IS broken?

sealisthenewbeaver · 04-25-2010, 01:52 PM

I haven't been taking too many shots lately, but today the weather was perfect I grabbed my camera only to find out it's somehow broken.

When I turn on the camera (K20D) it makes a weird rattling sound. And no, it's not the normal dust removal sound. And when I take a shot it makes a weird rattle again. "Flop-flapflap-click". And after removing the lens I actually see that sensor is "jumping" up and down when I shoot. Putting the camera on live-view I can see the "jumping" effect more clearly, especially with the IS off.

Anyone had the same experience?

JeffJS · 04-25-2010, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by sealisthenewbeaver

I haven't been taking too many shots lately, but today the weather was perfect I grabbed my camera only to find out it's somehow broken.

When I turn on the camera (K20D) it makes a weird rattling sound. And no, it's not the normal dust removal sound. And when I take a shot it makes a weird rattle again. "Flop-flapflap-click". And after removing the lens I actually see that sensor is "jumping" up and down when I shoot. Putting the camera on live-view I can see the "jumping" effect more clearly, especially with the IS off.

Anyone had the same experience?

That's a new one on me.. What do the photos actually look like? Hope you can get it sorted without a trip to the service center.

sealisthenewbeaver · 04-26-2010, 03:31 AM

The photos are not as bad as one would presume from the jumping. Well, definitely not good by any means, but not as horrible as you would expect.

Anyone having idea on how much repairing the IS/SR unit would cost?

wlachan · 04-26-2010, 03:52 AM

Maybe try another set of fully charged batteries and reset the camera, see if it helps.

sealisthenewbeaver · 04-26-2010, 04:27 AM

Doesn't help.

Well, I can't understand how that could have worked... The problem seems to be purely mechanical as everything else works as it should.

JeffJS · 04-26-2010, 10:41 AM

Originally posted by sealisthenewbeaver

The photos are not as bad as one would presume from the jumping. Well, definitely not good by any means, but not as horrible as you would expect.

Anyone having idea on how much repairing the IS/SR unit would cost?

Probably close to the amount of replacing the camera. I would be willing to wager that the sensor and the IS are all one mechanism, if this in fact is a Mechanical problem, and would probably have to be replaced as such. It is also possible that the circuit driving the IS has gone south. The only way you'll find out for sure is to send it in for a service estimate. You could probably write Pentax service and ask for a worse case estimate.

Originally posted by sealisthenewbeaver

Doesn't help.

Well, I can't understand how that could have worked... The problem seems to be purely mechanical as everything else works as it should.

It never hurts to try a fresh battery or set of batteries. Marginally weak batteries can sometimes produce strange effects. It likely takes more power to operate the IS system than a simple electronic circuit. I can't say I've ever read a report of fresh batteries Solving problems but it is still cheap to try and certainly can't hurt.

sealisthenewbeaver · 04-27-2010, 02:23 AM

Originally posted by JeffJS

Probably close to the amount of replacing the camera. I would be willing to wager that the sensor and the IS are all one mechanism, if this in fact is a Mechanical problem, and would probably have to be replaced as such. It is also possible that the circuit driving the IS has gone south. The only way you'll find out for sure is to send it in for a service estimate. You could probably write Pentax service and ask for a worse case estimate.

Yeah, the SR is sensor based, right? So my guess would be too that it will be the whole sensor-unit repaired. And replacing it will cost easily more than a new camera.

I just send an email to the service, so we'll see what they say.

And I took a short videos to demonstrate the problem to the insurance company and to the Pentax community. I'll post a link to it here when I manage to put it to Vimeo or to some other videohosting service.

The whole mess is still somehow f****n hilarious: sounds like there's a crappy old two-strike engine inside the camera... Potpotpotpotpotpotpotpot... poootpotpotpotpot...

sealisthenewbeaver · 04-29-2010, 05:34 AM

The videos:

pw: rikkipentax

Weird, huh?

Tuner571 · 04-29-2010, 06:43 AM

Wow, I have never seen this before! This is clearly a problem with the camera's shake reduction system and you are definitely going to have to send that in to be repaired. Personally, I feel Pentax should fix this one free of charge as the camera does not look to be beat on and the K20D is not that old either.

JeffJS · 04-29-2010, 12:18 PM

That was painful to watch... I would send it in and see what the cost of repair is. Then make a decision as to what to do. I assume it is doing this whether SR is turned on or not, Correct?

VaughnA · 04-29-2010, 12:56 PM

I'm betting it will cost more than the value of the camera.

IF that is the case then give it a good WHACK with your hand and hope for the best;-)

sealisthenewbeaver · 04-30-2010, 12:51 AM

Originally posted by VaughnA

I'm betting it will cost more than the value of the camera.

IF that is the case then give it a good WHACK with your hand and hope for the best;-)

That was the first thing I did after realizing it's not a minor problem...

If the SR is turned off, the shaking/rattling isn't as bad, but the pictures still turn out blurry.

Does anyone know how the SR-system really works? Is the sensor "floating" or something? Hmmmm... Maybe I should just rip my broken K10D into pieces and see.

cristiano_cunha · 08-14-2010, 02:09 PM

Originally posted by sealisthenewbeaver

That was the first thing I did after realizing it's not a minor problem...

If the SR is turned off, the shaking/rattling isn't as bad, but the pictures still turn out blurry.

Does anyone know how the SR-system really works? Is the sensor "floating" or something? Hmmmm... Maybe I should just rip my broken K10D into pieces and see.

I have read your post about your dead K10D...
I have this same issue with my K20D since it fell of the table

Nothing seems to be broken from outside and the camera only reports low battery and immediately shuts down.
Did you get yours fixed? What was the problem?

jjdgti · 08-16-2010, 10:30 AM

Originally posted by sealisthenewbeaver

The videos:

pw: rikkipentax

Weird, huh?

It hurts to see the video. Good luck with the repairs. Please keep us posted with the outcome/fixed.

Senseicameratech · 08-16-2010, 12:21 PM

I can say I know of problem like this one and solution. Mostry 1 of 2 things causing.
SR mechanism driven by many magnet that is very strong. Sometime USB connector pushed too hard and become loose from circuit. Since it metal it become wedged in SR from magnet. This result in SR mechanism become blocked and do not stop moving. Also, sometime screw from inside become loose and cause same problem. Most time can repair and not replace SR/sensor.

04-25-2010, 01:52 PM	#1
sealisthenewbeaver Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 108	IS broken? I haven't been taking too many shots lately, but today the weather was perfect I grabbed my camera only to find out it's somehow broken. When I turn on the camera (K20D) it makes a weird rattling sound. And no, it's not the normal dust removal sound. And when I take a shot it makes a weird rattle again. "Flop-flapflap-click". And after removing the lens I actually see that sensor is "jumping" up and down when I shoot. Putting the camera on live-view I can see the "jumping" effect more clearly, especially with the IS off. Anyone had the same experience?

04-29-2010, 05:34 AM	#8
sealisthenewbeaver Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 108 Original Poster	The videos: Vimeo Vimeo pw: rikkipentax Weird, huh?

08-14-2010, 02:09 PM	#13
cristiano_cunha New Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Brasilia Posts: 3	K20D fell of my table, now low battery indicator and shuts down... Originally posted by sealisthenewbeaver That was the first thing I did after realizing it's not a minor problem... If the SR is turned off, the shaking/rattling isn't as bad, but the pictures still turn out blurry. Does anyone know how the SR-system really works? Is the sensor "floating" or something? Hmmmm... Maybe I should just rip my broken K10D into pieces and see. I have read your post about your dead K10D... I have this same issue with my K20D since it fell of the table Nothing seems to be broken from outside and the camera only reports low battery and immediately shuts down. Did you get yours fixed? What was the problem?

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04-25-2010, 03:58 PM	#2
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by sealisthenewbeaver I haven't been taking too many shots lately, but today the weather was perfect I grabbed my camera only to find out it's somehow broken. When I turn on the camera (K20D) it makes a weird rattling sound. And no, it's not the normal dust removal sound. And when I take a shot it makes a weird rattle again. "Flop-flapflap-click". And after removing the lens I actually see that sensor is "jumping" up and down when I shoot. Putting the camera on live-view I can see the "jumping" effect more clearly, especially with the IS off. Anyone had the same experience? That's a new one on me.. What do the photos actually look like? Hope you can get it sorted without a trip to the service center.

04-26-2010, 03:31 AM	#3
sealisthenewbeaver Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 108 Original Poster	The photos are not as bad as one would presume from the jumping. Well, definitely not good by any means, but not as horrible as you would expect. Anyone having idea on how much repairing the IS/SR unit would cost?

04-26-2010, 03:52 AM	#4
wlachan Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 2,625	Maybe try another set of fully charged batteries and reset the camera, see if it helps.

04-26-2010, 04:27 AM	#5
sealisthenewbeaver Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 108 Original Poster	Doesn't help. Well, I can't understand how that could have worked... The problem seems to be purely mechanical as everything else works as it should.

04-26-2010, 10:41 AM	#6
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by sealisthenewbeaver The photos are not as bad as one would presume from the jumping. Well, definitely not good by any means, but not as horrible as you would expect. Anyone having idea on how much repairing the IS/SR unit would cost? Probably close to the amount of replacing the camera. I would be willing to wager that the sensor and the IS are all one mechanism, if this in fact is a Mechanical problem, and would probably have to be replaced as such. It is also possible that the circuit driving the IS has gone south. The only way you'll find out for sure is to send it in for a service estimate. You could probably write Pentax service and ask for a worse case estimate. Originally posted by sealisthenewbeaver Doesn't help. Well, I can't understand how that could have worked... The problem seems to be purely mechanical as everything else works as it should. It never hurts to try a fresh battery or set of batteries. Marginally weak batteries can sometimes produce strange effects. It likely takes more power to operate the IS system than a simple electronic circuit. I can't say I've ever read a report of fresh batteries Solving problems but it is still cheap to try and certainly can't hurt.

04-27-2010, 02:23 AM	#7
sealisthenewbeaver Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 108 Original Poster	Originally posted by JeffJS Probably close to the amount of replacing the camera. I would be willing to wager that the sensor and the IS are all one mechanism, if this in fact is a Mechanical problem, and would probably have to be replaced as such. It is also possible that the circuit driving the IS has gone south. The only way you'll find out for sure is to send it in for a service estimate. You could probably write Pentax service and ask for a worse case estimate. Yeah, the SR is sensor based, right? So my guess would be too that it will be the whole sensor-unit repaired. And replacing it will cost easily more than a new camera. I just send an email to the service, so we'll see what they say. And I took a short videos to demonstrate the problem to the insurance company and to the Pentax community. I'll post a link to it here when I manage to put it to Vimeo or to some other videohosting service. The whole mess is still somehow f****n hilarious: sounds like there's a crappy old two-strike engine inside the camera... Potpotpotpotpotpotpotpot... poootpotpotpotpot...

04-29-2010, 06:43 AM	#9
Tuner571 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,549	Wow, I have never seen this before! This is clearly a problem with the camera's shake reduction system and you are definitely going to have to send that in to be repaired. Personally, I feel Pentax should fix this one free of charge as the camera does not look to be beat on and the K20D is not that old either.

04-29-2010, 12:18 PM	#10
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	That was painful to watch... I would send it in and see what the cost of repair is. Then make a decision as to what to do. I assume it is doing this whether SR is turned on or not, Correct?

04-29-2010, 12:56 PM	#11
VaughnA Banned Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,363	I'm betting it will cost more than the value of the camera. IF that is the case then give it a good WHACK with your hand and hope for the best;-)

04-30-2010, 12:51 AM	#12
sealisthenewbeaver Inactive Account Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Finland Photos: Gallery Posts: 108 Original Poster	Originally posted by VaughnA I'm betting it will cost more than the value of the camera. IF that is the case then give it a good WHACK with your hand and hope for the best;-) That was the first thing I did after realizing it's not a minor problem... If the SR is turned off, the shaking/rattling isn't as bad, but the pictures still turn out blurry. Does anyone know how the SR-system really works? Is the sensor "floating" or something? Hmmmm... Maybe I should just rip my broken K10D into pieces and see.

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08-16-2010, 10:30 AM	#14
jjdgti Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NJ Posts: 1,824	Originally posted by sealisthenewbeaver The videos: pw: rikkipentax Weird, huh? It hurts to see the video. Good luck with the repairs. Please keep us posted with the outcome/fixed.

08-16-2010, 12:21 PM	#15
Senseicameratech Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 12	I can say I know of problem like this one and solution. Mostry 1 of 2 things causing. SR mechanism driven by many magnet that is very strong. Sometime USB connector pushed too hard and become loose from circuit. Since it metal it become wedged in SR from magnet. This result in SR mechanism become blocked and do not stop moving. Also, sometime screw from inside become loose and cause same problem. Most time can repair and not replace SR/sensor.