dropped camera, now get F--- aperture

**MJSfoto1956** · 07-31-2015, 04:25 PM

So silly me, I dropped my K-3 with a heavy lens attached and the body mounting plate sheared off. Placing it back and tightening the screws (as much as I could) I was able to reattach my lenses and all were able to focus and take correctly-exposed images BUT the aperture setting reads "F---" no matter what lens I put on it. Obviously I did more than just shearing the mounting plate off. As such I'm sending it off to Precision hoping it comes back quickly. Wish me luck.

Michael

P.S. given the prices of new K-3s am I stupid to pay $315 for them to fix it? (with no guarantee it won't cost more)

Not a Number · 07-31-2015, 04:48 PM

You can always decline the service if it is over a threshold.

kev.pride · 07-31-2015, 05:11 PM

If it was me, I would take the $315 and put it towards a new K3 & sell it on Ebay for parts.

bobD · 07-31-2015, 05:33 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by kev.pride

If it was me, I would take the $315 and put it towards a new K3 & sell it on Ebay for parts.

We know what you meant but heard what you said....

Quote:

put it towards a new K3 & sell it on Ebay for parts

Would a brand new K3 sell for more as parts and if it did would you then have to buy a third one to use yourself ?

officiousbystander · 07-31-2015, 08:10 PM

The obvious question is what was the lens, and didn't anything happen to it?

BlakeShellman · 07-31-2015, 09:33 PM - **2 Likes**

Sounds to me like the camera is F----ed. Sorry...I tried to resist. I hope this doesn't offend anyone.

noelpolar · 07-31-2015, 09:47 PM

My K5ii did this after a drop...... was just a displaced connector .... cheap repair

**rod_grant** · 07-31-2015, 10:51 PM

If it was me, I'd go for a replacement and as kev pride says, get what ever is possible from the old one for parts.

**pentaxus** · 07-31-2015, 10:51 PM

Impact damage can be disastrous no matter what the camera. A friend had a top model Nikon that didn't look too bad and they just sent it back and said sorry. Another friend's brother's Canon was repairable but it took three months to get the parts. ........ Wishing you well.

manntax · 07-31-2015, 11:15 PM - **1 Like**

I had similar mishap with my K10D and the F-- aperture is caused by a tiny wire broken off the springy thin metal plate underneath the mount plate. It is circular in shape and has protruding those small bumps which you can see are helping to lock the lens' mount inside the body. Check that because although it's not easy , it is doable and you can solder it back yourself - which in result will give you again the aperture read out. This is what saved my K10D anyway...

good luck

kev.pride · 08-01-2015, 12:21 AM

Originally posted by bobD

We know what you meant but heard what you said....

Would a brand new K3 sell for more as parts and if it did would you then have to buy a third one to use yourself ?

Always a smart arse on these forums, see you provided some advice for the OP - not!!!

**MJSfoto1956** · 08-01-2015, 05:32 AM

Originally posted by officiousbystander

The obvious question is what was the lens, and didn't anything happen to it?

the lens was a FA* 300mm f/4.5. After reattaching the body mounting plate and tightening the screws as much as I dare, I put several lenses back on (including the one dropped) to see if they would focus and expose properly. Other than the missing aperture signal (all pins are still there) everything seems to be copacetic. Of course, it is entirely possible the 300mm was damaged in ways that are not obvious so I'll have to wait until I get my K-3 back for more thorough tests in order to confirm.

Michael

KDAFA · 08-01-2015, 06:17 AM

I'm really no expert in these things, but FWIW, the only time I've been able to get "F--" to appear on the camera display was when the lens' aperture ring was put to any setting other than "A".

I believe your FA* lens has an aperture ring? It may be useful to check whether it is out from the "A" position. That may have been the cause.

Also, note that to put a lens in "A" setting, one has to press a small mechanical, spring-loaded button on the aperture ring. Possibly this affects something mechanically in the interface between the body/lens.

Perhaps in the fall, this mechanical part got damaged, or perhaps a little knocked out of position, such that even if your lens were put on "A" setting, the body still can't detect that (due to the mechanical issue).

Maybe someone knowledgeable could comment on this?

**MJSfoto1956** · 08-01-2015, 06:27 AM

thanks for everyone's comments -- some good insights.
I tried several different lenses, including a few Limiteds, "after the fall" and all gave the same "F---" error, so it is definitely not the lens.

Michael

Fat Albert · 08-01-2015, 06:35 AM

Originally posted by noelpolar

My K5ii did this after a drop...... was just a displaced connector .... cheap repair

Unfortunately we Pentaxians in the USA have to deal with Precision Camera, where there is no such thing as a 'cheap repair.'

Wishing you well, OP. I'd try to avoid sending it to Precision if at all possible.

07-31-2015, 04:25 PM	#1
MJSfoto1956 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Boston Posts: 1,305	dropped camera, now get F--- aperture So silly me, I dropped my K-3 with a heavy lens attached and the body mounting plate sheared off. Placing it back and tightening the screws (as much as I could) I was able to reattach my lenses and all were able to focus and take correctly-exposed images BUT the aperture setting reads "F---" no matter what lens I put on it. Obviously I did more than just shearing the mounting plate off. As such I'm sending it off to Precision hoping it comes back quickly. Wish me luck. Michael P.S. given the prices of new K-3s am I stupid to pay $315 for them to fix it? (with no guarantee it won't cost more)

08-01-2015, 06:17 AM	#13
KDAFA Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 528	I'm really no expert in these things, but FWIW, the only time I've been able to get "F--" to appear on the camera display was when the lens' aperture ring was put to any setting other than "A". I believe your FA* lens has an aperture ring? It may be useful to check whether it is out from the "A" position. That may have been the cause. Also, note that to put a lens in "A" setting, one has to press a small mechanical, spring-loaded button on the aperture ring. Possibly this affects something mechanically in the interface between the body/lens. Perhaps in the fall, this mechanical part got damaged, or perhaps a little knocked out of position, such that even if your lens were put on "A" setting, the body still can't detect that (due to the mechanical issue). Maybe someone knowledgeable could comment on this? Last edited by KDAFA; 08-01-2015 at 07:16 AM.

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07-31-2015, 04:48 PM	#2
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	You can always decline the service if it is over a threshold.

07-31-2015, 05:11 PM	#3
kev.pride Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Modbury North, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 351	If it was me, I would take the $315 and put it towards a new K3 & sell it on Ebay for parts.

07-31-2015, 05:33 PM - 1 Like	#4
bobD Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Waikikamukau Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	Originally posted by kev.pride If it was me, I would take the $315 and put it towards a new K3 & sell it on Ebay for parts. We know what you meant but heard what you said.... Quote: put it towards a new K3 & sell it on Ebay for parts Would a brand new K3 sell for more as parts and if it did would you then have to buy a third one to use yourself ?

07-31-2015, 08:10 PM	#5
officiousbystander Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Sydney Photos: Gallery Posts: 912	The obvious question is what was the lens, and didn't anything happen to it?

07-31-2015, 09:33 PM - 2 Likes	#6
BlakeShellman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 224	Sounds to me like the camera is F----ed. Sorry...I tried to resist. I hope this doesn't offend anyone.

07-31-2015, 09:47 PM	#7
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	My K5ii did this after a drop...... was just a displaced connector .... cheap repair

07-31-2015, 10:51 PM	#8
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	If it was me, I'd go for a replacement and as kev pride says, get what ever is possible from the old one for parts.

07-31-2015, 10:51 PM	#9
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,313	Impact damage can be disastrous no matter what the camera. A friend had a top model Nikon that didn't look too bad and they just sent it back and said sorry. Another friend's brother's Canon was repairable but it took three months to get the parts. ........ Wishing you well.

07-31-2015, 11:15 PM - 1 Like	#10
manntax Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,972	I had similar mishap with my K10D and the F-- aperture is caused by a tiny wire broken off the springy thin metal plate underneath the mount plate. It is circular in shape and has protruding those small bumps which you can see are helping to lock the lens' mount inside the body. Check that because although it's not easy , it is doable and you can solder it back yourself - which in result will give you again the aperture read out. This is what saved my K10D anyway... good luck

08-01-2015, 12:21 AM	#11
kev.pride Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Modbury North, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 351	Originally posted by bobD We know what you meant but heard what you said.... Would a brand new K3 sell for more as parts and if it did would you then have to buy a third one to use yourself ? Always a smart arse on these forums, see you provided some advice for the OP - not!!!

08-01-2015, 05:32 AM	#12
MJSfoto1956 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Boston Posts: 1,305 Original Poster	Originally posted by officiousbystander The obvious question is what was the lens, and didn't anything happen to it? the lens was a FA* 300mm f/4.5. After reattaching the body mounting plate and tightening the screws as much as I dare, I put several lenses back on (including the one dropped) to see if they would focus and expose properly. Other than the missing aperture signal (all pins are still there) everything seems to be copacetic. Of course, it is entirely possible the 300mm was damaged in ways that are not obvious so I'll have to wait until I get my K-3 back for more thorough tests in order to confirm. Michael

08-01-2015, 06:27 AM	#14
MJSfoto1956 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Boston Posts: 1,305 Original Poster	thanks for everyone's comments -- some good insights. I tried several different lenses, including a few Limiteds, "after the fall" and all gave the same "F---" error, so it is definitely not the lens. Michael

08-01-2015, 06:35 AM	#15
Fat Albert Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 966	Originally posted by noelpolar My K5ii did this after a drop...... was just a displaced connector .... cheap repair Unfortunately we Pentaxians in the USA have to deal with Precision Camera, where there is no such thing as a 'cheap repair.' Wishing you well, OP. I'd try to avoid sending it to Precision if at all possible.