[altopiet]

After the now known, severe and random under exposure problems, which led to a complete mirror box replacement under warranty, my K-30, after about another 5000 clicks, started acting up again.

I'm now putting my 18-55WR on it and will NOT handle it with any care. I will not break it deliberately (not that kind of person), but I hope something happens to it that warrants an insurance claim. It is so unreliable at the moment, that I've reverted to my K-x as backup to my K-5iis, for occasions that I need accurate exposure, and can not go back or take time to do it over again....
I'm now using it in hi, continuous mode, and hope I get some photos without having to spend hours in PP to try and recover something usable...

I've started with my K1000 in early 80's, and am planning to get another K-5iis or perhaps K-3, as soon as my K-30, or one of the others, decides to kick the bucket
I'll not spend another cent on it (now out of warranty)

Definitely my worst experience with any of my Pentax products in more than 3 decades.

BUT don't worry.... I do not have any plans of jumping ship!

[LensBeginner]

Sorry to hear that...
I've been lucky since now with Pentax cameras, but I understand that a DSLR is quite a delicate device...
At least it's not your only camera, and the K-5IIs is a mighty fine one!

[esrandall]

Frustrating, especially after its already been repaired. At least your primary is top notch

[altopiet]

Sorry to hear that...
I've been lucky since now with Pentax cameras, but I understand that a DSLR is quite a delicate device...
At least it's not your only camera, and the K-5IIs is a mighty fine one!

The frustration is actualy caused by the fact that I realy like the K-30, shape features etc, but you're correct, the K-5iis, is doing a good job, and the K-x, which didn't see much use for about 2 years, should still do a good job as backup...

[altopiet]

Frustrating, especially after its already been repaired. At least your primary is top notch

Yip, actually if I start thinking about the situation a bit more calmly, I realize I'm probably blessed to be in a position to have so many cameras in the first place, but then I'm only human...

[JimC1101]

I feel for you when I read a post such as yours. It does happen repeatedly on the forum with a problem or sending off to the service center. I fortunately, knock on wood, have never had an issue with either my K-X and my current K-30. Sometimes it happens though and it is unfortunate.

[Canada_Rockies]

I feel your pain. When my DA* 50-135 SDM failed the third time, I was so fed up I traded it for a 55-300. Sometimes I regret that. I have an AF 1.7X that worked well with the lens, making it an 85-230/4.8, but I just could no longer stand looking at a very expensive failure.

[clackers]

I feel your pain. When my DA* 50-135 SDM failed the third time, I was so fed up I traded it for a 55-300. Sometimes I regret that. I have an AF 1.7X that worked well with the lens, making it an 85-230/4.8, but I just could no longer stand looking at a very expensive failure.

Yikes! The other person could have done the screw drive conversion on it and done very well out of the deal!

[MarkJerling]

After the now known, severe and random under exposure problems, which led to a complete mirror box replacement under warranty, my K-30, after about another 5000 clicks, started acting up again.
Definitely my worst experience with any of my Pentax products in more than 3 decades.
BUT don't worry.... I do not have any plans of jumping ship!

Noting where you live, Piet, just leave it outside. You'll have that insurance claim sorted in no time! (Jammer man!)

[crewl1]

That's sad to hear. I have been lucky with all the Pentax cameras I have owned. I will be interested to hear what ultimately occurs to it.

[Canada_Rockies]

Yikes! The other person could have done the screw drive conversion on it and done very well out of the deal!

Actually, he bought an older body to use with it. I'm happy with the trade: the 55-300 works well while I'm saving up for the 60-250. (Might be a while ...)

[clackers]

Actually, he bought an older body to use with it. I'm happy with the trade: the 55-300 works well while I'm saving up for the 60-250. (Might be a while ...)

Whatever happens, you might want to hold on to the 55-300 anyway, since it's so small and convenient!

[altopiet]

Noting where you live, Piet, just leave it outside. You'll have that insurance claim sorted in no time! (Jammer man!)

[MarkJerling]

Jammer Cristo! (Dis toe nie Piet nie!)

[altopiet]

That's sad to hear. I have been lucky with all the Pentax cameras I have owned. I will be interested to hear what ultimately occurs to it.

+1, It might just be a bad batch, this is the first camera that I bought relatively soon after release, the others were near to the end of their cycle.

I knew I was taking a risk in doing that, but the fact that after a major repair (took 3 months, they probably had a pigeon fly the parts from Japan to South Africa or something...), it didn't take long to act up again, and that is the frustrating part.

I'm a hobbyist, but still do some school events for free, and need reliability....I had a yearly prize giving ceremony the other day, where you have to take a shot every +- 20 sec at just the right time, about 200 kids, no second chance...due to this some kids were a bit disappointed not getting a pic from me, luckily I had my K-5iis with me, but there were no time to change the flash from one to the other, but at least I could rescue some of the shots.

The frustrating part is disappointing these high school kids, when I've been shooting all their sport and other activities for a few years now, and this was probably the last time, as my youngest is finishing school this year....