K3 Cable Challenge

**mwilky55** · 05-31-2015, 03:54 PM

Hi, is it just me or do other people have trouble keeping the K3's USB cable connected.
When I try to import to Lightroom, sometimes it fails. It seems to be because the slotted connector to the camera PC port doesn't fit properly and comes loose.
Anyone else have to solve for this? Thanks.

Adam · 05-31-2015, 04:05 PM

Are you using a usb2 or usb3 cable? I've had no issues with the latter.

MadMathMind · 05-31-2015, 04:28 PM

I'd recommend getting a dedicated card reader anyway. You can get them for like $10 and they're a lot more convenient.

**mwilky55** · 05-31-2015, 06:11 PM

Thanks both. On the cable, does USB 2 or 3 make a difference where it goes into the camera? That port is slotted, unlike the USB port at the laptop.

Not a Number · 05-31-2015, 11:04 PM

The K-3 should have USB Micro b connectors on it.

The top connectors are for USB - USB3 uses both of the micro connectors. USB2 uses only the larger.

USB 3 Micro B connector

tvdtvdtvd · 06-01-2015, 06:13 AM

My laptop has a built in card reader. Popping the SD card from the K-3 and inserting into the laptop reader
is quick and secure. It's certainly quicker than finding the cable and then connecting the two together. And
its certainly more secure than having the two tethered together. (In the past, I have forgotten camera and
computer were connected and either lifted either camera or laptop only to have the other violently lurched
by the attached cable.)

stevebrot · 06-01-2015, 07:32 AM

Originally posted by Adam

Are you using a usb2 or usb3 cable? I've had no issues with the latter.

I have used both USB2 and USB3 cables on mine with no issues. Is it possible that there is a problem on the computer end?

As noted in the above comments, a card reader is the better solution.

Steve

**mwilky55** · 06-01-2015, 03:10 PM

Thank you all for the helpful replies. Maybe the best bet is a card reader or to get a replacement cable (though I couldn't find one).

The problem is not at the computer. The problem is that the USB 3 cable that came with the K-3 simply does not plug in tightly and is prone to wobbling once inserted. Unfortunate, but not insurmountable.

Thanks again.

stevebrot · 06-02-2015, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by mwilky55

The problem is that the USB 3 cable that came with the K-3 simply does not plug in tightly

Your camera did not come with a USB 3 or any other cables.* At least they are not packaged that way in N. America. The USB 2 cable that came with your K-5 should work, though (as with all such devices) the fit may become more loose with age.

Steve

* Commonly stated beef against Ricoh/Pentax from reviewers and Pentax owners

**mwilky55** · 06-02-2015, 11:17 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Your camera did not come with a USB 3 or any other cables.* At least they are not packaged that way in N. America. The USB 2 cable that came with your K-5 should work, though (as with all such devices) the fit may become more loose with age.

Steve

* Commonly stated beef against Ricoh/Pentax from reviewers and Pentax owners

Okay thanks

Al_Kahollick · 06-02-2015, 07:53 PM

Amazon makes good cables for cheap $$$...

Amazon.com: AmazonBasics USB 3.0 Cable - A Male to Micro B - 3 Feet (0.9 Meters): Computers & Accessories

05-31-2015, 03:54 PM	#1
mwilky55 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southeastern Connecticut Photos: Albums Posts: 816	K3 Cable Challenge Hi, is it just me or do other people have trouble keeping the K3's USB cable connected. When I try to import to Lightroom, sometimes it fails. It seems to be because the slotted connector to the camera PC port doesn't fit properly and comes loose. Anyone else have to solve for this? Thanks.

05-31-2015, 04:05 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	Are you using a usb2 or usb3 cable? I've had no issues with the latter. 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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05-31-2015, 04:28 PM	#3
MadMathMind Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Houston, TX Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,717	I'd recommend getting a dedicated card reader anyway. You can get them for like $10 and they're a lot more convenient.

05-31-2015, 06:11 PM	#4
mwilky55 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southeastern Connecticut Photos: Albums Posts: 816 Original Poster	Thanks both. On the cable, does USB 2 or 3 make a difference where it goes into the camera? That port is slotted, unlike the USB port at the laptop.

05-31-2015, 11:04 PM	#5
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	The K-3 should have USB Micro b connectors on it. The top connectors are for USB - USB3 uses both of the micro connectors. USB2 uses only the larger. USB 3 Micro B connector

06-01-2015, 06:13 AM	#6
tvdtvdtvd Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,665	My laptop has a built in card reader. Popping the SD card from the K-3 and inserting into the laptop reader is quick and secure. It's certainly quicker than finding the cable and then connecting the two together. And its certainly more secure than having the two tethered together. (In the past, I have forgotten camera and computer were connected and either lifted either camera or laptop only to have the other violently lurched by the attached cable.)

06-01-2015, 07:32 AM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Adam Are you using a usb2 or usb3 cable? I've had no issues with the latter. I have used both USB2 and USB3 cables on mine with no issues. Is it possible that there is a problem on the computer end? As noted in the above comments, a card reader is the better solution. Steve

06-01-2015, 03:10 PM	#8
mwilky55 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southeastern Connecticut Photos: Albums Posts: 816 Original Poster	Thank you all for the helpful replies. Maybe the best bet is a card reader or to get a replacement cable (though I couldn't find one). The problem is not at the computer. The problem is that the USB 3 cable that came with the K-3 simply does not plug in tightly and is prone to wobbling once inserted. Unfortunate, but not insurmountable. Thanks again.

06-02-2015, 10:41 AM	#9
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by mwilky55 The problem is that the USB 3 cable that came with the K-3 simply does not plug in tightly Your camera did not come with a USB 3 or any other cables.* At least they are not packaged that way in N. America. The USB 2 cable that came with your K-5 should work, though (as with all such devices) the fit may become more loose with age. Steve * Commonly stated beef against Ricoh/Pentax from reviewers and Pentax owners

06-02-2015, 11:17 AM	#10
mwilky55 Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Southeastern Connecticut Photos: Albums Posts: 816 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Your camera did not come with a USB 3 or any other cables.* At least they are not packaged that way in N. America. The USB 2 cable that came with your K-5 should work, though (as with all such devices) the fit may become more loose with age. Steve * Commonly stated beef against Ricoh/Pentax from reviewers and Pentax owners Okay thanks

06-02-2015, 07:53 PM	#11
Al_Kahollick Banned Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 390	Amazon makes good cables for cheap $$$... Amazon.com: AmazonBasics USB 3.0 Cable - A Male to Micro B - 3 Feet (0.9 Meters): Computers & Accessories