Problem with K-3 LCD display

nukeglus · 08-25-2014, 08:57 AM

I've just bought a new Pentax k-3; I notice using it under a sunny day that I hardly can see the photos in the display because it's like "dirty", as you can see in the photo attached. At first I thought it could be sweat or oily skin, but by cleaning the spots do not come off. It almost seems that they are below the display. In normal condition it can hardly seen. Do you think it is a manufacturing defect?

Attached Images

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JohnX · 08-25-2014, 09:32 AM

Don't have a K3, and not suggesting you've set it up wrong, but take a look here>https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/249623-k3-adjusting-lcd-monitor.html

In fairness, most complaints seem to be of it being overly bright.

nukeglus · 08-25-2014, 10:01 AM

Hi, thanks for your reply! Unfortunately It's not a problem of brightness; in normal conditions the brightness is ok and the spots are invisible; the problem is under direct sun light: obviously the display is darker like any other normal lcds in that condition, but the real problem is that the spots became very visible and make difficult to see the images.

**GlassJunkie** · 08-25-2014, 10:08 AM

Originally posted by nukeglus

Hi, thanks for your reply! Unfortunately It's not a problem of brightness; in normal conditions the brightness is ok and the spots are invisible; the problem is under direct sun light: obviously the display is darker like any other normal lcds in that condition, but the real problem is that the spots became very visible and make difficult to see the images.

We use 2 different K-3 in Fla sun, no issues/ spots. Both have modified LCD protectors attached (left over from Blackberry Storms, cut to fit K-3). No spots with over-layer either. Did you use some off solvent to clean?

Are "spots" on the glass surface, or pixels not working? I would suggest calling a CS help line at PTX. if it is not settings, seems odd...

---------- Post added 08-25-14 at 01:10 PM ----------

Is there plastic protector from the factory not removed?

nukeglus · 08-25-2014, 12:22 PM

Originally posted by GlassJunkie

We use 2 different K-3 in Fla sun, no issues/ spots. Both have modified LCD protectors attached (left over from Blackberry Storms, cut to fit K-3). No spots with over-layer either. Did you use some off solvent to clean?

Personally I've not, but the camera was the last one in the shop and I fear that someone of the shop has cleaned it with something wrong...

They assure me the camera was never used and just took out from the box and I trusted them.

Originally posted by GlassJunkie

Are "spots" on the glass surface, or pixels not working? I would suggest calling a CS help line at PTX. if it is not settings, seems odd...

The spots seem to on the glass, surely they aren't bad pixels... under normal light the display seems ok.

---------- Post added 08-25-14 at 01:10 PM ----------

Originally posted by GlassJunkie

Is there plastic protector from the factory not removed?

If I remember well, the plastic protector was already removed when i bought it...

Tomorrow I'll go to the shop to show them the problem...

stevebrot · 08-25-2014, 01:01 PM

There is a coating that is applied to the rear LCD glass on the K-3. Perhaps this has been partially rubbed off? Another possibility is glue residue from a plastic film LCD protector.

Steve

stevebrot · 08-25-2014, 02:32 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

There is a coating that is applied to the rear LCD glass on the K-3. Perhaps this has been partially rubbed off? Another possibility is glue residue from a plastic film LCD protector.

Steve

I know that both of these are highly unlike, the camera being new and all.

Imageman · 08-25-2014, 04:38 PM

I think this is a problem with expectation.

If I understand correctly the display is perfect in normal use, but under bright direct sunlight, when held so that the sun reflects off the screen the image becomes dull and a mottled effect of surface dots can be seen.

This is I think because the camera cannot output the same brightness as the sun. In a direct fight between the brightest image the screen can display, and the sun the sun will always win.

Ive seen the same issue with all lcd screen displays on digital cameras, and many cannot even be seen at all in the direct sun. Some are very good but Ive never seen one that functions well in direct sunshine. You have to shade the screen.

MarkJerling · 08-25-2014, 05:30 PM

I see a very definitive "texture" on your display. If you're sure this is not on top of the glass, i.e. outside the camera,, i.e dirt, then I'm 99% sure it's a defect. I've never seen a camera LCD display with some texture like that. If it's on the outside, then clean the thing!

nukeglus · 08-27-2014, 12:10 AM

Thanks to all! Yesterday I went to the shop and they sent the camera to the service center. They say it could take about 20 days to return, as soon as I have notice I'll keep you updated, hoping everything will be fine!

nukeglus · 09-19-2014, 03:33 AM - **1 Like**

Just a brief update like I promised: the service has returned the camera after replacing the display in warranty, adding also a protective film. Now everything seems to be fine

MarkJerling · 11-05-2014, 09:05 PM

Originally posted by nukeglus

Just a brief update like I promised: the service has returned the camera after replacing the display in warranty, adding also a protective film. Now everything seems to be fine

Fantastic news!

vonBaloney · 11-05-2014, 09:12 PM

Seems like it was some sort of internal separation in the LCD...

MarkJerling · 11-06-2014, 04:09 PM

Originally posted by vonBaloney

Seems like it was some sort of internal separation in the LCD...

Yes, I wonder if something went wrong with that new "airless" system?

08-25-2014, 10:08 AM	#4
GlassJunkie Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: St Petersburg Photos: Albums Posts: 402	Not the norm Originally posted by nukeglus Hi, thanks for your reply! Unfortunately It's not a problem of brightness; in normal conditions the brightness is ok and the spots are invisible; the problem is under direct sun light: obviously the display is darker like any other normal lcds in that condition, but the real problem is that the spots became very visible and make difficult to see the images. We use 2 different K-3 in Fla sun, no issues/ spots. Both have modified LCD protectors attached (left over from Blackberry Storms, cut to fit K-3). No spots with over-layer either. Did you use some off solvent to clean? Are "spots" on the glass surface, or pixels not working? I would suggest calling a CS help line at PTX. if it is not settings, seems odd... ---------- Post added 08-25-14 at 01:10 PM ---------- Is there plastic protector from the factory not removed?

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08-25-2014, 09:32 AM	#2
JohnX Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: London Posts: 1,116	Don't have a K3, and not suggesting you've set it up wrong, but take a look here>https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/172-pentax-k-3/249623-k3-adjusting-lcd-monitor.html In fairness, most complaints seem to be of it being overly bright.

08-25-2014, 10:01 AM	#3
nukeglus New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 19 Original Poster	Hi, thanks for your reply! Unfortunately It's not a problem of brightness; in normal conditions the brightness is ok and the spots are invisible; the problem is under direct sun light: obviously the display is darker like any other normal lcds in that condition, but the real problem is that the spots became very visible and make difficult to see the images.

08-25-2014, 12:22 PM	#5
nukeglus New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 19 Original Poster	Originally posted by GlassJunkie We use 2 different K-3 in Fla sun, no issues/ spots. Both have modified LCD protectors attached (left over from Blackberry Storms, cut to fit K-3). No spots with over-layer either. Did you use some off solvent to clean? Personally I've not, but the camera was the last one in the shop and I fear that someone of the shop has cleaned it with something wrong... They assure me the camera was never used and just took out from the box and I trusted them. Originally posted by GlassJunkie Are "spots" on the glass surface, or pixels not working? I would suggest calling a CS help line at PTX. if it is not settings, seems odd... The spots seem to on the glass, surely they aren't bad pixels... under normal light the display seems ok. ---------- Post added 08-25-14 at 01:10 PM ---------- Originally posted by GlassJunkie Is there plastic protector from the factory not removed? If I remember well, the plastic protector was already removed when i bought it... Tomorrow I'll go to the shop to show them the problem...

08-25-2014, 01:01 PM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	There is a coating that is applied to the rear LCD glass on the K-3. Perhaps this has been partially rubbed off? Another possibility is glue residue from a plastic film LCD protector. Steve

08-25-2014, 02:32 PM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by stevebrot There is a coating that is applied to the rear LCD glass on the K-3. Perhaps this has been partially rubbed off? Another possibility is glue residue from a plastic film LCD protector. Steve I know that both of these are highly unlike, the camera being new and all.

08-25-2014, 04:38 PM	#8
Imageman Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 461	I think this is a problem with expectation. If I understand correctly the display is perfect in normal use, but under bright direct sunlight, when held so that the sun reflects off the screen the image becomes dull and a mottled effect of surface dots can be seen. This is I think because the camera cannot output the same brightness as the sun. In a direct fight between the brightest image the screen can display, and the sun the sun will always win. Ive seen the same issue with all lcd screen displays on digital cameras, and many cannot even be seen at all in the direct sun. Some are very good but Ive never seen one that functions well in direct sunshine. You have to shade the screen.

08-25-2014, 05:30 PM	#9
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	I see a very definitive "texture" on your display. If you're sure this is not on top of the glass, i.e. outside the camera,, i.e dirt, then I'm 99% sure it's a defect. I've never seen a camera LCD display with some texture like that. If it's on the outside, then clean the thing!

08-27-2014, 12:10 AM	#10
nukeglus New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 19 Original Poster	Thanks to all! Yesterday I went to the shop and they sent the camera to the service center. They say it could take about 20 days to return, as soon as I have notice I'll keep you updated, hoping everything will be fine!

09-19-2014, 03:33 AM - 1 Like	#11
nukeglus New Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 19 Original Poster	Just a brief update like I promised: the service has returned the camera after replacing the display in warranty, adding also a protective film. Now everything seems to be fine

11-05-2014, 09:05 PM	#12
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	Originally posted by nukeglus Just a brief update like I promised: the service has returned the camera after replacing the display in warranty, adding also a protective film. Now everything seems to be fine Fantastic news!

11-05-2014, 09:12 PM	#13
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Seems like it was some sort of internal separation in the LCD...

11-06-2014, 04:09 PM	#14
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,423	Originally posted by vonBaloney Seems like it was some sort of internal separation in the LCD... Yes, I wonder if something went wrong with that new "airless" system?