What's going on with Pentax?

Tony3d · 08-26-2011, 09:01 PM

Now that I ordered my K5, I'm realizing that a rather large group of people on other forms are complaining about this mirror flop thing. How wide spread is this. Seems like lately it's always something with Pentax. I'm wondering if I should cancel my order right now?

**mtngal** · 08-26-2011, 09:07 PM

I haven't had any incident with this at all. If the problem really is connected to overcharged batteries I wouldn't probably see it as I rotate my batteries so whatever goes into the camera has been in my camera bag for days, possibly weeks. If there's some other reason for causing cameras to do this, it doesn't affect mine.

liukaitc · 08-26-2011, 09:54 PM

But think this way...people have their camera allright would not post a thread say hey, my camera works allright, no problem....that is kind silly....right?

so I do not know how large is the group of people that have problem with the camera...

maybe that is a tiny amount compare to people have their camera allright...

**rod_grant** · 08-26-2011, 10:16 PM

I know a chap who bought a new Ford; when he took it in for its first service, he had a list of 32 items to be attended to under warranty.
Would you now buy a Ford?
Yes there have been a few issues with the K5, just like with every other camera and with most technological consumer items. That's why we make sure we get a warranty.
But the vast majority of K5 users seem to be very happy with the camera and recommend it to others.
You will even find threads here started by Nikon and Canon (ex-) users who have swapped to the K5 without regret.

silverelantra · 08-26-2011, 10:30 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Tony3d

Now that I ordered my K5, I'm realizing that a rather large group of people on other forms are complaining about this mirror flop thing. How wide spread is this. Seems like lately it's always something with Pentax. I'm wondering if I should cancel my order right now?

With so many thread you make about this purchase, I assume you already well informed. Just lay back and relax.. have fun with it and don't forget to buy extended warranty and keep the warranty card in a safe place. After all, it's only a $1300 gear

Bad Joke

, The situation is if you are now camera-less and If you're looking for a superb high iso performance and wider DR you make an excellent choice. Don't worry too much, it's a damn fine camera.. just make sure they give you the latest production -just in case-

sjwaldron · 08-26-2011, 11:07 PM

They are talking about it over there? It isn't me as I haven't posted there in a long time, but I do have the issue. I'm hopefully it will be resolved soon as I just sent it in today for a second round of service.

A what-if-just-maybe-it-could-happen-to-me attitude will make you miss out on a powerful camera. I don't think the chance of having any type of issue is a reason to cancel a purchase of something that can be a good tool for your photography. I'd say you are much more likely to accidentally drop the camera than to have a manufacturing defect.

SteveM · 08-26-2011, 11:12 PM

I have or have had a couple of K5s and 3 K7s, 3 K20ds and have yet to see any of the issues people talk about. I'm sure there are issues but I suspect they are the same or less than the rate for Cannon or Nikon.

adr1an · 08-26-2011, 11:39 PM

At any rate, they now have a name for the issue and are promptly turning around affected units (at this point in time it would seem).

Refer to https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/1625084-post220.html and other posts in that thread.

Regardless of how wide spread the issue is or isn't, given there is now a 'standard repair' it would indicate that whatever borderline components that where involved have been fixed and the fix would most likely have been incorporated back into production process for any current 'in-build' units.

Much like the "String of Pearls" problem - I think its a dead issue now moving forward that will decrease in occurrence over the next few months... And no worse of an issue than other problems plaguing other similar generation DSLRs out there (the D7000 springs to mind...) so certainly doesn't subtract from Pentax as a Marque in my mind...

**Schraubstock** · 08-26-2011, 11:50 PM

Originally posted by Tony3d

Now that I ordered my K5, I'm realizing that a rather large group of people on other forms are complaining about this mirror flop thing. How wide spread is this. Seems like lately it's always something with Pentax. I'm wondering if I should cancel my order right now?

Hi
I was one of those with a mirror flopping cam, took it back, got fixed (12 days) and now all is well. As I understand it there was a small amount of faulty Mainboards with faulty components to blame. Most likely a parts supplier to Pentax who screwed up. Can happen to any electronic gear. Go and buy the cam she's a ripper.

Greetings

**Rondec** · 08-27-2011, 04:12 AM

Just know that your camera is covered under warranty for the next year. If there are problems (whatever they are) get it fixed. With any electronic device there is a possibility of problem and folks that have problems are bound to be louder than those who don't have them.

Tony3d · 08-27-2011, 05:10 AM

Problem is I'm leaving on a two week trip to Italy in November. With the excessively long repair times, I may be leaving without a camera! That would suck!

**EricBrown** · 08-27-2011, 05:29 AM

I have no issues with my K-5. Works great! I have a K-20D and had the K-200D and K-110D and never had any issues with quality control.

**Schraubstock** · 08-27-2011, 05:54 AM

Originally posted by Tony3d

Problem is I'm leaving on a two week trip to Italy in November. With the excessively long repair times, I may be leaving without a camera! That would suck!

Should not matter because it does not effect picture taking. My camera started mirror flopping while I was in New York some 4 weeks ago. It was coming and going a bit but the cam still took perfect pictures. Just a small amount of cams were effected, they should be all sorted out by now.

Stop worrying. Look at it this way, you yourself could also develop a fault while away from home - like a bad tooth ache , right?

Greetings

**TER-OR** · 08-29-2011, 05:48 AM

Mine froze a couple times one weekend, removing the battery fixed it each time. After the last recharge, no freezes. I haven't had any other issues with the camera before or since.

Wheatfield · 08-29-2011, 09:31 AM - **2 Likes**

People who have broken cameras tend to get onto photo forums because they feel the need to tell their own personal story of woe. People who don't have broken cameras feel no such compulsion, since they have no sadness to share.
Consequently, photo forums tend to be filled by people who have camera problems.
This makes it look a lot worse than it is, since most of the posts are about camera problems.
Meanwhile the 97% or more of people who don't have camera problems happily go about their days, taking wonderful pictures of furry kittens and cute puppies cavorting on verdant lawns beside beautiful flower beds.
And some people read the forums because they enjoy a good train wreck.

08-26-2011, 09:01 PM	#1
Tony3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 487	What's going on with Pentax? Now that I ordered my K5, I'm realizing that a rather large group of people on other forms are complaining about this mirror flop thing. How wide spread is this. Seems like lately it's always something with Pentax. I'm wondering if I should cancel my order right now?

08-26-2011, 09:07 PM	#2
mtngal Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wherever I’m Parked Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,003	I haven't had any incident with this at all. If the problem really is connected to overcharged batteries I wouldn't probably see it as I rotate my batteries so whatever goes into the camera has been in my camera bag for days, possibly weeks. If there's some other reason for causing cameras to do this, it doesn't affect mine.

08-26-2011, 09:54 PM	#3
liukaitc Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: New York Photos: Albums Posts: 1,008	But think this way...people have their camera allright would not post a thread say hey, my camera works allright, no problem....that is kind silly....right? so I do not know how large is the group of people that have problem with the camera... maybe that is a tiny amount compare to people have their camera allright...

08-26-2011, 10:16 PM	#4
rod_grant Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Wangaratta, Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,951	I know a chap who bought a new Ford; when he took it in for its first service, he had a list of 32 items to be attended to under warranty. Would you now buy a Ford? Yes there have been a few issues with the K5, just like with every other camera and with most technological consumer items. That's why we make sure we get a warranty. But the vast majority of K5 users seem to be very happy with the camera and recommend it to others. You will even find threads here started by Nikon and Canon (ex-) users who have swapped to the K5 without regret.

08-26-2011, 10:30 PM - 1 Like	#5
silverelantra Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Jakarta Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 104	Originally posted by Tony3d Now that I ordered my K5, I'm realizing that a rather large group of people on other forms are complaining about this mirror flop thing. How wide spread is this. Seems like lately it's always something with Pentax. I'm wondering if I should cancel my order right now? With so many thread you make about this purchase, I assume you already well informed. Just lay back and relax.. have fun with it and don't forget to buy extended warranty and keep the warranty card in a safe place. After all, it's only a $1300 gear Bad Joke , The situation is if you are now camera-less and If you're looking for a superb high iso performance and wider DR you make an excellent choice. Don't worry too much, it's a damn fine camera.. just make sure they give you the latest production -just in case-

08-26-2011, 11:07 PM	#6
sjwaldron Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,235	They are talking about it over there? It isn't me as I haven't posted there in a long time, but I do have the issue. I'm hopefully it will be resolved soon as I just sent it in today for a second round of service. A what-if-just-maybe-it-could-happen-to-me attitude will make you miss out on a powerful camera. I don't think the chance of having any type of issue is a reason to cancel a purchase of something that can be a good tool for your photography. I'd say you are much more likely to accidentally drop the camera than to have a manufacturing defect.

08-26-2011, 11:12 PM	#7
SteveM Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Vancouver Island, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,294	I have or have had a couple of K5s and 3 K7s, 3 K20ds and have yet to see any of the issues people talk about. I'm sure there are issues but I suspect they are the same or less than the rate for Cannon or Nikon.

08-26-2011, 11:39 PM	#8
adr1an Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 739	At any rate, they now have a name for the issue and are promptly turning around affected units (at this point in time it would seem). Refer to https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/1625084-post220.html and other posts in that thread. Regardless of how wide spread the issue is or isn't, given there is now a 'standard repair' it would indicate that whatever borderline components that where involved have been fixed and the fix would most likely have been incorporated back into production process for any current 'in-build' units. Much like the "String of Pearls" problem - I think its a dead issue now moving forward that will decrease in occurrence over the next few months... And no worse of an issue than other problems plaguing other similar generation DSLRs out there (the D7000 springs to mind...) so certainly doesn't subtract from Pentax as a Marque in my mind...

08-26-2011, 11:50 PM	#9
Schraubstock Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,386	Originally posted by Tony3d Now that I ordered my K5, I'm realizing that a rather large group of people on other forms are complaining about this mirror flop thing. How wide spread is this. Seems like lately it's always something with Pentax. I'm wondering if I should cancel my order right now? Hi I was one of those with a mirror flopping cam, took it back, got fixed (12 days) and now all is well. As I understand it there was a small amount of faulty Mainboards with faulty components to blame. Most likely a parts supplier to Pentax who screwed up. Can happen to any electronic gear. Go and buy the cam she's a ripper. Greetings

08-27-2011, 04:12 AM	#10
Rondec Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gladys, Virginia Photos: Gallery Posts: 27,650	Just know that your camera is covered under warranty for the next year. If there are problems (whatever they are) get it fixed. With any electronic device there is a possibility of problem and folks that have problems are bound to be louder than those who don't have them.

08-27-2011, 05:10 AM	#11
Tony3d Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 487 Original Poster	Problem is I'm leaving on a two week trip to Italy in November. With the excessively long repair times, I may be leaving without a camera! That would suck!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

08-27-2011, 05:29 AM	#12
EricBrown Site Supporter Join Date: May 2011 Location: Arlington, VA USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,060	I have no issues with my K-5. Works great! I have a K-20D and had the K-200D and K-110D and never had any issues with quality control.

08-27-2011, 05:54 AM	#13
Schraubstock Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Melbourne Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,386	Originally posted by Tony3d Problem is I'm leaving on a two week trip to Italy in November. With the excessively long repair times, I may be leaving without a camera! That would suck! Should not matter because it does not effect picture taking. My camera started mirror flopping while I was in New York some 4 weeks ago. It was coming and going a bit but the cam still took perfect pictures. Just a small amount of cams were effected, they should be all sorted out by now. Stop worrying. Look at it this way, you yourself could also develop a fault while away from home - like a bad tooth ache , right? Greetings

08-29-2011, 05:48 AM	#14
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	Mine froze a couple times one weekend, removing the battery fixed it each time. After the last recharge, no freezes. I haven't had any other issues with the camera before or since.

08-29-2011, 09:31 AM - 2 Likes	#15
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,976	People who have broken cameras tend to get onto photo forums because they feel the need to tell their own personal story of woe. People who don't have broken cameras feel no such compulsion, since they have no sadness to share. Consequently, photo forums tend to be filled by people who have camera problems. This makes it look a lot worse than it is, since most of the posts are about camera problems. Meanwhile the 97% or more of people who don't have camera problems happily go about their days, taking wonderful pictures of furry kittens and cute puppies cavorting on verdant lawns beside beautiful flower beds. And some people read the forums because they enjoy a good train wreck.