K 3 reading M regards of setting

**aslyfox** · 09-11-2019, 02:14 PM

help

My K 3 is stuck on " M " even I set the dial at AV or something else

any thoughts ?

aaacb · 09-11-2019, 03:14 PM

Happened to my K3II when the mode dial stopped working. After a short trip to Precision and around $200, it's been working fine for the past two years.

**aslyfox** · 09-11-2019, 03:40 PM

Originally posted by aaacb

Happened to my K3II when the mode dial stopped working. After a short trip to Precision and around $200, it's been working fine for the past two years.

looks like a trip to my local repair guy might be in order then:

Phototronic

he does Vintage to Digital Camera Repairs with free estimates [ he does not sell equipment ]

119 NE US Highway 24
Topeka KS 66608

785 233 0231

unless some one else has some helpful info

cmohr · 09-11-2019, 04:37 PM

This sounds very similar to the K-1 issue with the mode dial in the very first batch.

I never had any issue with the dial, until, I actually put the lock switch "ON" and after that, it was broken. I've never turned the lock switch back on, even after the repair.

stevebrot · 09-11-2019, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by aslyfox

unless some one else has some helpful info

Nothing more helpful except to say that the occasional reports of mode dial behavior similar to yours have been made on this site for years, usually on cameras that are several years old. Some have had good luck with a judicious squirt of electrical contact cleaner and a few swirls of the dial. Whether that is done at the cost of damage to the seals is hard to say. The tech at Phototronics may be able to provide some additional guidance and the option of a more ordered approach at a repair.

Steve

**aslyfox** · 09-11-2019, 06:20 PM

I found these threads that appear related

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/190-pentax-k-1/351559-k-1-mode-dial-failure.htm

lhttps://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/391072-k-50-stuck-scene-mode.html

Mode dial not working - PentaxForums.com

Mode dial stucked at Manual - PentaxForums.com

Mode dial problem on K-3 - PentaxForums.com

stevebrot · 09-11-2019, 09:18 PM

Originally posted by aslyfox

I found these threads that appear related

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/190-pentax-k-1/351559-k-1-mode-dial-failure.htm

lhttps://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/391072-k-50-stuck-scene-mode.html

Mode dial not working - PentaxForums.com

Mode dial stucked at Manual - PentaxForums.com

Mode dial problem on K-3 - PentaxForums.com

Yes, I remember several of those. The one with the K-01 has a link detailing the DIY fix and the root cause of the problem on that camera. Whether that is what happened with the K-3/K-3IIs or the K-50 is hard to say. It will be interesting to see what your outcome is. I hope it goes well.

FWIW, the first report of mode dial problems on the K-1 that I could find was this thread from May 2016...

SHooting Modes - PentaxForums.com

...followed the next month by these...

K1 stuck in manual mode - PentaxForums.com
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/323158-...l-failure.html

...and an earlier thread from some time before involving a K-5IIs...

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/306317-help-k-5...ting-mode.html

Steve

Last edited by stevebrot; 09-11-2019 at 09:32 PM.

**aslyfox** · 09-11-2019, 09:32 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Yes, I remember several of those. The one with the K-01 has a link detailing the DIY fix and the root cause of the problem on that camera. Whether that is what happened with the K-3/K-3IIs or the K-50 is hard to say. It will be interesting to see what your outcome is. I hope it goes well.

FWIW, the first report of mode dial problems on the K-1 that I could find was this thread from May 2016...

SHooting Modes - PentaxForums.com

...followed the next month by these...

K1 stuck in manual mode - PentaxForums.com
K1 Mode Dial Failure - PentaxForums.com

...and an earlier thread from some time before involving a K-5IIs...

HELP! K-5IIs can't change the Shooting Mode! - PentaxForums.com

Steve

thanks

**aslyfox** · 09-13-2019, 04:34 AM - **1 Like**

it's at my local repairman

doesn't look good at first glance

he thinks electrical problem and he cannot get parts to fix that

he is going to take it appart and see what he finds

got my estimate from Precision - Precision Camera - Digital Camera Repair, Video Camera Repair

via their web site

all you do is enter the camera model, no description of problems possible, and get an automatic estimate of $353.00

~~time to consider a change perhaps ?~~

happy days may be here again

just checked my records and found I purchased an add on 4 year warranty on the camera back in 2016 when I bought it from Amazon

stevebrot · 09-13-2019, 09:23 AM

Originally posted by aslyfox

happy days may be here again

just checked my records and found I purchased an add on 4 year warranty on the camera back in 2016 when I bought it from Amazon

Yay! That is just too cool. Good luck with the repair.

Steve

**aslyfox** · 09-13-2019, 12:27 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Yay! That is just too cool. Good luck with the repair.

Steve

they say - when you are good, you are good

me, I just got lucky

**aslyfox** · 09-19-2019, 09:54 AM

the K 3 has been sent to a repair facility in New Jersey per the requirements of the Square Trade third party warranty:

if any one is interested updates will be posted in this thread:

has anyone deal with Square Trade add on warranty ( All State ) ? - PentaxForums.com

**aslyfox** · 10-03-2019, 04:55 AM

Got my repaired K 3 back yesterday

no idea what the problem was or how it was fixed

the warranty company did not give me those details

**sergysergy** · 10-03-2019, 06:24 AM

good to hear that at least it is back

brewmaster15 · 10-03-2019, 06:54 AM

Glad to hear its working now.. One of my k3s is in the shop right now with a similar issue.. mode dial.. stuck in manual. When I bought it at Adorama it was new and I got the Newleaf warranty... My outcomes not looking so hot though Newleaf works with Adams Electronics on the west coast . Sent it there 2x now. .. but they cant get the part from Pentax... Have to go through Precision .So now my k3 has to go to Precision or its scrap. Im waiting to hear back from Newleaf... Not really impressed with New leaf warranties. Sadly the k3 thats a problem is my backup.. I almost never use it. 2700 clicks..

Ironically precision is in CT.. as am I. So my k3 will have crossed the country twice to get repaired in my own back yard.. if they repair it. Adams said Precisions price was really high. Its been a month wait so far.

Ah well. Hoping for the best with whats looking a more common problem than I had thought.

Al

09-11-2019, 02:14 PM	#1
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583	K 3 reading M regards of setting help My K 3 is stuck on " M " even I set the dial at AV or something else any thoughts ?

09-13-2019, 04:34 AM - 1 Like	#9
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583 Original Poster	it's at my local repairman doesn't look good at first glance he thinks electrical problem and he cannot get parts to fix that he is going to take it appart and see what he finds got my estimate from Precision - Precision Camera - Digital Camera Repair, Video Camera Repair via their web site all you do is enter the camera model, no description of problems possible, and get an automatic estimate of $353.00 ~~time to consider a change perhaps ?~~ happy days may be here again just checked my records and found I purchased an add on 4 year warranty on the camera back in 2016 when I bought it from Amazon Last edited by aslyfox; 09-13-2019 at 05:27 AM.

10-03-2019, 06:54 AM	#15
brewmaster15 Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: CT Posts: 1,860	Glad to hear its working now.. One of my k3s is in the shop right now with a similar issue.. mode dial.. stuck in manual. When I bought it at Adorama it was new and I got the Newleaf warranty... My outcomes not looking so hot though Newleaf works with Adams Electronics on the west coast . Sent it there 2x now. .. but they cant get the part from Pentax... Have to go through Precision .So now my k3 has to go to Precision or its scrap. Im waiting to hear back from Newleaf... Not really impressed with New leaf warranties. Sadly the k3 thats a problem is my backup.. I almost never use it. 2700 clicks.. Ironically precision is in CT.. as am I. So my k3 will have crossed the country twice to get repaired in my own back yard.. if they repair it. Adams said Precisions price was really high. Its been a month wait so far. Ah well. Hoping for the best with whats looking a more common problem than I had thought. Al Last edited by brewmaster15; 10-03-2019 at 02:44 PM. Reason: newleaf not greenleaf warranty

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09-11-2019, 03:14 PM	#2
aaacb Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,726	Happened to my K3II when the mode dial stopped working. After a short trip to Precision and around $200, it's been working fine for the past two years.

09-11-2019, 03:40 PM	#3
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583 Original Poster	Originally posted by aaacb Happened to my K3II when the mode dial stopped working. After a short trip to Precision and around $200, it's been working fine for the past two years. looks like a trip to my local repair guy might be in order then: Phototronic he does Vintage to Digital Camera Repairs with free estimates [ he does not sell equipment ] 119 NE US Highway 24 Topeka KS 66608 785 233 0231 unless some one else has some helpful info

09-11-2019, 04:37 PM	#4
cmohr Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Brisbane. Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,824	This sounds very similar to the K-1 issue with the mode dial in the very first batch. I never had any issue with the dial, until, I actually put the lock switch "ON" and after that, it was broken. I've never turned the lock switch back on, even after the repair.

09-11-2019, 05:05 PM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by aslyfox unless some one else has some helpful info Nothing more helpful except to say that the occasional reports of mode dial behavior similar to yours have been made on this site for years, usually on cameras that are several years old. Some have had good luck with a judicious squirt of electrical contact cleaner and a few swirls of the dial. Whether that is done at the cost of damage to the seals is hard to say. The tech at Phototronics may be able to provide some additional guidance and the option of a more ordered approach at a repair. Steve

09-11-2019, 06:20 PM	#6
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583 Original Poster	I found these threads that appear related https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/190-pentax-k-1/351559-k-1-mode-dial-failure.htm lhttps://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/391072-k-50-stuck-scene-mode.html Mode dial not working - PentaxForums.com Mode dial stucked at Manual - PentaxForums.com Mode dial problem on K-3 - PentaxForums.com

09-11-2019, 09:18 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by aslyfox I found these threads that appear related https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/190-pentax-k-1/351559-k-1-mode-dial-failure.htm lhttps://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/391072-k-50-stuck-scene-mode.html Mode dial not working - PentaxForums.com Mode dial stucked at Manual - PentaxForums.com Mode dial problem on K-3 - PentaxForums.com Yes, I remember several of those. The one with the K-01 has a link detailing the DIY fix and the root cause of the problem on that camera. Whether that is what happened with the K-3/K-3IIs or the K-50 is hard to say. It will be interesting to see what your outcome is. I hope it goes well. FWIW, the first report of mode dial problems on the K-1 that I could find was this thread from May 2016... SHooting Modes - PentaxForums.com ...followed the next month by these... K1 stuck in manual mode - PentaxForums.com https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/323158-...l-failure.html ...and an earlier thread from some time before involving a K-5IIs... https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/306317-help-k-5...ting-mode.html Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 09-11-2019 at 09:32 PM.

09-11-2019, 09:32 PM	#8
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Yes, I remember several of those. The one with the K-01 has a link detailing the DIY fix and the root cause of the problem on that camera. Whether that is what happened with the K-3/K-3IIs or the K-50 is hard to say. It will be interesting to see what your outcome is. I hope it goes well. FWIW, the first report of mode dial problems on the K-1 that I could find was this thread from May 2016... SHooting Modes - PentaxForums.com ...followed the next month by these... K1 stuck in manual mode - PentaxForums.com K1 Mode Dial Failure - PentaxForums.com ...and an earlier thread from some time before involving a K-5IIs... HELP! K-5IIs can't change the Shooting Mode! - PentaxForums.com Steve thanks

09-13-2019, 09:23 AM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by aslyfox happy days may be here again just checked my records and found I purchased an add on 4 year warranty on the camera back in 2016 when I bought it from Amazon Yay! That is just too cool. Good luck with the repair. Steve

09-13-2019, 12:27 PM	#11
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot Yay! That is just too cool. Good luck with the repair. Steve they say - when you are good, you are good me, I just got lucky

09-19-2019, 09:54 AM	#12
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583 Original Poster	the K 3 has been sent to a repair facility in New Jersey per the requirements of the Square Trade third party warranty: if any one is interested updates will be posted in this thread: has anyone deal with Square Trade add on warranty ( All State ) ? - PentaxForums.com

10-03-2019, 04:55 AM	#13
aslyfox Seeker of Knowledge Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Topeka, Kansas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 24,583 Original Poster	Got my repaired K 3 back yesterday no idea what the problem was or how it was fixed the warranty company did not give me those details

10-03-2019, 06:24 AM	#14
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,176	good to hear that at least it is back