Preventive Maintenance on K-1

**StevenLS** · 06-05-2020, 08:13 PM

I've had a K-1 for 4 years and have shot roughly 18K images. There appear to be no issues with the camera.

Can anyone recommend a preventive maintenance regimen for the camera?

While the camera appears to have no issues, I would like to maintain it in great, working condition. What should I ask the repair company to do? Thanks for any advice you can give.

Adam · 06-05-2020, 10:09 PM

Originally posted by StevenLS

I've had a K-1 for 4 years and have shot roughly 18K images. There appear to be no issues with the camera.

Can anyone recommend a preventive maintenance regimen for the camera?

While the camera appears to have no issues, I would like to maintain it in great, working condition. What should I ask the repair company to do? Thanks for any advice you can give.

I'd say that anything involving opening the camera will probably backfire. I just would be sure to keep the sensor and mirror box clean, get a new battery every 5 years or so, and use the camera regularly - even if it's just a few clicks. At this low of a shutter count your camera will probably last for decades more

automorphism · 06-05-2020, 11:11 PM

Don't send it away. If anything, clean it with a slightly damp cloth and keep it away from too much humidity.

Not a Number · 06-06-2020, 08:16 AM

If you have the extended warranty it should include one free inspection. This used to mean a CLA "Cleaning Lubricating and Adjustment" which would mean factory recommended preventative maintenance as well as adjusting anything out of specifications.

Wasp · 06-06-2020, 09:57 AM

Apart from the cleaning the sensor, I can't think of much maintenance to do on a DSLR. Eventually the internal battery will die, but that is many years into future. Even then, the camera will still work.

Wheatfield · 06-06-2020, 04:58 PM

I really don't think there is much for preventative maintenance on these things. The shutter is rated to a couple of hundred thousand actuations, and other than the buttons and switches, which pretty much either work or they don't, there isn't much to go wrong that a PM can address.
Even cleaning the sensor isn't in the realm of preventative maintenance, you can't clean a sensor to prevent future dust. All you can do is be reactive, and clean the sensor if it gets dirty.

noelpolar · 06-06-2020, 07:50 PM - **3 Likes**

I wanted to keep my K1 as a long term camera.... so I did the only one thing I could think off to ensure it lasts up to 2x longer than normal. I bought a 2nd one.

**StevenLS** · 06-09-2020, 02:35 PM

Thanks for all the advice, folks. I appreciate your time with my question.

**Bob 256** · 06-09-2020, 03:17 PM

Originally posted by noelpolar

I wanted to keep my K1 as a long term camera.... so I did the only one thing I could think off to ensure it lasts up to 2x longer than normal. I bought a 2nd one.

When I was shooting with my PZ-1p film camera, I took that strategy and purchased a second one thinking in terms of spare parts. When my old one had issues, it was easier just to start using the new one and voila, spare part available (in the old one). Alas, it was sooooo good, that it outlasted my expectations and now I have my K-1 (the PZ-1p is still working fine). I never did any "preventative maintenance" on the PZ-1p other than keeping it clean and blowing out the mirror box from time to time (I did need to clean the rear viewfinder lens so I could see through it). Hoping the same will apply to the K-1 (no, I haven't bought my 2nd one yet).

06-05-2020, 08:13 PM	#1
StevenLS Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hartsville, SC Posts: 61	Preventive Maintenance on K-1 I've had a K-1 for 4 years and have shot roughly 18K images. There appear to be no issues with the camera. Can anyone recommend a preventive maintenance regimen for the camera? While the camera appears to have no issues, I would like to maintain it in great, working condition. What should I ask the repair company to do? Thanks for any advice you can give.

06-05-2020, 10:09 PM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by StevenLS I've had a K-1 for 4 years and have shot roughly 18K images. There appear to be no issues with the camera. Can anyone recommend a preventive maintenance regimen for the camera? While the camera appears to have no issues, I would like to maintain it in great, working condition. What should I ask the repair company to do? Thanks for any advice you can give. I'd say that anything involving opening the camera will probably backfire. I just would be sure to keep the sensor and mirror box clean, get a new battery every 5 years or so, and use the camera regularly - even if it's just a few clicks. At this low of a shutter count your camera will probably last for decades more Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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06-05-2020, 11:11 PM	#3
automorphism Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Ontario, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 791	Don't send it away. If anything, clean it with a slightly damp cloth and keep it away from too much humidity.

06-06-2020, 08:16 AM	#4
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	If you have the extended warranty it should include one free inspection. This used to mean a CLA "Cleaning Lubricating and Adjustment" which would mean factory recommended preventative maintenance as well as adjusting anything out of specifications.

06-06-2020, 09:57 AM	#5
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	Apart from the cleaning the sensor, I can't think of much maintenance to do on a DSLR. Eventually the internal battery will die, but that is many years into future. Even then, the camera will still work.

06-06-2020, 04:58 PM	#6
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,987	I really don't think there is much for preventative maintenance on these things. The shutter is rated to a couple of hundred thousand actuations, and other than the buttons and switches, which pretty much either work or they don't, there isn't much to go wrong that a PM can address. Even cleaning the sensor isn't in the realm of preventative maintenance, you can't clean a sensor to prevent future dust. All you can do is be reactive, and clean the sensor if it gets dirty.

06-06-2020, 07:50 PM - 3 Likes	#7
noelpolar Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Goolwa, SA Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,310	I wanted to keep my K1 as a long term camera.... so I did the only one thing I could think off to ensure it lasts up to 2x longer than normal. I bought a 2nd one.

06-09-2020, 02:35 PM	#8
StevenLS Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Hartsville, SC Posts: 61 Original Poster	Thanks for all the advice, folks. I appreciate your time with my question.

06-09-2020, 03:17 PM	#9
Bob 256 Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,378	Originally posted by noelpolar I wanted to keep my K1 as a long term camera.... so I did the only one thing I could think off to ensure it lasts up to 2x longer than normal. I bought a 2nd one. When I was shooting with my PZ-1p film camera, I took that strategy and purchased a second one thinking in terms of spare parts. When my old one had issues, it was easier just to start using the new one and voila, spare part available (in the old one). Alas, it was sooooo good, that it outlasted my expectations and now I have my K-1 (the PZ-1p is still working fine). I never did any "preventative maintenance" on the PZ-1p other than keeping it clean and blowing out the mirror box from time to time (I did need to clean the rear viewfinder lens so I could see through it). Hoping the same will apply to the K-1 (no, I haven't bought my 2nd one yet).