Weird AF/shutter release problem (K-10D)

nostartnoend · 12-04-2011, 04:38 PM

Was taking some indoor shots of the kids using my K-10D/Pentax 50mm. All was well.

Switched to a wide-angle Pentax 10-17mm and suddenly the shutter release button stopped working. No autofocus, nothing. Shutter release was completely unresponsive, even when depressed halfway.

Changed to a Pentax 50-200mm to see if the problem persisted. It did. Switched back to the 50mm I'd been using and it no longer worked.

Ran through the following troubleshooting steps:

- Put in a freshly charged battery.
- Cleaned the body/lens contact rings with deionized water and a lint-free cloth.
- Turned the camera off and let it sit, then turned it on.
- Swapped out SD cards in case the write prevention was flaky.
- Turned things like Auto/Sel, AF.S/AF.C, and stabilization on and off.

None of them solved the issue. And the odd thing is, the entire shutter release mechanism works when no lens is attached.

Any idea why my K-10D is acting up? What could I have done wrong?

Adam · 12-04-2011, 10:11 PM

Try allowing the aperture ring via the menu and shooting with your 50mm as if it were a manual lens. If it works, then odds are your camera is failing to properly read the automatic lens information, and it'll likely need to be sent in. That's just a guess, though!

nostartnoend · 12-04-2011, 10:26 PM

Thanks for the advice, Adam.

I don't know if your "works" meant "works exactly as it did before" or simply "takes pictures." I went into Menu > Using Aperture Ring > 2 Permitted, and now the camera is working exactly as it did before — that is, it's autofocusing and doing everything else.

The only thing I notice being a bit strange is the exposure meter that tells you if a shot is going to be too dark or too light. It seems to be really jittery.

Do you think this is still an indication that the camera is failing? [EDIT: Well, something is definitely wrong, because going back to Using Aperture Ring > 1 Prohibited resulted in the K-10D shutter problems again.]

nostartnoend · 12-06-2011, 08:19 PM - **1 Like**

A follow-up: The problem stemmed from a grounding wire that had broken in the camera's lens mount.

As for my experience with Pentax, they didn't respond to the inquiry I submitted online, and when I grew impatient and called, they wanted a minimum of $150 to fix the problem. So that would have totaled outbound shipping costs to the facility in AZ + at the very least $150 for repair, or failing that, outbound shipping costs + $12 return just for a diagnosis. I brought it across town and got it fixed within 24 hours for $65; his diagnosis was free.

On the negative side, I can't say I was wowed by Pentax's customer service or its rates in this matter. On the plus side, I found an excellent camera repairman in the Spokane area who I'd be happy to recommend to other Pentaxians.

12-04-2011, 04:38 PM	#1
nostartnoend New Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Inland Empire Posts: 12	Weird AF/shutter release problem (K-10D) Was taking some indoor shots of the kids using my K-10D/Pentax 50mm. All was well. Switched to a wide-angle Pentax 10-17mm and suddenly the shutter release button stopped working. No autofocus, nothing. Shutter release was completely unresponsive, even when depressed halfway. Changed to a Pentax 50-200mm to see if the problem persisted. It did. Switched back to the 50mm I'd been using and it no longer worked. Ran through the following troubleshooting steps: - Put in a freshly charged battery. - Cleaned the body/lens contact rings with deionized water and a lint-free cloth. - Turned the camera off and let it sit, then turned it on. - Swapped out SD cards in case the write prevention was flaky. - Turned things like Auto/Sel, AF.S/AF.C, and stabilization on and off. None of them solved the issue. And the odd thing is, the entire shutter release mechanism works when no lens is attached. Any idea why my K-10D is acting up? What could I have done wrong?

12-04-2011, 10:11 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Try allowing the aperture ring via the menu and shooting with your 50mm as if it were a manual lens. If it works, then odds are your camera is failing to properly read the automatic lens information, and it'll likely need to be sent in. That's just a guess, though! 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:

12-04-2011, 10:26 PM	#3
nostartnoend New Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Inland Empire Posts: 12 Original Poster	Thanks for the advice, Adam. I don't know if your "works" meant "works exactly as it did before" or simply "takes pictures." I went into Menu > Using Aperture Ring > 2 Permitted, and now the camera is working exactly as it did before — that is, it's autofocusing and doing everything else. The only thing I notice being a bit strange is the exposure meter that tells you if a shot is going to be too dark or too light. It seems to be really jittery. Do you think this is still an indication that the camera is failing? [EDIT: Well, something is definitely wrong, because going back to Using Aperture Ring > 1 Prohibited resulted in the K-10D shutter problems again.] Last edited by nostartnoend; 12-04-2011 at 10:34 PM. Reason: Afterthoughts

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K5 Shutter release problem	10speeduk	Pentax K-5 & K-5 II	4	11-28-2011 12:55 PM
Shutter release problem with my K7	Jon in SC	Pentax DSLR Discussion	6	08-28-2010 12:14 PM
K-7 weird sound after shutter release	jeffshaddix	Pentax DSLR Discussion	9	07-17-2010 12:08 PM
problem with spotmatic sp shutter release button	cvsuave	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	3	04-21-2009 04:41 AM
Remote shutter release problem	slowpez	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	10	07-29-2008 07:17 AM

12-06-2011, 08:19 PM - 1 Like	#4
nostartnoend New Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: The Inland Empire Posts: 12 Original Poster	A follow-up: The problem stemmed from a grounding wire that had broken in the camera's lens mount. As for my experience with Pentax, they didn't respond to the inquiry I submitted online, and when I grew impatient and called, they wanted a minimum of $150 to fix the problem. So that would have totaled outbound shipping costs to the facility in AZ + at the very least $150 for repair, or failing that, outbound shipping costs + $12 return just for a diagnosis. I brought it across town and got it fixed within 24 hours for $65; his diagnosis was free. On the negative side, I can't say I was wowed by Pentax's customer service or its rates in this matter. On the plus side, I found an excellent camera repairman in the Spokane area who I'd be happy to recommend to other Pentaxians.