Death of K-3 LCD?

Marktax · 09-24-2018, 05:14 PM

I take it that this is death of my K-3's LCD? I next swapped lenses, and got no screen at all, just black. The camera still takes pictures and blindly goes through menu settings. I can move by "click-feel" from single shot drive to two-second delay, for example. But I think this is toast. Any opinions or suggestions? Has anyone seen this before, or repaired it, or or seen it restore on its own? Feedback appreciated, including the obvious advice to now get a K-3ii . . .

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Adam · 09-24-2018, 05:26 PM

Looks that way. It could be the screen itself, or just the wiring. In any case, it's easily repairable at a service center.

Zafar Iqbal · 09-24-2018, 06:08 PM

My K-3 II first showed display glitch few weeks ago. I could make out more of the display, but many lines/pixels were offset.

It happened again a second time about a week ago and that day, the display decided to go all black. I could take photos, adjust exposure etc. I could even review photos and enter video mode. But normal screen, LV, WB, ISO, Flash and Drive Mode screens along with Info and Menu wouldn't.

Auto-focus didn't work either and I couldn't adjust ISO. In P mode, the camera would auto focus on it's own.

I've sent it in - still awaiting diagnosis and a quote.

**Riggomatic** · 09-24-2018, 07:57 PM

Originally posted by Marktax

I take it that this is death of my K-3's LCD? I next swapped lenses, and got no screen at all, just black. The camera still takes pictures and blindly goes through menu settings. I can move by "click-feel" from single shot drive to two-second delay, for example. But I think this is toast. Any opinions or suggestions? Has anyone seen this before, or repaired it, or or seen it restore on its own? Feedback appreciated, including the obvious advice to now get a K-3ii . . .

I don't think it is just the screen.

Could be a ribbon cable popped loose, or lost the reference voltage on the driver board.

Either way, looks like a service call for sure. Unless you want to connect it from the HDMI port to an external monitor. Not very convenient...

stevebrot · 09-24-2018, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by Riggomatic

Unless you want to connect it from the HDMI port to an external monitor. Not very convenient...

But perhaps good for narrowing the source of fault. If the HDMI port is able to drive a television or external monitor, the issue is with the screen itself of its connections.

Steve

Marktax · 09-25-2018, 01:56 PM

No longer have black screen -- the banded view has returned reliably, but still banded. I had been carrying the K-3 in its case, screen facing UP, under another camera case in a backpack. I am assuming that, the two padded cases notwithstanding, the weight of the other case impinged too heavily on the LCD and deformed it enough to damage some contacts. I don't believe it is moisture, even though this was my river-work camera.

09-24-2018, 05:26 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,609	Looks that way. It could be the screen itself, or just the wiring. In any case, it's easily repairable at a service center. 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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09-24-2018, 06:08 PM	#3
Zafar Iqbal Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,229	My K-3 II first showed display glitch few weeks ago. I could make out more of the display, but many lines/pixels were offset. It happened again a second time about a week ago and that day, the display decided to go all black. I could take photos, adjust exposure etc. I could even review photos and enter video mode. But normal screen, LV, WB, ISO, Flash and Drive Mode screens along with Info and Menu wouldn't. Auto-focus didn't work either and I couldn't adjust ISO. In P mode, the camera would auto focus on it's own. I've sent it in - still awaiting diagnosis and a quote.

09-24-2018, 07:57 PM	#4
Riggomatic Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Auburn, Indiana Photos: Albums Posts: 3,886	Originally posted by Marktax I take it that this is death of my K-3's LCD? I next swapped lenses, and got no screen at all, just black. The camera still takes pictures and blindly goes through menu settings. I can move by "click-feel" from single shot drive to two-second delay, for example. But I think this is toast. Any opinions or suggestions? Has anyone seen this before, or repaired it, or or seen it restore on its own? Feedback appreciated, including the obvious advice to now get a K-3ii . . . I don't think it is just the screen. Could be a ribbon cable popped loose, or lost the reference voltage on the driver board. Either way, looks like a service call for sure. Unless you want to connect it from the HDMI port to an external monitor. Not very convenient...

09-24-2018, 09:19 PM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Riggomatic Unless you want to connect it from the HDMI port to an external monitor. Not very convenient... But perhaps good for narrowing the source of fault. If the HDMI port is able to drive a television or external monitor, the issue is with the screen itself of its connections. Steve

09-25-2018, 01:56 PM	#6
Marktax Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Washington DC Photos: Albums Posts: 610 Original Poster	No longer have black screen -- the banded view has returned reliably, but still banded. I had been carrying the K-3 in its case, screen facing UP, under another camera case in a backpack. I am assuming that, the two padded cases notwithstanding, the weight of the other case impinged too heavily on the LCD and deformed it enough to damage some contacts. I don't believe it is moisture, even though this was my river-work camera.