K-3 StartUp Buzz / Noise - Aperture motor?

dMwBennn · 11-21-2014, 10:11 AM

Hi all

about 2 months ago I upgraded to a K3 and happy with it so far,
just a few days ago I noticed a strange short buzz noise coming from the camera when I turn it on. Now, I did some reading around, and found lots of people with K5 cameras talking about this same noise, and saying it comes from the aperture motor starting up.

So really I just wanted to double check that it can indeed be normal in the K3 too, and that it isnt a problem I need to get fixed... I can send it off for repairs as it is still well in warranty, but I don't really want to risk being without my camera as I have some trips abroad coming up in the new year, and only have the 1 camera!

Any K3 owners have the same noise? Is it ok, or something I should be doing something about. So far I have noticed no change in performance whatsoever, just this noise that started seemingly randomly and now won't go away!

Cheers

stevebrot · 11-21-2014, 10:16 AM

Hi, Welcome to the Pentax Forums!

I have not noticed any particular noise on start-up with my K-3. In the past, Pentax cameras would make sort of a growly noise if dust removal was set to run at start-up. It may be that which you are hearing, though the dust removal system is much quieter on the K-3.

Steve

dMwBennn · 11-21-2014, 10:25 AM

Hi, thanks, and thanks for your reply!

The dust removal is turned off, so it isn't that. It is almost certainly the aperture motor, as when I turn the camera on without a lens, looking into the body, I can see it twitch when the noise is made... so I know that is the cause, just wondering if it is a problem or not! Are you able to see if your K3 aperture control moves on startup like I described mine doing?

Like I said... wary to get it sent off for a long time really, don't want to be without a camera :/

schnitzer79 · 11-21-2014, 11:02 AM

I havent really heard of anything like that before, only the dust removal system making noise. its best you send it in for repair then. make sure you ask for a replacement since sometimes repairs can take over 2 months

Adam · 11-21-2014, 11:07 AM

Originally posted by dMwBennn

Hi, thanks, and thanks for your reply!

The dust removal is turned off, so it isn't that. It is almost certainly the aperture motor, as when I turn the camera on without a lens, looking into the body, I can see it twitch when the noise is made... so I know that is the cause, just wondering if it is a problem or not! Are you able to see if your K3 aperture control moves on startup like I described mine doing?

Like I said... wary to get it sent off for a long time really, don't want to be without a camera :/

I believe this is normal, especially if the sound is slightly different with different lenses.

dMwBennn · 11-21-2014, 11:21 AM

Its slightly different but only due to the acoustic properties of the lens - the noise comes from inside the body, so different lens on top of the opening = different noise

Any other thoughts?

Thanks all for replies so far

JinDesu · 11-21-2014, 11:26 AM

Mine does it. Pretty sure it's the aperture popping from F22 to full open. Audible in a quiet room, and I didn't think much of it. My older k-x didn't do it, but my K-01 makes it audible because it changes the aperture constantly due to live view.

stevebrot · 11-21-2014, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by dMwBennn

It is almost certainly the aperture motor

Ok...I got the camera out and gave it the once over.

I do have a noise on start-up. It sounds similar to when the optical DOF preview is actuated.
The noise is not related to the dust removal feature
The sound is less distinct with my Sigma 17-70 than with the DA 50/1.8 or FA 35/2
Looking through the lens at start-up the camera flicks the iris one time
I am running firmware v1.11

It is funny that I never noticed it before. For all I know my K10D might have done the same thing. I would be curious to see what users do NOT have the noise.

My K-3 serial number is 4867947 and was purchased Spring of 2014.

Steve

---------- Post added 11-21-14 at 10:31 AM ----------

Originally posted by schnitzer79

I havent really heard of anything like that before

Just for giggles, could you check your K-50?

Steve

VisualDarkness · 11-21-2014, 12:00 PM

It's just your camera saying "yup, ready to go"! I sometimes also make the sound myself when starting my K-5's to bond with them, they like it.

---------- Post added 11-21-14 at 08:11 PM ----------

I've had a K-7, I now got two K-5 and my brother had a K-5, all made that exact sound. No worry.

Also I could hear the hear the high pitch dust removal in quiet locations in all of them and the same when focusing with SDM in lenses, no matter some argue that they can't. Note that I got light tinnitus and quite bad hearing for my age, I don't get how so many pretty young can't hear any of the sounds mentioned.

dakight · 11-21-2014, 01:50 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

... I don't get how so many pretty young can't hear any of the sounds mentioned.

Heavy Metal

VisualDarkness · 11-21-2014, 01:59 PM

Originally posted by dakight

Heavy Metal

How do you think I ruined my ears?

JinDesu · 11-21-2014, 02:03 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

Also I could hear the hear the high pitch dust removal in quiet locations in all of them and the same when focusing with SDM in lenses, no matter some argue that they can't. Note that I got light tinnitus and quite bad hearing for my age, I don't get how so many pretty young can't hear any of the sounds mentioned.

Pffft, I can easily hear the dust removal in my k-x/k-30

VisualDarkness · 11-21-2014, 02:18 PM

Originally posted by JinDesu

Pffft, I can easily hear the dust removal in my k-x/k-30

The *rattle rattle*?

JinDesu · 11-21-2014, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

The *rattle rattle*?

It's how I can tell that my camera actually turned on

schnitzer79 · 11-21-2014, 02:51 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Just for giggles, could you check your K-50?

Steve

Will do. I always had the dust removal come on upon startup so maybe thats why i havent noticed

11-21-2014, 10:11 AM	#1
dMwBennn New Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 17	K-3 StartUp Buzz / Noise - Aperture motor? Hi all about 2 months ago I upgraded to a K3 and happy with it so far, just a few days ago I noticed a strange short buzz noise coming from the camera when I turn it on. Now, I did some reading around, and found lots of people with K5 cameras talking about this same noise, and saying it comes from the aperture motor starting up. So really I just wanted to double check that it can indeed be normal in the K3 too, and that it isnt a problem I need to get fixed... I can send it off for repairs as it is still well in warranty, but I don't really want to risk being without my camera as I have some trips abroad coming up in the new year, and only have the 1 camera! Any K3 owners have the same noise? Is it ok, or something I should be doing something about. So far I have noticed no change in performance whatsoever, just this noise that started seemingly randomly and now won't go away! Cheers

11-21-2014, 11:07 AM	#5
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Originally posted by dMwBennn Hi, thanks, and thanks for your reply! The dust removal is turned off, so it isn't that. It is almost certainly the aperture motor, as when I turn the camera on without a lens, looking into the body, I can see it twitch when the noise is made... so I know that is the cause, just wondering if it is a problem or not! Are you able to see if your K3 aperture control moves on startup like I described mine doing? Like I said... wary to get it sent off for a long time really, don't want to be without a camera :/ I believe this is normal, especially if the sound is slightly different with different lenses. 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:

11-21-2014, 11:30 AM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by dMwBennn It is almost certainly the aperture motor Ok...I got the camera out and gave it the once over. I do have a noise on start-up. It sounds similar to when the optical DOF preview is actuated. The noise is not related to the dust removal feature The sound is less distinct with my Sigma 17-70 than with the DA 50/1.8 or FA 35/2 Looking through the lens at start-up the camera flicks the iris one time I am running firmware v1.11 It is funny that I never noticed it before. For all I know my K10D might have done the same thing. I would be curious to see what users do NOT have the noise. My K-3 serial number is 4867947 and was purchased Spring of 2014. Steve ---------- Post added 11-21-14 at 10:31 AM ---------- Originally posted by schnitzer79 I havent really heard of anything like that before Just for giggles, could you check your K-50? Steve

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K-30: Any idea why an internal motor is whirring constantly at startup?	bjelde	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	12	08-27-2014 08:40 PM
K-5 change in startup noise after fall	Sicariphus	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	1	03-09-2013 01:59 PM
Reducing flash zoom motor noise	slip	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	2	01-31-2013 10:07 AM
buzz noise during startup	scathontiphat	Pentax DSLR Discussion	4	04-30-2011 10:58 PM
K10D noise at startup	Green_Manelishi	Pentax DSLR Discussion	5	12-07-2010 09:26 AM

11-21-2014, 10:16 AM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Hi, Welcome to the Pentax Forums! I have not noticed any particular noise on start-up with my K-3. In the past, Pentax cameras would make sort of a growly noise if dust removal was set to run at start-up. It may be that which you are hearing, though the dust removal system is much quieter on the K-3. Steve

11-21-2014, 10:25 AM	#3
dMwBennn New Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 17 Original Poster	Hi, thanks, and thanks for your reply! The dust removal is turned off, so it isn't that. It is almost certainly the aperture motor, as when I turn the camera on without a lens, looking into the body, I can see it twitch when the noise is made... so I know that is the cause, just wondering if it is a problem or not! Are you able to see if your K3 aperture control moves on startup like I described mine doing? Like I said... wary to get it sent off for a long time really, don't want to be without a camera :/

11-21-2014, 11:02 AM	#4
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	I havent really heard of anything like that before, only the dust removal system making noise. its best you send it in for repair then. make sure you ask for a replacement since sometimes repairs can take over 2 months

11-21-2014, 11:21 AM	#6
dMwBennn New Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 17 Original Poster	Its slightly different but only due to the acoustic properties of the lens - the noise comes from inside the body, so different lens on top of the opening = different noise Any other thoughts? Thanks all for replies so far

11-21-2014, 11:26 AM	#7
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Mine does it. Pretty sure it's the aperture popping from F22 to full open. Audible in a quiet room, and I didn't think much of it. My older k-x didn't do it, but my K-01 makes it audible because it changes the aperture constantly due to live view.

11-21-2014, 12:00 PM	#9
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	It's just your camera saying "yup, ready to go"! I sometimes also make the sound myself when starting my K-5's to bond with them, they like it. ---------- Post added 11-21-14 at 08:11 PM ---------- I've had a K-7, I now got two K-5 and my brother had a K-5, all made that exact sound. No worry. Also I could hear the hear the high pitch dust removal in quiet locations in all of them and the same when focusing with SDM in lenses, no matter some argue that they can't. Note that I got light tinnitus and quite bad hearing for my age, I don't get how so many pretty young can't hear any of the sounds mentioned.

11-21-2014, 01:50 PM	#10
dakight Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,216	Originally posted by VisualDarkness ... I don't get how so many pretty young can't hear any of the sounds mentioned. Heavy Metal

11-21-2014, 01:59 PM	#11
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by dakight Heavy Metal How do you think I ruined my ears?

11-21-2014, 02:03 PM	#12
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by VisualDarkness Also I could hear the hear the high pitch dust removal in quiet locations in all of them and the same when focusing with SDM in lenses, no matter some argue that they can't. Note that I got light tinnitus and quite bad hearing for my age, I don't get how so many pretty young can't hear any of the sounds mentioned. Pffft, I can easily hear the dust removal in my k-x/k-30

11-21-2014, 02:18 PM	#13
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Originally posted by JinDesu Pffft, I can easily hear the dust removal in my k-x/k-30 The rattle rattle?

11-21-2014, 02:29 PM	#14
JinDesu Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New York City Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,638	Originally posted by VisualDarkness The rattle rattle? It's how I can tell that my camera actually turned on

11-21-2014, 02:51 PM	#15
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	Originally posted by stevebrot Just for giggles, could you check your K-50? Steve Will do. I always had the dust removal come on upon startup so maybe thats why i havent noticed