Pentax Reliability

Not having much luck lately: my K10, of which I am (was) rather fond, has suffered a terminal mechanical failure at 4700 shutter actuations , my lightly used DFA 100 WR macro is presently with Johnsons with an aperture/iris problem and last year my DA*300 suffered a focus drive motor failure.

HOW many shutter actuations do Pentax claim their DSLRs are good for?

Roger

You must be unlucky, I've clocked up around 50,000 actuations on various Pentax DSLR's and never had a problem with cameras or lenses, apart from a K-x which failed, probably as a result of water ingress (my fault). I'm touching wood as I write this!

Regards
David

I have a K-7 that Pentax stated was good for 100,000

Here is the evidence, This is the 100,000th photo taken with my K-7 and not a single issue with it even after I dropped it from chair height onto concrete. It landed on the flash mount with enough force to bend it Picked it up, dusted it down and carried on shooting.

Ah well. Anyone got a cheap 10 or 20 they dont want!




Roger

I've been picking up since coming to Pentax that the K7 has been a bit unloved amongst the range - apart from those of us who still use one of course! But it holds its reputation as one of the most reliable (very few common faults) and very strong, a proper workhorse. Steve, that's right, I think they're actually rated to 100,000 - maybe the K5 has even added to that?

The K-3 shutter is rated at 150,000 actuations, but the K-5 is still 100,000.

Regards
David

The K-3 is 200,000 isn't it?

However, it's academic for me and many others probably as we tend to upgrade long before that. Even on digital 100,000 is quite a lot of exposures. My K20D is only up to 12,000 or so, although I do intend to use it till is expires.

Well I too love my K7, its a long way off clocking 100k but performs very well. Although my K5ii is better in low light most of the photos taken with them cannot be told apart.
I do hope you've been unlucky, it might even be worth dropping a line to Pentax because although the warranty is well out most manufacturers don't like to hear of unexpected failures and may be sympathetic.
Regards David

I've long held the belief that not using mechanical devices cause more problems than using them

Thanks for the correction John, I've looked it up and you are correct, the K-3 is rated at 200,000 actuations, double that of the K-5.

Regards
David

Yes of course my K10 is now way way out of warranty but my macro (which I purchased new) was about out a month out of warranty when it failed - and this did surprise me, it is absolutely mint and I take great care of my better lenses as they are, in a practical (financial) sense, probably irreplaceable.

The failure of SDM lenses is not that uncommon?

Roger

Its important to note that when shutter actuation figures are mentioned this number does just apply to the shutter mechanism.

DSLR are highly complicated pieces of kit and compared to 35mm film bodies are more prone to go wrong because of the electronics.

100000 shutter actuations is equivalent to approx 3 to 5000 rolls of film.