K200 Menus won't stay on screen

**Cee Cee** · 08-19-2014, 09:56 PM

Hi Guys, A friend of mine has a K200 and has an issue where the menu screens turn off after a variable amount of time, some times 1/4 or 1/2 sec, sometimes a few secs. Very frustrating

, occasionally they will remain on long enough to complete your adjustments, but mostly it switches off before any adjustments or inspection of settings can be achieved. I haven't detected any other problems and batteries good, removing and refitting batteries no help. .... anybody had similar problems

cheers
CC.

Adam · 08-19-2014, 11:14 PM

It sounds like one of the buttons, i.e. the shutter half-press, might be stuck in the down position. Does any other erratic behavior help support this conclusion?

**Cee Cee** · 08-20-2014, 12:54 AM

thanks Adam a fair thought, I'm not seeing any other erratic behavior at all, takes pictures fine and you can view on screen for as long as you like, other functions that come up on the screen when viewing shots like filters, histogram, info etc all ok. just menus and the fn functions ISO etc. wont stay on screen most of the time, all the buttons seem to have a definitive tactile feel to them and all seem to preform their functions. It could be some leakage across a switch or control lines on a chip or PCB, but I'd have to open it all up to check that, just thought some one may have had the same issue.

Electronics with micro controllers in them

I can't count the times I've gone in search of hardware faults only to find later that its some undocumented software issue that magically disappears with a software update, or re initialization.

kdf9511 · 08-20-2014, 01:38 AM

Originally posted by Cee Cee

Electronics with micro controllers in them

I can't count the times I've gone in search of hardware faults only to find later that its some undocumented software issue that magically disappears with a software update, or re initialization.

Speaking of that have you checked for the latest firmware? Maybe a reload will cure it. I know you can still download the update from Pentax's website as I did that for my K200D when I got it a few months ago.

**Cee Cee** · 08-20-2014, 02:34 AM

Originally posted by kdf9511

Speaking of that have you checked for the latest firmware? Maybe a reload will cure it. I know you can still download the update from Pentax's website as I did that for my K200D when I got it a few months ago.

yeah that's a good point. I sort of thought that's something to try if I can't get it figured, but I maybe should do sooner than later, even reload same version might fix it, if the software/firmware is able to be changed by an update then logically its is possible to be corrupted by some event or sequence of events ( push the back button 3 times while holding down fn & info while balancing with your right leg in the air and turning clockwise)

cheers

Alcazar · 08-20-2014, 03:13 AM

just a wild guess: make shure you don't have your finger on the shutter button while you use the menu... i used to do that and the fact that the screen would randomly switch off confused the hell out of me for weeks :-)

**Cee Cee** · 08-20-2014, 08:08 AM

just updated V1.00 to V1.01 and no change to problem

---------- Post added 08-21-14 at 01:10 AM ----------

Originally posted by Alcazar

just a wild guess: make shure you don't have your finger on the shutter button while you use the menu... i used to do that and the fact that the screen would randomly switch off confused the hell out of me for weeks :-)

fingers are well clear of any buttons
cheers

kkoether · 08-20-2014, 08:25 AM

Does it happen to have a battery grip on it? I've had that happen with the battery grip shutter button switched on. Drove me crazy at first. it's real easy to bump that button.

**Cee Cee** · 08-20-2014, 09:10 AM

the wierdest thing - this problem only occurs with a particular lens attached (Sigma 28-90 f3.5-5.6 Macro) the problem doesn't occur with his 18-50 Sigma or 70-300 Sigma or M50 2.8 or with no lens at all attached or with any of my lense

, .... what the ! ...

I'll have to look into this.

---------- Post added 08-21-14 at 02:13 AM ----------

Originally posted by kkoether

Does it happen to have a battery grip on it? I've had that happen with the battery grip shutter button switched on. Drove me crazy at first. it's real easy to bump that button.

he does have a grip but never uses it ( it came with the camera) seems like its a particular lens that causes the issue, hey I'll try that lens on my k30 and see what happens

well that lens seems ok on my K30

kdf9511 · 08-20-2014, 11:51 AM

Try cleaning and burnishing the contacts on that lens, and the body. If that's only happening with that lens it sounds like there may be something in the contacts. I don't know how many times I have spent hours tracing down a problem only to wind up cleaning every contact and connection to clear it.

**Cee Cee** · 08-20-2014, 06:06 PM

Originally posted by kdf9511

Try cleaning and burnishing the contacts on that lens, and the body. If that's only happening with that lens it sounds like there may be something in the contacts. I don't know how many times I have spent hours tracing down a problem only to wind up cleaning every contact and connection to clear it.

I tried this but didn't have any effect on the problem
cheers

there must be some electrical instability in the lens which is upsetting the K200, ... so any K200 or just this one ??? I shall try it with another K200. I'll also try with my istDS.
this is an old "late film era" cheap lens and pretty ordinary at that, so not really worth wasting time with. Besides every pawn shop in Melbourne seems to have at least one of these sitting in the window for $25 or so, if he's keen to have one of these, I'll talk him into something a bit better

thanks for the help and suggestions
cheers

kdf9511 · 08-20-2014, 06:32 PM

Well I've exhausted my ideas unless for some reason the contacts on the mount are not lining up correctly with that body. But I wouldn't think that was the case if it works on another body.

**Cee Cee** · 08-20-2014, 08:22 PM

Originally posted by kdf9511

Well I've exhausted my ideas unless for some reason the contacts on the mount are not lining up correctly with that body. But I wouldn't think that was the case if it works on another body.

well guess what, that lens caused both my istDS and K20D to misbehave in the same manor, but not the K30 ! Its headed for the bin !

......... but yet it might be interesting to know exactly what the problem is ??

cheers

kdf9511 · 08-20-2014, 08:55 PM

Originally posted by Cee Cee

well guess what, that lens caused both my istDS and K20D to misbehave in the same manor, but not the K30 ! Its headed for the bin !

......... but yet it might be interesting to know exactly what the problem is ??

cheers

To bad your so far away. As an electronics tech I would love to tear into one of these lenses and see what makes it tick.

**Cee Cee** · 08-20-2014, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by kdf9511

To bad your so far away. As an electronics tech I would love to tear into one of these lenses and see what makes it tick.

yes ... well, as a electronics tech myself I'm about to do that, but probably not today, way to busy with my regular work

cheers

08-19-2014, 09:56 PM	#1
Cee Cee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glenroy, Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,441	K200 Menus won't stay on screen Hi Guys, A friend of mine has a K200 and has an issue where the menu screens turn off after a variable amount of time, some times 1/4 or 1/2 sec, sometimes a few secs. Very frustrating , occasionally they will remain on long enough to complete your adjustments, but mostly it switches off before any adjustments or inspection of settings can be achieved. I haven't detected any other problems and batteries good, removing and refitting batteries no help. .... anybody had similar problems cheers CC.

08-19-2014, 11:14 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	It sounds like one of the buttons, i.e. the shutter half-press, might be stuck in the down position. Does any other erratic behavior help support this conclusion? 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:

08-20-2014, 09:10 AM	#9
Cee Cee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glenroy, Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,441 Original Poster	the wierdest thing - this problem only occurs with a particular lens attached (Sigma 28-90 f3.5-5.6 Macro) the problem doesn't occur with his 18-50 Sigma or 70-300 Sigma or M50 2.8 or with no lens at all attached or with any of my lense , .... what the ! ... I'll have to look into this. ---------- Post added 08-21-14 at 02:13 AM ---------- Originally posted by kkoether Does it happen to have a battery grip on it? I've had that happen with the battery grip shutter button switched on. Drove me crazy at first. it's real easy to bump that button. he does have a grip but never uses it ( it came with the camera) seems like its a particular lens that causes the issue, hey I'll try that lens on my k30 and see what happens well that lens seems ok on my K30 Last edited by Cee Cee; 08-20-2014 at 09:16 AM.

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08-20-2014, 12:54 AM	#3
Cee Cee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glenroy, Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,441 Original Poster	thanks Adam a fair thought, I'm not seeing any other erratic behavior at all, takes pictures fine and you can view on screen for as long as you like, other functions that come up on the screen when viewing shots like filters, histogram, info etc all ok. just menus and the fn functions ISO etc. wont stay on screen most of the time, all the buttons seem to have a definitive tactile feel to them and all seem to preform their functions. It could be some leakage across a switch or control lines on a chip or PCB, but I'd have to open it all up to check that, just thought some one may have had the same issue. Electronics with micro controllers in them I can't count the times I've gone in search of hardware faults only to find later that its some undocumented software issue that magically disappears with a software update, or re initialization.

08-20-2014, 01:38 AM	#4
kdf9511 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Weatherford, Oklahoma Posts: 206	Originally posted by Cee Cee Electronics with micro controllers in them I can't count the times I've gone in search of hardware faults only to find later that its some undocumented software issue that magically disappears with a software update, or re initialization. Speaking of that have you checked for the latest firmware? Maybe a reload will cure it. I know you can still download the update from Pentax's website as I did that for my K200D when I got it a few months ago.

08-20-2014, 02:34 AM	#5
Cee Cee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glenroy, Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,441 Original Poster	Originally posted by kdf9511 Speaking of that have you checked for the latest firmware? Maybe a reload will cure it. I know you can still download the update from Pentax's website as I did that for my K200D when I got it a few months ago. yeah that's a good point. I sort of thought that's something to try if I can't get it figured, but I maybe should do sooner than later, even reload same version might fix it, if the software/firmware is able to be changed by an update then logically its is possible to be corrupted by some event or sequence of events ( push the back button 3 times while holding down fn & info while balancing with your right leg in the air and turning clockwise) cheers

08-20-2014, 03:13 AM	#6
Alcazar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Stuttgart, Germany Posts: 210	just a wild guess: make shure you don't have your finger on the shutter button while you use the menu... i used to do that and the fact that the screen would randomly switch off confused the hell out of me for weeks :-)

08-20-2014, 08:08 AM	#7
Cee Cee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glenroy, Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,441 Original Poster	just updated V1.00 to V1.01 and no change to problem ---------- Post added 08-21-14 at 01:10 AM ---------- Originally posted by Alcazar just a wild guess: make shure you don't have your finger on the shutter button while you use the menu... i used to do that and the fact that the screen would randomly switch off confused the hell out of me for weeks :-) fingers are well clear of any buttons cheers

08-20-2014, 08:25 AM	#8
kkoether Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Huber Heights, OH, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 731	Does it happen to have a battery grip on it? I've had that happen with the battery grip shutter button switched on. Drove me crazy at first. it's real easy to bump that button.

08-20-2014, 11:51 AM	#10
kdf9511 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Weatherford, Oklahoma Posts: 206	Try cleaning and burnishing the contacts on that lens, and the body. If that's only happening with that lens it sounds like there may be something in the contacts. I don't know how many times I have spent hours tracing down a problem only to wind up cleaning every contact and connection to clear it.

08-20-2014, 06:06 PM	#11
Cee Cee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glenroy, Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,441 Original Poster	Originally posted by kdf9511 Try cleaning and burnishing the contacts on that lens, and the body. If that's only happening with that lens it sounds like there may be something in the contacts. I don't know how many times I have spent hours tracing down a problem only to wind up cleaning every contact and connection to clear it. I tried this but didn't have any effect on the problem cheers there must be some electrical instability in the lens which is upsetting the K200, ... so any K200 or just this one ??? I shall try it with another K200. I'll also try with my istDS. this is an old "late film era" cheap lens and pretty ordinary at that, so not really worth wasting time with. Besides every pawn shop in Melbourne seems to have at least one of these sitting in the window for $25 or so, if he's keen to have one of these, I'll talk him into something a bit better thanks for the help and suggestions cheers

08-20-2014, 06:32 PM	#12
kdf9511 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Weatherford, Oklahoma Posts: 206	Well I've exhausted my ideas unless for some reason the contacts on the mount are not lining up correctly with that body. But I wouldn't think that was the case if it works on another body.

08-20-2014, 08:22 PM	#13
Cee Cee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glenroy, Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,441 Original Poster	Originally posted by kdf9511 Well I've exhausted my ideas unless for some reason the contacts on the mount are not lining up correctly with that body. But I wouldn't think that was the case if it works on another body. well guess what, that lens caused both my istDS and K20D to misbehave in the same manor, but not the K30 ! Its headed for the bin ! ......... but yet it might be interesting to know exactly what the problem is ?? cheers

08-20-2014, 08:55 PM	#14
kdf9511 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Weatherford, Oklahoma Posts: 206	Originally posted by Cee Cee well guess what, that lens caused both my istDS and K20D to misbehave in the same manor, but not the K30 ! Its headed for the bin ! ......... but yet it might be interesting to know exactly what the problem is ?? cheers To bad your so far away. As an electronics tech I would love to tear into one of these lenses and see what makes it tick.

08-20-2014, 09:07 PM	#15
Cee Cee Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Glenroy, Melbourne Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,441 Original Poster	Originally posted by kdf9511 To bad your so far away. As an electronics tech I would love to tear into one of these lenses and see what makes it tick. yes ... well, as a electronics tech myself I'm about to do that, but probably not today, way to busy with my regular work cheers