K3 Mk3 has Failed

Demiles · 08-31-2022, 03:06 AM

So with less then 600 shutter actuations my K3 Mk3 has failed. All the images come out to be just random noise now. I’ve done a factory reset, changed SD cards, changed lenses with no luck. I’m not sure why or how this has happened it’s been sitting in my LowePro bag for just a few days after last use. Any suggestions before I send it back for warranty repair?

pschlute · 08-31-2022, 03:40 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Demiles

So with less then 600 shutter actuations my K3 Mk3 has failed. All the images come out to be just random noise now. I’ve done a factory reset, changed SD cards, changed lenses with no luck. I’m not sure why or how this has happened it’s been sitting in my LowePro bag for just a few days after last use. Any suggestions before I send it back for warranty repair?

You have been unlucky. Where are you based ? In UK/Europe you should be able to reject it. Back to the retailer and say you want a replacement from them. Not a repair.

Demiles · 08-31-2022, 03:45 AM

I’m located in the US and purchased from B&H Photo.

jgnfld · 08-31-2022, 03:50 AM

Originally posted by Demiles

I’m located in the US and purchased from B&H Photo.

They have a 30 day return policy (with all materials like new). Too late?

MarkJerling · 08-31-2022, 05:51 AM

Originally posted by Demiles

I’m located in the US and purchased from B&H Photo.

Contact B&H, they're good to deal with in my experience.

Failing that, you're looking at a warranty repair through Precision: https://www.precisioncamera.com/Ricoh/

**MossyRocks** · 08-31-2022, 07:28 AM - **1 Like**

Sorry to hear these things do happen but ideally should be rare. Hopefully it is still under the seller's replacement but barring that would be a warranty issue. It sounds like you have done a good first pass at attempting to resolve and diagnose the problem. The only other suggestion I would have would be to try a different fully charged battery and/or shooting with it powered from the wall just to rule out a questionable battery.

Demiles · 08-31-2022, 09:20 AM

Today is day 60 since purchased

**Lloyd_Christmas** · 08-31-2022, 10:22 AM

Ouch! That stinks!
Looks like you have tried it all.
Have you tried taking the battery out for a while?

Demiles · 08-31-2022, 11:14 AM

Originally posted by Lloyd_Christmas

Ouch! That stinks!
Looks like you have tried it all.
Have you tried taking the battery out for a while?

Yes I have tried the battery pull as well as using the external power supply. I’ve tried to add a sample image in this reply

**bwgv001** · 08-31-2022, 12:55 PM

Just initiate a repair/exchange

**clackers** · 08-31-2022, 04:57 PM

Originally posted by Demiles

Any suggestions before I send it back for warranty repair?

I wouldn't wait, Demiles.

Hope you get back to shooting great pics!

Demiles · 09-02-2022, 09:00 AM - **2 Likes**

The body is on its way back, I hope this gets resolved quickly.

Demiles · 09-02-2022, 12:39 PM

I’ve attached the 55-300 PLM to my old KS1 w ABF and it’s working nicely. It certainly will hold me over for a while.

**UncleVanya** · 09-24-2022, 06:40 AM

Originally posted by Demiles

The body is on its way back, I hope this gets resolved quickly.

Any word on the repair?

Demiles · 09-25-2022, 05:16 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

Any word on the repair?

No Precision camera has had it in process of repair since 9/6/22.

08-31-2022, 03:06 AM	#1
Demiles Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 47	K3 Mk3 has Failed So with less then 600 shutter actuations my K3 Mk3 has failed. All the images come out to be just random noise now. I’ve done a factory reset, changed SD cards, changed lenses with no luck. I’m not sure why or how this has happened it’s been sitting in my LowePro bag for just a few days after last use. Any suggestions before I send it back for warranty repair?

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08-31-2022, 03:40 AM - 1 Like	#2
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,328	Originally posted by Demiles So with less then 600 shutter actuations my K3 Mk3 has failed. All the images come out to be just random noise now. I’ve done a factory reset, changed SD cards, changed lenses with no luck. I’m not sure why or how this has happened it’s been sitting in my LowePro bag for just a few days after last use. Any suggestions before I send it back for warranty repair? You have been unlucky. Where are you based ? In UK/Europe you should be able to reject it. Back to the retailer and say you want a replacement from them. Not a repair.

08-31-2022, 03:45 AM	#3
Demiles Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 47 Original Poster	I’m located in the US and purchased from B&H Photo.

08-31-2022, 03:50 AM	#4
jgnfld Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Avalon Peninsula, Newfoundland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,332	Originally posted by Demiles I’m located in the US and purchased from B&H Photo. They have a 30 day return policy (with all materials like new). Too late?

08-31-2022, 05:51 AM	#5
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 19,357	Originally posted by Demiles I’m located in the US and purchased from B&H Photo. Contact B&H, they're good to deal with in my experience. Failing that, you're looking at a warranty repair through Precision: https://www.precisioncamera.com/Ricoh/

08-31-2022, 07:28 AM - 1 Like	#6
MossyRocks Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,778	Sorry to hear these things do happen but ideally should be rare. Hopefully it is still under the seller's replacement but barring that would be a warranty issue. It sounds like you have done a good first pass at attempting to resolve and diagnose the problem. The only other suggestion I would have would be to try a different fully charged battery and/or shooting with it powered from the wall just to rule out a questionable battery.

08-31-2022, 09:20 AM	#7
Demiles Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 47 Original Poster	Today is day 60 since purchased

08-31-2022, 10:22 AM	#8
Lloyd_Christmas Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 341	Ouch! That stinks! Looks like you have tried it all. Have you tried taking the battery out for a while?

08-31-2022, 12:55 PM	#10
bwgv001 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Alabama Photos: Gallery Posts: 659	Just initiate a repair/exchange

08-31-2022, 04:57 PM	#11
clackers Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Melbourne Photos: Albums Posts: 15,995	Originally posted by Demiles Any suggestions before I send it back for warranty repair? I wouldn't wait, Demiles. Hope you get back to shooting great pics!

09-02-2022, 09:00 AM - 2 Likes	#12
Demiles Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 47 Original Poster	The body is on its way back, I hope this gets resolved quickly.

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09-02-2022, 12:39 PM	#13
Demiles Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 47 Original Poster	I’ve attached the 55-300 PLM to my old KS1 w ABF and it’s working nicely. It certainly will hold me over for a while.

09-24-2022, 06:40 AM	#14
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,474	Originally posted by Demiles The body is on its way back, I hope this gets resolved quickly. Any word on the repair?

09-25-2022, 05:16 AM	#15
Demiles Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 47 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya Any word on the repair? No Precision camera has had it in process of repair since 9/6/22.