K20D issues

tmalkiew · 04-21-2008, 12:29 PM

Hi,

Unfortunately I seem to have a serious problem with my k20d. I just wanted to ask for opinion on these forums before I send it back to seller.

The isues are rather difficult for me to explain, but Ill try anyway.

It usually happens after camera is switched on after lets say a day of inactivity.

When I take the first shot nothing happens. There shoul be preview displayed when the shot is taken but it does not happen. When I try to shoot more shots it look like something is being written on the card but still no preview. It also seems like there something wrong with the mirror. Its up too long.

When I turn the camera off and on again it seems to be somewhow locked. No buttons work, I dont have an access to any menu or preview. The only thing helping is taking battery out for a few seconds and putting it back again.

It usually works after that again with no problem.... until the next longer inactivity period.

I have attached some samples of "images" written to the card when there is led flashing (meaning something is being written onto the card but no preview)...

I am affraid I will have to send it back...

Thanks for any ideas...

Tom

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

xGene · 04-21-2008, 12:34 PM

Tom, what brand of SD card are you using? Have you tried another brand?

I personally have had a "purple banding" issue on SOME images until I changed brand. I am currently using Patriot 16GB class 6 and the problem disappeared.

Good luck. xGene

ftpaddict · 04-21-2008, 12:40 PM

This issue seems far too severe to be SD card-related. I think you should send your K20D back for servicing.

tmalkiew · 04-21-2008, 12:44 PM

To be honest I am at the moment using one of "bonus" cards from Digital-Rev. Its A-data 8Gb class 6 Turbo...

Now... I hope its a card issue...

Besides Patriot which ones would you recommend?

Thx for quick reply

Tom

benjikan · 04-21-2008, 12:45 PM

SEND IT BACK!!!!!

Yikes Scarry.

Ben

xGene · 04-21-2008, 12:56 PM

Respectfully, I would not discard the SD card issue just yet... These are computers! albeit small ones... Try the following: enable "shutter without SD Card" in the menu (... it reads something like that...) and remove the card from the camera and try to reproduce the problem.

xGene

edit: Lexar Pro and SanDisc are supposed to be good quality, although the problem I was describing above occurred with a SanDisc Extreme.

ftpaddict · 04-21-2008, 01:45 PM

Lexar Pro and SanDisk Ultra are some of the more reliable brands on the market right now. You could go with those.

Peacekeeper · 04-21-2008, 10:15 PM

I bought an 8gb card for my K20D and had similar problems. Flashing light, long write times,locked camera and sometimes no image recorded.

I changed SD cards and all is good.

Change SD cards first before you send your camera back.

Good luck.

PK

John B · 04-22-2008, 12:18 AM

$250 plus shipping? Why not buy a new updated body and sell the old one? Good grief!

tmalkiew · 04-22-2008, 12:27 AM

Sorry, John B i dont get it?? What updated body you are talking about? $250???

John B · 04-22-2008, 11:34 AM

Originally posted by tmalkiew

Sorry, John B i dont get it?? What updated body you are talking about? $250???

You can buy a new K10D for around $600. Sell your old one for $350.

tmalkiew · 04-22-2008, 01:01 PM

that's k20d

anyway, thanks for everyone's advice. I'm testing different cards now so far so good

John B · 04-23-2008, 05:04 AM

Originally posted by tmalkiew

that's k20d

anyway, thanks for everyone's advice. I'm testing different cards now so far so good

Ooops. My mistake! I'm waiting on a new K20D myself and getting anxious.

tmalkiew · 06-18-2008, 03:16 AM

Just a quick update on my issues. I have tested the problem with 6 different SD brands and capacities and unfortunately the problem persists.

Now. I contacted the seller (Digital-Rev) asking about procedures and they asked me for a serial number. After I sent them my serial number they responded saying that unfortunately it is different to the one they have in records.

I checked the serial number on the camera body, box and documents and indeed it's different than the one on packing slip I received together with all documents. Emailed them scans and just waiting on their responce.

I am getting bit anxious. Shoul I be worried? Can Pentax trace the serial number where it went - to which distributor I mean? Just in case I will have to prepare for a battle....

Cheers

Tom

cputeq · 06-18-2008, 04:14 AM

Hopefully it sounds like someone just fat-fingered the wrong serial number on the invoice only...hopefully, since all your serial numbers match between body, box, documents, you can get service, though it may have to be from Pentax. Maybe Digital-Rev can send you an new invoice with the correct serial number.

Here's hoping your problem gets resolved.

04-21-2008, 10:15 PM	#8
Peacekeeper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Back at work :( Photos: Gallery Posts: 168	Uh huh! I bought an 8gb card for my K20D and had similar problems. Flashing light, long write times,locked camera and sometimes no image recorded. I changed SD cards and all is good. Change SD cards first before you send your camera back. Good luck. PK

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04-21-2008, 12:34 PM	#2
xGene Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 151	Tom, what brand of SD card are you using? Have you tried another brand? I personally have had a "purple banding" issue on SOME images until I changed brand. I am currently using Patriot 16GB class 6 and the problem disappeared. Good luck. xGene

04-21-2008, 12:40 PM	#3
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	This issue seems far too severe to be SD card-related. I think you should send your K20D back for servicing.

04-21-2008, 12:44 PM	#4
tmalkiew New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dublin Posts: 13 Original Poster	To be honest I am at the moment using one of "bonus" cards from Digital-Rev. Its A-data 8Gb class 6 Turbo... Now... I hope its a card issue... Besides Patriot which ones would you recommend? Thx for quick reply Tom

04-21-2008, 12:45 PM	#5
benjikan Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Paris, France Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,308	SEND IT BACK!!!!! Yikes Scarry. Ben

04-21-2008, 12:56 PM	#6
xGene Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 151	Respectfully, I would not discard the SD card issue just yet... These are computers! albeit small ones... Try the following: enable "shutter without SD Card" in the menu (... it reads something like that...) and remove the card from the camera and try to reproduce the problem. xGene edit: Lexar Pro and SanDisc are supposed to be good quality, although the problem I was describing above occurred with a SanDisc Extreme.

04-21-2008, 01:45 PM	#7
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Lexar Pro and SanDisk Ultra are some of the more reliable brands on the market right now. You could go with those.

04-22-2008, 12:18 AM	#9
John B New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 20	$250 plus shipping? Why not buy a new updated body and sell the old one? Good grief!

04-22-2008, 12:27 AM	#10
tmalkiew New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dublin Posts: 13 Original Poster	Sorry, John B i dont get it?? What updated body you are talking about? $250???

04-22-2008, 11:34 AM	#11
John B New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 20	Originally posted by tmalkiew Sorry, John B i dont get it?? What updated body you are talking about? $250??? You can buy a new K10D for around $600. Sell your old one for $350.

04-22-2008, 01:01 PM	#12
tmalkiew New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dublin Posts: 13 Original Poster	that's k20d anyway, thanks for everyone's advice. I'm testing different cards now so far so good

04-23-2008, 05:04 AM	#13
John B New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 20	Originally posted by tmalkiew that's k20d anyway, thanks for everyone's advice. I'm testing different cards now so far so good Ooops. My mistake! I'm waiting on a new K20D myself and getting anxious.

06-18-2008, 03:16 AM	#14
tmalkiew New Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dublin Posts: 13 Original Poster	Just a quick update on my issues. I have tested the problem with 6 different SD brands and capacities and unfortunately the problem persists. Now. I contacted the seller (Digital-Rev) asking about procedures and they asked me for a serial number. After I sent them my serial number they responded saying that unfortunately it is different to the one they have in records. I checked the serial number on the camera body, box and documents and indeed it's different than the one on packing slip I received together with all documents. Emailed them scans and just waiting on their responce. I am getting bit anxious. Shoul I be worried? Can Pentax trace the serial number where it went - to which distributor I mean? Just in case I will have to prepare for a battle.... Cheers Tom

06-18-2008, 04:14 AM	#15
cputeq Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 464	Hopefully it sounds like someone just fat-fingered the wrong serial number on the invoice only...hopefully, since all your serial numbers match between body, box, documents, you can get service, though it may have to be from Pentax. Maybe Digital-Rev can send you an new invoice with the correct serial number. Here's hoping your problem gets resolved.