Just bought a K5, should I be worried?

red5isalive · 10-28-2014, 08:42 AM

Originally posted by aleonx3

Just check the serial numbers of k-5 reported by users here and you will likely have some idea as to when yours is manufactured.
Pentax K-5 Serial Numbers - Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com

I don't think you need to worry about it if the production of your camera has passed one year after it was first introduced.

Thank you very much aleonx3

JohnX · 10-28-2014, 09:12 AM

Isn't manufacture date in the exif data? Or have I got that all wrong??

red5isalive · 10-28-2014, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by JohnX

Isn't manufacture date in the exif data? Or have I got that all wrong??

It might be John, no idea really. I could not find it on the Exif data at Flickr, but I have found my camera's ID.

aleonx3 · 10-28-2014, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by red5isalive

It might be John, no idea really. I could not find it on the Exif data at Flickr, but I have found my camera's ID.

Download "PhotoME" software and open a RAW/JPG file from camera after you installed the software, you will find the "Manufacture Date?" from the EXIF data.

Adam · 10-28-2014, 09:20 AM

Originally posted by red5isalive

After happily buying a 2nd hand K5 in Japan in my last holidays a week ago not even, and use the body for one single day very happily I came to the spanish forum (Pentaxeros.com) and read in the K5 section that many K5's have had problems, mirror problems, sensor issues, and even they just "die" and do not take any more pictures,

Most of those issues (I think only the sensor stain one was actually a big problem) date all the way back to 2010 and have long since been resolved. There's always a risk when you buy second-hand, but if you got a more recent body, you should be in good shape. Be sure to check your camera for stains and return it if you find any.

VisualDarkness · 10-28-2014, 09:49 AM

Every "affordable" camera model will have some faulty units, most at the the start of the production. Quality control gets extremely expensive to improve when it's already good. Heck, even Leica and Hasselblad got warranty repairs for a reason. I've not seen anything that points to K-5 being worse than the rest.

**tlong423** · 10-28-2014, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by red5isalive

. . . So I wanted to ask you guys, about this camera issues and if you overhall are happy with the K5 or if I might have done a mistake by buying a copy.

My wife and I each own a K-5. They are excellent cameras, very rugged and reliable, and extremely nice to use. We have never had any issues with these cameras, whatsoever (and we use them a lot).

MarkJerling · 10-28-2014, 12:26 PM

I have not had any problems with my K-5. It's a superb camera.

dakight · 10-28-2014, 01:22 PM

You've already bought it so unless you are having a specific problem right now, quit worrying and just enjoy it. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." A fancy way of saying that most of us have enough to worry about already without borrowing trouble, that may never happen, from the future.

red5isalive · 10-29-2014, 01:36 AM

Originally posted by aleonx3

Download "PhotoME" software and open a RAW/JPG file from camera after you installed the software, you will find the "Manufacture Date?" from the EXIF data.

Thank you John, will do it today.

Originally posted by Adam

Most of those issues (I think only the sensor stain one was actually a big problem) date all the way back to 2010 and have long since been resolved. There's always a risk when you buy second-hand, but if you got a more recent body, you should be in good shape. Be sure to check your camera for stains and return it if you find any.

Originally posted by VisualDarkness

Every "affordable" camera model will have some faulty units, most at the the start of the production. Quality control gets extremely expensive to improve when it's already good. Heck, even Leica and Hasselblad got warranty repairs for a reason. I've not seen anything that points to K-5 being worse than the rest.

Originally posted by tlong423

My wife and I each own a K-5. They are excellent cameras, very rugged and reliable, and extremely nice to use. We have never had any issues with these cameras, whatsoever (and we use them a lot).

Originally posted by MarkJerling

I have not had any problems with my K-5. It's a superb camera.

Originally posted by dakight

You've already bought it so unless you are having a specific problem right now, quit worrying and just enjoy it. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." A fancy way of saying that most of us have enough to worry about already without borrowing trouble, that may never happen, from the future.

Thank you guys you are all right and I really appreciate all your comments, thank you!

EJMzagsfan · 11-01-2014, 12:58 AM

I would just go out and shoot and enjoy your awesome camera. As many here can attest most wont have problems. I would argue against the fact they have everything smoothed with the newer productions. Mine is a later production and the mirror started flopping at about 20,000 shots. The camera still wks well as long as i don't charge the battery completely.

Worrying about what could happen is pretty pointless, at least for me anyways. I wouldnt have gotten rid of my camera even if I would have known it was going to flop because Ive gotten so much enjoyment from it so far.

red5isalive · 11-02-2014, 12:00 PM

Originally posted by EJMzagsfan

I would just go out and shoot and enjoy your awesome camera. As many here can attest most wont have problems. I would argue against the fact they have everything smoothed with the newer productions. Mine is a later production and the mirror started flopping at about 20,000 shots. The camera still wks well as long as i don't charge the battery completely.

Worrying about what could happen is pretty pointless, at least for me anyways. I wouldnt have gotten rid of my camera even if I would have known it was going to flop because Ive gotten so much enjoyment from it so far.

Thank you EJMzagsfan, you are right, worring makes no sense. Just my thoughts where if I should keep it or not, as I was convinced it's a beast of a camera before buying it and reading those stories at the spanish forum from some guys (one even had 6 K5 with issues....) but after so many answers I see I shouldn't be worried

phoenixvision · 11-02-2014, 12:21 PM

I think by now, you realize you have a jewel and there is nothing to worry about.....I shoot with a k5 and a k3....the k5 is my workhorse, it has never let me down...the only real issue I have with it is the low light focusing....but it is stellar......

red5isalive · 11-03-2014, 01:26 AM

Originally posted by phoenixvision

I think by now, you realize you have a jewel and there is nothing to worry about.....I shoot with a k5 and a k3....the k5 is my workhorse, it has never let me down...the only real issue I have with it is the low light focusing....but it is stellar......

Thank you phoenixvision

I have to take it outside and start doing pictures with

MarkJerling · 11-03-2014, 01:57 AM

Originally posted by red5isalive

Thank you John, will do it today.

Thank you guys you are all right and I really appreciate all your comments, thank you!

You're most welcome. I should add that I dropped K-5 a few weeks back and camera is perfect. Lens shattered the UV filter I had on the front, but that was the only damage. These things are built tough!

10-28-2014, 09:20 AM	#20
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by red5isalive After happily buying a 2nd hand K5 in Japan in my last holidays a week ago not even, and use the body for one single day very happily I came to the spanish forum (Pentaxeros.com) and read in the K5 section that many K5's have had problems, mirror problems, sensor issues, and even they just "die" and do not take any more pictures, Most of those issues (I think only the sensor stain one was actually a big problem) date all the way back to 2010 and have long since been resolved. There's always a risk when you buy second-hand, but if you got a more recent body, you should be in good shape. Be sure to check your camera for stains and return it if you find any. 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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10-28-2014, 08:42 AM	#16
red5isalive Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Barcelona Posts: 659 Original Poster	Originally posted by aleonx3 Just check the serial numbers of k-5 reported by users here and you will likely have some idea as to when yours is manufactured. Pentax K-5 Serial Numbers - Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com I don't think you need to worry about it if the production of your camera has passed one year after it was first introduced. Thank you very much aleonx3

10-28-2014, 09:12 AM	#17
JohnX Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,116	Isn't manufacture date in the exif data? Or have I got that all wrong??

10-28-2014, 09:16 AM	#18
red5isalive Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Barcelona Posts: 659 Original Poster	Originally posted by JohnX Isn't manufacture date in the exif data? Or have I got that all wrong?? It might be John, no idea really. I could not find it on the Exif data at Flickr, but I have found my camera's ID.

10-28-2014, 09:20 AM	#19
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by red5isalive It might be John, no idea really. I could not find it on the Exif data at Flickr, but I have found my camera's ID. Download "PhotoME" software and open a RAW/JPG file from camera after you installed the software, you will find the "Manufacture Date?" from the EXIF data.

10-28-2014, 09:49 AM	#21
VisualDarkness Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Uppsala, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,439	Every "affordable" camera model will have some faulty units, most at the the start of the production. Quality control gets extremely expensive to improve when it's already good. Heck, even Leica and Hasselblad got warranty repairs for a reason. I've not seen anything that points to K-5 being worse than the rest.

10-28-2014, 10:17 AM	#22
tlong423 Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Kansas City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 194	Originally posted by red5isalive . . . So I wanted to ask you guys, about this camera issues and if you overhall are happy with the K5 or if I might have done a mistake by buying a copy. My wife and I each own a K-5. They are excellent cameras, very rugged and reliable, and extremely nice to use. We have never had any issues with these cameras, whatsoever (and we use them a lot).

10-28-2014, 12:26 PM	#23
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,422	I have not had any problems with my K-5. It's a superb camera.

10-28-2014, 01:22 PM	#24
dakight Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,216	You've already bought it so unless you are having a specific problem right now, quit worrying and just enjoy it. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." A fancy way of saying that most of us have enough to worry about already without borrowing trouble, that may never happen, from the future.

10-29-2014, 01:36 AM	#25
red5isalive Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Barcelona Posts: 659 Original Poster	Originally posted by aleonx3 Download "PhotoME" software and open a RAW/JPG file from camera after you installed the software, you will find the "Manufacture Date?" from the EXIF data. Thank you John, will do it today. Originally posted by Adam Most of those issues (I think only the sensor stain one was actually a big problem) date all the way back to 2010 and have long since been resolved. There's always a risk when you buy second-hand, but if you got a more recent body, you should be in good shape. Be sure to check your camera for stains and return it if you find any. Originally posted by VisualDarkness Every "affordable" camera model will have some faulty units, most at the the start of the production. Quality control gets extremely expensive to improve when it's already good. Heck, even Leica and Hasselblad got warranty repairs for a reason. I've not seen anything that points to K-5 being worse than the rest. Originally posted by tlong423 My wife and I each own a K-5. They are excellent cameras, very rugged and reliable, and extremely nice to use. We have never had any issues with these cameras, whatsoever (and we use them a lot). Originally posted by MarkJerling I have not had any problems with my K-5. It's a superb camera. Originally posted by dakight You've already bought it so unless you are having a specific problem right now, quit worrying and just enjoy it. "Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." A fancy way of saying that most of us have enough to worry about already without borrowing trouble, that may never happen, from the future. Thank you guys you are all right and I really appreciate all your comments, thank you!

11-01-2014, 12:58 AM	#26
EJMzagsfan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Idaho Photos: Albums Posts: 241	I would just go out and shoot and enjoy your awesome camera. As many here can attest most wont have problems. I would argue against the fact they have everything smoothed with the newer productions. Mine is a later production and the mirror started flopping at about 20,000 shots. The camera still wks well as long as i don't charge the battery completely. Worrying about what could happen is pretty pointless, at least for me anyways. I wouldnt have gotten rid of my camera even if I would have known it was going to flop because Ive gotten so much enjoyment from it so far.

11-02-2014, 12:00 PM	#27
red5isalive Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Barcelona Posts: 659 Original Poster	Originally posted by EJMzagsfan I would just go out and shoot and enjoy your awesome camera. As many here can attest most wont have problems. I would argue against the fact they have everything smoothed with the newer productions. Mine is a later production and the mirror started flopping at about 20,000 shots. The camera still wks well as long as i don't charge the battery completely. Worrying about what could happen is pretty pointless, at least for me anyways. I wouldnt have gotten rid of my camera even if I would have known it was going to flop because Ive gotten so much enjoyment from it so far. Thank you EJMzagsfan, you are right, worring makes no sense. Just my thoughts where if I should keep it or not, as I was convinced it's a beast of a camera before buying it and reading those stories at the spanish forum from some guys (one even had 6 K5 with issues....) but after so many answers I see I shouldn't be worried

11-02-2014, 12:21 PM	#28
phoenixvision Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,458	I think by now, you realize you have a jewel and there is nothing to worry about.....I shoot with a k5 and a k3....the k5 is my workhorse, it has never let me down...the only real issue I have with it is the low light focusing....but it is stellar......

11-03-2014, 01:26 AM	#29
red5isalive Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Barcelona Posts: 659 Original Poster	Originally posted by phoenixvision I think by now, you realize you have a jewel and there is nothing to worry about.....I shoot with a k5 and a k3....the k5 is my workhorse, it has never let me down...the only real issue I have with it is the low light focusing....but it is stellar...... Thank you phoenixvision I have to take it outside and start doing pictures with

11-03-2014, 01:57 AM	#30
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,422	Originally posted by red5isalive Thank you John, will do it today. Thank you guys you are all right and I really appreciate all your comments, thank you! You're most welcome. I should add that I dropped K-5 a few weeks back and camera is perfect. Lens shattered the UV filter I had on the front, but that was the only damage. These things are built tough!