K-1II hotshoe mount broken

MarkJerling · 01-20-2020, 03:33 PM - **1 Like**

Bit of bad news. I'm generally very careful with my equipment so I'm absolutely flabbergasted as to how this happened. We were away for a few days which involved both train and airplane travel.
The camera when not in my hands travel inside a very well padded large camera bag with the camera in it's own compartment separated from any lenses. I did not have a flash with me for the trip and noticed the damage yesterday when changing lenses. It must have received a knock somewhere along the way but as to how this could happen through a well padded camera bag I'm not sure. I've not knocked the camera against anything.

I have contacted the New Zealand Pentax service agent this morning and am waiting to hear from him with regards to costs to get this sorted. The camera will likely need to go to Japan to have this fixed.

From an online search it seems the top plastic is very thin. If you have a K-1 I'd advise taking extreme care with the top of the camera! I'll post more when I know more.

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

Aaron28 · 01-20-2020, 03:44 PM

that stinks!

have you tried using flash?

MarkJerling · 01-20-2020, 03:57 PM

Originally posted by Aaron28

that stinks!

have you tried using flash?

It sure does. No, I can't mount a flash as the plastic hotshoe cover cannot be removed as the pushed-in mount prevents the cover from being slid out. Even if I could get it out, I would not try mount a flash as I would not want to risk a short circuit or any additional damage.

**Fries** · 01-20-2020, 04:03 PM

That is really bad luck Mark. Airplanes and the overhead compartments can be a bit tricky. Once a hinge in the overhead compartment crunched a part of my K-5 and the top LCD cover came of. Since then I alway's stay away from those hinges with my camera bag.

**luftfluss** · 01-20-2020, 04:09 PM

Wow, that is terrible.

Is there any sign of impact on the camera bag?

This morning I read 2 recent laments of the tripod mount on the new Olympus camera breaking; when we are shelling out serious cash for these nice cameras, we should feel secure knowing they can take a few knocks.

Not a Number · 01-20-2020, 04:55 PM - **2 Likes**

Definitely a weak spot on the K-1 series. At least a couple other forum members report damage to the prism housing - from drops or falls as I recall. The top cover in this area needs to be beefed up. The designers must have made some compromises to accommodate the GPS antenna and circuitry.

**shardulm** · 01-20-2020, 05:31 PM

It did happen to my K-5ii once and flash was mounted and was hit by someone walking by when the flash was mounted... The metal housing of the show popped off with the flash that was a bit loose (very minor play if at all) to begin with. Had to send it for repair.
In your case it seems the camera went into a lot of stress on top of the hot shoe (got squished against an edge of a seat or the passenger bar in trains or the latches of an over head bin without you noticing it).
It is not easy to break it the way it is seen in the picture. It probably succumbed to a lot of pressure..

MarkJerling · 01-20-2020, 06:07 PM

Originally posted by Fries

That is really bad luck Mark. Airplanes and the overhead compartments can be a bit tricky. Once a hinge in the overhead compartment crunched a part of my K-5 and the top LCD cover came of. Since then I alway's stay away from those hinges with my camera bag.

I don't think it happened there, but who knows. I certainly did not see any hinge. I think damage on the train may have been the likely cause. Or, shuttle service from train to airport. It's a mystery.

MarkJerling · 01-20-2020, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by luftfluss

Wow, that is terrible.

Is there any sign of impact on the camera bag?

This morning I read 2 recent laments of the tripod mount on the new Olympus camera breaking; when we are shelling out serious cash for these nice cameras, we should feel secure knowing they can take a few knocks.

No, the camera bag is perfect. Knowing how many knocks my K-5 and older Pentax cameras have had, and how I've been babying the K-1II, this has come as a bit of a worrying surprise. I've been more "careful" with this camera than any one of my previous cameras!

MarkJerling · 01-20-2020, 06:18 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

Definitely a weak spot on the K-1 series. At least a couple other forum members report damage to the prism housing - from drops or falls as I recall. The top cover in this area needs to be beefed up. The designers must have made some compromises to accommodate the GPS antenna and circuitry.

Yes, there have been some reports. I've wracked my brain as to where it could have happened. Looking back, I think I can rule out the airplane. Not the train ride. That was bumpy as train rides can be but the camera or camera bag was never out of my sight. ANd no bags were stacked on top of the camera bag at any time. I'm real confused at how this could have happened. You have no idea how careful I've been with this camera!

MarkJerling · 01-20-2020, 06:26 PM

Originally posted by shardulm

In your case it seems the camera went into a lot of stress on top of the hot shoe (got squished against an edge of a seat or the passenger bar in trains or the latches of an over head bin without you noticing it).
It is not easy to break it the way it is seen in the picture. It probably succumbed to a lot of pressure..

The camera was not in any situation where it could have been subjected to a "lot of stress" At all times, I handle the bag with care and the camera with more care. It's also never out of my sight when I travel. Having said that, I could have bumped the well padded bag against something while it was on my back and not noticed. (It is a back-pack style bag.)

There's no impact mark on either the bag or the camera and the camera is functioning perfectly. (Other than the hotshoe issue) Looking at it closely, I can confirm that the plastic is very thin - less than a millimeter.

Leumas · 01-20-2020, 06:29 PM

Any point where it was checked baggage?.....that's the only thing I could think of

MarkJerling · 01-20-2020, 06:49 PM

Originally posted by Leumas

Any point where it was checked baggage?.....that's the only thing I could think of

No, I'd never do checked baggage for a camera.

stevebrot · 01-20-2020, 08:06 PM

That is really a shame to see that damage. With any luck it is only the hotshoe base and the prism cover that is broken.

A few years ago I had my camera bag in the overhead during a hard landing on a short runway. The pilot was very hard on the brakes and due to the flight not being particularly full, we could hear the bags in the under-filled overhead sliding forward and crashing into the bulkhead. I figure my camera bag hit at about 40 mph. Fortunately, the K-3 and more sensitive lenses were in a smaller bag between my feet. No more overheads for the gear unless in a hard-side or in very thick neoprene pouches.

Steve

**beachgardener** · 01-21-2020, 02:46 AM

Is why I like a full metal body, none of this gps and wifi rubbish, full metal housing.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
FA 50mm focusing is broken. Fix it or sell as broken?	Tranzistors	Repairs and Warranty Service	5	01-30-2018 11:53 PM
Broken Plastic Hotshoe on Flash Trigger. Suggestions?	reivax	Flashes, Lighting, and Studio	7	01-31-2012 09:46 PM
Wanted - Acquired: Wein Safe Sync hotshoe to hotshoe adapter	gabriel_bc	Sold Items	1	06-13-2011 05:01 PM
Lens is broken: broken mount	nemo9439	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	4	08-27-2010 09:52 AM

01-20-2020, 03:44 PM	#2
Aaron28 Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Huntsville, Al Posts: 7,131	that stinks! have you tried using flash?

01-20-2020, 03:57 PM	#3
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423 Original Poster	Originally posted by Aaron28 that stinks! have you tried using flash? It sure does. No, I can't mount a flash as the plastic hotshoe cover cannot be removed as the pushed-in mount prevents the cover from being slid out. Even if I could get it out, I would not try mount a flash as I would not want to risk a short circuit or any additional damage.

01-20-2020, 04:03 PM	#4
Fries Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Gauw Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,582	That is really bad luck Mark. Airplanes and the overhead compartments can be a bit tricky. Once a hinge in the overhead compartment crunched a part of my K-5 and the top LCD cover came of. Since then I alway's stay away from those hinges with my camera bag.

01-20-2020, 04:09 PM	#5
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,629	Wow, that is terrible. Is there any sign of impact on the camera bag? This morning I read 2 recent laments of the tripod mount on the new Olympus camera breaking; when we are shelling out serious cash for these nice cameras, we should feel secure knowing they can take a few knocks.

01-20-2020, 04:55 PM - 2 Likes	#6
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Definitely a weak spot on the K-1 series. At least a couple other forum members report damage to the prism housing - from drops or falls as I recall. The top cover in this area needs to be beefed up. The designers must have made some compromises to accommodate the GPS antenna and circuitry.

01-20-2020, 05:31 PM	#7
shardulm Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Cumming, GA Posts: 793	It did happen to my K-5ii once and flash was mounted and was hit by someone walking by when the flash was mounted... The metal housing of the show popped off with the flash that was a bit loose (very minor play if at all) to begin with. Had to send it for repair. In your case it seems the camera went into a lot of stress on top of the hot shoe (got squished against an edge of a seat or the passenger bar in trains or the latches of an over head bin without you noticing it). It is not easy to break it the way it is seen in the picture. It probably succumbed to a lot of pressure..

01-20-2020, 06:07 PM	#8
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423 Original Poster	Originally posted by Fries That is really bad luck Mark. Airplanes and the overhead compartments can be a bit tricky. Once a hinge in the overhead compartment crunched a part of my K-5 and the top LCD cover came of. Since then I alway's stay away from those hinges with my camera bag. I don't think it happened there, but who knows. I certainly did not see any hinge. I think damage on the train may have been the likely cause. Or, shuttle service from train to airport. It's a mystery.

01-20-2020, 06:10 PM	#9
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423 Original Poster	Originally posted by luftfluss Wow, that is terrible. Is there any sign of impact on the camera bag? This morning I read 2 recent laments of the tripod mount on the new Olympus camera breaking; when we are shelling out serious cash for these nice cameras, we should feel secure knowing they can take a few knocks. No, the camera bag is perfect. Knowing how many knocks my K-5 and older Pentax cameras have had, and how I've been babying the K-1II, this has come as a bit of a worrying surprise. I've been more "careful" with this camera than any one of my previous cameras!

01-20-2020, 06:18 PM	#10
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number Definitely a weak spot on the K-1 series. At least a couple other forum members report damage to the prism housing - from drops or falls as I recall. The top cover in this area needs to be beefed up. The designers must have made some compromises to accommodate the GPS antenna and circuitry. Yes, there have been some reports. I've wracked my brain as to where it could have happened. Looking back, I think I can rule out the airplane. Not the train ride. That was bumpy as train rides can be but the camera or camera bag was never out of my sight. ANd no bags were stacked on top of the camera bag at any time. I'm real confused at how this could have happened. You have no idea how careful I've been with this camera!

01-20-2020, 06:26 PM	#11
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423 Original Poster	Originally posted by shardulm In your case it seems the camera went into a lot of stress on top of the hot shoe (got squished against an edge of a seat or the passenger bar in trains or the latches of an over head bin without you noticing it). It is not easy to break it the way it is seen in the picture. It probably succumbed to a lot of pressure.. The camera was not in any situation where it could have been subjected to a "lot of stress" At all times, I handle the bag with care and the camera with more care. It's also never out of my sight when I travel. Having said that, I could have bumped the well padded bag against something while it was on my back and not noticed. (It is a back-pack style bag.) There's no impact mark on either the bag or the camera and the camera is functioning perfectly. (Other than the hotshoe issue) Looking at it closely, I can confirm that the plastic is very thin - less than a millimeter.

01-20-2020, 06:29 PM	#12
Leumas Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 454	Any point where it was checked baggage?.....that's the only thing I could think of

01-20-2020, 06:49 PM	#13
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423 Original Poster	Originally posted by Leumas Any point where it was checked baggage?.....that's the only thing I could think of No, I'd never do checked baggage for a camera.

01-20-2020, 08:06 PM	#14
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	That is really a shame to see that damage. With any luck it is only the hotshoe base and the prism cover that is broken. A few years ago I had my camera bag in the overhead during a hard landing on a short runway. The pilot was very hard on the brakes and due to the flight not being particularly full, we could hear the bags in the under-filled overhead sliding forward and crashing into the bulkhead. I figure my camera bag hit at about 40 mph. Fortunately, the K-3 and more sensitive lenses were in a smaller bag between my feet. No more overheads for the gear unless in a hard-side or in very thick neoprene pouches. Steve

01-21-2020, 02:46 AM	#15
beachgardener Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,842	Is why I like a full metal body, none of this gps and wifi rubbish, full metal housing.