[redboots]

Hi! I'm C. I live in California. I'm ready to get back into photography after taking a long time away since my beloved red K-x got a dirty sensor (I've tried cleaning it twice with cleaning swabs to no avail). I quit using a camera after that. I've only been taking photos on my phone, but obviously that's pretty unsatisfying.

I recently saw an exhibit of photos by Anders Petersen and it was so moving and amazing that I think I'm ready to buy a new camera now. That said, if anyone has ideas for how to clean a sensor when all else is failed, I would love to salvage my K-x.

Now I'm thinking about getting a film body and taking advantage of my local college darkroom. Thanks to people on this forum for discussing and comparing all the Pentax models to help me make a decision.

[MarkJerling]

Welcome to the forum!

Assuming the sensor surface is not damaged, it should be possible to clean it. I would recommend having it professionally cleaned. You should find some camera stores that will offer a sensor cleaning service.
At the very least, they should be able to tell if it it can be cleaned or if there is some damage that makes it beyond repair.

Kind regards,
Mark


(New Zealand)

[Kerrowdown]

Welcome to the forum, enjoy all that it has to offer.

Another vote for the professional cleaning route, as already suggested... it's gotta be cheaper than any other route.

[Unregistered User 8]

Hi from Australia.

[Larrymc]

Hi! I'm C. I live in California. I'm ready to get back into photography after taking a long time away since my beloved red K-x got a dirty sensor (I've tried cleaning it twice with cleaning swabs to no avail). I quit using a camera after that. I've only been taking photos on my phone, but obviously that's pretty unsatisfying.

I recently saw an exhibit of photos by Anders Petersen and it was so moving and amazing that I think I'm ready to buy a new camera now. That said, if anyone has ideas for how to clean a sensor when all else is failed, I would love to salvage my K-x.

Now I'm thinking about getting a film body and taking advantage of my local college darkroom. Thanks to people on this forum for discussing and comparing all the Pentax models to help me make a decision.

Hi C,

Welcome to the forum and enjoy all it has to offer. If your best efforts at cleaning have not worked do try a professional cleaning as others have said, you just might be pleasantly surprised.

[normhead]

My daughter in law still uses my K-x, it's still a fine camera.

But if you want the modern equivalent a K-P or K-70 is what you're after.
I'd certainly have the K-x professionally cleaned and lubricated in your position.

As for film... personally I'm way too impatient.

I come home from a shoot, post process and post flickr and on the forum in the evening the same day. With me, any delay in the process can end in it being put off forever. I like to stay on top of things.
My now gifted away K-x was white.

[redboots]

As for film... personally I'm way too impatient.

I can definitely understand that. At the same time I liked the experience of making my own prints, dodging and burning, etc. My top concern with shooting film is that it seems like film will get really expensive, really fast.

Thanks for the warm welcome, everybody!

[normhead]

I can definitely understand that. At the same time I liked the experience of making my own prints, dodging and burning, etc. My top concern with shooting film is that it seems like film will get really expensive, really fast.

Thanks for the warm welcome, everybody!

I bought a printer for that, and post processing software lets me doge and burn without cutting out all those custom dodging shapes or custom shaped holes in burning masks. I had my own darkroom since I was 12, and taught at a high school with a film darkroom. It lost it's appeal years ago.

And on behalf of the forum, thanks for saying "welcome for the warm welcome".

[Wheatfield]

I can definitely understand that. At the same time I liked the experience of making my own prints, dodging and burning, etc. My top concern with shooting film is that it seems like film will get really expensive, really fast.

Thanks for the warm welcome, everybody!

You will get a lot of negativity about film from people saying that digital is technically better, as if that was all that mattered.
There is no reason why the trip cannot be as important as the destination. If you like making wet prints, make them.

Welcome aboard.

[Snafu711]

Welcome!

I want to encourage you to go down the film path. That‘s how I started. Both, the cost of each roll of film and the time necessary for post-processing lead to conscious and more focused photography. You need to get it right when you take the picture.

I wouldn‘t go back to film, but feel I still profit from the lessons learned there.

[C_Jones]

Welcome to Pentax Forums.

[redboots]

There is no reason why the trip cannot be as important as the destination. If you like making wet prints, make them.

Well, I just bought my ticket so no going back now, cause I just ordered an MZ-S! Does anyone have recommendations for where to buy film cheaply online (shipping to the U.S.)? Or are there threads on this that I'm missing? Tried a search and didn't find anything.