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bendkmace · 10-25-2013, 01:51 PM

Thanks for everyone's input on this. I bought my K-5 used earlier this year and love it. But the first time I used it outdoors the lens button popped out (while I wasn't paying attention) and was lost forever. I figured I'd try to live without it, and have been using a toothpick, and now paperclips. A little while ago, I called a customer support number and was told I would have to send the camera to Criscam in AZ for repair. I figured it would be expensive.

Today I decided enough is enough and called the Pentax customer support number (starting with 720) in this post, but no answer. So I called Ricoh Customer Support, who told me they wouldn't send out the part ("it's too complicated to do yourself") and directed me to Criscam. So I talked to a helpful person there, and was told that Pentax's price for the repair, including parts and labor, is $200. And that's before shipping! They offered to transfer me to Pentax, and so I said yes, and explained the problem to the rep. I explained that Ricoh had told me they couldn't send out the parts. "No, that's not right", she said. And gave me the number for Lynn in the Parts Department - 1-800-877-0155 x1359. I left a voicemail. We'll see what happens!

bass3587 · 10-26-2013, 06:49 AM

My K5 has been in Arizona for about 10 days now. I'm going through withdrawals and starting to feel a little anxious as I have a shoot coming up in two weeks and I need my K5. I was told to send it in and they would replace the button for free since it was past it's initial warranty??? I had the extended warranty and sent it in with the camera anyway. I'll post back once it comes back.

Not a Number · 10-26-2013, 07:02 AM

The problem appears to be some design or manufacturing defect. Pentax/Ricoh should have to cover repairs much like the "hidden" warranties of automobile manufacturers when there is a defect Maybe this should be taken up with the higher ups at Pentax/Ricoh.

kh1234567890 · 10-26-2013, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

The problem appears to be some design or manufacturing defect. Pentax/Ricoh should have to cover repairs much like the "hidden" warranties of automobile manufacturers when there is a defect Maybe this should be taken up with the higher ups at Pentax/Ricoh.

It is a basic cr*p Japanese design fault. They do this again and again and not just with cameras - it must be in some Japanese textbook on mechanical design. Injection mold a plastic part with a narrow neck and then put a metal circlip at the weakest and most stressed point. Idiotic.

bgdisc · 10-29-2013, 08:37 AM

I just called up Lynn at Pentax Parts in Colorado. Such a nice lady. She'll be sending me the lens release button parts for free. Last week she sent me out the plunger, but I made the mistake of assuming that the silicone cone came with it, but she'll send that and a washer along with it. Thinking about sending her a thank you card. That wouldn't get her in trouble right?

tabl10s · 11-12-2013, 03:29 PM

Just ordered the entire assembly and it'll be shipped@no cost. CRIS was going to charge $130.

bass3587 · 11-12-2013, 10:14 PM

Update on my lens button repair. Finally received my K5 body back on last Thursday 11/7/13, right at two weeks and they fixed it. CRIS even cleaned it and calibrated the sensor which was pretty nice of them. So it wasn't that bad of a trip. Received my camera with two days before my shoot. Whew!

bgdisc · 11-12-2013, 11:10 PM

Originally posted by tabl10s

Just ordered the entire assembly and it'll be shipped@no cost. CRIS was going to charge $130.

What do you mean by the entire assembly? Today I just received the silicone cone and a clear washer. I already had the button. Now to figure out how to put it back together without glueing it on.

tabl10s · 11-13-2013, 07:16 AM

Originally posted by bgdisc

What do you mean by the entire assembly? Today I just received the silicone cone and a clear washer. I already had the button. Now to figure out how to put it back together without glueing it on.

Lost the button, found it and lost it again. Everything is being sent. The proper way requires disassembly.

cooldog · 04-29-2014, 02:11 PM

A busted camera, and an idiotic camera company: Like so many others, the lens release button fell off my K5 DSLR and disappeared. Researching this on the net I find that this is a COMMON problem, and that Pentax *used* to send a free replacement part out. Calling, I'm told this is no longer true. WHY? I'm not willing to pay for a repair for a design flaw this bad, nor send my camera off for something so simple (Pentax developed a DIY fix for this.)

This K5 is my fifth (and possibly last) Pentax camera.

How about an executive steps up and gets this taken care of?

Parallax · 04-29-2014, 02:21 PM

Welcome to the forum. Interesting post, especially considering it's your first post since joining the forum over 7 years ago. Most people at least say "Howdy" before trashing the product/company that's the focus of a brand specific forum.

mikeSF · 04-30-2014, 07:12 AM

Originally posted by Parallax

Welcome to the forum. Interesting post, especially considering it's your first post since joining the forum over 7 years ago. Most people at least say "Howdy" before trashing the product/company that's the focus of a brand specific forum.

that rage has been seething all these years.

---------- Post added 04-30-2014 at 07:16 AM ----------

I do remember the outing when my button fell off. I had a 1.4x TC mounted to use with my tele and could not remove the TC, so every lens i wanted to use had to go in front of the TC. lol.
in fact, one of my favorite shots came from the DA15 mounted to the 1.4x TC (15x1.4=21) during that week i could not remove it.:

cooldog · 04-30-2014, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by Parallax

Welcome to the forum. Interesting post, especially considering it's your first post since joining the forum over 7 years ago. Most people at least say "Howdy" before trashing the product/company that's the focus of a brand specific forum.

And that's an interesting reply, by a moderator to a frustrated camera owner.

What are you implying? That the button didn't fall off? That they didn't refuse (twice) to send me a replacement?

Pardon my irritation, but I don't understand why you'd feel compelled to make such a comment in the first place.

Parallax · 04-30-2014, 12:48 PM

Originally posted by cooldog

What are you implying? That the button didn't fall off? That they didn't refuse (twice) to send me a replacement?

I'm quite certain that the button did fall off and that they wouldn't send you a replacement. It's a known issue.

Originally posted by cooldog

Pardon my irritation, but I don't understand why you'd feel compelled to make such a comment in the first place.

Well, I guess we're both perplexed then.

tabl10s · 04-30-2014, 06:21 PM

Did you talk directly to the lady at the company?

10-25-2013, 01:51 PM	#16
bendkmace Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Burlington VT Posts: 71	Pentax K-5 lens release button Thanks for everyone's input on this. I bought my K-5 used earlier this year and love it. But the first time I used it outdoors the lens button popped out (while I wasn't paying attention) and was lost forever. I figured I'd try to live without it, and have been using a toothpick, and now paperclips. A little while ago, I called a customer support number and was told I would have to send the camera to Criscam in AZ for repair. I figured it would be expensive. Today I decided enough is enough and called the Pentax customer support number (starting with 720) in this post, but no answer. So I called Ricoh Customer Support, who told me they wouldn't send out the part ("it's too complicated to do yourself") and directed me to Criscam. So I talked to a helpful person there, and was told that Pentax's price for the repair, including parts and labor, is $200. And that's before shipping! They offered to transfer me to Pentax, and so I said yes, and explained the problem to the rep. I explained that Ricoh had told me they couldn't send out the parts. "No, that's not right", she said. And gave me the number for Lynn in the Parts Department - 1-800-877-0155 x1359. I left a voicemail. We'll see what happens!

04-30-2014, 12:48 PM	#29
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,333	Originally posted by cooldog What are you implying? That the button didn't fall off? That they didn't refuse (twice) to send me a replacement? I'm quite certain that the button did fall off and that they wouldn't send you a replacement. It's a known issue. Originally posted by cooldog Pardon my irritation, but I don't understand why you'd feel compelled to make such a comment in the first place. Well, I guess we're both perplexed then. Last edited by Parallax; 04-30-2014 at 01:12 PM.

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10-26-2013, 06:49 AM	#17
bass3587 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 517	My K5 has been in Arizona for about 10 days now. I'm going through withdrawals and starting to feel a little anxious as I have a shoot coming up in two weeks and I need my K5. I was told to send it in and they would replace the button for free since it was past it's initial warranty??? I had the extended warranty and sent it in with the camera anyway. I'll post back once it comes back.

10-26-2013, 07:02 AM	#18
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	The problem appears to be some design or manufacturing defect. Pentax/Ricoh should have to cover repairs much like the "hidden" warranties of automobile manufacturers when there is a defect Maybe this should be taken up with the higher ups at Pentax/Ricoh.

10-26-2013, 09:49 AM	#19
kh1234567890 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Manchester, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,653	Originally posted by Not a Number The problem appears to be some design or manufacturing defect. Pentax/Ricoh should have to cover repairs much like the "hidden" warranties of automobile manufacturers when there is a defect Maybe this should be taken up with the higher ups at Pentax/Ricoh. It is a basic cr*p Japanese design fault. They do this again and again and not just with cameras - it must be in some Japanese textbook on mechanical design. Injection mold a plastic part with a narrow neck and then put a metal circlip at the weakest and most stressed point. Idiotic.

10-29-2013, 08:37 AM	#20
bgdisc Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: United States Photos: Gallery Posts: 95	I just called up Lynn at Pentax Parts in Colorado. Such a nice lady. She'll be sending me the lens release button parts for free. Last week she sent me out the plunger, but I made the mistake of assuming that the silicone cone came with it, but she'll send that and a washer along with it. Thinking about sending her a thank you card. That wouldn't get her in trouble right?

11-12-2013, 03:29 PM	#21
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424	Just ordered the entire assembly and it'll be shipped@no cost. CRIS was going to charge $130.

11-12-2013, 10:14 PM	#22
bass3587 Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 517	Update on my lens button repair. Finally received my K5 body back on last Thursday 11/7/13, right at two weeks and they fixed it. CRIS even cleaned it and calibrated the sensor which was pretty nice of them. So it wasn't that bad of a trip. Received my camera with two days before my shoot. Whew!

11-12-2013, 11:10 PM	#23
bgdisc Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: United States Photos: Gallery Posts: 95	Originally posted by tabl10s Just ordered the entire assembly and it'll be shipped@no cost. CRIS was going to charge $130. What do you mean by the entire assembly? Today I just received the silicone cone and a clear washer. I already had the button. Now to figure out how to put it back together without glueing it on.

11-13-2013, 07:16 AM	#24
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424	Originally posted by bgdisc What do you mean by the entire assembly? Today I just received the silicone cone and a clear washer. I already had the button. Now to figure out how to put it back together without glueing it on. Lost the button, found it and lost it again. Everything is being sent. The proper way requires disassembly.

04-29-2014, 02:11 PM	#25
cooldog Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kenton, DE Posts: 3	A busted camera, and an idiotic camera company: Like so many others, the lens release button fell off my K5 DSLR and disappeared. Researching this on the net I find that this is a COMMON problem, and that Pentax used to send a free replacement part out. Calling, I'm told this is no longer true. WHY? I'm not willing to pay for a repair for a design flaw this bad, nor send my camera off for something so simple (Pentax developed a DIY fix for this.) This K5 is my fifth (and possibly last) Pentax camera. How about an executive steps up and gets this taken care of?

04-29-2014, 02:21 PM	#26
Parallax Senior Moderator Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Dakota Photos: Gallery Posts: 19,333	Welcome to the forum. Interesting post, especially considering it's your first post since joining the forum over 7 years ago. Most people at least say "Howdy" before trashing the product/company that's the focus of a brand specific forum.

04-30-2014, 07:12 AM	#27
mikeSF Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: East Bay Area, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,622	Originally posted by Parallax Welcome to the forum. Interesting post, especially considering it's your first post since joining the forum over 7 years ago. Most people at least say "Howdy" before trashing the product/company that's the focus of a brand specific forum. that rage has been seething all these years. ---------- Post added 04-30-2014 at 07:16 AM ---------- I do remember the outing when my button fell off. I had a 1.4x TC mounted to use with my tele and could not remove the TC, so every lens i wanted to use had to go in front of the TC. lol. in fact, one of my favorite shots came from the DA15 mounted to the 1.4x TC (15x1.4=21) during that week i could not remove it.:

04-30-2014, 11:58 AM	#28
cooldog Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Kenton, DE Posts: 3	Originally posted by Parallax Welcome to the forum. Interesting post, especially considering it's your first post since joining the forum over 7 years ago. Most people at least say "Howdy" before trashing the product/company that's the focus of a brand specific forum. And that's an interesting reply, by a moderator to a frustrated camera owner. What are you implying? That the button didn't fall off? That they didn't refuse (twice) to send me a replacement? Pardon my irritation, but I don't understand why you'd feel compelled to make such a comment in the first place.

04-30-2014, 06:21 PM	#30
tabl10s Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sacramento(formerly from B'Ham, England). Posts: 1,424	Did you talk directly to the lady at the company?

Lens release button replacement

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