K-1 Freezing Up and Not Shooting

biz-engineer · 01-04-2019, 12:18 AM - **1 Like**

I had the K1 freeze when I had it at the beginning , it came from compatibility issue with the brand of Sony SD cards I used, the camera would sometimes freeze when attempting to review images. I discarded the Sony memory cards, and never had the issue again with Transcend and Sandisk memory cards. The other case of the K1 weird behavior was after going back from outside cold into a car with passengers, fogging the camera and lens, but also inducing moisture on the mount, after that even I couldn't figure what was wrong with the K1, but after letting the camera in a dry environment and cleaning lens mount, this never happened again.

An important thing I noticed with DLI90 batteries, is that the contacts of the batteries gets some kind of a mat layer over time, occurs with all batteries, and that alone reduces how full batteries are charged because the charger stops charging based on measure voltage level after the contact. And when battery contacts aren't very clean, the camera can't use the full capacity because the battery voltage drops across battery contacts, leading camera to believe that the battery is low when it's not. Cleaning battery contacts with dry paper until the contacts shine, and I get excellent battery life and no issue at all with the camera. The last time I had my K1 freeze was two year ago, it worked 100% flawless since then.

Last edited by biz-engineer; 01-04-2019 at 12:26 AM.

Lev · 01-04-2019, 01:42 AM

Having ultra clean contacts is vital! Recently I had the flash attached to my K3 and it didn't fire, although it was synced with body because when I was half pressing the shutter it was responding. I removed it and looked at contacts, didn't find any moisture but anyway I cleaned it with alcohol and it worked again. Seems like there was some sort of invisible, thin layer of something.

**Papa_Joe** · 01-04-2019, 05:46 AM

The black rectangle flashing up once a while means, the camera is going to crop mode very briefly. As Joe Dusel had the same issue and cleared it by retracting the lens, I would suggest to clean the mount on the camera, as well as on the lens and carefully look for any loose screw on the mount. Perhaps try an other lens (if available).

biz-engineer · 01-04-2019, 07:26 AM

Originally posted by Lev

Seems like there was some sort of invisible, thin layer of something.

Fingers exude some fatty substance (you can see finger marks when touching glasses) and that fat substance is an electrical insulator.
Unless you wash you hands every time before handling lens, camera or accessories, finger touch on electrical contacts can reduce contact quality.
Regular careful cleaning of electrical contacts, can reduce chance of camera dysfunction.

Docrwm · 01-04-2019, 08:40 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

I had the K1 freeze when I had it at the beginning , it came from compatibility issue with the brand of Sony SD cards I used, the camera would sometimes freeze when attempting to review images. I discarded the Sony memory cards, and never had the issue again with Transcend and Sandisk memory cards. The other case of the K1 weird behavior was after going back from outside cold into a car with passengers, fogging the camera and lens, but also inducing moisture on the mount, after that even I couldn't figure what was wrong with the K1, but after letting the camera in a dry environment and cleaning lens mount, this never happened again.

An important thing I noticed with DLI90 batteries, is that the contacts of the batteries gets some kind of a mat layer over time, occurs with all batteries, and that alone reduces how full batteries are charged because the charger stops charging based on measure voltage level after the contact. And when battery contacts aren't very clean, the camera can't use the full capacity because the battery voltage drops across battery contacts, leading camera to believe that the battery is low when it's not. Cleaning battery contacts with dry paper until the contacts shine, and I get excellent battery life and no issue at all with the camera. The last time I had my K1 freeze was two year ago, it worked 100% flawless since then.

Excellent point. I had forgotten that issue during my sabbatical and appreciate your pointing it out.

pschlute · 01-04-2019, 08:59 AM

Originally posted by normhead

It has happened to me in the middle for bursts

My K1 has started to exhibit the same issue. Camera jams up and only removing the battery can turn it off. Mine has gone back to Pentax.

**suraswami** · 01-04-2019, 10:01 AM

'WR' really doesn't protect the lens contacts (if the lens is not removed from the camera)? OP's issue might be because of camera defect developing? new bugs with latest firmware updates?

Lev · 01-04-2019, 11:28 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

Fingers exude some fatty substance (you can see finger marks when touching glasses) and that fat substance is an electrical insulator.
Unless you wash you hands every time before handling lens, camera or accessories, finger touch on electrical contacts can reduce contact quality.
Regular careful cleaning of electrical contacts, can reduce chance of camera dysfunction.

Agree! I think bad battery can also create some residue on the contacts which may be very difficult to clean.

olsinglefin · 01-04-2019, 12:30 PM

Appreciate all the feedback! I just cleaned the lens and body contact areas as well as the battery contact areas. The lens and body contact areas definitely had a little bit of grime on it. I won't know until I go out shooting for a day again but apartment tests seem positive.

biz-engineer · 01-04-2019, 12:57 PM

Originally posted by olsinglefin

but apartment tests seem positive.

It's good to know because normally by the forum rules, you have to invite for a beer any Pentaxian in your area who supported you for a fix

. You are lucky that no one from LA answered your post

.

(!joke)

**pentageek** · 01-04-2019, 01:37 PM

Originally posted by olsinglefin

I just cleaned the lens and body contact areas as well as the battery contact areas

It solved very similar problem I had with K-S2 and 12-24. As one of posters wrote, isopropyl alcohol is recommended fluid for cleaning of electrical contacts.

olsinglefin · 01-05-2019, 11:25 AM

Originally posted by biz-engineer

It's good to know because normally by the forum rules, you have to invite for a beer any Pentaxian in your area who supported you for a fix

. You are lucky that no one from LA answered your post

.

(!joke)

haha I owe you guys for sure, Pentax support told me to just send it in when I called them, then told me the same thing when I emailed them.

nosliwmit · 01-05-2019, 09:45 PM

I have a new K-1 II (2 weeks). Twice, maybe 3 times, it has made a beep of some sort when I pressed the trigger but wouldn't take a photo. In each case I assumed I'd bumped something and, as I was in a hurry to get a shot, I turned it off and then back on and all was good. If it happens again I'll pay more attention to symptoms and settings.

paolojackson · 09-25-2019, 07:54 AM

Originally posted by pschlute

My K1 has started to exhibit the same issue. Camera jams up and only removing the battery can turn it off. Mine has gone back to Pentax.

What did Pentax say about the issue. This has happened to me twice on my last two shoots. It only happened in the beginning but it is very annoying.

pschlute · 09-25-2019, 07:57 AM

Originally posted by paolojackson

What did Pentax say about the issue

They replaced the main electric board under warranty.

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01-04-2019, 12:18 AM - 1 Like	#16
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,247	I had the K1 freeze when I had it at the beginning , it came from compatibility issue with the brand of Sony SD cards I used, the camera would sometimes freeze when attempting to review images. I discarded the Sony memory cards, and never had the issue again with Transcend and Sandisk memory cards. The other case of the K1 weird behavior was after going back from outside cold into a car with passengers, fogging the camera and lens, but also inducing moisture on the mount, after that even I couldn't figure what was wrong with the K1, but after letting the camera in a dry environment and cleaning lens mount, this never happened again. An important thing I noticed with DLI90 batteries, is that the contacts of the batteries gets some kind of a mat layer over time, occurs with all batteries, and that alone reduces how full batteries are charged because the charger stops charging based on measure voltage level after the contact. And when battery contacts aren't very clean, the camera can't use the full capacity because the battery voltage drops across battery contacts, leading camera to believe that the battery is low when it's not. Cleaning battery contacts with dry paper until the contacts shine, and I get excellent battery life and no issue at all with the camera. The last time I had my K1 freeze was two year ago, it worked 100% flawless since then. Last edited by biz-engineer; 01-04-2019 at 12:26 AM.

01-04-2019, 01:42 AM	#17
Lev Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia Posts: 1,197	Having ultra clean contacts is vital! Recently I had the flash attached to my K3 and it didn't fire, although it was synced with body because when I was half pressing the shutter it was responding. I removed it and looked at contacts, didn't find any moisture but anyway I cleaned it with alcohol and it worked again. Seems like there was some sort of invisible, thin layer of something.

01-04-2019, 05:46 AM	#18
Papa_Joe Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: SW Bavaria Posts: 562	The black rectangle flashing up once a while means, the camera is going to crop mode very briefly. As Joe Dusel had the same issue and cleared it by retracting the lens, I would suggest to clean the mount on the camera, as well as on the lens and carefully look for any loose screw on the mount. Perhaps try an other lens (if available).

01-04-2019, 07:26 AM	#19
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,247	Originally posted by Lev Seems like there was some sort of invisible, thin layer of something. Fingers exude some fatty substance (you can see finger marks when touching glasses) and that fat substance is an electrical insulator. Unless you wash you hands every time before handling lens, camera or accessories, finger touch on electrical contacts can reduce contact quality. Regular careful cleaning of electrical contacts, can reduce chance of camera dysfunction.

01-04-2019, 08:40 AM	#20
Docrwm Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,285	Originally posted by biz-engineer I had the K1 freeze when I had it at the beginning , it came from compatibility issue with the brand of Sony SD cards I used, the camera would sometimes freeze when attempting to review images. I discarded the Sony memory cards, and never had the issue again with Transcend and Sandisk memory cards. The other case of the K1 weird behavior was after going back from outside cold into a car with passengers, fogging the camera and lens, but also inducing moisture on the mount, after that even I couldn't figure what was wrong with the K1, but after letting the camera in a dry environment and cleaning lens mount, this never happened again. An important thing I noticed with DLI90 batteries, is that the contacts of the batteries gets some kind of a mat layer over time, occurs with all batteries, and that alone reduces how full batteries are charged because the charger stops charging based on measure voltage level after the contact. And when battery contacts aren't very clean, the camera can't use the full capacity because the battery voltage drops across battery contacts, leading camera to believe that the battery is low when it's not. Cleaning battery contacts with dry paper until the contacts shine, and I get excellent battery life and no issue at all with the camera. The last time I had my K1 freeze was two year ago, it worked 100% flawless since then. Excellent point. I had forgotten that issue during my sabbatical and appreciate your pointing it out.

01-04-2019, 08:59 AM	#21
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,216	Originally posted by normhead It has happened to me in the middle for bursts My K1 has started to exhibit the same issue. Camera jams up and only removing the battery can turn it off. Mine has gone back to Pentax.

01-04-2019, 10:01 AM	#22
suraswami Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 419	'WR' really doesn't protect the lens contacts (if the lens is not removed from the camera)? OP's issue might be because of camera defect developing? new bugs with latest firmware updates?

01-04-2019, 11:28 AM	#23
Lev Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Tbilisi, Georgia Posts: 1,197	Originally posted by biz-engineer Fingers exude some fatty substance (you can see finger marks when touching glasses) and that fat substance is an electrical insulator. Unless you wash you hands every time before handling lens, camera or accessories, finger touch on electrical contacts can reduce contact quality. Regular careful cleaning of electrical contacts, can reduce chance of camera dysfunction. Agree! I think bad battery can also create some residue on the contacts which may be very difficult to clean.

01-04-2019, 12:30 PM	#24
olsinglefin Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 39 Original Poster	Appreciate all the feedback! I just cleaned the lens and body contact areas as well as the battery contact areas. The lens and body contact areas definitely had a little bit of grime on it. I won't know until I go out shooting for a day again but apartment tests seem positive.

01-04-2019, 12:57 PM	#25
biz-engineer Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 12,247	Originally posted by olsinglefin but apartment tests seem positive. It's good to know because normally by the forum rules, you have to invite for a beer any Pentaxian in your area who supported you for a fix . You are lucky that no one from LA answered your post . (!joke)

01-04-2019, 01:37 PM	#26
pentageek Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 420	Originally posted by olsinglefin I just cleaned the lens and body contact areas as well as the battery contact areas It solved very similar problem I had with K-S2 and 12-24. As one of posters wrote, isopropyl alcohol is recommended fluid for cleaning of electrical contacts.

01-05-2019, 11:25 AM	#27
olsinglefin Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 39 Original Poster	Originally posted by biz-engineer It's good to know because normally by the forum rules, you have to invite for a beer any Pentaxian in your area who supported you for a fix . You are lucky that no one from LA answered your post . (!joke) haha I owe you guys for sure, Pentax support told me to just send it in when I called them, then told me the same thing when I emailed them.

01-05-2019, 09:45 PM	#28
nosliwmit Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Pacific Northwest Photos: Gallery Posts: 913	I have a new K-1 II (2 weeks). Twice, maybe 3 times, it has made a beep of some sort when I pressed the trigger but wouldn't take a photo. In each case I assumed I'd bumped something and, as I was in a hurry to get a shot, I turned it off and then back on and all was good. If it happens again I'll pay more attention to symptoms and settings.

09-25-2019, 07:54 AM	#29
paolojackson Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 379	Originally posted by pschlute My K1 has started to exhibit the same issue. Camera jams up and only removing the battery can turn it off. Mine has gone back to Pentax. What did Pentax say about the issue. This has happened to me twice on my last two shoots. It only happened in the beginning but it is very annoying.

09-25-2019, 07:57 AM	#30
pschlute Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,216	Originally posted by paolojackson What did Pentax say about the issue They replaced the main electric board under warranty.