Is the free cleaning worth the risk?

**MichaelaPDX** · 03-10-2018, 07:49 AM

I just received my $17.96 Pentax extended warranty card in the mail. I see that I am entitled to one free cleaning during the warranty period. I'm wondering if the benefits of a free cleaning at Precision Camera (I assume that's who does it) is worth the risk of mailing the camera and having a technician fumble around with my camera. My K-70 is new so I won't need to do this for a while. Assuming my camera is well cared for, kept clean, and is trouble free, would you recommend sending or not sending the camera for the cleaning?

bschriver11 · 03-10-2018, 08:02 AM

If the camera is very clean and well cared for then i would not worry about the cleaning.

**sergysergy** · 03-10-2018, 09:02 AM

I have used it when the warranty was about to expire both for my K-5 and my K-3

**BarryE** · 03-10-2018, 11:32 AM

You say "My K-70 is new so I won't need to do this for a while". Doesn't really work like that. Every time you change a lens there's a risk, albeit you can mitigate that risk. So it rather depends on where and how often you change lenses. I'd say don't worry about it and learn how to clean the sensor, then you'll be bothered about the risks of sending in for a clean.

**Alex645** · 03-10-2018, 12:33 PM

Originally posted by mikecnorthwest

Assuming my camera is well cared for, kept clean, and is trouble free, would you recommend sending or not sending the camera for the cleaning?

The cleaning is a good idea IF the camera has had hard usage in dusty or wet environments with a lot of lens, battery, and memory card swapping. Youʻd see dust in your viewfinder, stubborn specks not coming off the sensor, a mirror coated with specks, or a sticky battery compartment or memory card slot.

Otherwise, no need for the cleaning. Think of what you paid for as peace of mind or insurance. I donʻt know the extent of what is done for the free cleaning, but I would think if they found the need to actually open up the camera and thus potentially compromise the gasket seals, that may be more than the routine free cleaning.

Not a Number · 03-10-2018, 06:22 PM - **1 Like**

Is it worth the risk getting a cleaning and having some dental hygienist "fumble around" in your mouth?

aleonx3 · 03-10-2018, 06:27 PM

I consider this is a good thing that Pentax/Ricoh offer the free cleaning service as part of the camera warranty, although I am not sure if that applies to other cameras besides DSLR. And I only found that out when I have taken my k10D camera in for repairing a broken mirror assembly (still under warranty) some years ago. I later learned that most Pentax users send their camera in for cleaning before the warranty expires. But then at that time, the Pentax repair shop was still under Pentax/Ricoh and not through 3rd party camera repair companies.

amstel78 · 08-22-2018, 06:59 AM

Originally posted by mikecnorthwest

I just received my $17.96 Pentax extended warranty card in the mail. I see that I am entitled to one free cleaning during the warranty period. I'm wondering if the benefits of a free cleaning at Precision Camera (I assume that's who does it) is worth the risk of mailing the camera and having a technician fumble around with my camera. My K-70 is new so I won't need to do this for a while. Assuming my camera is well cared for, kept clean, and is trouble free, would you recommend sending or not sending the camera for the cleaning?

Hi Mike,

Where/how did you get an extended warranty? Also, looking through my warranty information for the K1 Mark II, it doesn't mention anything about a complementary cleaning (unless I'm oblivious and missed it).

Thanks,
James

**Mikesul** · 08-22-2018, 12:13 PM - **1 Like**

You can buy the extended warranty from B&H or Adorama within 30 days of the purchase of your camera. The exact warranty will depend on which camera you have.

**csa** · 08-24-2018, 09:09 AM

Speaking for just myself; unless my camera had problems that needed fixing; I would not send my camera in for just cleaning. A risk, during mailing, back & forth; and also a small risk at Precision. So for me, no; a free cleaning by itself is not worth sending it in.

**Kerrowdown** · 08-24-2018, 01:22 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by csa

Speaking for just myself; unless my camera had problems that needed fixing;

You and me both... I still run with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

dcpropilot · 08-31-2018, 04:22 PM

Is this with the extended warranty? I got the 3 year warranty and am thinking about sending my K-1 for an overall checkup.

rickxx · 09-02-2018, 04:42 AM

my k3 is coming up on it's 3 year mark also. it's working well but i'm thinking a cleaning couldn't hurt. does anyone know if they change any of the menu settings when they do a cla? i did a focus fine-tuning and just want to know what i'm getting into before i send it.

03-10-2018, 07:49 AM	#1
MichaelaPDX Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 126	Is the free cleaning worth the risk? I just received my $17.96 Pentax extended warranty card in the mail. I see that I am entitled to one free cleaning during the warranty period. I'm wondering if the benefits of a free cleaning at Precision Camera (I assume that's who does it) is worth the risk of mailing the camera and having a technician fumble around with my camera. My K-70 is new so I won't need to do this for a while. Assuming my camera is well cared for, kept clean, and is trouble free, would you recommend sending or not sending the camera for the cleaning?

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03-10-2018, 08:02 AM	#2
bschriver11 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 558	If the camera is very clean and well cared for then i would not worry about the cleaning.

03-10-2018, 09:02 AM	#3
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	I have used it when the warranty was about to expire both for my K-5 and my K-3

03-10-2018, 11:32 AM	#4
BarryE Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,653	You say "My K-70 is new so I won't need to do this for a while". Doesn't really work like that. Every time you change a lens there's a risk, albeit you can mitigate that risk. So it rather depends on where and how often you change lenses. I'd say don't worry about it and learn how to clean the sensor, then you'll be bothered about the risks of sending in for a clean.

03-10-2018, 12:33 PM	#5
Alex645 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Kaneohe, HI Photos: Albums Posts: 3,526	Originally posted by mikecnorthwest Assuming my camera is well cared for, kept clean, and is trouble free, would you recommend sending or not sending the camera for the cleaning? The cleaning is a good idea IF the camera has had hard usage in dusty or wet environments with a lot of lens, battery, and memory card swapping. Youʻd see dust in your viewfinder, stubborn specks not coming off the sensor, a mirror coated with specks, or a sticky battery compartment or memory card slot. Otherwise, no need for the cleaning. Think of what you paid for as peace of mind or insurance. I donʻt know the extent of what is done for the free cleaning, but I would think if they found the need to actually open up the camera and thus potentially compromise the gasket seals, that may be more than the routine free cleaning.

03-10-2018, 06:22 PM - 1 Like	#6
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Is it worth the risk getting a cleaning and having some dental hygienist "fumble around" in your mouth?

03-10-2018, 06:27 PM	#7
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	I consider this is a good thing that Pentax/Ricoh offer the free cleaning service as part of the camera warranty, although I am not sure if that applies to other cameras besides DSLR. And I only found that out when I have taken my k10D camera in for repairing a broken mirror assembly (still under warranty) some years ago. I later learned that most Pentax users send their camera in for cleaning before the warranty expires. But then at that time, the Pentax repair shop was still under Pentax/Ricoh and not through 3rd party camera repair companies.

08-22-2018, 06:59 AM	#8
amstel78 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: NEPA, NYC, and wherever work sends me... Photos: Albums Posts: 247	Originally posted by mikecnorthwest I just received my $17.96 Pentax extended warranty card in the mail. I see that I am entitled to one free cleaning during the warranty period. I'm wondering if the benefits of a free cleaning at Precision Camera (I assume that's who does it) is worth the risk of mailing the camera and having a technician fumble around with my camera. My K-70 is new so I won't need to do this for a while. Assuming my camera is well cared for, kept clean, and is trouble free, would you recommend sending or not sending the camera for the cleaning? Hi Mike, Where/how did you get an extended warranty? Also, looking through my warranty information for the K1 Mark II, it doesn't mention anything about a complementary cleaning (unless I'm oblivious and missed it). Thanks, James

08-22-2018, 12:13 PM - 1 Like	#9
Mikesul Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,594	You can buy the extended warranty from B&H or Adorama within 30 days of the purchase of your camera. The exact warranty will depend on which camera you have.

08-24-2018, 09:09 AM	#10
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	Speaking for just myself; unless my camera had problems that needed fixing; I would not send my camera in for just cleaning. A risk, during mailing, back & forth; and also a small risk at Precision. So for me, no; a free cleaning by itself is not worth sending it in.

08-24-2018, 01:22 PM - 1 Like	#11
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,816	Originally posted by csa Speaking for just myself; unless my camera had problems that needed fixing; You and me both... I still run with "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

08-31-2018, 04:22 PM	#12
dcpropilot Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Vermont Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 941	Is this with the extended warranty? I got the 3 year warranty and am thinking about sending my K-1 for an overall checkup.

09-02-2018, 04:42 AM	#13
rickxx Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: michigan Posts: 181	my k3 is coming up on it's 3 year mark also. it's working well but i'm thinking a cleaning couldn't hurt. does anyone know if they change any of the menu settings when they do a cla? i did a focus fine-tuning and just want to know what i'm getting into before i send it.