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jg45 · 10-15-2017, 01:26 PM

Just received a K-70 that I ordered from Amazon. I noticed the serial number looks different. It is only 6 characters long instead of 7. Has anyone seen this before? My K-50 is 7 digits. Also noticed that the sticker for the serial number on the K-50 and the one picture I could find of a K-70 is gray. The one on this example is black.

swanlefitte · 10-15-2017, 01:37 PM

There are 12 k70s in the serial number data base on this site. All are 7digits ranging from 638xxxx-734xxxx.

Adam · 10-15-2017, 01:41 PM

Originally posted by jg45

Just received a K-70 that I ordered from Amazon. I noticed the serial number looks different. It is only 6 characters long instead of 7. Has anyone seen this before? My K-50 is 7 digits. Also noticed that the sticker for the serial number on the K-50 and the one picture I could find of a K-70 is gray. The one on this example is black.

Was there a serial number card included in the box?

Qman · 10-15-2017, 02:07 PM

My K-70 has 7 digits, starting with a 7.

LensBeginner · 10-15-2017, 02:13 PM

Also you can check that against the serial number in the EXIF data of the pictures you take (should be Exif.Pentax.SerialNumber, it's under Maker if you use ExifToolGUI).

jg45 · 10-15-2017, 03:04 PM

Originally posted by LensBeginner

Also you can check that against the serial number in the EXIF data of the pictures you take (should be Exif.Pentax.SerialNumber, it's under Maker if you use ExifToolGUI).

There was no card in the box with a serial number. The EXIF data did have a 7 digit serial number starting with 729 and that is in the range of the numbers in the database. For some reason, it is not on the bottom of the camera. Also shutter count is 2. So it appears to be new since I took 2 photos.

Adam · 10-15-2017, 03:52 PM

So was this a grey market purchase then? Wouldn't surprise me if the seller was playing tricks.

Adam
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jg45 · 10-15-2017, 03:57 PM

I guess it was gray market. I bought through Amazon and it was listed as Prime shipping. After reviewing the order, I see it was a third party seller.

swanlefitte · 10-15-2017, 04:31 PM

Was the seller name Yakusa?

stevebrot · 10-15-2017, 04:33 PM

Originally posted by jg45

he EXIF data did have a 7 digit serial number starting with 729 and that is in the range of the numbers in the database. For some reason, it is not on the bottom of the camera.

Note that there are two serial number values in the makernotes section of the EXIF. ExifTool calls them "SerialNumber" (prints out as "Serial Number") and "InternalSerialNumber" (prints out as "Internal Serial Number"). SerialNumber should be the same as the one on the bottom of the body.

If "SerialNumber" and the number on the bottom of the camera are different, it is very likely "gray market" and will not be eligible for warranty service. There may also be issues with service in general. This PetaPixel article, while about a Nikon and not a Pentax, may be of interest:

I Bought a Fake Nikon DSLR: My Experience with Gray Market Imports

Steve

jg45 · 10-15-2017, 04:40 PM

Originally posted by swanlefitte

Was the seller name Yakusa?

No. The invoice says Web Offers.

---------- Post added 10-15-17 at 06:43 PM ----------

Originally posted by stevebrot

Note that there are two serial number values in the makernotes section of the EXIF. ExifTool calls them "SerialNumber" (prints out as "Serial Number") and "InternalSerialNumber" (prints out as "Internal Serial Number"). SerialNumber should be the same as the one on the bottom of the body.

If "SerialNumber" and the number on the bottom of the camera are different, it is very likely "gray market" and will not be eligible for warranty service. There may also be issues with service in general. This PetaPixel article, while about a Nikon and not a Pentax, may be of interest:

I Bought a Fake Nikon DSLR: My Experience with Gray Market Imports

Steve

That's what I am afraid of.

Adam · 10-15-2017, 05:30 PM

Originally posted by jg45

No. The invoice says Web Offers.

Yup that's not an authorized seller. Assuming you got a discount, hang on to the camera if you're fine with no warranty. Otherwise I would return & exchange for one from an authorized dealer (amazon.com, B&H, Adorama, Ricoh, etc.).

jg45 · 10-24-2017, 07:24 AM - **1 Like**

Just wanted to share a follow up on this. I contacted the seller and expressed my concerns. The seller agreed to either take the camera back or they would provide a certified, third party 3 year warranty. I accepted their offer of a 3 year warranty provided by CPS. Kudos to them for stepping up to resolve the situation.

10-15-2017, 01:26 PM	#1
jg45 New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 19	Strange Serial Number? Just received a K-70 that I ordered from Amazon. I noticed the serial number looks different. It is only 6 characters long instead of 7. Has anyone seen this before? My K-50 is 7 digits. Also noticed that the sticker for the serial number on the K-50 and the one picture I could find of a K-70 is gray. The one on this example is black.

10-15-2017, 01:41 PM	#3
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by jg45 Just received a K-70 that I ordered from Amazon. I noticed the serial number looks different. It is only 6 characters long instead of 7. Has anyone seen this before? My K-50 is 7 digits. Also noticed that the sticker for the serial number on the K-50 and the one picture I could find of a K-70 is gray. The one on this example is black. Was there a serial number card included in the box? 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:

10-15-2017, 05:30 PM	#12
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	Originally posted by jg45 No. The invoice says Web Offers. Yup that's not an authorized seller. Assuming you got a discount, hang on to the camera if you're fine with no warranty. Otherwise I would return & exchange for one from an authorized dealer (amazon.com, B&H, Adorama, Ricoh, etc.). 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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10-15-2017, 01:37 PM	#2
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	There are 12 k70s in the serial number data base on this site. All are 7digits ranging from 638xxxx-734xxxx.

10-15-2017, 02:07 PM	#4
Qman Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Posts: 232	My K-70 has 7 digits, starting with a 7.

10-15-2017, 02:13 PM	#5
LensBeginner Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,696	Also you can check that against the serial number in the EXIF data of the pictures you take (should be Exif.Pentax.SerialNumber, it's under Maker if you use ExifToolGUI).

10-15-2017, 03:04 PM	#6
jg45 New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 19 Original Poster	Originally posted by LensBeginner Also you can check that against the serial number in the EXIF data of the pictures you take (should be Exif.Pentax.SerialNumber, it's under Maker if you use ExifToolGUI). There was no card in the box with a serial number. The EXIF data did have a 7 digit serial number starting with 729 and that is in the range of the numbers in the database. For some reason, it is not on the bottom of the camera. Also shutter count is 2. So it appears to be new since I took 2 photos.

10-15-2017, 03:52 PM	#7
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,608	So was this a grey market purchase then? Wouldn't surprise me if the seller was playing tricks. 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:

10-15-2017, 03:57 PM	#8
jg45 New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 19 Original Poster	I guess it was gray market. I bought through Amazon and it was listed as Prime shipping. After reviewing the order, I see it was a third party seller.

10-15-2017, 04:31 PM	#9
swanlefitte Pentaxian Join Date: May 2015 Location: Minneapolis Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,068	Was the seller name Yakusa?

10-15-2017, 04:33 PM	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by jg45 he EXIF data did have a 7 digit serial number starting with 729 and that is in the range of the numbers in the database. For some reason, it is not on the bottom of the camera. Note that there are two serial number values in the makernotes section of the EXIF. ExifTool calls them "SerialNumber" (prints out as "Serial Number") and "InternalSerialNumber" (prints out as "Internal Serial Number"). SerialNumber should be the same as the one on the bottom of the body. If "SerialNumber" and the number on the bottom of the camera are different, it is very likely "gray market" and will not be eligible for warranty service. There may also be issues with service in general. This PetaPixel article, while about a Nikon and not a Pentax, may be of interest: I Bought a Fake Nikon DSLR: My Experience with Gray Market Imports Steve

10-15-2017, 04:40 PM	#11
jg45 New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 19 Original Poster	Originally posted by swanlefitte Was the seller name Yakusa? No. The invoice says Web Offers. ---------- Post added 10-15-17 at 06:43 PM ---------- Originally posted by stevebrot Note that there are two serial number values in the makernotes section of the EXIF. ExifTool calls them "SerialNumber" (prints out as "Serial Number") and "InternalSerialNumber" (prints out as "Internal Serial Number"). SerialNumber should be the same as the one on the bottom of the body. If "SerialNumber" and the number on the bottom of the camera are different, it is very likely "gray market" and will not be eligible for warranty service. There may also be issues with service in general. This PetaPixel article, while about a Nikon and not a Pentax, may be of interest: I Bought a Fake Nikon DSLR: My Experience with Gray Market Imports Steve That's what I am afraid of.

10-24-2017, 07:24 AM - 1 Like	#13
jg45 New Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 19 Original Poster	Just wanted to share a follow up on this. I contacted the seller and expressed my concerns. The seller agreed to either take the camera back or they would provide a certified, third party 3 year warranty. I accepted their offer of a 3 year warranty provided by CPS. Kudos to them for stepping up to resolve the situation.

Strange Serial Number?

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