Question on repair probability on a K3

dubyam · 06-29-2018, 11:42 AM

Ran across a deal on a "broken" K3. This particular camera has the mirror stuck in the up position, and the shutter will not release, I'm told. The price is pretty low, but I hate to buy one and find out it's cheaper to buy a working used copy than to get a mirror/shutter issue fixed. All the other functions/menu options work, I'm told, except the mirror/shutter issue. Any ideas on what this might cost to fix? Is this a common issue? I couldn't find anything on the K3 having this issue here on the forums in a brief search.

**jatrax** · 06-29-2018, 11:46 AM

I'm not sure anyone but Precision Camera Repair (or another repair shop) could answer that. At a guess I would think $200 - 250 but that is pure guessing.

---------- Post added 06-29-18 at 11:46 AM ----------

How much is the camera being offered for?

dubyam · 06-29-2018, 12:05 PM - **1 Like**

Well, the asking price is steeper than I'd pay for a broken camera with high risk, at $275. But I'm reasonably sure the seller would come down if I could present a reasonable case for cost to fix. Bottom line is, I'm not sure it's worth much more than $150-ish if it costs another $250-300 to fix it. Might just advise him to sell it for parts unless he'll come down to $125-150. Think I might offer him $100 and show him the used prices out there right now, as a start. Might just scrap the idea. Kind of think this might snowball into a big problem and end up a losing proposition.

steve_k · 06-29-2018, 12:12 PM

Originally posted by dubyam

Well, the asking price is steeper than I'd pay for a broken camera with high risk, at $275. But I'm reasonably sure the seller would come down if I could present a reasonable case for cost to fix. Bottom line is, I'm not sure it's worth much more than $150-ish if it costs another $250-300 to fix it. Might just advise him to sell it for parts unless he'll come down to $125-150. Think I might offer him $100 and show him the used prices out there right now, as a start. Might just scrap the idea. Kind of think this might snowball into a big problem and end up a losing proposition.

I saw the same ad. Buying anything that is broken is very high risk IMO. This offer here on the forums seems like a better deal to me.
K3/grip/extra battery (lowered price) 18-55mm zoom - PentaxForums.com

dubyam · 06-29-2018, 12:26 PM

Not sure this is advertised anywhere, but I just got off the phone and he's disinterested in making a deal. I think I'll save a bit longer and buy a new body, perhaps. We'll see what comes out. My current K3 is doing fine. I'm just thinking of replacing my K30 (which my son has stolen) to have a second body as a backup.

stevebrot · 06-29-2018, 12:29 PM - **1 Like**

I would say that it might be worth buying if you need a parts camera and have a way to test the components. Mirror stuck in the up position and non-working shutter could mean many things, including dead main board or physically damaged mirror box. As noted above, the repair is unlikely to be under $200 USD.

Steve

Not a Number · 06-29-2018, 11:21 PM

Precision's Flat-Rate quote for the K-3 is $353 USD.

Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation - Service & Repair

I don't know if they charge you less if it is something simple but I do believe they will charge you more depending on parts needed. Precision will tell you after they examine the camera.

**Mikesul** · 07-02-2018, 09:26 AM

You should be able to find a good condition K-3 for $400-500. Check the marketplace here or even Ebay or Amazon.

**aslyfox** · 07-02-2018, 09:35 AM

lots of places to look for " experienced " camera bodies and lenses

the market place here, I have good luck dealing with members of the forum

Amazon may have something

Adorama and BH as well

and Keh.com

Sell Used Camera Equipment & Gear Online at KEH Camera Store

Keh offers a 14 day no questions asked return on some of the " experienced " equipment they offer for sale

SSGGeezer · 07-02-2018, 03:33 PM

Originally posted by Aslyfox

lots of places to look for " experienced " camera bodies and lenses

the market place here, I have good luck dealing with members of the forum

Amazon may have something

Adorama and BH as well

and Keh.com

Sell Used Camera Equipment & Gear Online at KEH Camera Store

Keh offers a 14 day no questions asked return on some of the " experienced " equipment they offer for sale

I would look at Roberts Camera since folks seem to have had very good luck with K-3 purchases there lately. (A K-3II with 4 clicks!)

**aslyfox** · 07-02-2018, 03:43 PM

Originally posted by SSGGeezer

I would look at Roberts Camera since folks seem to have had very good luck with K-3 purchases there lately. (A K-3II with 4 clicks!)

never have had the opportunity to deal with Roberts

glad you mentioned them

stevebrot · 07-04-2018, 11:57 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Precision's Flat-Rate quote for the K-3 is $353 USD.

My understanding from conversation with them is that the quote is the amount of the block they place on the credit card. They don't really do flat rate for repairs. They estimate time and materials when the camera is received and if that exceeds the $353 they contact you to arrange return. If less, you pay time and materials. I have been told that the $353 is an estimate of the cost to replace the camera at market value.

The actual terms and conditions...

https://www.precisioncamera.com/termsandconditions-Ricoh.html

Steve

06-29-2018, 11:42 AM	#1
dubyam Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 221	Question on repair probability on a K3 Ran across a deal on a "broken" K3. This particular camera has the mirror stuck in the up position, and the shutter will not release, I'm told. The price is pretty low, but I hate to buy one and find out it's cheaper to buy a working used copy than to get a mirror/shutter issue fixed. All the other functions/menu options work, I'm told, except the mirror/shutter issue. Any ideas on what this might cost to fix? Is this a common issue? I couldn't find anything on the K3 having this issue here on the forums in a brief search.

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06-29-2018, 11:46 AM	#2
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,992	I'm not sure anyone but Precision Camera Repair (or another repair shop) could answer that. At a guess I would think $200 - 250 but that is pure guessing. ---------- Post added 06-29-18 at 11:46 AM ---------- How much is the camera being offered for?

06-29-2018, 12:05 PM - 1 Like	#3
dubyam Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 221 Original Poster	Well, the asking price is steeper than I'd pay for a broken camera with high risk, at $275. But I'm reasonably sure the seller would come down if I could present a reasonable case for cost to fix. Bottom line is, I'm not sure it's worth much more than $150-ish if it costs another $250-300 to fix it. Might just advise him to sell it for parts unless he'll come down to $125-150. Think I might offer him $100 and show him the used prices out there right now, as a start. Might just scrap the idea. Kind of think this might snowball into a big problem and end up a losing proposition.

06-29-2018, 12:12 PM	#4
steve_k Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Shelton, CT Photos: Albums Posts: 708	Originally posted by dubyam Well, the asking price is steeper than I'd pay for a broken camera with high risk, at $275. But I'm reasonably sure the seller would come down if I could present a reasonable case for cost to fix. Bottom line is, I'm not sure it's worth much more than $150-ish if it costs another $250-300 to fix it. Might just advise him to sell it for parts unless he'll come down to $125-150. Think I might offer him $100 and show him the used prices out there right now, as a start. Might just scrap the idea. Kind of think this might snowball into a big problem and end up a losing proposition. I saw the same ad. Buying anything that is broken is very high risk IMO. This offer here on the forums seems like a better deal to me. K3/grip/extra battery (lowered price) 18-55mm zoom - PentaxForums.com

06-29-2018, 12:26 PM	#5
dubyam Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 221 Original Poster	Not sure this is advertised anywhere, but I just got off the phone and he's disinterested in making a deal. I think I'll save a bit longer and buy a new body, perhaps. We'll see what comes out. My current K3 is doing fine. I'm just thinking of replacing my K30 (which my son has stolen) to have a second body as a backup.

06-29-2018, 12:29 PM - 1 Like	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I would say that it might be worth buying if you need a parts camera and have a way to test the components. Mirror stuck in the up position and non-working shutter could mean many things, including dead main board or physically damaged mirror box. As noted above, the repair is unlikely to be under $200 USD. Steve

06-29-2018, 11:21 PM	#7
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Precision's Flat-Rate quote for the K-3 is $353 USD. Ricoh Imaging Americas Corporation - Service & Repair I don't know if they charge you less if it is something simple but I do believe they will charge you more depending on parts needed. Precision will tell you after they examine the camera.

07-02-2018, 09:26 AM	#8
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	You should be able to find a good condition K-3 for $400-500. Check the marketplace here or even Ebay or Amazon.

07-02-2018, 09:35 AM	#9
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	lots of places to look for " experienced " camera bodies and lenses the market place here, I have good luck dealing with members of the forum Amazon may have something Adorama and BH as well and Keh.com Sell Used Camera Equipment & Gear Online at KEH Camera Store Keh offers a 14 day no questions asked return on some of the " experienced " equipment they offer for sale

07-02-2018, 03:33 PM	#10
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	Originally posted by Aslyfox lots of places to look for " experienced " camera bodies and lenses the market place here, I have good luck dealing with members of the forum Amazon may have something Adorama and BH as well and Keh.com Sell Used Camera Equipment & Gear Online at KEH Camera Store Keh offers a 14 day no questions asked return on some of the " experienced " equipment they offer for sale I would look at Roberts Camera since folks seem to have had very good luck with K-3 purchases there lately. (A K-3II with 4 clicks!)

07-02-2018, 03:43 PM	#11
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	Originally posted by SSGGeezer I would look at Roberts Camera since folks seem to have had very good luck with K-3 purchases there lately. (A K-3II with 4 clicks!) never have had the opportunity to deal with Roberts glad you mentioned them

07-04-2018, 11:57 PM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Not a Number Precision's Flat-Rate quote for the K-3 is $353 USD. My understanding from conversation with them is that the quote is the amount of the block they place on the credit card. They don't really do flat rate for repairs. They estimate time and materials when the camera is received and if that exceeds the $353 they contact you to arrange return. If less, you pay time and materials. I have been told that the $353 is an estimate of the cost to replace the camera at market value. The actual terms and conditions... https://www.precisioncamera.com/termsandconditions-Ricoh.html Steve