K-5 Electronic Level

**jatrax** · 12-06-2011, 03:19 PM

I just unboxed my new k-5 and started running through the tests. One thing I noticed is the electronic level is inaccurate. It is tilted left maybe 5 dots on the gauge. I've read through the threads here concerning this and it seems returning or even sending it for repair is a toss up whether the new camera will be accurate or fixed or whether it will stay fixed. I've had it less than 24 hours but so far everything looks good except the level.

I really do not want to part with the camera but....

So I'm looking for some advice:
1) Return it as defective and ask for a new one
2) Send it in for warranty repair
3) Turn it off and ignore it

What do you think?

RonHendriks1966 · 12-06-2011, 03:21 PM

Well if you know by what degree it is off, you just compensate and tilt it to the right.

I vote for ignore the thing and just take pictures.

SpecialK · 12-06-2011, 03:21 PM

Multiple threads going about this problem. I don't use it.

**Ex Finn.** · 12-06-2011, 03:29 PM

Off by 5 dots is a lot. I would get it exchanged! because knowing it is not right, even if not using the feature, would bother me.

ilico97 · 12-06-2011, 04:01 PM

I received my K-5 yesterday and mine has the same problem. At first, I just thought that I had no luck. However, after reading threads here, I noticed that this problem is more common than I thought. Electronic level itself is not a very important feature, but I’m worried that it might be related to misalignment of accelerometer axes that could affect shake reduction. I’m going to exchange mine, but not sure whether the next one would be fine.

**WillWeaverRVA** · 12-06-2011, 04:03 PM

Is it not possible to calibrate the level somehow without having to just send the camera in for service?

**Ex Finn.** · 12-06-2011, 04:06 PM

Nope. Must send in.

Adam · 12-06-2011, 08:04 PM

Make sure you upgrade the firmware first.

vonBaloney · 12-06-2011, 08:07 PM

Is the level used for horizon correction?

twitch · 12-06-2011, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

Is the level used for horizon correction?

Yes it is

vonBaloney · 12-06-2011, 08:51 PM

Originally posted by twitch

Yes it is

Then the level needs to be calibrated correctly or it would make your pictures crooked, even the ones you took level.

cbope · 12-06-2011, 11:25 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

Then the level needs to be calibrated correctly or it would make your pictures crooked, even the ones you took level.

Correct. There is a thread in this forum with some examples of a badly tilted horizon.

I haven't checked my K-5 level yet, I feel it may be off but only by a small amount. It's not an important feature to me and I don't use horizon correction. Although I do feel it is a let-down that the user can't calibrate this without sending it in for repair. I hope that they will add calibration in a future firmware.

**jatrax** · 12-07-2011, 11:21 AM

Just received a reply back from my inquiry at Pentax. They recommend returning it to the dealer for replacement. Wish I could be confident a replacement would be better. I really do not want to be without a camera for 2 weeks.

ilico97 · 12-23-2011, 04:12 PM

I got a replacement K-5, but it's level meter is also off by 3 dots

Now I'm not sure whether it's worth to spend two more weeks for another replacement.

SpecialK · 12-23-2011, 04:20 PM

One of my most-used tools in Elements is...the level tool. Just draw a line across the image, and the software rotates the image to make the line horizontal.

12-06-2011, 03:19 PM	#1
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	K-5 Electronic Level I just unboxed my new k-5 and started running through the tests. One thing I noticed is the electronic level is inaccurate. It is tilted left maybe 5 dots on the gauge. I've read through the threads here concerning this and it seems returning or even sending it for repair is a toss up whether the new camera will be accurate or fixed or whether it will stay fixed. I've had it less than 24 hours but so far everything looks good except the level. I really do not want to part with the camera but.... So I'm looking for some advice: 1) Return it as defective and ask for a new one 2) Send it in for warranty repair 3) Turn it off and ignore it What do you think?

12-06-2011, 08:04 PM	#8
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Make sure you upgrade the firmware first. 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:

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12-06-2011, 03:21 PM	#2
RonHendriks1966 Banned Join Date: Jan 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,675	Well if you know by what degree it is off, you just compensate and tilt it to the right. I vote for ignore the thing and just take pictures.

12-06-2011, 03:21 PM	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	Multiple threads going about this problem. I don't use it.

12-06-2011, 03:29 PM	#4
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Off by 5 dots is a lot. I would get it exchanged! because knowing it is not right, even if not using the feature, would bother me.

12-06-2011, 04:01 PM	#5
ilico97 New Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Seattle, WA, Seoul, Korea Posts: 4	I received my K-5 yesterday and mine has the same problem. At first, I just thought that I had no luck. However, after reading threads here, I noticed that this problem is more common than I thought. Electronic level itself is not a very important feature, but I’m worried that it might be related to misalignment of accelerometer axes that could affect shake reduction. I’m going to exchange mine, but not sure whether the next one would be fine.

12-06-2011, 04:03 PM	#6
WillWeaverRVA Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Richmond, VA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,071	Is it not possible to calibrate the level somehow without having to just send the camera in for service?

12-06-2011, 04:06 PM	#7
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	Nope. Must send in.

12-06-2011, 08:07 PM	#9
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Is the level used for horizon correction?

12-06-2011, 08:24 PM	#10
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by vonBaloney Is the level used for horizon correction? Yes it is

12-06-2011, 08:51 PM	#11
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Originally posted by twitch Yes it is Then the level needs to be calibrated correctly or it would make your pictures crooked, even the ones you took level.

12-06-2011, 11:25 PM	#12
cbope Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Helsinki Posts: 664	Originally posted by vonBaloney Then the level needs to be calibrated correctly or it would make your pictures crooked, even the ones you took level. Correct. There is a thread in this forum with some examples of a badly tilted horizon. I haven't checked my K-5 level yet, I feel it may be off but only by a small amount. It's not an important feature to me and I don't use horizon correction. Although I do feel it is a let-down that the user can't calibrate this without sending it in for repair. I hope that they will add calibration in a future firmware.

12-07-2011, 11:21 AM	#13
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991 Original Poster	Just received a reply back from my inquiry at Pentax. They recommend returning it to the dealer for replacement. Wish I could be confident a replacement would be better. I really do not want to be without a camera for 2 weeks.

12-23-2011, 04:12 PM	#14
ilico97 New Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Seattle, WA, Seoul, Korea Posts: 4	I got a replacement K-5, but it's level meter is also off by 3 dots Now I'm not sure whether it's worth to spend two more weeks for another replacement.

12-23-2011, 04:20 PM	#15
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,480	One of my most-used tools in Elements is...the level tool. Just draw a line across the image, and the software rotates the image to make the line horizontal.