Spoke too soon.. (should have known better!)

hooverfocus · 02-26-2011, 01:32 PM

I bought the K-5 in December, taking advantage of the cashback Pentax was offering at the time. As soon as it came home, I checked it for stains, and it was as clean as source water. Could I really have been spared from the dreaded stain disease?

But of course not.

Fast forward to one month later. After some minor video use I noticed a few spots (no more than 4-5) had appeared here and there. Could have been dust, of course, but they had the "stain" look. At any rate, they didn't really bother me as they were scarce and sparse.

Fast forward to another month later — tonight. This week I had to use the K-5 to shoot some videos for an upcoming event. Never actually got any temp warning, but I did use it for a long-ish chunk of time. So I did a quick sensor check, and lo and behold, I got an ugly cluster of stains right there, looking back at me and laughing.

Poof!
(Pictured left, a shot I took a month ago — see single spot; pictured right, a shot taken tonight — see the same spot... wasn't dust, then).

(Same pictures as above, different position — so you can see the cluster wasn't there a month ago, but appeared after heavy-duty use).

I guess a call to the shop/Pentax is in order. Does anyone know what the turnover for a replacement/repair is? I still need it next weekend for a job, but I plan on shipping it right afterwards, except, I will need it again at the end of March.. :-/

Last edited by hooverfocus; 02-26-2011 at 01:41 PM.

causey · 02-26-2011, 02:16 PM

So, they can develop even if initially the sensor was clean???

hooverfocus · 02-26-2011, 02:23 PM

Originally posted by causey

So, they can develop even if initially the sensor was clean???

Seems to be the case, but please keep in mind that mine was purchased in December and was coming from an early batch. Newer 39xxx cameras seem to be just fine.

causey · 02-26-2011, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by hooverfocus

Seems to be the case, but please keep in mind that mine was purchased in December and was coming from an early batch. Newer 39xxx cameras seem to be just fine.

Thanks! I feel a bit better now. I recommended this camera to a friend, and the first one, purchased in December, came with stains. Now he ordered another one, and I really hope he will not have problems with it. Wish you a quick resolution of your camera's problem.

**Ash** · 02-26-2011, 02:29 PM

Indeed discussion of this problem seems to allude to a cumulative heat reaction with the sensor's coating leading to the emergence of these stains.

No idea of the turnaround time but no doubt you should have it replaced.

Acheron · 02-26-2011, 02:46 PM

Taking pictures at f32 is asking for troubles

hooverfocus · 02-26-2011, 02:56 PM

Originally posted by Acheron

Taking pictures at f32 is asking for troubles

Doesn't change the fact those things shouldn't be there, so better take this one pic at f32 now while it's still under warranty than maybe finding out "by chance" when it's too late

JeffJS · 02-26-2011, 02:57 PM

Originally posted by Acheron

Taking pictures at f32 is asking for troubles

That doesn't mean you should be able to do it.

I don't know what the turnaround is in Switzerland but here in the USA, it took a full month from the time I dropped it off at the shipper.

Purusam · 02-26-2011, 03:03 PM

I have been waiting for 42 days

Live in sweden and its Belgium who fu**s me in this matter. or its pentax japan who cant produce more cameras.

lsucadien · 02-26-2011, 09:25 PM

This is very troubling, along with the autofocus problems I'm having I just don't understand what Pentax is thinking trying to market these cameras. This is awful.

PhilippeG · 02-27-2011, 03:09 AM

Originally posted by causey

So, they can develop even if initially the sensor was clean???

Yes, but only for cameras potentially subject to stains in the first place (manufactured up to week 49 2010, according to Pentax). That actually happened to my first K-5, after shooting some video a second stains streak appeared.

_lyan_ · 02-27-2011, 06:15 PM

Originally posted by lsucadien

This is very troubling, along with the autofocus problems I'm having I just don't understand what Pentax is thinking trying to market these cameras. This is awful.

Are you kidding?

Karl Stevens · 02-27-2011, 08:23 PM

Originally posted by PhilippeG

Yes, but only for cameras potentially subject to stains in the first place (manufactured up to week 49 2010, according to Pentax). That actually happened to my first K-5, after shooting some video a second stains streak appeared.

Hmm.. that's interesting - mine was purchased on December 20 do you know how to tell which week it was manufactured and if it's part of a "bad" batch?

dgaies · 02-27-2011, 08:58 PM

Originally posted by lsucadien

What the f*ck would I be kidding about?

Shipping out a camera with stains on the sensor?

Shipping out a camera that doesn't seem to be able to focus in low indoor lighting?

Which one of those deficiencies is so absurd to you?

Relax. Clearly the fact that Pentax shipped out bodies with stained sensors was a mistake, one which is going to be very costly to Pentax to deal with both in terms of repaired units and bad PR. The focusing errors in very low light is also a potential issue which will hopefully be addressed.

I believe the "are you kidding" comment was directed at your post where you suggested that Pentax knowingly marketed these cameras with the above issues. I suppose you are free to believe that Pentax knowingly sold the cameras with full knowledge of the issues, but I for one disagree. I think it would have been nice if their QC was better, but I don't believe this was "intentional", which is what your post suggested.

And for the record, I'm now on my 3rd K-5, so I am fully aware of the issues and have a personal stake in how Pentax handles the above described issues.

Purusam · 02-27-2011, 09:08 PM

Originally posted by dgaies

Pentax knowingly sold the cameras with full knowledge of the issues,

Pentax is now selling cameras with stained sensors with full knowledge of the issues,. Markets here in sweden are full of pentax k-5 with old serienumbers and some of them are surely stained

02-26-2011, 01:32 PM	#1
hooverfocus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 210	Spoke too soon.. (should have known better!) I bought the K-5 in December, taking advantage of the cashback Pentax was offering at the time. As soon as it came home, I checked it for stains, and it was as clean as source water. Could I really have been spared from the dreaded stain disease? But of course not. Fast forward to one month later. After some minor video use I noticed a few spots (no more than 4-5) had appeared here and there. Could have been dust, of course, but they had the "stain" look. At any rate, they didn't really bother me as they were scarce and sparse. Fast forward to another month later — tonight. This week I had to use the K-5 to shoot some videos for an upcoming event. Never actually got any temp warning, but I did use it for a long-ish chunk of time. So I did a quick sensor check, and lo and behold, I got an ugly cluster of stains right there, looking back at me and laughing. Poof! (Pictured left, a shot I took a month ago — see single spot; pictured right, a shot taken tonight — see the same spot... wasn't dust, then). (Same pictures as above, different position — so you can see the cluster wasn't there a month ago, but appeared after heavy-duty use). I guess a call to the shop/Pentax is in order. Does anyone know what the turnover for a replacement/repair is? I still need it next weekend for a job, but I plan on shipping it right afterwards, except, I will need it again at the end of March.. :-/ Last edited by hooverfocus; 02-26-2011 at 01:41 PM.

02-27-2011, 09:08 PM	#15
Purusam Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 82	Originally posted by dgaies Pentax knowingly sold the cameras with full knowledge of the issues, Pentax is now selling cameras with stained sensors with full knowledge of the issues,. Markets here in sweden are full of pentax k-5 with old serienumbers and some of them are surely stained Last edited by Purusam; 02-27-2011 at 09:16 PM.

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02-26-2011, 02:16 PM	#2
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	So, they can develop even if initially the sensor was clean???

02-26-2011, 02:23 PM	#3
hooverfocus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 210 Original Poster	Originally posted by causey So, they can develop even if initially the sensor was clean??? Seems to be the case, but please keep in mind that mine was purchased in December and was coming from an early batch. Newer 39xxx cameras seem to be just fine.

02-26-2011, 02:27 PM	#4
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	Originally posted by hooverfocus Seems to be the case, but please keep in mind that mine was purchased in December and was coming from an early batch. Newer 39xxx cameras seem to be just fine. Thanks! I feel a bit better now. I recommended this camera to a friend, and the first one, purchased in December, came with stains. Now he ordered another one, and I really hope he will not have problems with it. Wish you a quick resolution of your camera's problem.

02-26-2011, 02:29 PM	#5
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Indeed discussion of this problem seems to allude to a cumulative heat reaction with the sensor's coating leading to the emergence of these stains. No idea of the turnaround time but no doubt you should have it replaced.

02-26-2011, 02:46 PM	#6
Acheron Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Croatia Photos: Gallery Posts: 100	Taking pictures at f32 is asking for troubles

02-26-2011, 02:56 PM	#7
hooverfocus Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 210 Original Poster	Originally posted by Acheron Taking pictures at f32 is asking for troubles Doesn't change the fact those things shouldn't be there, so better take this one pic at f32 now while it's still under warranty than maybe finding out "by chance" when it's too late

02-26-2011, 02:57 PM	#8
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Originally posted by Acheron Taking pictures at f32 is asking for troubles That doesn't mean you should be able to do it. I don't know what the turnaround is in Switzerland but here in the USA, it took a full month from the time I dropped it off at the shipper.

02-26-2011, 03:03 PM	#9
Purusam Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 82	I have been waiting for 42 days Live in sweden and its Belgium who fu**s me in this matter. or its pentax japan who cant produce more cameras.

02-26-2011, 09:25 PM	#10
lsucadien New Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Houston Posts: 18	This is very troubling, along with the autofocus problems I'm having I just don't understand what Pentax is thinking trying to market these cameras. This is awful.

02-27-2011, 03:09 AM	#11
PhilippeG Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 345	Originally posted by causey So, they can develop even if initially the sensor was clean??? Yes, but only for cameras potentially subject to stains in the first place (manufactured up to week 49 2010, according to Pentax). That actually happened to my first K-5, after shooting some video a second stains streak appeared.

02-27-2011, 06:15 PM	#12
_lyan_ Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bari, Italy Posts: 34	Originally posted by lsucadien This is very troubling, along with the autofocus problems I'm having I just don't understand what Pentax is thinking trying to market these cameras. This is awful. Are you kidding?

02-27-2011, 08:23 PM	#13
Karl Stevens Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 128	Originally posted by PhilippeG Yes, but only for cameras potentially subject to stains in the first place (manufactured up to week 49 2010, according to Pentax). That actually happened to my first K-5, after shooting some video a second stains streak appeared. Hmm.. that's interesting - mine was purchased on December 20 do you know how to tell which week it was manufactured and if it's part of a "bad" batch?

02-27-2011, 08:58 PM	#14
dgaies Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Maryland / Washington DC Posts: 3,917	Originally posted by lsucadien What the f*ck would I be kidding about? Shipping out a camera with stains on the sensor? Shipping out a camera that doesn't seem to be able to focus in low indoor lighting? Which one of those deficiencies is so absurd to you? Relax. Clearly the fact that Pentax shipped out bodies with stained sensors was a mistake, one which is going to be very costly to Pentax to deal with both in terms of repaired units and bad PR. The focusing errors in very low light is also a potential issue which will hopefully be addressed. I believe the "are you kidding" comment was directed at your post where you suggested that Pentax knowingly marketed these cameras with the above issues. I suppose you are free to believe that Pentax knowingly sold the cameras with full knowledge of the issues, but I for one disagree. I think it would have been nice if their QC was better, but I don't believe this was "intentional", which is what your post suggested. And for the record, I'm now on my 3rd K-5, so I am fully aware of the issues and have a personal stake in how Pentax handles the above described issues.