K5 Mirror Flops - Smoking Gun Found

twitch · 02-13-2012, 10:33 PM

Ouch. Despite some claiming serial numbers aren't a good guide to age for reasons unknown, in fact I think they are good guide and 38xxxxxxx is an old serial, from 2010. Probably a reconditioned one that had previously been returned for sensor stains.

DaveXT · 02-13-2012, 10:40 PM

Originally posted by twitch

Ouch. Despite some claiming serial numbers aren't a good guide to age for reasons unknown, in fact I think they are good guide and 38xxxxxxx is an old serial, from 2010. Probably a reconditioned one that had previously been returned for sensor stains.

Yeah, thought so B*****ds! The serial number on the original kit I bought Oct 2011 is 4078880176524, not known what was on the old body though.

lammie200 · 02-13-2012, 10:48 PM

Originally posted by DaveXT

Yeah, thought so B*****ds! The serial number on the original kit I bought Oct 2011 is 4078880176524, not known what was on the old body though.

Dave,
From what I know you need to check the EXIF data to see the manufacture date. It may or may not correlate to serial number sequences, but it doesn't really matter. Take it back. I am not sure if anyone will be able to definitively tell what manufacture dates have defects that will result in mirror flopping. Hopefully you will get a good one without too long a wait.

DaveXT · 02-13-2012, 11:32 PM

Originally posted by lammie200

Dave,
From what I know you need to check the EXIF data to see the manufacture date. It may or may not correlate to serial number sequences, but it doesn't really matter. Take it back. I am not sure if anyone will be able to definitively tell what manufacture dates have defects that will result in mirror flopping. Hopefully you will get a good one without too long a wait.

Thanks Lammie, I can't see the build date under EXIF in Aperture but will check with my trial version of Lightroom.

Dave.

lammie200 · 02-14-2012, 11:09 AM

Originally posted by DaveXT

Thanks Lammie, I can't see the build date under EXIF in Aperture but will check with my trial version of Lightroom.

Dave.

You can also try PhotoMe if all else fails. It is a free download. Google is your friend. (Would be friendlier if you bought stock a few years back! Damn, I didn't.

)

DaveXT · 02-14-2012, 02:03 PM

Thanks Lammie, Photome is not Mac compatible. I also tried exif view with no luck and have used my friend google, but run out of time and patience for now.

CuriousEye · 02-14-2012, 02:22 PM

Hello Dave,
I am MacUser as well, to check the manufacture date here's the link:

Jeffrey's Exif viewer = Jeffrey's EXIF Viewer

Greetings from Austria,
Sascha

DaveXT · 02-14-2012, 03:04 PM

Wow thanks Sascha, thats a lot of info!
The body was manufactured 18th Jan 2011 so old stock I would say.

Geach · 02-14-2012, 05:06 PM

Originally posted by DaveXT

New replacement Camera is now suffering the same issues, it seem this issue is wide spread!
BTW the serial number for this K-5 replacement is 3895681.
Does anyone know if this is old stock?

Dave

dang. was about to head into Adelaide to drop mine off to CR and see what the story was. When I spoke to them they said they'd send in to Melbourne for repair...

How do I access the build date data?

twitch · 02-14-2012, 05:11 PM

Originally posted by Geach

How do I access the build date data?

See the post 2 above yours

Jean Poitiers · 02-15-2012, 12:34 AM

Bonjour,

No problems with my unit after 4 months of use ... using the Pentax battery and an aftermarket one as well ... both fully charged usage.

Salut, J Frog

DaveXT · 02-15-2012, 12:45 AM

Originally posted by John Poitiers

Bonjour,

No problems with my unit after 4 months of use ... using the Pentax battery and an aftermarket one as well ... both fully charged usage.

Salut, J Frog

I do hope your camera remains fault free, mine was for the first 3 months.

Jean Poitiers · 02-15-2012, 01:14 AM

Originally posted by DaveXT

I do hope your camera remains fault free, mine was for the first 3 months.

Thanks ... keeping my figures crossed and being watchful for this possible problem. Did yours have a problem?

I checked the manufacture date (2011-09-07) according to PhotoMe and my K-5 (serial number: 4177xxx) is now at about 4,000 clicks ... J

DaveXT · 02-15-2012, 02:10 AM

I rang CR Kennedy today and spoke to the service manager and explained the replacement K-5 I had been given also had the mirror flop issue.
He asked me to bring it back and he would see if he had another replacement from the allocated stock, I told him I did not want another one from old stock and that I required one from an unopened box. He again asked me to bring it back and he would attempt to gain new stock and then post it out to me when it arrived. Bear in mind that this is the head office/warehouse for Pentax Australia and they have no new stock?!
Just feel I'm being dicked around.

DaveXT · 02-15-2012, 02:12 AM

Originally posted by John Poitiers

Thanks ... keeping my figures crossed and being watchful for this possible problem. Did yours have a problem?

I checked the manufacture date (2011-09-07) according to PhotoMe and my K-5 (serial number: 4177xxx) is now at about 4,000 clicks ... J

yep, read previous posts.

02-14-2012, 11:09 AM	#350
lammie200 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Albums Posts: 1,033	Try PhotoMe... Originally posted by DaveXT Thanks Lammie, I can't see the build date under EXIF in Aperture but will check with my trial version of Lightroom. Dave. You can also try PhotoMe if all else fails. It is a free download. Google is your friend. (Would be friendlier if you bought stock a few years back! Damn, I didn't. )

02-15-2012, 12:34 AM	#356
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Fourth month with K-5 & zero problems ... *Bonjour,* No problems with my unit after 4 months of use ... using the Pentax battery and an aftermarket one as well ... both fully charged usage. *Salut, J Frog*

02-15-2012, 01:14 AM	#358
Jean Poitiers Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lost in translation ... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 18,076	Merci Originally posted by DaveXT I do hope your camera remains fault free, mine was for the first 3 months. Thanks ... keeping my figures crossed and being watchful for this possible problem. Did yours have a problem? I checked the manufacture date (2011-09-07) according to PhotoMe and my K-5 (serial number: 4177xxx) is now at about 4,000 clicks ... J Last edited by Jean Poitiers; 02-15-2012 at 01:24 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Night Smoking	mischivo	Post Your Photos!	8	07-07-2010 12:59 PM
If you found a gun on the street	Gooshin	General Talk	68	02-16-2010 06:52 AM
"This is not a smoking gun; this is a mushroom cloud,"	Russell-Evans	General Talk	53	11-23-2009 03:38 PM
Crack smoking must be fun.	Steve Beswick	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	10	11-04-2009 11:34 AM
How to quit smoking....	MJB DIGITAL	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	69	10-30-2009 05:29 PM

02-13-2012, 10:33 PM	#346
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Ouch. Despite some claiming serial numbers aren't a good guide to age for reasons unknown, in fact I think they are good guide and 38xxxxxxx is an old serial, from 2010. Probably a reconditioned one that had previously been returned for sensor stains.

02-13-2012, 10:40 PM	#347
DaveXT Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Melbourne Outer East Photos: Albums Posts: 94	Originally posted by twitch Ouch. Despite some claiming serial numbers aren't a good guide to age for reasons unknown, in fact I think they are good guide and 38xxxxxxx is an old serial, from 2010. Probably a reconditioned one that had previously been returned for sensor stains. Yeah, thought so B*****ds! The serial number on the original kit I bought Oct 2011 is 4078880176524, not known what was on the old body though.

02-13-2012, 10:48 PM	#348
lammie200 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Albums Posts: 1,033	Originally posted by DaveXT Yeah, thought so B*****ds! The serial number on the original kit I bought Oct 2011 is 4078880176524, not known what was on the old body though. Dave, From what I know you need to check the EXIF data to see the manufacture date. It may or may not correlate to serial number sequences, but it doesn't really matter. Take it back. I am not sure if anyone will be able to definitively tell what manufacture dates have defects that will result in mirror flopping. Hopefully you will get a good one without too long a wait.

02-13-2012, 11:32 PM	#349
DaveXT Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Melbourne Outer East Photos: Albums Posts: 94	Originally posted by lammie200 Dave, From what I know you need to check the EXIF data to see the manufacture date. It may or may not correlate to serial number sequences, but it doesn't really matter. Take it back. I am not sure if anyone will be able to definitively tell what manufacture dates have defects that will result in mirror flopping. Hopefully you will get a good one without too long a wait. Thanks Lammie, I can't see the build date under EXIF in Aperture but will check with my trial version of Lightroom. Dave.

02-14-2012, 02:03 PM	#351
DaveXT Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Melbourne Outer East Photos: Albums Posts: 94	Thanks Lammie, Photome is not Mac compatible. I also tried exif view with no luck and have used my friend google, but run out of time and patience for now.

02-14-2012, 02:22 PM	#352
CuriousEye Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Upper Austria Photos: Gallery Posts: 80	Hello Dave, I am MacUser as well, to check the manufacture date here's the link: Jeffrey's Exif viewer = Jeffrey's EXIF Viewer Greetings from Austria, Sascha

02-14-2012, 03:04 PM	#353
DaveXT Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Melbourne Outer East Photos: Albums Posts: 94	Wow thanks Sascha, thats a lot of info! The body was manufactured 18th Jan 2011 so old stock I would say.

02-14-2012, 05:06 PM	#354
Geach New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 6	Originally posted by DaveXT New replacement Camera is now suffering the same issues, it seem this issue is wide spread! BTW the serial number for this K-5 replacement is 3895681. Does anyone know if this is old stock? Dave dang. was about to head into Adelaide to drop mine off to CR and see what the story was. When I spoke to them they said they'd send in to Melbourne for repair... How do I access the build date data?

02-14-2012, 05:11 PM	#355
twitch Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 4,571	Originally posted by Geach How do I access the build date data? See the post 2 above yours

02-15-2012, 12:45 AM	#357
DaveXT Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Melbourne Outer East Photos: Albums Posts: 94	Originally posted by John Poitiers *Bonjour,* No problems with my unit after 4 months of use ... using the Pentax battery and an aftermarket one as well ... both fully charged usage. *Salut, J Frog* I do hope your camera remains fault free, mine was for the first 3 months.

02-15-2012, 02:10 AM	#359
DaveXT Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Melbourne Outer East Photos: Albums Posts: 94	I rang CR Kennedy today and spoke to the service manager and explained the replacement K-5 I had been given also had the mirror flop issue. He asked me to bring it back and he would see if he had another replacement from the allocated stock, I told him I did not want another one from old stock and that I required one from an unopened box. He again asked me to bring it back and he would attempt to gain new stock and then post it out to me when it arrived. Bear in mind that this is the head office/warehouse for Pentax Australia and they have no new stock?! Just feel I'm being dicked around.

02-15-2012, 02:12 AM	#360
DaveXT Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Melbourne Outer East Photos: Albums Posts: 94	Originally posted by John Poitiers Thanks ... keeping my figures crossed and being watchful for this possible problem. Did yours have a problem? I checked the manufacture date (2011-09-07) according to PhotoMe and my K-5 (serial number: 4177xxx) is now at about 4,000 clicks ... J yep, read previous posts.