Mike - I really hadn't wanted to do that, but have done just that after the Pentax repair centre got so fed up waiting for Pentax, they sent it back unrepaired.

At least they did this for free. This, though, is only becuase I didn't give them my bank details.

Although, I have been informed today Pentax HQ are still thinking about it, I do have at least one offer on the table.

I have been offered to have it repaired for €308. Now that's a drop of €340, so roughly parts plus a token €5 extra, but that's just me guessing. I'm still trying to get back to the seller about another offer they left me a voice mail message about. It could be the same offer communicated by another means though.

Obviously once I know, I'll question the repair centre whether it's really needed, precautionary and imporantly whether the cause is known, i.e. could it happen again in normal use as no seals are being replaced.

But what puzzles me is that when I called Pentax to see if they had authorised this offer, they had no record of it on file, but they said they would try to push for a decision, while agreeing I shouldn't have it sent back I unrepaired if at all possible just to send it back again, due to the costs involved.

Calling them again today, I am informed HQ have been chased for a response internally but none has been made yet.

Has anyone heard of such a response from a repair centre? An at cost repair without Pentax HQ authorisation/involvement. If they are behind the offer, then it's a rather odd way of going about it and at the end of the day €308 is still not small change.

Yep agreed John. I would also like to know exactly what the cause and fault was/is.

I can accept being in that 1%. Someone has to be. So long as it gets dealt with. Not even sure if you normally get told these things if they just fix it, but still. When you get a claim rejected, you don't just want to know, you need to know.

By all accounts those with the early sensor problems were dealt with fairly well. I like to think it was a reaction to customer's needs, and not because a crowed makes more noise than a lone voice.

Are you sure Giorgio? I hope so, but regardless I'll be trying that with Pentax.

This was not meant to be a commentary on customer services but rather the strength of Pentax's claims to weatherproofing...

We shall see what happens next

Well, on Friday Pentax asked for all documentation again as if I'd never spoken to them. They'd had it from me and the seller for over a week already. They say they are investigating.

Today I get an email from the seller - they've not heard from Pentax at all since and are sending the camera back unrepaired. Pissed off with waiting.

Yes the seller is being unreasonable, it's not in their store room, but they've had it nearly a month, without Pentax making any effort.

My warranty was valid when I sent it in, it isn't any more when I get it back, so I can't try with another.

Looks like a long slog with Pentax. I daren't call again case they start a new case all over again, again.

I have exchanged over 25 emails with the seller and about 10 with Pentax.

Pentax send one email to the parties concerned, answered a question that wasn't askedasked, then do nothing. Terrific.

Hi John,

Unfortunately I had to wait until I was back from Iceland to post it...

I'm sure we've all been in a similar situation where we've had to wait a few days before complaining about something that has happened to us. That doesn't make it any less serious. The older issue is minor but also wasn't known to be a camera rather than lens issue until about the same time, coincidently, as I was trying out a bunch of new manuals I'd not had a chance to use (and noted a common issue).

Perhaps it just needed the few days break from useage it had to dry out (if that was the issue) and now all is well, but if I've got dodgy seals, then I want them sorted as well as not worrying about longer-term damage - which if I wait could get worse, as you mention.

If my car brakes stop working, but the next day and the day after that they're fine - I'm sure you'd join me in having the seemingly now fine brakes checked out. Off topic, but this did happen to my hydraulic bike brakes - I very nearly came off a mountain: all fixed under service warranty - just because something seems better doesn't mean it is.

well it gets better:

Pentax's final decision is: We suggest you contact the Pentax service partner. I hope that your question has been answered to your satisfaction.

So a quick call to Pentax EU technical service desk and they consider the case closed. I ask why as they haven't given a decision, to which they say yes we have in the email I argue my case to them again to which they say that the repair centre has made their decision and they ARE Pentax. I politely suggest that they certainly are not. A few no they're not yes they ares, and I ask why they also repair cannon. Answer: um OK they're not Pentax. I suggest they actually do what they promised to do last week and contact the repair centre.

I also ask: if a camera used in the conditions described lets water in somehow, that could be due to a camera failing, couldn't it? That would be a warranty issue then, wouldn't it? What are the seals designed to do? And also what about the older unrelated issue - all the repair centre say is they want to replace all the internals.

To which pentax reply: I'll pass it on to a team member to look into. I asked whether they had contacted the centre with the details passed on by the seller - erm I can't access that email (but oddly he could a few minutes before for another question)

Apart from the terrible service, they completely dodged my questions about whether a failing that led to water damage would be a warranty issue. Not forgetting at this stage I only have the repair centre's word for it that it's water damage - and that's because I told them I used it in the rain.

I assumed Pentax would be better at dealing with their customers as they are "smaller" than the big 2 - at least counting only cameras and not fax machines.

Repair centre have now had the camera for two weeks and want to send it back (or bin it), so hoping my hand won't be forced.

Feel like posting their final final decision on their facebook wall when the inevitable comes.

Update for anyone interested or following this.

After requesting the invoice posted on this forum, Pentax now have sent me the following:
"We are sorry to hear that you are having problems with your camera.

We will need to forward your issue to a higer level of support. We will contact you back as soon as we have an answer for you."

All a bit blah blah blah to be honest - escalations departments seem to be de rigeur these days. Seems to be one step away from customer services and what might previously have been called "complaints".

Hopefully the "escalations department" does the right thing.

I'll try and wheedle a confirmation of the extent of the weatherproofness/resistanceness out of them whatever happens.

I had this lens also.

Just to add to the comments that it doesn't recognise it below 10mm, and yes I always had to select the lens manually (LR4). but 10mm-16mm, once selected it was fine.

perhaps this will be of some help to you - although no replacement for in-software recognition:
http://u88.n24.queensu.ca/exiftool/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=269rcni5gd94q9mq4ma...

Thanks again froeschle,

Avides have actually been pretty good to a point. I've sent them about 12 emails and they always respond within 24 hours and they know I've got Pentax Germany/EU involved and have extended my decision making deadline without fuss.

My only issue is they say they don't give the contact details of their partners (repair centre) due to data protection. This just sounds like someone with no sense of how to apply their rules. That's my only real frustration with them. I'm walking the line between needing them to help when Pentax come knocking and not pissing them off with my increasingly impatient emails!

Pentax DE/EU have at least responded asking for the quotation and to be put into contact with the repaircentre, so hopefully something good comes out of that.