Brand new K-5... dust under LCD glass. Now what?

jcob · 04-05-2012, 10:03 PM

Yesterday, I received my K-5 from B&H, and right out of the box, it unfortunately had a fairly large piece of dust under the rear LCD glass (picture attached below, but I don't know how easy it will be to see on the web). It was even noticeable when the LCD was turned on at normal brightness. I'm worried that it might have to do with a problem with how the LCD glass was sealed, as I read in another thread that people had related dust problems. Or, it could have accidentally gotten under there during the assembly process. Either way, I plan to get it exchanged. With B&H closed for the holiday, I feel like it will probably take a fairly long time to get this replaced. Does anyone know if I can still begin the exchange process even while B&H is closed so that they can ship a new one as soon as they open again on the 15th?

This is quite frustrating as I was really looking forward to using my new K-5, and now I have to wait even longer.

If anyone has any other suggestions/advice for me, I would appreciate it. This is the first time that I have needed to exchange something.

Attached Images

Adam · 04-05-2012, 10:24 PM

Mine came with a hot pixel on the back LCD. These sorts of manufacturing defects happen- you could get a replacement camera, but it might not be worth the effort IMHO. I've gotten used to the pixel and I hardly even notice it any more.

**crewl1** · 04-05-2012, 10:39 PM

Dust behind the Lcd is different I think because it hints at a compromised weather seal.
I would ask for an exchange.

cjb169 · 05-06-2012, 10:54 AM

I have the same issue - one spec of dust that is visible with LCD on or off - looks like a call in order for service. Plus, my level is off as well. Recent build of Feb 2012 - so it seems there are still some QC issues, though no where near as bad as the early staining issues.

**TAP** · 05-06-2012, 05:48 PM - **1 Like**

A spec of dust!? What a catastrophe! What ever shal you do now!?

cjb169 · 05-06-2012, 05:55 PM

So I take it you are ok with dust under the LCD screen on a weather sealed camera? If the seal is not proper it will be a catastrophe if water or more dust gets in. Thanks for your helpful response.

kwk1 · 05-06-2012, 11:06 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by cjb169

So I take it you are ok with dust under the LCD screen on a weather sealed camera? If the seal is not proper it will be a catastrophe if water or more dust gets in. Thanks for your helpful response.

I highly doubt the dust got in after the camera was assembled.
If the dust is a bother, exchange it, otherwise I'm sure the weathersealing is just fine.

**TAP** · 05-07-2012, 12:11 AM

Originally posted by cjb169

So I take it you are ok with dust under the LCD screen on a weather sealed camera? If the seal is not proper it will be a catastrophe if water or more dust gets in. Thanks for your helpful response.

You know what, I'm sorry. That was rude of me. I forget how important such an investment can be and I understand your concern with the camera.

In response to your question though; yes, I'm pretty okay with 1 spec of dust under the protector of my weather sealed screen. Especially if I purchased the camera new. Buck up, you've got a return policy and a mfr warranty on your side. If I were you, I would have been out shooting with it already. If my memory serves me correctly, you can return a product for being defective, even if you have used it already.

If you're so concerned about the weather sealing, why don't you put it to the test? Go outside, grab a hose, rinse. Check the screen, test camera functioning, repeat. If you're right, and the weather sealing is faulty, congrats. Your warranty just awarded you either a new camera, or a free repair.

Dirtistasty2 · 05-07-2012, 02:58 PM

The dust does not mean the weather sealing is faulty. The weather sealed part is behind the screen protector. There's a few other threads that about this too. That screen protector is just double-sided sticky taped on and can be replaced.

simico · 05-08-2012, 01:16 AM

I wouldn't worry if it's just one or two spec of dust here or there. However if it starts to accumulate, i.e. you see more and more dust after some time then I'd surely return it or send it in for repair.

riveredger · 05-09-2012, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by Dirtistasty2

. That screen protector is just double-sided sticky taped on and can be replaced.

Do you happen to know the part # or where I can order a replacement for that factory protector?

freddykrueger · 05-09-2012, 02:51 PM

I actually agree with TAP. Spec of dust under is nothing. Why would you want to replace it if the camera is otherwise perfectly fine? The weather sealing is obviously completely fine and the bit of dust got there during the assembly process. Please, just go shooting and don't continue with this nonsense anymore.

Dirtistasty2 · 05-09-2012, 04:31 PM

Originally posted by riveredger

Do you happen to know the part # or where I can order a replacement for that factory protector?

Sorry, don't know the p/n. A quick call to Pentax customer service should be able to sort it out:
Product Repair & Service - PENTAX Imaging USA

Eberbachl · 05-09-2012, 04:36 PM

I hear what other posters are saying about the fact that the camera is fine, and the weather sealing is not likely compromised. However, that little speck would bug the hell out of me! Every time I saw it I would want to rub it off...

I'd return it, but that's just me

riveredger · 05-09-2012, 06:46 PM

Originally posted by Dirtistasty2

Sorry, don't know the p/n. A quick call to Pentax customer service should be able to sort it out:
Product Repair & Service - PENTAX Imaging USA

Thanks - will give them a shout tomorrow.

04-05-2012, 10:03 PM	#1
jcob New Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 15	Brand new K-5... dust under LCD glass. Now what? Yesterday, I received my K-5 from B&H, and right out of the box, it unfortunately had a fairly large piece of dust under the rear LCD glass (picture attached below, but I don't know how easy it will be to see on the web). It was even noticeable when the LCD was turned on at normal brightness. I'm worried that it might have to do with a problem with how the LCD glass was sealed, as I read in another thread that people had related dust problems. Or, it could have accidentally gotten under there during the assembly process. Either way, I plan to get it exchanged. With B&H closed for the holiday, I feel like it will probably take a fairly long time to get this replaced. Does anyone know if I can still begin the exchange process even while B&H is closed so that they can ship a new one as soon as they open again on the 15th? This is quite frustrating as I was really looking forward to using my new K-5, and now I have to wait even longer. If anyone has any other suggestions/advice for me, I would appreciate it. This is the first time that I have needed to exchange something. Attached Images

04-05-2012, 10:24 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	Mine came with a hot pixel on the back LCD. These sorts of manufacturing defects happen- you could get a replacement camera, but it might not be worth the effort IMHO. I've gotten used to the pixel and I hardly even notice it any more. 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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04-05-2012, 10:39 PM	#3
crewl1 Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Los Angeles, CA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,807	Dust behind the Lcd is different I think because it hints at a compromised weather seal. I would ask for an exchange.

05-06-2012, 10:54 AM	#4
cjb169 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 26	I have the same issue - one spec of dust that is visible with LCD on or off - looks like a call in order for service. Plus, my level is off as well. Recent build of Feb 2012 - so it seems there are still some QC issues, though no where near as bad as the early staining issues.

05-06-2012, 05:48 PM - 1 Like	#5
TAP Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 121	A spec of dust!? What a catastrophe! What ever shal you do now!?

05-06-2012, 05:55 PM	#6
cjb169 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 26	So I take it you are ok with dust under the LCD screen on a weather sealed camera? If the seal is not proper it will be a catastrophe if water or more dust gets in. Thanks for your helpful response.

05-06-2012, 11:06 PM - 1 Like	#7
kwk1 New Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: MB, CANADA Posts: 12	Originally posted by cjb169 So I take it you are ok with dust under the LCD screen on a weather sealed camera? If the seal is not proper it will be a catastrophe if water or more dust gets in. Thanks for your helpful response. I highly doubt the dust got in after the camera was assembled. If the dust is a bother, exchange it, otherwise I'm sure the weathersealing is just fine.

05-07-2012, 12:11 AM	#8
TAP Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 121	Originally posted by cjb169 So I take it you are ok with dust under the LCD screen on a weather sealed camera? If the seal is not proper it will be a catastrophe if water or more dust gets in. Thanks for your helpful response. You know what, I'm sorry. That was rude of me. I forget how important such an investment can be and I understand your concern with the camera. In response to your question though; yes, I'm pretty okay with 1 spec of dust under the protector of my weather sealed screen. Especially if I purchased the camera new. Buck up, you've got a return policy and a mfr warranty on your side. If I were you, I would have been out shooting with it already. If my memory serves me correctly, you can return a product for being defective, even if you have used it already. If you're so concerned about the weather sealing, why don't you put it to the test? Go outside, grab a hose, rinse. Check the screen, test camera functioning, repeat. If you're right, and the weather sealing is faulty, congrats. Your warranty just awarded you either a new camera, or a free repair.

05-07-2012, 02:58 PM	#9
Dirtistasty2 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 325	The dust does not mean the weather sealing is faulty. The weather sealed part is behind the screen protector. There's a few other threads that about this too. That screen protector is just double-sided sticky taped on and can be replaced.

05-08-2012, 01:16 AM	#10
simico Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Budapest Posts: 821	I wouldn't worry if it's just one or two spec of dust here or there. However if it starts to accumulate, i.e. you see more and more dust after some time then I'd surely return it or send it in for repair.

05-09-2012, 02:29 PM	#11
riveredger Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery Posts: 77	Originally posted by Dirtistasty2 . That screen protector is just double-sided sticky taped on and can be replaced. Do you happen to know the part # or where I can order a replacement for that factory protector?

05-09-2012, 02:51 PM	#12
freddykrueger Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Czech Republic Photos: Gallery Posts: 80	I actually agree with TAP. Spec of dust under is nothing. Why would you want to replace it if the camera is otherwise perfectly fine? The weather sealing is obviously completely fine and the bit of dust got there during the assembly process. Please, just go shooting and don't continue with this nonsense anymore.

05-09-2012, 04:31 PM	#13
Dirtistasty2 Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 325	Originally posted by riveredger Do you happen to know the part # or where I can order a replacement for that factory protector? Sorry, don't know the p/n. A quick call to Pentax customer service should be able to sort it out: Product Repair & Service - PENTAX Imaging USA

05-09-2012, 04:36 PM	#14
Eberbachl Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Doreen Posts: 111	I hear what other posters are saying about the fact that the camera is fine, and the weather sealing is not likely compromised. However, that little speck would bug the hell out of me! Every time I saw it I would want to rub it off... I'd return it, but that's just me

05-09-2012, 06:46 PM	#15
riveredger Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery Posts: 77	Originally posted by Dirtistasty2 Sorry, don't know the p/n. A quick call to Pentax customer service should be able to sort it out: Product Repair & Service - PENTAX Imaging USA Thanks - will give them a shout tomorrow.