K5 Sensor Issues...

Copy of email sent from pentax


This sensor-problem has allready been tackled by Pentax.

All cameras that have this problem are taken back from the stores, and cameras that are affected will be replaced by a new one.
At this point there should be no affected cameras in the shops anymore.

I would advise you to check the serial-number of the camera before you buy it: only cameras with an SN starting with 38 can be affected; cameras starting with 39 should not have the problem.


I hope that your question has been answered to your satisfaction.
Should you have further questions regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact us again.

When replying, please make sure this email is included.

With kind regards,


Hans Libbers
Pentax Digital Camera Support Team

Regards
Photowam

That's good info. Thanks

My K5 was bought in the UK and posted to me here in France.

It was sent to Pentax France, more than a week ago under instruction from Pentax UK.

I have heard nothing since.

I Will give them until Friday and then chase it up. This is make or break for Pentax and me. I have used the brand for decades and all my DSLRs have been Pentax. This is, however, the most expensive consumer item I have ever bought and I am not seeing a level of commitment to the product that expect for such an outlay. So there might be a whole shed load of Pentax stuff on eBay in a few week's time.

Mine was sent 2 weeks ago and is probably still in a couriers depot somewhere. I believe Johnsons don't even reopen until the 4th January so I am looking at a month at least by my reckoning.

Well, I've seen sense...

Can't wait for Amazon to get the K-5 back in stock to provide my replacement so I've finally cancelled the order and ordered from SRS instead.

I could not look any further than SRS after all the positive comments and signs of support that they have offered members here on the forum so they have certainly won my custom...

They will deliver tomorrow...

Hi all
I had a conversation via forum messaging this morning with Chris,who has just had a large delivery of K5's and assures me that the sensor issue is now over and that all these camera's are fine.
I have just ordered the k5 and twin lens kit from him on the strength of that.
Should get it tomorrow

Roy

Just spoke to clifton cameras mines got to go to johnsons in new year to check it 3 stubborn little buggers on it

My K-5 went to Johnsons on 17th December. I sent an email just before the Christmas break and got a prompt reply acknowledging receipt of the camera (so at least it is not lost in transit like Mike-P's camera) but with the information that they would be shut till 4th January. I hope there is not too big a back log as I need my camera back or a replacement in time for my Australian trip in mid January.

There was doubt whether I had a sensor stain or just stubborn dust so if it just needs a sensor clean that should not take too long.

HinFrance - where was it bought in the UK? I sent mine back to SRS rather than deal with the Dutch importers (who have also been very good about all this from what I hear).
Maybe you should have considered that option - returning it to the retailer. Though if it was Mifsuds then you could have been in the same situation as Mike-P of course.

If you do decide to sell up (and I really hope you don't), then maybe you would give forum members first dibs and advertise here before going to e-bay?

Mike-P I would get on to Misfuds again this week and find out where your camera is and what is going on. If SRS can get mine, replace it and have it back to me in NL so quickly Mifsuds should be able to do the same for you.

Good luck every one.

Oh one final thing someone in NL has one with a S/n starting with 39 which is affected .

I went to SRS yesterday and picked up a K5. The SRS staff indicated that the serial numbers on the outer box are marked with a large 'O' which indicates that they should be free from any sensor staining.

Excellent service at SRS, they even cleaned the large lump of dust that appeared after the first activation for free...

Ooo that's interesting information. My box also has the large 'O' Excellent news!

My first K5 which I purchased yesterday had either a very stubborn dust particle or a single "stain" on the sensor. The camera was immediately replaced by local Pentax Pro dealer today and replacement seems, having done some initial tests, to be clear. Now need to give it a good work-out and get to know the camera properly.

Mine came from Bristol Cameras, but the cost of sending it back to the UK is prohibitive, just shy of £70 insured, and I don't have that kind of money to throw away - I'd never get it back. Plus they only ship in the UK, so they'd sent it to my accommodation address and there would be another £70 to get it back home.

From the comments above it appears that I am no worse off than UK customers who have sent theirs to Johnsons. We'll see what next week brings, but frankly this is complete PR disaster. It's bad enough to have a faulty product, but that happens to every manufacturer from time to time. Not over compensating and pulling out all the stops to satisfy their customers is where Pentax have got it badly wrong.

So, until the New Year then . .

The problem has been addressed withing a couple of weeks, and over Christmas as well. The only delay is the logistics of getting cameras to where they need to be. So I think "complete PR disaster" is a bit strong really.

I presume the French importer will be back to work at the beginning of January?

To be fair you chose to buy it in the UK .. presumably to save a bit of money or to get it faster?. To complain about the price of return postage is imo a bit off really .. that's the chance you take when buying from another country.

With regard to mine I would no doubt have had it back well before now had I sent it to Johnsons myself but I insisted Mifsuds dealt with it themselves and also paid for the return postage which I was quite within my rights to do.

From what I can see it's more to do with the dealer than Pentax and if I'm honest I am not that bothered any longer .. have been thinking of buying a LX5 or G12 for a while now and travelling light. Maybe this is the time to do it.