K3 sounds like an automatic weapon

geordieman · 07-22-2015, 05:05 PM

Well not quite but...............
After a long shoot of two hundred images or so my K3 suddenly started to make a rapid clicking noise as if the mirror was flapping.
This was happening at the rate of several hundred per min (in fact too many to count).
Turning off the camera did not help, I only managed to stop it by removing the battery.
Re-inserted the battery and all well.
Does anyone have any ideas as to what may have caused this?

**crewl1** · 07-22-2015, 05:14 PM

A firmware update was supposed to address this, is your up to date?

jkomp316 · 07-22-2015, 07:16 PM - **2 Likes**

pew pew

stevebrot · 07-22-2015, 07:54 PM

Originally posted by geordieman

After a long shoot of two hundred images or so my K3 suddenly started to make a rapid clicking noise as if the mirror was flapping.

Originally posted by crewl1

A firmware update was supposed to address this, is your up to date?

What you are describing is the famous runaway/crazy mirror syndrome. As crew1 mentioned, there is a firmware update (v1.11) that detects the condition and aborts the exposure. The result is a blank frame and lessened risk of damage to the camera. Note that this is not a fix to the underlying fault in the hardware controller. The real fix requires that the camera be sent to a service center. This fix is free of charge if your camera is still under warranty and is strongly advised. I have no idea what the service costs if not done under warranty.

Steve

loco · 07-23-2015, 06:31 AM

Quick question if I may piggyback.... I just got a K-3 and it was manufactured in April of this year. Since Pentax can fix this issue if you send the camera in, is it safe to assume that the fix was already applied to my camera?

stevebrot · 07-23-2015, 09:26 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by loco

Since Pentax can fix this issue if you send the camera in, is it safe to assume that the fix was already applied to my camera?

Yes, that is a safe assumption. The reported incidence of the issue dropped off dramatically Fall of last year after Ricoh/Pentax was able to fully characterize the problem and provide a fix.

Steve

loco · 07-23-2015, 09:31 AM

Thanks Steve!

geordieman · 07-24-2015, 06:17 AM

Originally posted by loco

Thanks Steve!

Cheers Guys
Does anyone know if the mirror flipping also triggers the shutter?
Cos if it does this could shorten the shutter life.

07-22-2015, 05:05 PM	#1
geordieman New Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 22	K3 sounds like an automatic weapon Well not quite but............... After a long shoot of two hundred images or so my K3 suddenly started to make a rapid clicking noise as if the mirror was flapping. This was happening at the rate of several hundred per min (in fact too many to count). Turning off the camera did not help, I only managed to stop it by removing the battery. Re-inserted the battery and all well. Does anyone have any ideas as to what may have caused this?

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07-22-2015, 05:14 PM	#2
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	A firmware update was supposed to address this, is your up to date?

07-22-2015, 07:16 PM - 2 Likes	#3
jkomp316 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 227	pew pew

07-22-2015, 07:54 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by geordieman After a long shoot of two hundred images or so my K3 suddenly started to make a rapid clicking noise as if the mirror was flapping. Originally posted by crewl1 A firmware update was supposed to address this, is your up to date? What you are describing is the famous runaway/crazy mirror syndrome. As crew1 mentioned, there is a firmware update (v1.11) that detects the condition and aborts the exposure. The result is a blank frame and lessened risk of damage to the camera. Note that this is not a fix to the underlying fault in the hardware controller. The real fix requires that the camera be sent to a service center. This fix is free of charge if your camera is still under warranty and is strongly advised. I have no idea what the service costs if not done under warranty. Steve

07-23-2015, 06:31 AM	#5
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	Quick question if I may piggyback.... I just got a K-3 and it was manufactured in April of this year. Since Pentax can fix this issue if you send the camera in, is it safe to assume that the fix was already applied to my camera?

07-23-2015, 09:26 AM - 1 Like	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by loco Since Pentax can fix this issue if you send the camera in, is it safe to assume that the fix was already applied to my camera? Yes, that is a safe assumption. The reported incidence of the issue dropped off dramatically Fall of last year after Ricoh/Pentax was able to fully characterize the problem and provide a fix. Steve

07-23-2015, 09:31 AM	#7
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	Thanks Steve!

07-24-2015, 06:17 AM	#8
geordieman New Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 22 Original Poster	Originally posted by loco Thanks Steve! Cheers Guys Does anyone know if the mirror flipping also triggers the shutter? Cos if it does this could shorten the shutter life.