If they weren't holding a charge I'd agree, but they are. They'll get binned anyway, but I hate mysteries!

I have a number of batteries for my K5II, three of which are playing up, but...

When I measure the charge they are 8.01, 8.04 and 8,24V.

When I put them in a charger the green light goes out almost immediately.

When I put them in my K5II the battery 'meter' on the top LCD pulses, the camera makes a clicking noise in time with the 'meter' pulse, and that's it. Nothing else lights up.

Other batteries with the same voltage work fine.

All three with the problem are generic ones off eBay, but so is one of the one's that works and was bought at the same time as the problem three..

Anyone any ideas what's going on please?

They look like fractures/chips at the very edge of the glass

I'll take you up on your offer, please. PM sent

I've seen posts of a similar nature elsewhere, the solution being to clean the autofocus module lenses.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me can help, but I understand the AF module sits at the bottom of the mirror box, just inside the body.

And the Pentax 100 macro works well with the 1.4x Pentax rear converter to give that extra 'reach'.

OP. You describe the signs of moisture post-event, and what Johnson's had to say, but not what the camera itself was like when you removed it from your back-pack. Was it wet externally? Given the conditions, could it have suffered condensation internally?

This business of water ingress, etc, is a bee in my bonnet, having read too many similar tales to yours.

Touch wood, I've had no problems, but like John R I've used my cameras in all sorts of wet conditions, and given the circumstances you describe would argue that Pentax's advertising would lead a reasonable person to believe that the camera would not suffer if subjected to some water contact.

I'd get back to Johnson's, or speak to your retailer and push back hard, especially given the camera was protected in a back-pack at all times immediately prior to failure!

Ricoh Pentax do not claim their kit is water resistant, nor does it confirm to any recognised standard in respect of water resistance, but how many publicity shots have they used showing their cameras splashed with water?

If Johnsons or your retailer are not able to help, don't over-look your consumer rights and avenue for re-dress via the Smalls Claims Court process if you feel that you were misled directly or indirectly when you purchased the K3II.

Thanks all for the suggestions. Food for thought.

Thanks Gwyn. The constraint is the centre column. Splaying the legs out gets the tripod lower, but the centre column needs to be left raised.

Thanks guys. Given me some ideas, including using a Manfrotto clamp/ball head on a tripod leg, so wouldn't be using an inverted column.

Checking my huge collection of stuff, I've found several small tripods, a Jessops 'Pod', magic arm, flexible arm, etc.

Just need to play a bit.