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macoy2003 · 03-22-2011, 10:46 PM

can anyone recommend a credible online k-5 seller(S), that has resolved the "stain" issue or is free from selling the stained sensor??

Adam · 03-22-2011, 10:52 PM

All new K-5's are stain-free. Get one from B&H and you'll have it stain-free, with the ability to get an exchange if for some reason happened to be damaged.

Pentax K-5 Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) (Black) 14748 B&H

JohnBee · 03-22-2011, 11:28 PM

I bought from Henry's and they specifically mentioned they rotated their K-5 stock for this reason. They also mentioned they would have no problems exchanging or refunding the camera in the event that it was problematic.

However, I think most mainstream stores are selling updated units now.

BobRad · 03-23-2011, 08:10 AM

I received a K-5 from Abe's of Maine last week that had a serial number of 383XXX and an assortment of stains in the middle of the sensor. I sent it back and ordered one from Adorama and got a 393XXX serial number, firmware 1.01, but it is stain free - a keeper.

No one I talked to at Abe's had any knowledge of the stain problem - one person thought I was returning it because of stains on the camera body

Bob

macoy2003 · 03-25-2011, 10:57 PM

thanks for the info. i'll probably would go with B&H since the last time i've heard they're now selling a 4XXXXX serial number, so i guess it is more recent. thanks

Smeggypants · 03-25-2011, 11:15 PM

Originally posted by macoy2003

thanks for the info. i'll probably would go with B&H since the last time I've heard they're now selling a 4XXXXX serial number, so i guess it is more recent. thanks

Most, if not all, retailers are selling 4xxxxx serial# copies now. Those serials aren't exclusive to one retailer.

macoy2003 · 03-26-2011, 11:25 PM

Thanks for the info. i'm from Canada, and i plan to buy it from an online retailer in the US (like B&H), would i be covered by it's warranty?

OK5 · 03-27-2011, 04:38 AM

Originally posted by macoy2003

Thanks for the info. i'm from Canada, and i plan to buy it from an online retailer in the US (like B&H), would i be covered by it's warranty?

Pentax offers a standard 2 year warranty if you buy their camera in Canada.
Here is a link that explains how the warranty works if you buy your pentax elsewhere. It also explains the best shipping method to avoid unexpected costs.
photoprice.ca: Buying Digital Cameras and Lenses Cheaply as a Canadian

Good luck
Jake

yelobone · 04-02-2011, 06:58 AM

Abes is overall a good dealer, great pricing, fast shipping. However, the chance of getting a stain free K-5 from them are slim.

ndy4eva · 04-05-2011, 01:18 PM

I bought my K-5 from ProDigital2000. They're based in ON, Canada and sells Pentax equipments with 2 years Canadian warranty.

The price is pretty good as well ($1319 USD + tax, free shipping).

My K-5 serial number starts with 400xxxxxx and it looks fine (so far). I was bit surpised to see fw v1.01 tho.

Btw, it's an eBay seller.

Allison · 04-07-2011, 05:11 PM

I got mine from Adorama last month and it was 393XXXX and stain free. I did have to upgrade to 1.03 - it came 1.01. It had a January build date.

FYI, there is an additional warranty the US customers can buy from B&H that is through Pentax and was only $20. It adds two additional years of warranty onto the camera for a total of 3.

macoy2003 · 04-30-2011, 02:11 AM

Disappointed at B&H.

Last March 29, 2011 i made an online reservation for a pentax k-5 body only worth 1299 (which the site says will be valid until April 2, 2011 of the same price, hence i've added it to my cart as a reserve). However, when i went back on the same site again the very next day (March 30) to make the actual order, they've increased the price by 1399. Personally I think a reliable company should honor its word or any price release for that matter. I would probably check some of the other merchants that was mentioned here

reeftool · 04-30-2011, 04:56 AM

I would imagine any of the high volume sellers like B&H would not have any old stock. One of the things I have learned through the years is that if the price is good, buy it now. Exchange rates are changing rapidly. Shipping costs are going up and I'm not talking about from the seller to us but from the overseas factories. Those costs get passed on in the price. There is a reason they print that little disclaimer "prices can change without notice". Expect prices to go even higher in the near future as the earthquake has disrupted the supply chain of electronic components. Our dollar is also loosing value so foreign products are going to cost more.

philbaum · 04-30-2011, 05:38 AM

B&H supplied my K5 about a month ago and i HIGHLY recommend them. No stain, no focus issue. I know some folks were unhappy at their changing their mind on price issue about that time, but there is nothing disreputable in that. heck, buyers change their minds all the time. great company

Adam · 04-30-2011, 12:04 PM

Check out the serial database- seems that the stain issue has is pretty much gone by now

03-22-2011, 10:46 PM	#1
macoy2003 New Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 9	credible online k-5 sellers, that has resolved the "stain" issue can anyone recommend a credible online k-5 seller(S), that has resolved the "stain" issue or is free from selling the stained sensor??

03-22-2011, 10:52 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	All new K-5's are stain-free. Get one from B&H and you'll have it stain-free, with the ability to get an exchange if for some reason happened to be damaged. Pentax K-5 Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) (Black) 14748 B&H Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

04-02-2011, 06:58 AM	#9
yelobone Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: cicero ny Posts: 5	Abes is overall a good dealer, great pricing, fast shipping. However, the chance of getting a stain free K-5 from them are slim. Last edited by yelobone; 04-02-2011 at 07:23 AM.

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03-22-2011, 11:28 PM	#3
JohnBee Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Newrfoundland Photos: Albums Posts: 4,667	I bought from Henry's and they specifically mentioned they rotated their K-5 stock for this reason. They also mentioned they would have no problems exchanging or refunding the camera in the event that it was problematic. However, I think most mainstream stores are selling updated units now.

03-23-2011, 08:10 AM	#4
BobRad Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 80	I received a K-5 from Abe's of Maine last week that had a serial number of 383XXX and an assortment of stains in the middle of the sensor. I sent it back and ordered one from Adorama and got a 393XXX serial number, firmware 1.01, but it is stain free - a keeper. No one I talked to at Abe's had any knowledge of the stain problem - one person thought I was returning it because of stains on the camera body Bob

03-25-2011, 10:57 PM	#5
macoy2003 New Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 9 Original Poster	thanks for the info. i'll probably would go with B&H since the last time i've heard they're now selling a 4XXXXX serial number, so i guess it is more recent. thanks

03-25-2011, 11:15 PM	#6
Smeggypants Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 1,536	Originally posted by macoy2003 thanks for the info. i'll probably would go with B&H since the last time I've heard they're now selling a 4XXXXX serial number, so i guess it is more recent. thanks Most, if not all, retailers are selling 4xxxxx serial# copies now. Those serials aren't exclusive to one retailer.

03-26-2011, 11:25 PM	#7
macoy2003 New Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Thanks for the info. i'm from Canada, and i plan to buy it from an online retailer in the US (like B&H), would i be covered by it's warranty?

03-27-2011, 04:38 AM	#8
OK5 Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 28	Originally posted by macoy2003 Thanks for the info. i'm from Canada, and i plan to buy it from an online retailer in the US (like B&H), would i be covered by it's warranty? Pentax offers a standard 2 year warranty if you buy their camera in Canada. Here is a link that explains how the warranty works if you buy your pentax elsewhere. It also explains the best shipping method to avoid unexpected costs. photoprice.ca: Buying Digital Cameras and Lenses Cheaply as a Canadian Good luck Jake

04-05-2011, 01:18 PM	#10
ndy4eva Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Vancouver, BC Canada Posts: 70	I bought my K-5 from ProDigital2000. They're based in ON, Canada and sells Pentax equipments with 2 years Canadian warranty. The price is pretty good as well ($1319 USD + tax, free shipping). My K-5 serial number starts with 400xxxxxx and it looks fine (so far). I was bit surpised to see fw v1.01 tho. Btw, it's an eBay seller.

04-07-2011, 05:11 PM	#11
Allison Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 667	I got mine from Adorama last month and it was 393XXXX and stain free. I did have to upgrade to 1.03 - it came 1.01. It had a January build date. FYI, there is an additional warranty the US customers can buy from B&H that is through Pentax and was only $20. It adds two additional years of warranty onto the camera for a total of 3.

04-30-2011, 02:11 AM	#12
macoy2003 New Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 9 Original Poster	Disappointed at B&H. Last March 29, 2011 i made an online reservation for a pentax k-5 body only worth 1299 (which the site says will be valid until April 2, 2011 of the same price, hence i've added it to my cart as a reserve). However, when i went back on the same site again the very next day (March 30) to make the actual order, they've increased the price by 1399. Personally I think a reliable company should honor its word or any price release for that matter. I would probably check some of the other merchants that was mentioned here

04-30-2011, 04:56 AM	#13
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	I would imagine any of the high volume sellers like B&H would not have any old stock. One of the things I have learned through the years is that if the price is good, buy it now. Exchange rates are changing rapidly. Shipping costs are going up and I'm not talking about from the seller to us but from the overseas factories. Those costs get passed on in the price. There is a reason they print that little disclaimer "prices can change without notice". Expect prices to go even higher in the near future as the earthquake has disrupted the supply chain of electronic components. Our dollar is also loosing value so foreign products are going to cost more.

04-30-2011, 05:38 AM	#14
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	B&H supplied my K5 about a month ago and i HIGHLY recommend them. No stain, no focus issue. I know some folks were unhappy at their changing their mind on price issue about that time, but there is nothing disreputable in that. heck, buyers change their minds all the time. great company

04-30-2011, 12:04 PM	#15
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Check out the serial database- seems that the stain issue has is pretty much gone by now

credible online k-5 sellers, that has resolved the "stain" issue

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!