I spoke to SRS on Monday and was told that Pentax were checking each camera before sending it to them. He had checked the first three on arrival and all were OK. As he had twenty more coming an a few days, assured by Pentax, I ordered one. Should be here any day now.

They were very helpful, I might add (SRS).

If your K-5 has the same problem as most of us, then you cannot remove these marks by cleaning, as they are under the aa filter which lies over the front of the sensor.

I would advise you to return it as 'unfit for perpose' and ask for a refund. You have not posted your location, but if it is in the UK, you are protected by consumer law for faulty goods. If you accept a repair, you may forfiet your right to a refund.

You can then purchase a clean camera as these are now shipping from Pentax. Go to a reliable pro dealer and make sure there is an assurance of a replacement if your new one is also faulty. Don't give up on it as the camera is really worth the wait.

I have returned my K-5 to the retailer and obtained a refund.

I still want a K-5 before the cashback offer ends, but I am unsure about buying another in case that is also faulty. I do not want to go through the mill again trying to get a refund/exchange.

Does anyone know if Pentax have got to the bottom of this problem and are 'clean' cameras shipping yet?

Thanks.

STOP PRESS:

I have just spoken to SRS Microsystems, who have a fresh batch on order that have been checked by Pentax and are clean. So I have placed an order and the new camera should be with me in a few days time.

Great!

I gave up and took mine back to the retailer this morning. I got a full refund, but only after a bit of a fight.

I will now wait for a definitive response from Pentax before buying another one.

I have just checked my K-7 under the same conditions as the K-5.

On my Flickr site are two images.
SENSOR 1 is the K-5 straight out of the box.
SENSOR 2 is the K-7, now about 11 months old.

Both do not report any dust in the DUST ALERT option.

The K-7 has more blobs than the K-5 and it has been producing flawless A3 competition prints, so is there really anything to worry about?

In my case, at least, I think not. I am probably just looking at the norm, after all, nothing is ever 100% perfect, even Hubble!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/monobod/

There may be owners who are not Internet minded and who do not know they have a problem, especially if it is minor, so not seen on the images. There may also be others who are not bothered. Becuase of this we will never really know how widespread it is.

I'm sure the accountants on the boards are advising caution, as this could be a very expensive mistake for someone. Hopefully, public pressure and bad publicity will force a favourable resolution.

Well, I spoke too soon. Just checked mine at 100% in ACR and I have three areas of concern. One looks like a smudge and two are blobs.

I have put an image on Flickr under 'SENSOR - for those who know'

WHE are waiting for Pentax to get back to them with a proposal.

I'm sure it will be sorted eventually, I hope the financial cost to HOYA is not enought to bring Pentax down. I understand that the problem is showing up in America and Canada too.

I was also wrong to say that mine is clean. Having looked at the RAW file at 100% in Bridge ACR it has three problem areas. I have put the file on my flickr site under SENSOR, without giving an explanation as I do not want to damage pentax in any way.

TBH, the problem in my case is pretty small and may not really cause much of a problem with real time photography. What is of concern is the long term. Will this get worse and can Pentax supply enough clean K-5's to give us all a replacement.

Under English concumer law, the retailer is obliged to give us a refund for faulty goods. But I think I am right is saying that if the customer agrees to a repair, he/she is no longer able to enforce a refund later if the problem is not solved, so be careful.-

Serial Number is: 3822xxx

link

Well, some good news. I took a photo of a nearly white wall using f/22 and flash as suggested earlier and the image is clean. I can see no evidence of any smears or blobs, just an even greyish image.

Hopefully, mine missed collecting the bonus (unwanted) extra feature.