[jennaann]

Sorry to hear about this Jennaann.
Since I first started reading about the lens release button issue, I have kept a large paper clip in my camera bag (just in case).
I also read that if you keep your finger pressing on the button while attaching/removing the lens helps prevent this problem from happening. This way the pin is not sliding against the lens as you turn it, and the pin won't "snap" into the lock position. The pin snapping into the lock position is what concerns me the most!

Ray

Thank you so much ... I do think I need to keep a paper clip, just incase. I appreciate everyone's help in here SO much. Oddly enough, I've been rocking this sucker with my electrical tape. HaHa! It's held on great and seems to have solved the issue so I'm just leaving it be and hoping for the best

[jbriginshawphotograp]

Hi everyone ... I'm brand new here and to Pentax and I hope I'm posting in the right place. I'm at a loss. Today, my first shoot ever with a client and my new but gently used Pentax K5 lens release button just FELL OFF in my hand as I was putting ON a new lens. I had taken off one, went to put the other on, and off this button just came in my hand and I'm thinking "that's not good". After first shoot I got into the car to inspect. I saw that you could pop it back on, which I did. Then I tried to switch lenses back and the lens wouldn't click into lock. Tried it several times, did not force, but turned it enough to where it should have clicked. So I went to try the other lens and I did hear a slight click. Off I went to shoot number two. Got to that photo shoot and was using the Pentax, then as the photoshoot went on, I noticed it seemed like the ISO and some other things were going a bit crazy. I just kept shooting as I could tell the photos were in focus BUT I knew my ISO was crazy high. Once I got home I downloaded and sure enough, VERY high ISO and very grainy photos out during the daytime. I then loosened the lens a little bit, and then went to tighten it back and it did make the obvious click this time. I then went to photo shoot number three. It did fine except, and maybe it's because I'm not used to this Pentax nor the lens I used, but I didn't get that crazy DOP and Bokeh I would have expected from a 90mm 2.8 It was there, but not near as strong as I would have thought from this lens.

I guess I have two questions. I can tell the little button is NOT going to hold. It's going to fall out again, that I can tell. So what do I do about this? Send it somewhere or take it to a camera repair shop possibly? Secondly, could this have affected my DOP and Bokeh today do you think? The fact that maybe the lens isn't making full contact with the camera? It was obvious today at the second shoot it wasn't making the right contact and I am sure it had to do with the lens release button and the clicking in place situation being iffy. I really am quite lost for words as I have never seen anything like this in my life. Can anyone help?

You have probably sorted it out by now, but I made this repair yesterday and wrote up a guide to DIY with photos:

Lens Release Button Steps for Repair - PentaxForums.com