Bricked K3

**Eagle94VT** · 07-15-2020, 08:19 AM

i tried to search for similar problems but didn't find a good match. My K3, which earlier had issues with the AF button on the left side of the camera not work - but still worked via the top screen and in the view finder - accumulated more issues. Well, its a brick. The LIVE view works, the autofocus works, but it won't take a picture. It seems the gremlins inside are gradually taking down more and more of the mother board. It doesn't seem similar to the runaway mirror problem - which never happened.

The Precision repair is ~ $350 +/-. Has anyone used it for this kind of repair? Thats a decent amount of dough if it doesn't come out working great afterwards.

So thats the question - fix it, or save the money for the new APSC coming out!

**MossyRocks** · 07-15-2020, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by Eagle94VT

The Precision repair is ~ $350 +/-. Has anyone used it for this kind of repair? Thats a decent amount of dough if it doesn't come out working great afterwards.

At $350 you could probably get a fully working body. Last year I picked up a used K-3ii for $400 but for that $400 I also got 3 batteries, a battery girp, a wireless remote, and a wired remote. So looking at it from that perspective I would say either see about finding a good used fully working one or just wait for the K-new.

**aslyfox** · 07-15-2020, 08:43 AM

the forum lists these repair options

Quote:

US
KEH.com (GA, Most current and vintage gear)
Eric Hendrickson (Vintage cameras, Current and vintage lenses)
Precision Camera (Authorized to perform warranty service, NC)
Advance Camera (Most current and vintage gear, Portland, OR)
General Camera Repair (LA, CA)
Garry's Camera Repair (IL, select film SLRs)
International Camera Repair (LA, CA)
Halcyon Cameras | Vintage Camera Restoration (Vintage film cameras, San Diego, CA)
Camera Repair Japan (Services Sigma lenses and more, Atlanta, GA)
Allied Camera (MN, manual film cameras)
Bill Rogers Camera (LV, NV, film-era cameras and lenses)
Phototronic (Topeka, KS, film and digital camera repair)
Lezot's Camera Center (VT, film SLRs / medium format)

Read more at: Pentax Repair Facilities (Wordwide listing) - Page 9 - PentaxForums.com

follow link for active links to the above options

I have used Phototronic here in Topeka

http://www.phototronictopeka.com/

if looking to buy another, check the forum's market place

**pentaxus** · 07-15-2020, 09:07 AM - **1 Like**

I'm sure it would cost 350 IF repairable. It probably needs expensive parts that may or may not be available. I bought my K-3 used for $365.

jimfellows · 07-15-2020, 09:19 AM

Did you try updating the firm ware? At this point what else can go wrong?

Jim Fellows

**Eagle94VT** · 07-15-2020, 10:12 AM

I'll give it a go, Jim! I'll shut it down and see if we can reboot. Stay tuned! (And thats what I was thinking about the other responses - the repair cost is about the cost of new...)

Not a Number · 07-15-2020, 10:34 AM

My guess is that the main board would be replaced, maybe some of the switches and controls. Could it be water damage? Do a lot of shooting in the rain or snow?

rr1736 · 07-15-2020, 12:43 PM

I have used Precision when I had a dropped camera a K3 they did a great job it was as good as new . My cat knocked the camera off the table is you are wondering how I came to drop the camera I now have over 100,000 on the shutter and it just keeps on going.

**Eagle94VT** · 07-15-2020, 02:56 PM - **1 Like**

OK, took everything out, fresh battery. Made the camera do everything I could think of in the menus - including the reset and format. And wallah! All systems seem good to go - even the prior AF button issue I'd been dealing with. I can't explain it. So far so good with several lenses. Thanks for the input everyone!

MarkJerling · 07-15-2020, 04:28 PM

That's fantastic news.

Paul the Sunman · 07-15-2020, 08:18 PM

Those damned cosmic rays are a menace.

Wheatfield · 07-15-2020, 09:57 PM

Originally posted by Paul the Sunman

Those damned cosmic rays are a menace.

I blame 5G towers.

**aslyfox** · 07-16-2020, 03:28 AM

Originally posted by Eagle94VT

. . . I can't explain it. So far so good with several lenses. Thanks for the input everyone!

who cares about why

just enjoy

**MossyRocks** · 07-16-2020, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by Eagle94VT

I can't explain it. So far so good with several lenses. Thanks for the input everyone!

I blame elves. Good to hear that things are working now.

**Eagle94VT** · 07-16-2020, 10:54 AM

Come to think of it...I did drive between several large towers while chasing Comet Neowise through a cordon of elves...

07-15-2020, 08:19 AM	#1
Eagle94VT Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 291	Bricked K3 i tried to search for similar problems but didn't find a good match. My K3, which earlier had issues with the AF button on the left side of the camera not work - but still worked via the top screen and in the view finder - accumulated more issues. Well, its a brick. The LIVE view works, the autofocus works, but it won't take a picture. It seems the gremlins inside are gradually taking down more and more of the mother board. It doesn't seem similar to the runaway mirror problem - which never happened. The Precision repair is ~ $350 +/-. Has anyone used it for this kind of repair? Thats a decent amount of dough if it doesn't come out working great afterwards. So thats the question - fix it, or save the money for the new APSC coming out!

07-15-2020, 08:43 AM	#3
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	the forum lists these repair options Quote: US KEH.com (GA, Most current and vintage gear) Eric Hendrickson (Vintage cameras, Current and vintage lenses) Precision Camera (Authorized to perform warranty service, NC) Advance Camera (Most current and vintage gear, Portland, OR) General Camera Repair (LA, CA) Garry's Camera Repair (IL, select film SLRs) International Camera Repair (LA, CA) Halcyon Cameras \| Vintage Camera Restoration (Vintage film cameras, San Diego, CA) Camera Repair Japan (Services Sigma lenses and more, Atlanta, GA) Allied Camera (MN, manual film cameras) Bill Rogers Camera (LV, NV, film-era cameras and lenses) Phototronic (Topeka, KS, film and digital camera repair) Lezot's Camera Center (VT, film SLRs / medium format) Read more at: Pentax Repair Facilities (Wordwide listing) - Page 9 - PentaxForums.com follow link for active links to the above options I have used Phototronic here in Topeka http://www.phototronictopeka.com/ if looking to buy another, check the forum's market place Last edited by aslyfox; 07-15-2020 at 01:25 PM.

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07-15-2020, 08:34 AM	#2
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Originally posted by Eagle94VT The Precision repair is ~ $350 +/-. Has anyone used it for this kind of repair? Thats a decent amount of dough if it doesn't come out working great afterwards. At $350 you could probably get a fully working body. Last year I picked up a used K-3ii for $400 but for that $400 I also got 3 batteries, a battery girp, a wireless remote, and a wired remote. So looking at it from that perspective I would say either see about finding a good used fully working one or just wait for the K-new.

07-15-2020, 09:07 AM - 1 Like	#4
pentaxus Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 1,320	I'm sure it would cost 350 IF repairable. It probably needs expensive parts that may or may not be available. I bought my K-3 used for $365.

07-15-2020, 09:19 AM	#5
jimfellows Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 108	Did you try updating the firm ware? At this point what else can go wrong? Jim Fellows

07-15-2020, 10:12 AM	#6
Eagle94VT Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 291 Original Poster	I'll give it a go, Jim! I'll shut it down and see if we can reboot. Stay tuned! (And thats what I was thinking about the other responses - the repair cost is about the cost of new...)

07-15-2020, 10:34 AM	#7
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	My guess is that the main board would be replaced, maybe some of the switches and controls. Could it be water damage? Do a lot of shooting in the rain or snow?

07-15-2020, 12:43 PM	#8
rr1736 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Chicago Illinois Photos: Albums Posts: 203	I have used Precision when I had a dropped camera a K3 they did a great job it was as good as new . My cat knocked the camera off the table is you are wondering how I came to drop the camera I now have over 100,000 on the shutter and it just keeps on going.

07-15-2020, 02:56 PM - 1 Like	#9
Eagle94VT Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 291 Original Poster	OK, took everything out, fresh battery. Made the camera do everything I could think of in the menus - including the reset and format. And wallah! All systems seem good to go - even the prior AF button issue I'd been dealing with. I can't explain it. So far so good with several lenses. Thanks for the input everyone!

07-15-2020, 04:28 PM	#10
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	That's fantastic news.

07-15-2020, 08:18 PM	#11
Paul the Sunman Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,847	Those damned cosmic rays are a menace.

07-15-2020, 09:57 PM	#12
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	Originally posted by Paul the Sunman Those damned cosmic rays are a menace. I blame 5G towers.

07-16-2020, 03:28 AM	#13
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	Originally posted by Eagle94VT . . . I can't explain it. So far so good with several lenses. Thanks for the input everyone! who cares about why just enjoy

07-16-2020, 10:36 AM	#14
MossyRocks Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,982	Originally posted by Eagle94VT I can't explain it. So far so good with several lenses. Thanks for the input everyone! I blame elves. Good to hear that things are working now.

07-16-2020, 10:54 AM	#15
Eagle94VT Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Photos: Albums Posts: 291 Original Poster	Come to think of it...I did drive between several large towers while chasing Comet Neowise through a cordon of elves...