K-30 sensor shake during exposure

send2nate · 03-24-2014, 12:03 PM

Hello! I'm having an issue with my K-30 where the sensor is shaking during and immediately after an exposure. It is the same sound and vibration from the sensor, that the dust removal option creates, only it's happening during quick and long exposures. It is more noticeable in exposures >1 second, for every second of exposure time, there will be that many shakes/vibrations from the sensor, which throws the picture out of focus.

I have turned off the dust removal feature, reset all camera settings to default factory settings, and even installed the latest 1.06 firmware, and the shake is still present during exposures.

I searched this forum and found one similar user that had a similar issues, but don't know if there was ever a resolution other than sending it off for repair. Thread in question: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/120-general-technical-troubleshooting/226032-k-x-clicking-during-exposure.html

Has anyone else experienced this?

vonBaloney · 03-24-2014, 12:09 PM

With liveview, optical viewfinder, or both?

**savoche** · 03-24-2014, 12:09 PM

It shakes even if you switch off stabilisation? I assume you're using a tripod for your long exposures, and the SR should always be off when using tripods or you will experience problems.

send2nate · 03-24-2014, 12:15 PM

@vonBaloney: in Liveview, it's worse! The sensor shake is constant even before the exposure.

@savoche: Yup, still shakes with stabilization off, I use trip-pod for long exposures.

The live chat guy at Ricoh said I should send it in for repair since it's under warranty, but, I'm just wondering if it's something I did and what might cause this??? It's really strange!

vonBaloney · 03-24-2014, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by send2nate

@vonBaloney: in Liveview, it's worse! The sensor shake is constant even before the exposure.

@savoche: Yup, still shakes with stabilization off, I use trip-pod for long exposures.

The live chat guy at Ricoh said I should send it in for repair since it's under warranty, but, I'm just wondering if it's something I did and what might cause this??? It's really strange!

Well, that is an option for liveview to have constant image stabilization while the screen is on (you can also set it to stabilize at moment of capture only). But if you switch SR off totally it should be silent.

stevebrot · 03-24-2014, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by send2nate

The live chat guy at Ricoh said I should send it in for repair since it's under warranty, but, I'm just wondering if it's something I did and what might cause this??? It's really strange!

If you were the cause, the guy at Ricoh would have told you so. With any luck the warranty repair will be the cure.

Steve

**savoche** · 03-24-2014, 12:22 PM

Yep, what vanBaloney says. Sounds to me you should follow the advice of the Ricoh guy. Sucks to be without a camera during the wait, though...

send2nate · 03-24-2014, 12:25 PM

Okay, thank you guys! I will be bummed for a little while then :/

I will follow up here once all is repaired in case anyone else should encounter this issue.

Adam · 03-24-2014, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by send2nate

@savoche: Yup, still shakes with stabilization off, I use trip-pod for long exposures.

AFAIK the SR mechanism has to do a little bit of work just to keep the sensor in place, even when the stabilization feature itself is disabled. To me it sounds like there's nothing wrong with your camera. In-body shake reduction is audible, especially during longer exposures. It's shouldn't be as loud as the dust removal feature, though. Still, if all your photos look normal, I would double-check before sending the camera in.

Can you sound clip/video illustrating the problem?

send2nate · 03-24-2014, 07:19 PM

Originally posted by Adam

AFAIK the SR mechanism has to do a little bit of work just to keep the sensor in place, even when the stabilization feature itself is disabled. To me it sounds like there's nothing wrong with your camera. In-body shake reduction is audible, especially during longer exposures. It's shouldn't be as loud as the dust removal feature, though. Still, if all your photos look normal, I would double-check before sending the camera in.

Can you sound clip/video illustrating the problem?

Here's a brief clip of the problem...

Youtu.be

vonBaloney · 03-24-2014, 07:21 PM - **1 Like**

It's broken.

jodo353 · 01-16-2016, 06:00 PM

I'm having the same problem! While my sensor isn't moving quite as fast, this is exactly what's happening (see video). Unfortunately, I'm out of warranty... so I'm really anxious to hear what people say to help.

You Tube

send2nate · 01-24-2016, 06:28 PM

Jodo,

I ended up returning my camera body to the Ricoh Service Department and they fixed the issue for me. The returned camera body came with a new 90 day warranty. From my prior chat logs with the Ricoh rep:

Thomas C: Unfortunately, It sounds like there is an internal malfunction with the camera. I recommend sending the
camera to our service department for repair. The product came with a one year manufacturers warranty from the date
of purchase and the repair facility would only need a copy of your proof of purchase (credit card slip or invoice) to
verify the purchase date for a warranty repair. If the product is not covered by our warranty at this time, you will be
sent an estimate via mail or phone line.

We suggest (for US residents only) that you return your camera directly to Pentax Imaging Company at the address
listed below for examination. You can call C.R.I.S. @ 877-269-7179 to approve or refuse the estimate. If you decide
to go through with the repair, it will come with a new 90 day standard warranty. If you decline the repair, we will
send the product back to you for a $12.00 shipping fee. Here is the information you will need to send the camera in
for repair:

Ricoh Service Department
250 North 54th St.
Chandler, AZ 85226

Be sure to use adequate packing material to prevent damage during shipping, and have the parcel insured. Please
include a note describing the problem and give your name, return shipping address, and telephone number. For initial tracking
purposes, please note the serial number of your equipment for your own records.

My K-30 has been working fine ever since the repairs! I hope this helps and am sorry this happened - not fun.

03-24-2014, 12:03 PM	#1
send2nate New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: California Posts: 16	K-30 sensor shake during exposure Hello! I'm having an issue with my K-30 where the sensor is shaking during and immediately after an exposure. It is the same sound and vibration from the sensor, that the dust removal option creates, only it's happening during quick and long exposures. It is more noticeable in exposures >1 second, for every second of exposure time, there will be that many shakes/vibrations from the sensor, which throws the picture out of focus. I have turned off the dust removal feature, reset all camera settings to default factory settings, and even installed the latest 1.06 firmware, and the shake is still present during exposures. I searched this forum and found one similar user that had a similar issues, but don't know if there was ever a resolution other than sending it off for repair. Thread in question: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/120-general-technical-troubleshooting/226032-k-x-clicking-during-exposure.html Has anyone else experienced this?

03-24-2014, 06:26 PM	#9
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	Originally posted by send2nate @savoche: Yup, still shakes with stabilization off, I use trip-pod for long exposures. AFAIK the SR mechanism has to do a little bit of work just to keep the sensor in place, even when the stabilization feature itself is disabled. To me it sounds like there's nothing wrong with your camera. In-body shake reduction is audible, especially during longer exposures. It's shouldn't be as loud as the dust removal feature, though. Still, if all your photos look normal, I would double-check before sending the camera in. Can you sound clip/video illustrating 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:

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03-24-2014, 12:09 PM	#2
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	With liveview, optical viewfinder, or both?

03-24-2014, 12:09 PM	#3
savoche Master of the obvious Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Lowlands of Norway Posts: 18,312	It shakes even if you switch off stabilisation? I assume you're using a tripod for your long exposures, and the SR should always be off when using tripods or you will experience problems.

03-24-2014, 12:15 PM	#4
send2nate New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: California Posts: 16 Original Poster	@vonBaloney: in Liveview, it's worse! The sensor shake is constant even before the exposure. @savoche: Yup, still shakes with stabilization off, I use trip-pod for long exposures. The live chat guy at Ricoh said I should send it in for repair since it's under warranty, but, I'm just wondering if it's something I did and what might cause this??? It's really strange!

03-24-2014, 12:18 PM	#5
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by send2nate @vonBaloney: in Liveview, it's worse! The sensor shake is constant even before the exposure. @savoche: Yup, still shakes with stabilization off, I use trip-pod for long exposures. The live chat guy at Ricoh said I should send it in for repair since it's under warranty, but, I'm just wondering if it's something I did and what might cause this??? It's really strange! Well, that is an option for liveview to have constant image stabilization while the screen is on (you can also set it to stabilize at moment of capture only). But if you switch SR off totally it should be silent.

03-24-2014, 12:22 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by send2nate The live chat guy at Ricoh said I should send it in for repair since it's under warranty, but, I'm just wondering if it's something I did and what might cause this??? It's really strange! If you were the cause, the guy at Ricoh would have told you so. With any luck the warranty repair will be the cure. Steve

03-24-2014, 12:25 PM	#8
send2nate New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: California Posts: 16 Original Poster	Okay, thank you guys! I will be bummed for a little while then :/ I will follow up here once all is repaired in case anyone else should encounter this issue.

03-24-2014, 07:21 PM - 1 Like	#11
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	It's broken.

01-24-2016, 06:28 PM	#13
send2nate New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: California Posts: 16 Original Poster	Jodo, I ended up returning my camera body to the Ricoh Service Department and they fixed the issue for me. The returned camera body came with a new 90 day warranty. From my prior chat logs with the Ricoh rep: Thomas C: Unfortunately, It sounds like there is an internal malfunction with the camera. I recommend sending the camera to our service department for repair. The product came with a one year manufacturers warranty from the date of purchase and the repair facility would only need a copy of your proof of purchase (credit card slip or invoice) to verify the purchase date for a warranty repair. If the product is not covered by our warranty at this time, you will be sent an estimate via mail or phone line. We suggest (for US residents only) that you return your camera directly to Pentax Imaging Company at the address listed below for examination. You can call C.R.I.S. @ 877-269-7179 to approve or refuse the estimate. If you decide to go through with the repair, it will come with a new 90 day standard warranty. If you decline the repair, we will send the product back to you for a $12.00 shipping fee. Here is the information you will need to send the camera in for repair: Ricoh Service Department 250 North 54th St. Chandler, AZ 85226 Be sure to use adequate packing material to prevent damage during shipping, and have the parcel insured. Please include a note describing the problem and give your name, return shipping address, and telephone number. For initial tracking purposes, please note the serial number of your equipment for your own records. My K-30 has been working fine ever since the repairs! I hope this helps and am sorry this happened - not fun.