KX M type lens problem

bjake · 12-30-2011, 10:35 PM

Have had this problem before but it goes away after fooling with the lens and settings.Used the same lens all day but when I tried to use tonight the camera became unusable.Put a Pentax A50 mm f2 on the camera and it worked fine and normal.What is happening with the M type lens is that every moment made starts the mirror flopping and the shutter won't work.When I turn the dial it flops at every setting.Holding the shutter button half way the mirror flops continually.Between using the camera today I charged the batteries,reset white balance and iso.
Thanks,
Jake

Adam · 12-31-2011, 03:16 AM

You're talking about the digital K-x, right?

Are you shooting in M mode?

**Lowell Goudge** · 12-31-2011, 06:14 AM

He may have also reset the use aperture ring function. When he says he reset wb etc did he reset all functions?

Adam · 12-31-2011, 06:16 AM

Here's the complete guide to shooting with manual lenses, should have you covered as long as there's nothing wrong with the camera:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-meter...k-x-k-7-a.html

Adam
PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide | Site Help | My Photography)

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bjake · 12-31-2011, 08:17 AM

This is a Pentax K-X dslr.With M type lens with camera set to either auto pict,TV,AV or M It acts the same way,mirror flops continuous when shutter button is pressed.
Jake

Adam · 12-31-2011, 08:22 AM

Have you enabled the "allow aperture ring other than A" setting in the menu?

Manual lenses should only be usable in M mode on the K-x. I would also set your drive mode to single shot in case that's the problem.

bjake · 12-31-2011, 09:15 AM

Allow aperture ring other than A is set,just checked.Agree that M lens should be used with M lens and also the way I prefer to use the M lens but the camera gives me more problems with the lens flopping in M mode than TV or AV.The only reason I go to other modes is when the camera messes up in M.Seems to work correctly more often in Tv than M.Once when I was having this problem I used electronic cleaner to clean the contacts on the camera and base of the lens cured it for about a month,will find my cleaner and see if it will work now.Have went threw all the menu settings and unless I missed something everything looks to be correct but could have missed something.
Jake

Marc Sabatella · 01-01-2012, 07:58 AM

You are aware the aperture ring setting is ignored in all other modes?

bjake · 01-01-2012, 08:35 AM

Wasn't aware that the allow aperture ring setting was ignored.Got the KX so I could use my old lens so I set it to allow aperture
ring when the camera was new and have seen no reason to change it.
I have figured out what the problem is partly but it seems unlikely.The camera messes up on only one lens,a K mount CPC 28mm
f2.8 macro.Have put several M type lens on the camera and it works as it should but when the CPC is installed it just messes up.
Checking the lens mount on the CPC I find nothing is visually different than other K mount lens other than the appendage that moves the aperture is bent 3-5 degrees toward the inside of the lens.
Thanks,
Jake

Moo · 01-01-2012, 09:22 AM

Sounds like what is described in this thread. Somewhere in there, there was talk of the issue only occurring when using certain lenses, for some people.

Adam · 01-01-2012, 12:22 PM

Yup, sounds like it might be the lens. Lever might be jammed or something.

sterretje · 01-01-2012, 01:07 PM

Your previous thread about the subject: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/168613-kx-28mm-...s-problem.html

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/167755-lens-flop-kx.html I'm quite sure the solution is there (insulate the contacts, see post #13)

---
Happy 2012

bjake · 01-01-2012, 05:47 PM

Sterretje-Am forgetful and forgot about the other thread,went back and read it and the one linked to it.

Adam-Do you think the bent lever on the lens might be causing the problem?

Thanks,
Jake

bjake · 01-01-2012, 10:26 PM

After reading all the post I could find on the mirror flapping problem someone suggested looking in the camera body to see how the camera linked up with the leaver on the lens,I need to find that post and think him along with others.I bent the lever back to as near 90 degrees with the lens base as I could,now the lens works fine.
Thanks all,
Jake

dlacouture · 01-02-2012, 01:50 AM

Arrrrrgh, stop bending these levers!!!

A more subtle mod is to drill another locking hole into the lens, so it will lock halfway turned into the mount, before the aperture lever is engaged by the camera actuator...

This way, you can still use it as a true M lens if needed, by using the original locking hole.

12-31-2011, 03:16 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	You're talking about the digital K-x, right? Are you shooting in M mode? 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:

12-31-2011, 08:22 AM	#6
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Have you enabled the "allow aperture ring other than A" setting in the menu? Manual lenses should only be usable in M mode on the K-x. I would also set your drive mode to single shot in case that's the problem. 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:

01-01-2012, 05:47 PM	#13
bjake Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Eastern Kentucky Posts: 416 Original Poster	sterretje Sterretje-Am forgetful and forgot about the other thread,went back and read it and the one linked to it. Adam-Do you think the bent lever on the lens might be causing the problem? Thanks, Jake

01-01-2012, 10:26 PM	#14
bjake Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Eastern Kentucky Posts: 416 Original Poster	Fixed the problem After reading all the post I could find on the mirror flapping problem someone suggested looking in the camera body to see how the camera linked up with the leaver on the lens,I need to find that post and think him along with others.I bent the lever back to as near 90 degrees with the lens base as I could,now the lens works fine. Thanks all, Jake

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12-30-2011, 10:35 PM	#1
bjake Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Eastern Kentucky Posts: 416	KX M type lens problem Have had this problem before but it goes away after fooling with the lens and settings.Used the same lens all day but when I tried to use tonight the camera became unusable.Put a Pentax A50 mm f2 on the camera and it worked fine and normal.What is happening with the M type lens is that every moment made starts the mirror flopping and the shutter won't work.When I turn the dial it flops at every setting.Holding the shutter button half way the mirror flops continually.Between using the camera today I charged the batteries,reset white balance and iso. Thanks, Jake

12-31-2011, 06:14 AM	#3
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,887	He may have also reset the use aperture ring function. When he says he reset wb etc did he reset all functions?

12-31-2011, 06:16 AM	#4
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Here's the complete guide to shooting with manual lenses, should have you covered as long as there's nothing wrong with the camera: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-meter...k-x-k-7-a.html 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:

12-31-2011, 08:17 AM	#5
bjake Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Eastern Kentucky Posts: 416 Original Poster	This is a Pentax K-X dslr.With M type lens with camera set to either auto pict,TV,AV or M It acts the same way,mirror flops continuous when shutter button is pressed. Jake

12-31-2011, 09:15 AM	#7
bjake Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Eastern Kentucky Posts: 416 Original Poster	Allow aperture ring other than A is set,just checked.Agree that M lens should be used with M lens and also the way I prefer to use the M lens but the camera gives me more problems with the lens flopping in M mode than TV or AV.The only reason I go to other modes is when the camera messes up in M.Seems to work correctly more often in Tv than M.Once when I was having this problem I used electronic cleaner to clean the contacts on the camera and base of the lens cured it for about a month,will find my cleaner and see if it will work now.Have went threw all the menu settings and unless I missed something everything looks to be correct but could have missed something. Jake

01-01-2012, 07:58 AM	#8
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	You are aware the aperture ring setting is ignored in all other modes?

01-01-2012, 08:35 AM	#9
bjake Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Eastern Kentucky Posts: 416 Original Poster	Wasn't aware that the allow aperture ring setting was ignored.Got the KX so I could use my old lens so I set it to allow aperture ring when the camera was new and have seen no reason to change it. I have figured out what the problem is partly but it seems unlikely.The camera messes up on only one lens,a K mount CPC 28mm f2.8 macro.Have put several M type lens on the camera and it works as it should but when the CPC is installed it just messes up. Checking the lens mount on the CPC I find nothing is visually different than other K mount lens other than the appendage that moves the aperture is bent 3-5 degrees toward the inside of the lens. Thanks, Jake

01-01-2012, 09:22 AM	#10
Moo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 173	Sounds like what is described in this thread. Somewhere in there, there was talk of the issue only occurring when using certain lenses, for some people.

01-01-2012, 12:22 PM	#11
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Yup, sounds like it might be the lens. Lever might be jammed or something.

01-01-2012, 01:07 PM	#12
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Your previous thread about the subject: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-beginners-corner-q/168613-kx-28mm-...s-problem.html https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/pentax-dslr-discussion/167755-lens-flop-kx.html I'm quite sure the solution is there (insulate the contacts, see post #13) --- Happy 2012

01-02-2012, 01:50 AM	#15
dlacouture Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Var, South of France Photos: Albums Posts: 1,074	Arrrrrgh, stop bending these levers!!! A more subtle mod is to drill another locking hole into the lens, so it will lock halfway turned into the mount, before the aperture lever is engaged by the camera actuator... This way, you can still use it as a true M lens if needed, by using the original locking hole.