Originally posted by Matso
I am debating as to whether to bring the camera back to the store to see if they'll replace it (and whether a different K-r has the same issues) or whether I need to contact Pentax directly? I am loathe to have to spend any money on shipping the camera to the UK repair centre though given I've had it for a week. Or do I just wait to see whether Pentax does anything with a firmware update?
Any thoughts/advice appreciated.
Yep, forums like this can't fix nuffint [sic].
Only advice I would give is
do not sit on the problem! Make your retailer aware per normal obligations -- though I wouldn't hand it in for repair, or even accept exchange from them, at this stage.
Instead, formally report all your findings and observations in detail to Pentax HQ in your relevant area (preferably by letter, or at least email, not just verbal by phone), then follow up on that when required and play the waiting game that way, because we all need to accept the fact that they're unlikely to have a viable solution for quite some time[¹] -- although band-aid improvements might appear short term.
In the meantime the camera should still be very usuable for most people's needs, esp those like yourself who accept and understand the problem's limits, so could creatively work around it.
The good bit is that Pentax (official) or their official locale distributors, take things very seriously. And smart companies revel in honest, detailed feedback from real-world owners like yourself out in the field to help them fully comprehend and devise solutions to their product's ills.
I'm fortunate to have one of the best distributors in my country (as well as decent consumer protection laws here to back it all), and maybe other regions might not be so lucky, I don't know, but either way don't give up if the system seems slow, positive results will come in the end.
[¹] That timescale for solution I mentioned was not meant to be facetious, this issue is not exclusive to their K-r, the new K-5 apparently has it, to what degree I don't know (and other brands do too). I'm sure you realise that industry-wide "fixes" to complex tech problems rarely come fast, easy, or cheap. And they definitely don't birth within the murky mire of one-sentence web forum prattle.
So now you know the reasons why I'm satisfied to bunk down for a long wait. Enjoy your wonderful camera in the meantime.
I expect it could even lead to a few using the opportunity to expand their interests into different genres of photography too.
Lemons do make great lemonade.
.R.
"Critics are our friends, they tell us our faults." -- Benjamin Franklin