*ist D - Pop up flash

I've had my *ist D for about 6 months.

Every time I pop up the flash my battery reading falls to nothing. If i push the flash back down the battery level goes back to full.

The batteries are full to begin with, the flash does not fire because the battery level is showing empty when I know it is not. I'm using CRV3's and getting a good amount (500+) of images from each set.

Not sure if it's something in the settings or whether i should return the unit.


Any ideas?

Sorry if this a little late but my *istD suffered the same results at around 6 weeks old. The flash fired at around full power as I was lowering the camera from my eye & there was a smell of burning but no smoke. It was difficult to believe that this could happen to my up until then 'perfect' migration to a DSLR. Ended up getting a replacement body with no problems from my dealer though.

You are not alone

I have the same problem with the pop-up flash. Camera went to holland for repairs. I go a spare body for time being.

I may have the record for *ist D pop-up flash failure. Mine stopped working just 6 hours after purchasing the camera! Thanks to this forum I was able to return the camera to the shop with an supported explanation of what had gone wrong. It also stopped me uselessly searching through the manual thinking that I must have pressed the wrong button at some stage. Anyway, the shop people were fantastically helpful and I got another *ist D, which is fine....so far.

When the pop up flash failed I also noticed that the camera also stopped working with an external flash too.

Two other comments about the *ist D. The 18-35mm lens shows noticeable barrel distortion at the short end. On the other hand, the download speed of images to the computer amazed my Canon 10D owning friend. It may be the card I'm using but we're impressed anyway.

I should start by introducing myself...

Long time Pentax user, first time poster. I have several Pentax lenses, a ZX-L/MZ-6 and purchased an *ist D from the states 2 weeks ago as a friend was over there and brought it back for me.

A great camera, the results and lens compatibility are excellent, however 2 weeks in and I have to report the same problem as those above. Flash has packed up and battery indicator flashes when activated. As a result the camera is now packed up ready to ship to Pentax House this afternoon.

If this is a common fault, how long before they admit it and issue a recall, or does that not happen with Cameras?

I just hope I am not without my new pride and joy for long and this is not the start of an unhappy ownership experience.

I had a related problem today.

I was using studio flash which I was triggering with a flash (AF240Z) mounted on the camera and pointed away from the subject.

After a while, the camera would trigger the flash, but not open the shutter until half a second later.

Bizarre. I tried loads of different settings; to no avail. Eventually I noticed that the battery meter was reading half, so I changed the batteries, and, Voila!, back to normal.

George

With my camera, nothing hapens unusual when I raise the flash or use the flash. Perhaps it has to do with how fresh the batteries are and how accurately the camera measures the remaining power. If there is a problem, I suspect it can be resolved with a firmware update.

I am curious as to your guarantee situation. Her in Australia any camera purchased overseas is not covered by the world wide guarantee. All the importers/authorised repairers tell us to take them back to where we got them; the guarantee is world wide but not transferrable to another country.

Have now experienced exact same fault. Pop up the flash batt reading goes to zero and no functions, close flash tap shutter button and springs to life again. will be visiting dealers come the weekend. Just for the record i am 5000+ shots. Using uniross 2300amh batts which have turned out to be a very good investment.

Jayson happy not to be alone