K5 Dust alert

vorstem2 · 07-25-2012, 11:21 PM

I bought a k5 3 months ago. I had problems with dust from day one, I took the camera to have it sensor cleaned and the tech struggled for over 2 hours to get it clean. Also the dust alert would show some spots and lines on the sensor and every time I activate it it would be in a different place. Pentax in South africa says I should use it like that. Any of you experienced the same.

calsan · 07-25-2012, 11:56 PM

The camera should be facing a completely white unmarked piece of paper or similar for the dust alert to work... Just checking!

vorstem2 · 07-26-2012, 12:30 AM

Calsan yes it does face a white paper and it shows dust alerts on different place on the sensor everytime I do the dust alert.

Frogfish · 07-26-2012, 12:48 AM

I have two K5s and have never had a problem with dust. The odd dust speck that needs blowing off - sure, but nothing as serious as you are describing (and I change lenses all the time regardless of where I am - sans windy beach, sandstorm etc. of course).

Something just doesn't sound right with your K5.

altopiet · 07-26-2012, 02:16 AM

@vorstem2, It might help if you take a photo of the blue sky at f22, and post it here for us to actually see what you're dealing with. That would enable us to give better advice. I do not trust the dust alert function in my K-x, haven't got any experience with K-5

EDIT: Join us at Pentax Forum - Camera & Photography Community - PentaxForums.com)

jaytee · 07-26-2012, 07:48 AM

I agree with altopiet, take pictures of the sky, that is how all of us discover that we have dust. If your sky shots are dust free then your "dust alert" may be at fault. The "rocket blower" gets rid of 99% of my dust and despite what you may have heard, wet cleaning with an Eclipse kit (#2) is very, very easy and works wonders!

**Deimos** · 07-26-2012, 07:59 AM

I have always gotten false positives on the dust alert. my k-5 is almost immune to dust. the k-r was a magnet

vorstem2 · 07-26-2012, 10:42 PM

Thanks all, the problem is with the dust alert as shots was taken of the blue sky after cleaning the sensor and it was clear.

Frogfish · 07-27-2012, 02:09 AM

Originally posted by vorstem2

Thanks all, the problem is with the dust alert as shots was taken of the blue sky after cleaning the sensor and it was clear.

If it looks all clear then ignore the Dust Alert - personally I never use it.

07-25-2012, 11:21 PM	#1
vorstem2 Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Roodepoort Posts: 10	K5 Dust alert I bought a k5 3 months ago. I had problems with dust from day one, I took the camera to have it sensor cleaned and the tech struggled for over 2 hours to get it clean. Also the dust alert would show some spots and lines on the sensor and every time I activate it it would be in a different place. Pentax in South africa says I should use it like that. Any of you experienced the same.

07-26-2012, 02:16 AM	#5
altopiet Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: The Gem of the Karoo, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,307	@vorstem2, It might help if you take a photo of the blue sky at f22, and post it here for us to actually see what you're dealing with. That would enable us to give better advice. I do not trust the dust alert function in my K-x, haven't got any experience with K-5 EDIT: Join us at Pentax Forum - Camera & Photography Community - PentaxForums.com) Last edited by altopiet; 07-26-2012 at 08:04 AM.

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07-25-2012, 11:56 PM	#2
calsan Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,549	The camera should be facing a completely white unmarked piece of paper or similar for the dust alert to work... Just checking!

07-26-2012, 12:30 AM	#3
vorstem2 Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Roodepoort Posts: 10 Original Poster	Calsan yes it does face a white paper and it shows dust alerts on different place on the sensor everytime I do the dust alert.

07-26-2012, 12:48 AM	#4
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	I have two K5s and have never had a problem with dust. The odd dust speck that needs blowing off - sure, but nothing as serious as you are describing (and I change lenses all the time regardless of where I am - sans windy beach, sandstorm etc. of course). Something just doesn't sound right with your K5.

07-26-2012, 07:48 AM	#6
jaytee Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: tucson,az Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 255	I agree with altopiet, take pictures of the sky, that is how all of us discover that we have dust. If your sky shots are dust free then your "dust alert" may be at fault. The "rocket blower" gets rid of 99% of my dust and despite what you may have heard, wet cleaning with an Eclipse kit (#2) is very, very easy and works wonders!

07-26-2012, 07:59 AM	#7
Deimos Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kingdom of Wonder Posts: 1,777	I have always gotten false positives on the dust alert. my k-5 is almost immune to dust. the k-r was a magnet

07-26-2012, 10:42 PM	#8
vorstem2 Inactive Account Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Roodepoort Posts: 10 Original Poster	Thanks all, the problem is with the dust alert as shots was taken of the blue sky after cleaning the sensor and it was clear.

07-27-2012, 02:09 AM	#9
Frogfish Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Shanghai Posts: 4,490	Originally posted by vorstem2 Thanks all, the problem is with the dust alert as shots was taken of the blue sky after cleaning the sensor and it was clear. If it looks all clear then ignore the Dust Alert - personally I never use it.