If we are limiting it to under $25 then a Lens Pen and Rocket Blower.

Items >$25 excluding lenses – spare battery, memory cards, two circular polarisers.

Does anyone know if the people at SRS verify that the replacement K-5 is free of the sensor marks before shipping it out?

From posts on the other forum the consensus is that the spots are on the underside of the AA filter or the top surface of the sensor (favourite appears to be the underside AA filter). Either way its unlikely that its being deposited on the sensor by the shutter, mirror or even the SR mechanism.

I agree though that the spots do resemble oil drops – especially as they form trials but it think its most likely they are the result of the assembly process or the cleaning stages during the manufacture of the filter or sensor.

Chris,
Thanks for the update (shows why its worth going to a Pro Dealer) – as I said in my email I will wait until after Christmas before deciding what to do. Hopefully Pentax will have made it clear what the cause is by then. For me the most important question I would like Pentax to answer is – will the marks get worse with time – that would have a big influence on my decision as apart from this I’m very happy with my K-5.

Dave.

If it is dust trapped between the sensor and the filter, although disappointing, for me it’s not too much of a disaster. (My K-5 is also affected) My main worry is if it is some form of surface contamination then it could get worse over time. We will have to see what Pentax have to say about this.

I have checked my K-5 and it has the marks on the sensor – also tried cleaning the sensor with a arcticbutterfly brush but as expected it made no difference.
The marks only showup at f22 and I wouldn’t have noticed them but for the alerts posted on the forums.

I will contact Chris at SRS and let him know and wait to see what Pentax say, but I don’t see any point returning the camera until after the Christmas rush has finished.

I haven’t regretted trading up my K-7 for a K-5 (cost me about £600). Done mostly for the high ISO performance and better AF, but I’m sure as I get to use it more I will find other improvements.

I don’t think there are any downsides to up grading so I guess it comes down to if you feel its value for money. I don’t know which will drop faster – the cost of a K-5 or the resale value of a K-7 (even a new one) but I suspect there could be many used K-7s coming on to the market soon.

The new K-5 Firmware is now available.

I have downloaded it but not installed it yet.

I haven’t used my 100mm macro DFA F2.8 with the K-5 yet, but the 35mm Limited macro works well and I don’t see the 100mm being a problem. I did try to grab some shots with one of my old K series lenses – a 400m F5.6 and the K-5 works fine. Just use the manual mode and the green button to meter (remember to cover the viewfinder if you are not using it when you meter).

Live view makes using these old lenses on a tripod much easier, especially with the electronic level enabled.

K-5 1/100 f8 at ISO1600 – SMC K 400mm F5.6