K-5 horizontal alignment issues

I fear my K-5 will have to be returned to SRS. Whilst on holiday to Cornwall, it has developed a severe horizontal mis-alignment, i.e. in the viewfinder the image is perfectly straight, but when viewing the image taken it is sloping down to the left by a significant amount. I think the sensor has become mis-aligned.

The camera was bought new from SRS in March this year, I would be grateful for advice on who to speak to / how to get it fixed as it is well within the warranty period. BTW, it has not been dropped or jolted.

Regards
David

Just give SRS a ring and ask how you should proceed.

Have you tried operating the dust removal system a few times to see if it clears things up?

Hi John, thanks for the reply and suggestion. The dust removal is set to operate every time the camera is switched on; is this any different from activating dust removal ad-hoc via the menu?

Regards
David

I just thought a few shocks to the system might dislodge anything that might be causing the problem - maybe a long shot, but it's what I'd try.

Not really helpfull but how does the electronic level read? just wondering if thats out of kilter also.

The level has gone miles out too, I think the level reading is linked to the sensor, so both will go out of alignment at the same time.

Regards
David

Cheers Chris, I've just tested this and with Horizon Correction turned off the camera now takes straight images! I didn't even realise it was switched on, is it turned on by default?

I think the camera still needs to go back though as the calibration is obviously way out. This has happened suddenly, it was not like this when purchased.

Regards
David

Thanks for all the responses to this thread, it seems my K-5 has developed the all too common 'levels' issue that has been reported by many users. I find it ridiculous that Pentax cannot provide a way for users to correct this themselves as it appears it only requires a simple software correction. Why on earth is this not in the menus? Come on Pentax, give us a firmware update so we can put this right without having to send our cameras away. If it has happened to mine after 6 months or so (after being OK until then), it must happen to a lot of users outside the warranty period. I wonder how much they are charged to put this right?

Regards
David