Battery grip stuck

**Buffy** · 07-22-2017, 05:26 PM

I find myself faced with an odd problem--I cannot remove the battery grip from my K3. I took the K3 to a model rocketry launch today and had success getting the images I wanted, but now I can't get the battery grip off the camera. It was warm this afternoon--well into the 90s--and now, much cooler, I can't get the grip off the camera. It was only finger-tight when I put it on the body but now it simply will not come off, I can't move the dial even a millimeter. Any suggestions are welcome.

E-man · 07-22-2017, 06:13 PM

The first thing that comes to mind is to set it out in the sun for a while tomorrow, let things warm back up and see if it will come off then. I wouldn't use any concentrated heat--torches, heat guns, etc.--on it, just a little natural sunlight.

**twilhelm** · 07-22-2017, 06:18 PM

Take a hammer to it. (I'm joking of course, please don't do that)

E-man is probably right in thinking you need to let it warm up a bit.

Unregistered User 8 · 07-22-2017, 09:32 PM

Hi Buffy, this happens to me sometimes too. I put a towel ( single layer ) around the grip dial and use my right thumb at the back, and left index finger on the front and rotate the dial. I find the towel helps with getting a good grip. I only ever do mine up finger tight also. Hope this helps. Good luck.

schnitzer79 · 07-22-2017, 10:22 PM

happened to me a few times.what I do,with the rear screen facing me, i place the tip of a flat head screwdriver between the last 2 visible teeth of the cog on the left hand side, and with great caution push firmly to the left. it would be a good idea to use a thin mf cloth to place on top of the screwdriver for extra protection. always works but you need to take care without damaging the cog.ive done it 3-4 times so far without making a single scratch, so it is possible.good luck!

Not a Number · 07-23-2017, 07:26 AM

Instead of a towel try one of those rubber jar opening pads.

jddwoods · 07-23-2017, 07:49 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Instead of a towel try one of those rubber jar opening pads.

I agree with this. This is how I once freed up mine when I thought it was hopelessly stuck on. When you put the grip on be careful not to over tighten it. It seems to tighten up after it is attached.

**Buffy** · 07-23-2017, 11:24 AM

Thank you everyone for the suggestions! I was finally able to loosen the grip using the method of a thin cloth and flathead screwdriver.

E-man · 07-23-2017, 12:16 PM

Glad you got it loose.

MysteryOnion · 07-23-2017, 01:32 PM - **1 Like**

Hey fellow K3+grip users.
If you are all-weather shooting, don't forget to separate the grip and body to dry off.
The alignment lugs can puff up with corrosion and make things difficult.
I dab down the lugs with a film of silicone grease.

jhacker · 12-18-2017, 10:55 AM

I'm having this same problem and I want to make sure I'm turning it the right way. On the side with the screen, the wheel should turn left. Is that correct?

**aslyfox** · 12-18-2017, 11:11 AM

Originally posted by jhacker

I'm having this same problem and I want to make sure I'm turning it the right way. On the side with the screen, the wheel should turn left. Is that correct?

yes

lefty loosy

righty tighty

turn wheel toward the battery door to loosen

jhacker · 12-22-2017, 08:50 PM

Got it off. Used a screwdriver to push on the teeth. Thanks for the help.

07-22-2017, 05:26 PM	#1
Buffy Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Greater Boston area, Massachusetts Posts: 389	Battery grip stuck I find myself faced with an odd problem--I cannot remove the battery grip from my K3. I took the K3 to a model rocketry launch today and had success getting the images I wanted, but now I can't get the battery grip off the camera. It was warm this afternoon--well into the 90s--and now, much cooler, I can't get the grip off the camera. It was only finger-tight when I put it on the body but now it simply will not come off, I can't move the dial even a millimeter. Any suggestions are welcome.

07-22-2017, 10:22 PM	#5
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	happened to me a few times.what I do,with the rear screen facing me, i place the tip of a flat head screwdriver between the last 2 visible teeth of the cog on the left hand side, and with great caution push firmly to the left. it would be a good idea to use a thin mf cloth to place on top of the screwdriver for extra protection. always works but you need to take care without damaging the cog.ive done it 3-4 times so far without making a single scratch, so it is possible.good luck! Last edited by schnitzer79; 07-23-2017 at 12:05 AM.

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07-22-2017, 06:13 PM	#2
E-man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 678	The first thing that comes to mind is to set it out in the sun for a while tomorrow, let things warm back up and see if it will come off then. I wouldn't use any concentrated heat--torches, heat guns, etc.--on it, just a little natural sunlight.

07-22-2017, 06:18 PM	#3
twilhelm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Florida Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,369	Take a hammer to it. (I'm joking of course, please don't do that) E-man is probably right in thinking you need to let it warm up a bit.

07-22-2017, 09:32 PM	#4
Unregistered User 8 Closed Account Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,694	Hi Buffy, this happens to me sometimes too. I put a towel ( single layer ) around the grip dial and use my right thumb at the back, and left index finger on the front and rotate the dial. I find the towel helps with getting a good grip. I only ever do mine up finger tight also. Hope this helps. Good luck.

07-23-2017, 07:26 AM	#6
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Instead of a towel try one of those rubber jar opening pads.

07-23-2017, 07:49 AM	#7
jddwoods Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Newark, Delaware Posts: 1,035	Originally posted by Not a Number Instead of a towel try one of those rubber jar opening pads. I agree with this. This is how I once freed up mine when I thought it was hopelessly stuck on. When you put the grip on be careful not to over tighten it. It seems to tighten up after it is attached.

07-23-2017, 11:24 AM	#8
Buffy Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Greater Boston area, Massachusetts Posts: 389 Original Poster	Thank you everyone for the suggestions! I was finally able to loosen the grip using the method of a thin cloth and flathead screwdriver.

07-23-2017, 12:16 PM	#9
E-man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 678	Glad you got it loose.

07-23-2017, 01:32 PM - 1 Like	#10
MysteryOnion Giveaway winner! Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: beantown Photos: Albums Posts: 944	Hey fellow K3+grip users. If you are all-weather shooting, don't forget to separate the grip and body to dry off. The alignment lugs can puff up with corrosion and make things difficult. I dab down the lugs with a film of silicone grease.

12-18-2017, 10:55 AM	#11
jhacker New Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Carthage Missouri Posts: 23	I'm having this same problem and I want to make sure I'm turning it the right way. On the side with the screen, the wheel should turn left. Is that correct?

12-18-2017, 11:11 AM	#12
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	Originally posted by jhacker I'm having this same problem and I want to make sure I'm turning it the right way. On the side with the screen, the wheel should turn left. Is that correct? yes lefty loosy righty tighty turn wheel toward the battery door to loosen

12-22-2017, 08:50 PM	#13
jhacker New Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Carthage Missouri Posts: 23	Got it off. Used a screwdriver to push on the teeth. Thanks for the help.