Originally posted by Steve.Ledger Personally I think it's wasting everyone's time sending it in under wty for such a trivial fix.
I agree, but it's not only everyone's time, but money as well. Mine was bought used, so I'd have to foot the entire repair bill and S&H(does anyone know how much this would cost?), just to replace a knob????? Not to mention that disassembling the camera could then cause other problems if something isn't put back exactly the same as it was, I really don't want to risk that, as the camera has been virtually flawless otherwise.
Unfortunately mine fell off during a neighborhood walk, and is lost. Pentax told me the only option is to send it in for repairs, as no replacement knobs are available. That's just ridiculous. So I'm supposed to send the camera in at my expense, have the fully functional, with no other issues whatsoever, camera completely disassembled, just to replace a friggin' knob??????? To me, that's just really poor design, things like external knobs, compartment doors, etc., should be able to be replaced without needing to disassemble the entire unit IMHO.
I've been a Pentax user/supporter for decades, and this has really soured me to the whole brand. As I've mentioned before, I've owned many different cameras, from different manufacturers/brands, P&Ss, SLRs, bridge, etc., varying in cost from probably under $50 to several hundred and more, and I've never had a knob or switch "fall off" before. I've carried P&Ss around in pockets, backpacks, glove-boxes, etc. I've experienced lettering wear off, wear on edges, knob edges, switch edges, etc. I'd consider all that "normal", but a knob just falling off without having ever having dropped nor abused the camera is just unacceptable.
Has this happened to anyone who paid the full release price, after their warranty expired, I'd like to know how they feel?
I fell under the spell of the K3 sales and caved, but I don't think I'll buy any other Pentax cameras in the future.