Is it worth trying to fix a kr or upgrade?

Kricket · 07-09-2011, 04:42 PM

I bought a refurb (I assume) model of the Kr from Amazon only to have it be defective. The mode dial on top doesn't correspond to the images on the dial and half of the presets are missing.

I'm sure it is an easy fix to send it off to Pentax but I've come here to ask is it worth it to fix or should I send it back to amazon and get maybe a k7? I've been looking into the kr more now and see it has a lot of issues with dials and thingamabobs.

The kr is great except that mine is defective but if there is a new model potentially coming out soon, then I might as well send it back. It's so confusing, being given a second chance to think everything over!

Any feedback or advice would be appreciated.

Philoslothical · 07-09-2011, 04:49 PM

If they sent you a defective copy, you should send it back as an exchange, at least. The mode dial issue you have sounds like a one off problem, I've never seen mention of it elsewhere.

The e-dial issue you've read about is way way overblown. A lil squirt of contact cleaner fixes it. It's just the result of too much lubricant being put on the dial mechanism during production.

I've had my K-r for almost a month, no issues yet. I'm very happy with it.

hcc · 07-09-2011, 05:00 PM

Send it back for exchange. Do it rapidly and document all the issues.

hnikesch · 07-09-2011, 07:05 PM

I like my Kr, even after all the bad press, great camera, get it exchanged

Kricket · 07-09-2011, 07:12 PM

I guess because it was from Amazon warehouse deals, I can't do an exchange, only a refund. I got a really good price on it too, Amazon up'd the price by $50 since I bought it.

If the issue I'm having isn't really common, I guess I'll just call Pentax then. I was looking so forward to taking my new camera down to Miami on Monday too.

lammie200 · 07-09-2011, 07:27 PM

I originally was interested in a K-r. Since I ran into a little more cash I began to think that it would be nice to go more semi-pro with a K-7. K-7 prices started to drop and I thought that it was going to be a good deal. Then I started to research the spec changes between the K-7 and the K-5. The K-7 might have been fine for me, but I opted for a K-5. So far (after about a week) I am very impressed with the K-5. Now I am considering selling my Nikon L120 bridge camera and getting a K-r. Having both a K-5 and a K-r might be overkill for me, but my wife likes to tinker, so it might be in order. (I can rationalize practically anything if I want it badly enough.)

Bottom line: K-7's have been discontinued and are slightly outdated now. It may be difficult to even find a new one in stock. If you want to jump up go for a K-5. Also, (your particular issues aside), I think that the couple of fix issues for the K-r are fairly easily accomplished. It seems that some are getting good results with the e-dial problem with a squirt of contact cleaner, and the low light focusing issue seems to get better if the camera is recalibrated by Pentax servicing. You can also pick up a 2-year extended warranty from Pentax for about $20 USD.

bpl · 07-09-2011, 08:10 PM

I bought my Kr off of Amazon warehouse also and with a nonworking flash. My understanding is that Pentax's warranty is not transferable in my case because it's a "used" camera, not a refurb, but I could be wrong. I would be interested if your camera is covered under the Pentax warranty.

Just be aware that Amazon's Warehouse return policy is only 30 days. If you decide on a refund, Costco has a pretty good deal on the Kr.

lammie200 · 07-09-2011, 08:41 PM

Originally posted by bpl

I bought my Kr off of Amazon warehouse also and with a nonworking flash. My understanding is that Pentax's warranty is not transferable in my case because it's a "used" camera, not a refurb, but I could be wrong. I would be interested if your camera is covered under the Pentax warranty.

Just be aware that Amazon's Warehouse return policy is only 30 days. If you decide on a refund, Costco has a pretty good deal on the Kr.

I just received the extended warranty card today. It does say that the warranty only applies to cameras purchased from a Pentax authorized dealer. So I guess that you need to verify whether Amazon Warehouse is considered a Pentax authorized dealer.

All that said, I am not sure how Pentax verifies where you purchased the camera. I suppose that they could verify that the item's serial number matches a vendor's distribution. The warranty card says to register online, but I think that that only applies to the camera and there is no required vendor info during that process. The warranty card also gives instructions for sending your camera in if it needs service, or if you want a one time free check up. However, it doesn't mention anything about sending in the bar code from the extended warranty card. I am going to back the website and see if there is an option for registering the extended warranty card as a product itself.

Kricket · 07-10-2011, 01:14 PM

Originally posted by lammie200

I just received the extended warranty card today. It does say that the warranty only applies to cameras purchased from a Pentax authorized dealer. So I guess that you need to verify whether Amazon Warehouse is considered a Pentax authorized dealer.

All that said, I am not sure how Pentax verifies where you purchased the camera. I suppose that they could verify that the item's serial number matches a vendor's distribution. The warranty card says to register online, but I think that that only applies to the camera and there is no required vendor info during that process. The warranty card also gives instructions for sending your camera in if it needs service, or if you want a one time free check up. However, it doesn't mention anything about sending in the bar code from the extended warranty card. I am going to back the website and see if there is an option for registering the extended warranty card as a product itself.

I don't think mine came with a warranty card. I got some paperwork and online Pentax asks for a sales receipt.

I guess I'll call tomorrow when they're open and see. Although looking back at the kx and kr, they seem to announce new cameras around September-October and my next trip isn't until October...

It looks like Amazon warehouse deals aren't exactly deals anymore. I've never had a problem buying refurbished before this.

lammie200 · 07-10-2011, 01:58 PM

Originally posted by Kricket

I don't think mine came with a warranty card. I got some paperwork and online Pentax asks for a sales receipt.

I guess I'll call tomorrow when they're open and see. Although looking back at the kx and kr, they seem to announce new cameras around September-October and my next trip isn't until October...

It looks like Amazon warehouse deals aren't exactly deals anymore. I've never had a problem buying refurbished before this.

Now that I look at the return procedures online I can see that they ask for a sales receipt and the extended warranty card. Funny that the procedure on the extended warranty card doesn't mention anything about providing either one.

I don't think that a new camera comes with a warranty card that you need to send back to register the product. At least mine didn't. I did follow the registration procedure online though.

Kricket · 07-11-2011, 11:54 AM

Originally posted by lammie200

Now that I look at the return procedures online I can see that they ask for a sales receipt and the extended warranty card. Funny that the procedure on the extended warranty card doesn't mention anything about providing either one.

I don't think that a new camera comes with a warranty card that you need to send back to register the product. At least mine didn't. I did follow the registration procedure online though.

Yeah I just sent it back a few minutes ago actually. The guy on the live chat said all I needed was an invoice or proof of purchase. Hopefully it comes back to me soon.

abcdave · 07-11-2011, 01:49 PM

I can confirm this from first-hand experience. All that all that is required is the sales receipt (invoice). From the invoice they can then reference the vendor and when the clock started on the warranty (date of the sale).

grimmy2016 · 07-15-2011, 10:14 PM

Philosophical- You have a photo of a praying mantis in your signature and I am interested in doing similar type photography (close up of insects and what not) and am wondering what lenses you use and if you had any recommendations for a beginning photographer in terms of mid to low priced macro lenses?

Any help is appreciated!

Philoslothical · 07-15-2011, 10:29 PM

Originally posted by grimmy2016

Philosophical- You have a photo of a praying mantis in your signature and I am interested in doing similar type photography (close up of insects and what not) and am wondering what lenses you use and if you had any recommendations for a beginning photographer in terms of mid to low priced macro lenses?

Any help is appreciated!

You'll laugh... Most of my closeup shots are with a Pentax A SMC 50mm f/2 that is probably almost as old as I am. I picked it up shortly after getting my K-r last month, for $30 on Kijiji (it came with an old film body, ext. flash and tripod too, but I just wanted the lens).

I highly recommend this kind of prime. I mean I'm totally new to this, and I'm constantly surprising myself with what it can do. Easier to use than M series too. There are many better primes available, but the price was right for me on this one.

07-09-2011, 04:42 PM	#1
Kricket Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South Florida Posts: 40	Is it worth trying to fix a kr or upgrade? I bought a refurb (I assume) model of the Kr from Amazon only to have it be defective. The mode dial on top doesn't correspond to the images on the dial and half of the presets are missing. I'm sure it is an easy fix to send it off to Pentax but I've come here to ask is it worth it to fix or should I send it back to amazon and get maybe a k7? I've been looking into the kr more now and see it has a lot of issues with dials and thingamabobs. The kr is great except that mine is defective but if there is a new model potentially coming out soon, then I might as well send it back. It's so confusing, being given a second chance to think everything over! Any feedback or advice would be appreciated.

07-15-2011, 10:14 PM	#13
grimmy2016 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 53	How did you shoot the praying mantis? Philosophical- You have a photo of a praying mantis in your signature and I am interested in doing similar type photography (close up of insects and what not) and am wondering what lenses you use and if you had any recommendations for a beginning photographer in terms of mid to low priced macro lenses? Any help is appreciated!

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07-09-2011, 04:49 PM	#2
Philoslothical Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,889	If they sent you a defective copy, you should send it back as an exchange, at least. The mode dial issue you have sounds like a one off problem, I've never seen mention of it elsewhere. The e-dial issue you've read about is way way overblown. A lil squirt of contact cleaner fixes it. It's just the result of too much lubricant being put on the dial mechanism during production. I've had my K-r for almost a month, no issues yet. I'm very happy with it.

07-09-2011, 05:00 PM	#3
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,004	Send it back for exchange. Do it rapidly and document all the issues.

07-09-2011, 07:05 PM	#4
hnikesch Veteran Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,316	I like my Kr, even after all the bad press, great camera, get it exchanged

07-09-2011, 07:12 PM	#5
Kricket Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South Florida Posts: 40 Original Poster	I guess because it was from Amazon warehouse deals, I can't do an exchange, only a refund. I got a really good price on it too, Amazon up'd the price by $50 since I bought it. If the issue I'm having isn't really common, I guess I'll just call Pentax then. I was looking so forward to taking my new camera down to Miami on Monday too.

07-09-2011, 07:27 PM	#6
lammie200 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Albums Posts: 1,033	I originally was interested in a K-r. Since I ran into a little more cash I began to think that it would be nice to go more semi-pro with a K-7. K-7 prices started to drop and I thought that it was going to be a good deal. Then I started to research the spec changes between the K-7 and the K-5. The K-7 might have been fine for me, but I opted for a K-5. So far (after about a week) I am very impressed with the K-5. Now I am considering selling my Nikon L120 bridge camera and getting a K-r. Having both a K-5 and a K-r might be overkill for me, but my wife likes to tinker, so it might be in order. (I can rationalize practically anything if I want it badly enough.) Bottom line: K-7's have been discontinued and are slightly outdated now. It may be difficult to even find a new one in stock. If you want to jump up go for a K-5. Also, (your particular issues aside), I think that the couple of fix issues for the K-r are fairly easily accomplished. It seems that some are getting good results with the e-dial problem with a squirt of contact cleaner, and the low light focusing issue seems to get better if the camera is recalibrated by Pentax servicing. You can also pick up a 2-year extended warranty from Pentax for about $20 USD.

07-09-2011, 08:10 PM	#7
bpl Inactive Account Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: nj Posts: 4	I bought my Kr off of Amazon warehouse also and with a nonworking flash. My understanding is that Pentax's warranty is not transferable in my case because it's a "used" camera, not a refurb, but I could be wrong. I would be interested if your camera is covered under the Pentax warranty. Just be aware that Amazon's Warehouse return policy is only 30 days. If you decide on a refund, Costco has a pretty good deal on the Kr.

07-09-2011, 08:41 PM	#8
lammie200 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Albums Posts: 1,033	Originally posted by bpl I bought my Kr off of Amazon warehouse also and with a nonworking flash. My understanding is that Pentax's warranty is not transferable in my case because it's a "used" camera, not a refurb, but I could be wrong. I would be interested if your camera is covered under the Pentax warranty. Just be aware that Amazon's Warehouse return policy is only 30 days. If you decide on a refund, Costco has a pretty good deal on the Kr. I just received the extended warranty card today. It does say that the warranty only applies to cameras purchased from a Pentax authorized dealer. So I guess that you need to verify whether Amazon Warehouse is considered a Pentax authorized dealer. All that said, I am not sure how Pentax verifies where you purchased the camera. I suppose that they could verify that the item's serial number matches a vendor's distribution. The warranty card says to register online, but I think that that only applies to the camera and there is no required vendor info during that process. The warranty card also gives instructions for sending your camera in if it needs service, or if you want a one time free check up. However, it doesn't mention anything about sending in the bar code from the extended warranty card. I am going to back the website and see if there is an option for registering the extended warranty card as a product itself.

07-10-2011, 01:14 PM	#9
Kricket Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South Florida Posts: 40 Original Poster	Originally posted by lammie200 I just received the extended warranty card today. It does say that the warranty only applies to cameras purchased from a Pentax authorized dealer. So I guess that you need to verify whether Amazon Warehouse is considered a Pentax authorized dealer. All that said, I am not sure how Pentax verifies where you purchased the camera. I suppose that they could verify that the item's serial number matches a vendor's distribution. The warranty card says to register online, but I think that that only applies to the camera and there is no required vendor info during that process. The warranty card also gives instructions for sending your camera in if it needs service, or if you want a one time free check up. However, it doesn't mention anything about sending in the bar code from the extended warranty card. I am going to back the website and see if there is an option for registering the extended warranty card as a product itself. I don't think mine came with a warranty card. I got some paperwork and online Pentax asks for a sales receipt. I guess I'll call tomorrow when they're open and see. Although looking back at the kx and kr, they seem to announce new cameras around September-October and my next trip isn't until October... It looks like Amazon warehouse deals aren't exactly deals anymore. I've never had a problem buying refurbished before this.

07-10-2011, 01:58 PM	#10
lammie200 Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: San Francisco Photos: Albums Posts: 1,033	Originally posted by Kricket I don't think mine came with a warranty card. I got some paperwork and online Pentax asks for a sales receipt. I guess I'll call tomorrow when they're open and see. Although looking back at the kx and kr, they seem to announce new cameras around September-October and my next trip isn't until October... It looks like Amazon warehouse deals aren't exactly deals anymore. I've never had a problem buying refurbished before this. Now that I look at the return procedures online I can see that they ask for a sales receipt and the extended warranty card. Funny that the procedure on the extended warranty card doesn't mention anything about providing either one. I don't think that a new camera comes with a warranty card that you need to send back to register the product. At least mine didn't. I did follow the registration procedure online though.

07-11-2011, 11:54 AM	#11
Kricket Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: South Florida Posts: 40 Original Poster	Originally posted by lammie200 Now that I look at the return procedures online I can see that they ask for a sales receipt and the extended warranty card. Funny that the procedure on the extended warranty card doesn't mention anything about providing either one. I don't think that a new camera comes with a warranty card that you need to send back to register the product. At least mine didn't. I did follow the registration procedure online though. Yeah I just sent it back a few minutes ago actually. The guy on the live chat said all I needed was an invoice or proof of purchase. Hopefully it comes back to me soon.

07-11-2011, 01:49 PM	#12
abcdave Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Bartlesville, OK Posts: 57	I can confirm this from first-hand experience. All that all that is required is the sales receipt (invoice). From the invoice they can then reference the vendor and when the clock started on the warranty (date of the sale).

07-15-2011, 10:29 PM	#14
Philoslothical Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,889	Originally posted by grimmy2016 Philosophical- You have a photo of a praying mantis in your signature and I am interested in doing similar type photography (close up of insects and what not) and am wondering what lenses you use and if you had any recommendations for a beginning photographer in terms of mid to low priced macro lenses? Any help is appreciated! You'll laugh... Most of my closeup shots are with a Pentax A SMC 50mm f/2 that is probably almost as old as I am. I picked it up shortly after getting my K-r last month, for $30 on Kijiji (it came with an old film body, ext. flash and tripod too, but I just wanted the lens). I highly recommend this kind of prime. I mean I'm totally new to this, and I'm constantly surprising myself with what it can do. Easier to use than M series too. There are many better primes available, but the price was right for me on this one.