K5 owners

Is there any info if that shows in the video mode as well or is this restricted to photo only?

If there is a great blob on the sensor then it would show on videos too I would imagine.

Aargh...I'm a newbie with a 4-day old K5. It looks like I've got a problem too. (not as bad as some above)
At F22...100% crop
[IMG]http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd296/stopher555/IMGP0007f22crop.jpg[/IMG]
But at F40...100% crop
[IMG]http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd296/stopher555/IMGP0009f40crop.jpg[/IMG]

It's also really visible on the LCD screen.
At F11 & larger apertures, it doesn't seem obvious.

I really don't know what to do??

Sorry to say this but yours is as bad as others. I think all should apply to have it replaced. It's a nasty situation, and that camera is not a compact. I think it's enough to ruin the reputation.

If I had a mild case of this I'd probably put up with it until the cause / solution to the issue was established by Pentax / Sony (as applicable), and give them chance to revise their manufacturing process. I would certainly send it back within the warranty period though!

Do stop being silly. Loads of cameras have had production problems from time to time. It'll get sorted.

G

It would be a good idea to make sure some of these problems are not just sensor dust, before sending anything back anywhere.

It can happen that if items are returned under warranty and there's no fault, just user error, then people get charged. I'm not saying Pentax would, but some manufacturers have.

John - I cleaned my sensor after the first attempt showed spots. The spots were in exactly the same place after cleaning. I tried different lenses too.
I'm sure others have done the same.

It certainly looks very much like dirt or dust to me. No doubt we'll soon find out.

G

Yes, but the dirt (if it is dirt) could be between the Bayer filter (which is what you cleaned) and the sensor. If so, it's not a user fix.

G

That's fine Gwyn, but I had in mind those who, reading about this, will jump in and assume every mark is a manufacturing fault. They may not try the basics, especially if fairly new to DSLRs.

I don't think that it'll get sorted if you don't do anything and stay clever and content.

There are other ways to apply,I'm sure, than sending them to the dealer.

George,

They are not being silly . I'm sure if it had happened to you , with a brand new camera , you would have been annoyed and rightly so.

This is supposed to be the latest and greatest from Pentax , it's been awaited for too long , it was supposed to be the 'answer to a maiden's prayer '

However - the members here have had their cameras for an incredibly short time and are now discovering a fault with it. They aren't the only ones either - there are reports world wide.

Now I'm sure that Pentax will sort the problem - hopefully with brand new replacements , but great damage has been done to Pentax's reputation.

People are going to be very suspicious of new cameras now .

Goodness knows how long folk like Gwyn , Mike, Spider etc etc are going to have to wait for their replacements . Some won't be able to take any photos now - they are cameraless once the damaged K5 goes- not a nice situation at all.

OK - now you could say you should never buy the latest and greatest - let someone else find the bugs , but if you do that there will never be any new cameras / computers etc on the market .


Now - I've said my piece - you can shout at me all you like and tell me I'm an idiot and I don't know what I'm talking about - carry on . I'm really really sorry for all those affected by this

I know that George. That is the problem - I was just pointing out to John that, at least in my case, I had cleaned the sensor to be certain it wasn't just dust.

Anyway I shall wait to hear what Chris has to say before fretting too much.

Technoidiot,
I think you said it all and said it so well! Nuf said!