and it's worked flawlessly. I also have a K50 so using the K3 seemed normal and simple to work around. I got it out today to shoot some scenery and I'm getting a strange presentation. The upper LCD in P mode shows nothing but battery charge level, shots remaining on the LCD card, and a large letter F with two dashes, like this F--. That symbol also shows on the info page. Also, the view through the EVF seems to show very tiny dots, sort of a dusty look. Of course, it will not focus. I've reset the camera and cycled the battery in and out. The manual doesn't shed any light on this problem at all. Normally, I'd think I had messed up the settings but I didn't change anything from the last time I used the camera. Any ideas? I like the camera but need to solve this soon or send the camera back. Thanks for any help! Jack If you have a lens with an aperture ring, make sure that the ring is set to "A". Otherwise, try to clean the lens mount and the lens contacts and see if that solves the issue. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

02-26-2015, 05:14 PM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,597	Originally posted by Setter Dog Aperture setting? I don't seem to have anything like that. I'm using the 18-135WR on the K3. That setting is only necessary if you plan to use manual lenses. You should be all set as is with the 18-135 Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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02-26-2015, 04:48 PM	#3
RollsUp Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: AK USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,766	Also, try removing and reattaching the lens.

02-26-2015, 04:50 PM	#4
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Like Adam said, make sure the Aperture ring on the lens is set to -A, and that it's communicating with the camera properly. Also on the functions menu No. 23. Using Aperture Ring needs to be set at 2 (allow)

02-26-2015, 05:03 PM	#5
Setter Dog Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Orange County California Posts: 117 Original Poster	Thanks to all of you! The lens was not securely attached. All is well now. Apparently, I had hit the button and loosened it when putting the lens hood on and off. When I started to take the lens off as suggested, it nearly fell off in my hand. Kinda scary but at least the problem seems solved. Aperture setting? I don't seem to have anything like that. I'm using the 18-135WR on the K3. Your help is appreciated! Jack

02-26-2015, 05:16 PM	#7
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	Originally posted by Setter Dog Thanks to all of you! The lens was not securely attached. All is well now. Apparently, I had hit the button and loosened it when putting the lens hood on and off. When I started to take the lens off as suggested, it nearly fell off in my hand. Kinda scary but at least the problem seems solved. Aperture setting? I don't seem to have anything like that. I'm using the 18-135WR on the K3. Your help is appreciated! Jack As you noticed the issue was the misscommunication between the lens and the mount due to displacement. The DA 18-135mm lens doesn't have an aperture ring like older -A, F/FA, D-FA lenses (all DA lenses are not equipped with one) If you ever get the chance to use a lens with an aperture ring on it, then you'll need to enable step 23 on the program's menu.

02-27-2015, 03:47 AM	#8
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by Stavri The DA 18-135mm lens doesn't have an aperture ring like older -A, F/FA, D-FA lenses (all DA lenses are not equipped with one) If you ever get the chance to use a lens with an aperture ring on it, then you'll need to enable step 23 on the program's menu. Only if you don't put the lens in 'A' (or if the lens does not have that option).