K100D Dead

After using my trusty K100 a couple of weeks back and leaving it switched on, after going to 'standby' it started making a strange ticking noise (a bit like the AF working, but coming from the body). It then displayed a low battery, which I changed, and since then has refused to power on. Tried various battery combinations, but refuses to display anything at all!

Left it without power for several days (on holiday!) but still the same - changed batteries a few times, no difference - faint ticking from camera body , with or without lens attached but nothing on any display!

Anyone have an idea as to the problem and how to solve it? No previous faults, always been reliable til now!

Sounds like you've tried all the tricks that we here might have suggested.

Modern DSLR's are incredibly complicated bits of kit so I'd suggest sending it off for repair, or look at replacing it.

Thanks for the reply Mannesty. Getting nowhere fast with the K100, also no reply from Pentax helpdesk (is that normal??) so now looking to upgrade. Kr or possibly K5, as long as SWMBO doesn't find out the price

Considering 2 of the 3 days that have passed since your post have been a weekend I would think it is quite normal. From the sound of it Pentax will only tell you to send it in to Johnsons for a look anyway and they will no doubt give you a quote which will be well above the value of the camera.

Better start looking at that K-5 methinks.

Thanks for reply Mike, actually contacted Pentax helpdesk over a week ago and re-sent on Friday to try and get a response! But, as you say, they will most likely advise to send away for an extortionate repair bill. K5 is looking more inviting.

Reply from Asahi Photo suggests that it is the motherboard at fault and repair may be ' uneconomic '

NO reply from Pentax ( Johnsons ) gives the impression that they dont give a toss for their customers - after all, this camera is only 4 years old - not an expected life span for a modern SLR?

Makes me wonder if the K5 is a good route, especially after reading of the various problems with it!!

4 years is a lifetime in digital technology. 4 years use out of digital slr I feel is good going.

For a body who. Originaly cost around £250 that equates to just over a pound a week, excellent value. Do people still keep tvs and washing machines for that length if time? I know I don't...

Ihave canon eos 1n from eighties still going strong i take it digital cameras have shorter shelf life?

I'm not suprised the repair is uneconomic, labour alone would probably be getting on for the cost a replacement K100 from e-bay.

Whilst 4-years is a long time in digital tech (as cabstar points out) I think you've been unlucky to have it die so soon. There are certainly still people using the *istD. [Yes Gary people do still keep TVs etc that long. We've had our main TV more than 4 years & we got it second hand! Our second TV is over 15 years old]

How much use did it get?
On occation I've shot over 1000 pictures in one day, though my average will be much lower (under 100?)
With film I'd expect there are few enthusiasts that shoot as much as 1 film a week - Which works out at 1800 shoots a year for a trigger happy enthusiast (I never shot more than 500/year with film).
Your K100 may well have taken more pictures than Peter's Canon EOS 1n!

You're not telling me you buy a new washing machine every four years, Gary!

So you're about to replace the GX20 then? Four years old next month!

Folk using early Pentax film cameras haven't seen the need to ditch them after four years thank goodness.

John

I'm not suprised the repair is uneconomic, labour alone would probably be getting on for the cost a replacement K100 from e-bay.

Whilst 4-years is a long time in digital tech (as cabstar points out) I think you've been unlucky to have it die so soon. There are certainly still people using the *istD. [Yes Gary people do still keep TVs etc that long. We've had our main TV more than 4 years & we got it second hand! Our second TV is over 15 years old]

How much use did it get?
On occation I've shot over 1000 pictures in one day, though my average will be much lower (under 100?)
With film I'd expect there are few enthusiasts that shoot as much as 1 film a week - Which works out at 1800 shoots a year for a trigger happy enthusiast (I never shot more than 500/year with film).
Your K100 may well have taken more pictures than Peter's Canon EOS 1n![/quote]It had been used very lightly - that is the most annoying thing. Last shot taken would have been 1502 !! My telly (50" Plasma)is about the same age and is used about 14 hours a day, without fault. I have a portable TV that is now over 20 years old and still performs faultlessly ( and NO, it's not monochrome!!) My ME Super, though confined to a cupboard, still performs well - the only reason I have any faith in Pentax.

Whinge over, just going to jump on my penny farthing and head to the shops!

Appreciate the replies chaps.

BTW, having looked around for K5, it appears that warranty varies between retailers - Jessops have it as 1 year (and sell you 3 years for £120!) whilst Clifton and SRS claim 2 years. What is 'normal' warranty period??