K5 Sensor Issues...

SNumber 3828650
Bought date 30/10/10
Build date 03/10/2010

Don't know on the new one yet but it starts 39.

Thank's for that so it's not a recent build date which is what I
was concerned about. Still can't make my mind up about buying
a K-5 to replace my K20D

Having looked at my images from the weekend I found about 7 spots on the pictures, hadn't noticed them before but they showed up against the sky and they haven't come off with Digipads. The build date of my K-5 as shown by Photome is 7/12/10. SRS are going to have a look at it for me.

they are usually in cluster

Thanks Roy. These were more spread out on the images and looked like a dry fluid of some description. Hopefully it's not the sensor problem but might just need a more thorough clean.

My original K5 had a "stain" on the sensor which was obvious in a few pictures. It was taken back by the retailer and I obtained a new body after waiting for old stock to clear from the supply chain.

What interests me is that the original sensor also accumulated lots of debris adhering to it which was resistant to removal by selecting start up dust removal. Indeed some material was reluctant to move even with the use of a blower.

In contrast the new body sensor stays almost perfectly clean.

My possible explanation is that the original sensor IR filter accumulated static charge and that later sensor IR filter is either made of a different material which dissipates charge better or the filter has been electrically grounded in some way.

I've had a similar problem with dust, but sadly several times. My first K5 had the sensor stain and was very promptly replaced by the retailer. The second one arrived with a sensor covered in small dust particles that wouldn't come out with dust removal or a blower, so was sent back within a few days, but again replaced extremely promptly (I have no argument with the retailer, who have been nothing but helpful).

Have just sent my third one (owned for less than 1 month!) to be checked as it just seems to be accumulating dust at a ridiculous rate and has a sensor covered in dust particles that can't be removed with dust removal or a blower - the lens was only changed three times on it, all done carefully with clean lenses, an extra pair of hands to ensure minimal time for lens changes and in a normal inside situation (no sand-storm or pollen filled garden to account for all the dust). I have never managed to get that much dust on my K20 or K10 despite probably hundreds of lens changes. I don't understand what is happening with the sensor in the K5, but am starting to despair that I'll get a K5 I can use for more than a month!!!

This dust is coming from somewhere, so I'd be very concerned about that. I can't judge what it might be, but as well as a camera fault I'd certainly have a very keen look at the environment and anything that could be possibly the cause.

Indeed - I have had a pretty good think about where I changed lenses on those three occasions - one was in a hotel room, one at home and one in a car (doors and windows closed) - none of the places was especially dusty and over many years of owning them I have changed lenses on the K20 and K10 in the same car and at home many, many times without any problems, other than the occasional dust spot that could be removed with a few dust removal uses, a blower or at worst, on rare occasions, with a Pentax brand sensor cleaner. The hotel room is the only different place and that was spotless, so I can't believe there was any greater risk there (I wouldn't have risked my precious K5 if I'd been suspicious of any dust!)

I am mystified as to what is happening and only hope the retailer can help when they look at the camera. Otherwise I love the K5 and am absolutely delighted with its performance - it has been everything I hoped for; I think I may have just been exceptionally unlucky!

I was visiting Saltburn-by-the-Sea on Saturday, on an outing with my camera club. While changing lenses, in the great outdoors as usual, it occurred to me that I have had less problems with dust on the sensor of the K5 than I did with either the K10 or K20. I even thought of starting a thread to see if anyone else had found the same. Seems not.

I dont get anywhere near as much dust on the K-5/K-7 when compared to the K10D/K20D.

I believe the K-7 and the K-5 both have the newer dust removal system that vibrates faster, maybe that helps?

Most likely the predecessor of the K-5 is only a year away... i'm now actually thinking to wait because i still don't thrust the AF in the K5 and i actually hope the upcoming one will have a new processor to make the camera even faster.
I had a silver K5 on order but i didn't got picked out

I too have noticed this!!! Good stuff!

You mean successor

The K-7 was the K-5's predecessor.

Always keep an eye on this thread...

regarding dust I've never had any issues on either my previous K10D or current K20D - maybe I've just been lucky

Simon