[GrizzlyThumper]

I have a Pentax K 3 ii, manufactured date is 4/16/2015 and the shutter count is 69,318. I shot wildlife and nature photos, and I now when I shoot rapid fire shots (birds in flight) I end up with several that are totally black. Researching this is appears the shutter might not be opening? So what is the shutter count before it is consider time to look for a replacement, or is this something I can get repaired? I have tried several different lens, both Pentax and Sigma, and it happens with all the lens, but not if I single shoot, well not yet, but I am missing out on some awesome shots....

thanks for any help.

[Bertrand3000]

Difficult to say what is happening, perhaps the shutter indeed. Since K3 II is, still, the flagship (if we consider KP to be on another category), it would be worth asking for a quote to repair what is wrong with your camera.

[luftfluss]

Does this happen with one lens only, or multiple lenses?

The shutter is rated for 200k actuations, but of course this is not a guarantee.

[sergysergy]

He said multiple lenses. Is it possible that batteries are low when this happens?

[GrizzlyThumper]

I have tried this with many different lens, both Pentax and Sigma, and I keep a tight watch on the batteries, and it happens with freshly charged batteries..

As I stated I shot wildlife and nature photos, so yes, the camera has stood the test of mother nature and this is the first problem, I get so much flack and not having a "better" camera but as the light fads and others can't shoot anymore, or they are super worried about it getting damp, I keep on shooting.

any suggestions on a repair shop?

thanks

[mtgmansf]

200K shutter actuations seems pie-in-the-sky when you read this:

pentax k 3 ii | Camera Shutter Life Database

or this:
http://www.olegkikin.com/shutterlife/pentax_k_3.htm

Real world averages seem significantly lower, although 200K is not unheard of.

[fsge]

shutter actuations does not mean much. This 200k number is more marketing than anything else

[KiloHotelphoto]

It most likely is the body but maybe if your lucky it’s just a sd card problem. Does it happen on different cards do you know and if recording to two cards are both those frames black?

[luftfluss]

200K shutter actuations seems pie-in-the-sky when you read this:

pentax k 3 ii | Camera Shutter Life Database

or this:
pentax k 3 | Camera Shutter Life Database

Real world averages seem significantly lower, although 200K is not unheard of.

shutter actuations does not mean much. This 200k number is more marketing than anything else

I'm currently at 112k with my K-3 II.

[Lowell Goudge]

Years ago when the K10:was the flagship it cost $325 Canadian for a new shutter.

Expect about 400 today?

[luftfluss]

I have tried this with many different lens, both Pentax and Sigma, and I keep a tight watch on the batteries, and it happens with freshly charged batteries..

As I stated I shot wildlife and nature photos, so yes, the camera has stood the test of mother nature and this is the first problem, I get so much flack and not having a "better" camera but as the light fads and others can't shoot anymore, or they are super worried about it getting damp, I keep on shooting.

any suggestions on a repair shop?

thanks

There's Precisioncamera.com which is the Pentax-authorized repair center.

KEH.com does camera repairs, also.

[aslyfox]

. . . any suggestions on a repair shop?

thanks

here is a list of possible repair options:

US
KEH.com (GA, Most current and vintage gear)
Eric Hendrickson (Vintage cameras, Current and vintage lenses)
Precision Camera (Authorized to perform warranty service, NC)
Advance Camera (Most current and vintage gear, Portland, OR)
General Camera Repair (LA, CA)
Garry's Camera Repair (IL, select film SLRs)
International Camera Repair (LA, CA)
Halcyon Cameras | Vintage Camera Restoration (Vintage film cameras, San Diego, CA)
Camera Repair Japan (Services Sigma lenses and more, Atlanta, GA)
Allied Camera (MN, manual film cameras)
Bill Rogers Camera (LV, NV, film-era cameras and lenses)
Phototronic (Topeka, KS, film and digital camera repair)
Lezot's Camera Center (VT, film SLRs / medium format)

Read more at: Pentax Repair Facilities (Wordwide listing) - Page 8 - PentaxForums.com

[ follow link for get active links to the repair facilities ]

if no warranty, you can still send it to Precision Camera

I had good luck dealing with Photronic here in Topeka Kansas

Contact Information

785-233-0231

Phototronic
119 NE US Hwy 24
Topeka, KS 66608

Hours of Business:
Monday to Friday 12:30 PM - 5:30 PM

he is a one man shop and by his own admission you need to keep after him to make sure the work gets done

I would call and ask what it might cost to ship to him and get an estimate of repair.

[K-Three]

Is it possible that batteries are low when this happens?

I'd test this idea before looking at a repair, Does this happen at the end of the day when it's cold and you've been out in it for a while?
Even if it means buying a new battery, that's gotta be easier than sending it off for a check and quote, they'll want some cash even if they do nothing.

Batteries have a limited life span, and number of charges/recharges, I've found the "gas gauge" on the camera less than useful.
I've had similar effect, in my K3 classic, I can hear it happen, but have not been able to isolate it, very random, but it's less likely to happen with a freshly charged battery

Hope this helps

[aslyfox]

if the OP has the battery grip, and the included AA battery tray, it would be a cheap test

other wise, it might be more expensive than sending the camera in for an estimate, some repair shops do free estimates, but there would be shipping costs

[Aaron28]

dang that stinks......are any noise reduction or correction stuff turned on? what if set at medium or slow continuous shooting? are you using both sd slots maybe try the other?? to go along with that are you shooting raw & jpeg to one card......just throwing stuff out there since you have covered batteries and lenses