Repaired K5 - Viewfinder Dust

Also posted on PentaxForums for those of you who read over there too

So having been unfortunate enough to fall foul of the shutter over-run / mirror flop problem I sent my 30 day old Pentax off for repair at the start of September. 6 weeks later and I've taken delivery of the repaired K5.

I've not had a chance to take any shots yet or check things out in terms of actually using the camera, but the first thing I noticed was a large speck of dust trapped inside the viewfinder. Obviously this is as a result of the body being taken apart and replacement parts put in. The dust is clearly visible when holding the camera at arm's length or when the camera is pointed at a light surface - the contrast immediately showing up the dust. I've tried tapping the viewfinder gently but with no result. it is clear that the dust is inside the viewfinder glass. When I put my eye to the viewfinder to take a photo I can't see the dust at all, so really the problem is only cosmetic.

However, my concerns are about whether this is something which could cause problems later on within the body of the camera. Should I be sending the camera back AGAIN (3rd time) to be without it for a further 6 weeks, or should I simply accept it as one of those things, a cosmetic problem and nothing more?

I'm unaware of any way to clean the viewfinder as it is within the body itself rather than on the outside!

Any thoughts?

I have shifted viewfinder dust with the rocket blower before. You do run the risk of blowing dust around and it settling somewhere just as - or even more - annoying, but if that happens, just repeat the process. Yes it can be frustrating! Angle the blower upwards, use short sharp puffs, and angle the body so the dust drops out rather than *into* the camera!

Can't you just remove the focussing screen and blow it out with the rocket blower? I don't have a K-5 but I would have thought you could do this?

Regards
David

Wouldn't it have been better to return the camera to the supplier and request a new one as it is the seller, not the manufacturer, who is responsible if goods do not conform to contract? They would hopefully have just replaced the camera.

The focussing screen can be swapped in the K-5 so a bit of judicious cleaning should be possible. There's a video on You Tube showing how to change one on a K10D so I presume the method would be much the same on a K-5. See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqZCjT-jr1s

John

I too have a couple of dust sots visible in the viewfinder (as I also did with my K100D and Kx). Of course as previously stated they're purely cosmetic.

I have seen a video on youtube of such a procedure, although it was on a Nikon.

link

I presume the same would apply for the K5, seeing as the screen can be changed?

There are also videos showing how to change the focus screen on a K10D, which again I presume would also be relevant to a K5 link

I also posted a similar thread on the 'other' forum, and one member quoted the use of a very soft brush, as in this link link

Haven't yet tried the brush approach myself as yet..

Regards
Adrian

Thanks for the replies all. The dust has appeared after a camera repair by Pentax. I therefore certainly could send it back, but in a way am reluctant to do so - I've 'owned' the camera for 3 months but only actually had it in my possession for 1 month due to it having to be sent back for repair of the mirror flop problem! It would be a real frustration to have to send it back AGAIN and be without camera again for another x weeks!

Cheers for the links and videos, will take a look!

You have every right under UK/EU consumer protection legislation to be extremely angry and get the problem fixed correctly and quickly.

Firstly, phone Pentax and complain hard over the phone - get the name/position of the person you speak to - and ask for the repairs supervisor, or at least get HIS/HER name. Tell that person clearly what the problem is and that you have already flagged it on this forum - and will continue to do so until you are completely satisfied with the results.

Then confirm by letter/email (if you can get one) that you expect it to be fixed and returned the same day (it should not take long to fix, nor require any spare parts, apart possibly from some weatherseals) that it is received.

Then send it back to Pentax to the named supervisor with a BIG written complaint - saying that:

a) When you phoned and who you spoke to

b) That you expect it to be repaired correctly this time and PDQ - AND sent back by return of post!

c) That you expect some form of compensation - and not just discount vouchers! - through substantial loss of use (2 months out of 3, and counting) at a time of maximum depreciation on the camera (as there is on almost everything bought new!). Also include a claim for the costs of returning the camera to Pentax twice.

d) Copy the letter to the MD of the company - marked CONFIDENTIAL
(that had a substantial effect on T-Mobile when I complained bitterly about a repair on a nearly new mobile phone carried out through one of their retail shops - I got a newer and better phone out it!)

e) Copy all the correspondence to the retailer you got it from, and threaten HIM with a claim for compensation/replacement for the reason that if Pentax don't fix the problem QUICKLY and properly as above, then you will be requiring him to rapidly replace the camera with a brand new one himself (it being less than 6 months old, in law it is presumed to have been faulty when you bought it - which it obviously was if the shutter block failed within a month, and then it was not fixed correctly). After all, in law, your contract of sale is with him, not the manufacturer - that should make sure he gets onto Pentax and tells them to get it fixed PDQ.

If you do the above, you will be doing us all a favour, as well as yourself, because it will make it clear to Pentax that poor service and repairs will be made public knowledge, and that it is in their very best commercial interests to make sure this sort of thing doesn't happen again.

John

I'm not sure we have a right to be extremely angry!

I would differ in that when something goes wrong it's a good idea to simply approach the people concerned in a straightforward way, explain the problem, indicate the resolution that will satisfy you and then just let them do it and sort it out.

If they don't do that then we get into different territory, but in general a reasonable attitude rather than an angry one gets better and more willing results. It also leaves everyone happy and ready to deal again.

I agree. Especially as this is just a bit of dust we're talking about, nothing permanent. It's a bit like buying a new car and finding that one of the mechanics has left a crisp packet in the glove box.

That's a very poor analogy because it doesn't take a trip back to the garage to remove the crisp packet, or any significant time/cost - but it DOES take a skilled camera technician to dismantle a camera like a K-5 to remove the dust and then put it all back together correctly, and with the weather-sealing properly fitted. That's something you cannot do yourself, nor even can a retail shop.

As for complaining - it took a lot of complaining on many forums, including this one, for the sensor faults to be accepted as a genuine and serious manufacturing defect with widespread ramifications. If no-one had complained publicly and vociferously then nothing would have happened and there would still be a lot of faulty expensive cameras out there.

We are consumers, we have paid good money - and a lot of it! - for these cameras, and we deserve to, and are legally entitled to, be treated fairly and promptly by the suppliers. IMHO, that has not happened in this case so far.

Pentax repaired the camera in question when it had a problem. They have treated the OP fairly and done the right thing.
OP says he is reluctant to send the camera back again, but no doubt if he did Pentax would remove the dust and return it to him. No one is saying they have refused to this so why the need for anger or aggression?

My K-5 has dust in the viewfinder too. I live with it. It is no ones fault. It just happens sometimes.

There shouldn't be any need to send the camera back to the dealers for dust in the viewfinder, particularly if it's not visible with the viewfinder held to the eye! (Although the OP would be within his rights to do so if he wished).... I wouldn't bother. Minor dust will end up in the viewfinder at some point anyway, just through normal use. This is not in the same league as the sensor issues and 'mirror flops' etc which I agree need to be discussed openly and dealt with promptly (although I don't think 'anger' is going to help the situation any)...

I would not expect that to happen on a £1000/1000 Euro product, and I would not rest until it was fixed - and quickly the 2nd time around.

However, "each to his own" and I will refrain from commenting further in this thread as there appear to considerable differences in opinion which are unlikely to be reconciled easily or quickly.

I always find pleasantness often resolves any customer service issues. If you don't get the service you feel is needed then that is the time.to get upset.

If any of my customers dealt with me as aggressive a that then I would just give a full refund and move on... life is just too short.....

The dust in the viewfinder issue isn't a major one from the point of view of taking photos, but considering it wasn't there before the repair, I'd obviously rather it not be there at all! I've since discovered that the sensor is also coated in dust and is in a much worse state than before I sent it for repair. I've had a word with SRS (who arranged the repair as I'd only just bought the camera, and who have been brilliant so far in helping out) and they're looking into it on my behalf. I've got to say that I've been really impressed with their level of service since I bought the camera.

Like Cabstar, I'd rather take a pleasant approach where possible, and in dealing with SRS so far this is all I've had to do