New 'K3' Dust Alert Function and sensor cleaning

I gave my new K3 a 'workout' this weekend in the Lakes and sadly detected a 'smudge' on all photos regardless of lens fitted so suspect Sensor Dust.

I have since discovered that the Sensor Cleansing option was not activated so used that a few times. I tried the Dust Alert function and this showed up some specs and did this a few times but not removed the problem.

I have emailed SMS to see if they can look at it as it is only a month old and first time it has really been used and waiting on their response.

I also tried the Pixel Mapping option whilst I was in this screen which 'did it's thing'. The odd thing is that the 'Dust Alert' function is now 'greyed out' and not selectable. Any clues why?

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'Life looks simple through a viewfinder'.....then I went Digital!
Keith
K3 III, DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, DA* 300, HD 1.4x, AF360

Have you tried a rocket blower as the dust removal function sometimes needs a bit of help?

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Miles

Well the good news is that SMS responded almost immediately and offered to collect and return the camera for free (even though it was outside of the Pentax 28 day return.

BUT I though I would try a rocket brush and seems to have moved the mark but now I have splattered loads of smaller 'debris'!!

I will let SMS take care of it and see what the result is....gulp!

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'Life looks simple through a viewfinder'.....then I went Digital!
Keith
K3 III, DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, DA* 300, HD 1.4x, AF360

UPDATE - SMS say they will look at it.... what a service!

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'Life looks simple through a viewfinder'.....then I went Digital!
Keith
K3 III, DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, DA* 300, HD 1.4x, AF360

Never heard of SMS

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Half Man... Half Pentax ... Half Cucumber

Pentax K-1 + K-5 and some other stuff

Algi

SRS Microsystems ... Sorry..

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'Life looks simple through a viewfinder'.....then I went Digital!
Keith
K3 III, DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, DA* 300, HD 1.4x, AF360

Regarding the dust alert feature, certainly on the K7 it only works with a DA autofocus lens attached. It is greyed out with a manual focus or non DA lens.

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My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver

Ah ha!

OR.... a DA* Lens set to 'Manual Focus'

Anyone answer the fact that the 'Dust Removal' feature does not appear to work on 'Shutdown Action' option.

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'Life looks simple through a viewfinder'.....then I went Digital!
Keith
K3 III, DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, DA* 300, HD 1.4x, AF360

Not sure, but on the K7 it is on 'STARTup' action, ie upon switching on the camera. AF should be selected on the camera (I think the lens has to be able to focus itself for the dust the register.)

You mention sensor cleaning, which is of course a different process to dust removal in the camera. The dust removal feature is a little like house-keeping, just a regular chore to stop dust building up too much .... The marks you mention would not be removed by dust removal action I fear.

I don't have a k3, but you mentioned the' sensor cleaning' option not being activated ... Did you just mean the dust removal, or is there another sensor cleaning auto feature on the K3? Certainly on the earlier models sensor cleaning is a manual user performed (or service centre) function.

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My Guides to the Pentax Digital Camera Flash Lighting System : Download here from the PentaxForums Homepage Article .... link
Pentax K7 with BG-4 Grip / Samyang 14mm f2.8 ED AS IF UMC / DA18-55mm f3.5-5.6 AL WR / SMC A28mm f2.8 / D FA 28-105mm / SMC F35-70 f3.5-4.5 / SMC A50mm f1.7 / Tamron AF70-300mm f4-5.6 Di LD macro / SMC M75-150mm f4.0 / Tamron Adaptall (CT-135) 135mm f2.8 / Asahi Takumar-A 2X tele-converter / Pentax AF-540FGZ (I & II) Flashes / Cactus RF60/X Flashes & V6/V6II Transceiver

You are right.. the action I was describing is in fact 'Dust Removal'. There are two options - 'Startup Action' and 'Shutdown Action' it appears that although I have selected the later it appears to work the same as the former. (Only works on Start Up).

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'Life looks simple through a viewfinder'.....then I went Digital!
Keith
K3 III, DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, DA* 300, HD 1.4x, AF360

Rocket blower always seems like cleaning your house with a leaf blower.
Just blows it around into other critical areas and loosens harmless dust in the crevices.

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Facebook Page
Plymouth Photographer

Yep...doesn't help when you then realise the blower is a bit 'tired' and probably perishing.!!! Ahh!

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'Life looks simple through a viewfinder'.....then I went Digital!
Keith
K3 III, DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, DA* 300, HD 1.4x, AF360

While we're on the topic, I noticed that the sensor clean option which uses the SR to shake the sensor, on my new K3 makes no noise at all. On my old K200D the vibration could be clearly heard and felt.

Is this normal?

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Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3 & K200D, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses

The K-3 process is ultrasonic, so we won't hear anything. It's quite normal.

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Best regards, John

So want is the vibration that happens on start up?

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'Life looks simple through a viewfinder'.....then I went Digital!
Keith
K3 III, DA* 16-50, DA* 50-135, DA* 300, HD 1.4x, AF360