[MGBMAN]

Hey Folks
Have researched every Pentax camera ever produced I think.
I was decided on a K50 until I came across the K50 aperture block issue.
Would this issue alone be a reason to abandon the K50 ?

Thanks-Shawn

[lytrytyr]

Would this issue alone be a reason to abandon the K50 ?

If you can get the two-year warranty extension, you're covered for three years.
At current prices, you'd be paying a total of around $100 bucks a year for serious mid-level DSLR capability.

[Theov39]

I have never heard of that issue. The only issue I have recently is my kit lens not working on auto focus when it is at the long end (50 mm) but I'm assuming that is a lens issue and not the camera.

[08amczb]

I have a K-30 (same aperture mechanism), In my first 5000 photos some came out dark (approx 20-50) but then I have never get any issue. I love my camera and I think it's a gem. I considered upgrading to K-3/K-3II, but the jump is not enough if I take in europen pricees. Now I would buy a K-50 as my first camera or as my backup camera.

[pepperberry farm]

I bought my K-50 just about a year ago - now have over 20k actuations on it.... no issues at all....

buy it, get the warranty, go out and shoot!

[UncleVanya]

I had the issue - fixed under warranty. I'd still buy another with extended warranty if I needed one.

[JML69]

I purchased my K-50 in April of this year and have taken 7779 pictures without any issues. I would purchase another one and even helped a Buddy put together a K-50 package for his Daughter last night.

It is the best deal out there in my opinion.

[esrandall]

I had the issue - fixed under warranty. I'd still buy another with extended warranty if I needed one.

Same here. And the guy I sold mine too a year ago has had zero issues since the repair. Good camera.

[bertwert]

I was decided on a K50 until I came across the K50 aperture block issue.

Never heard of the issue, have had over 5000 clicks on mine so far. No problem.

Would this issue alone be a reason to abandon the K50 ?

NO, it's an amazing camera. Also get warranty with it.

[Imp]

K-30, 25,000 actuations, august was my 2yr anniversary. No problems with that issue.

[UncleVanya]

My impression is that despite the fact that a number of us had the problem it isn't widespread to the point of being a massive deterrent to owning one.

[stevebrot]

Would this issue alone be a reason to abandon the K50 ?

Good question. Given the current K-50 price point, it is a great value on a very nice camera. The aperture/mirror controller issues are (sadly) very real for both the K-30 and K-50 cameras.* Purchase of the warranty extension is always a good idea, but (IMHO) is important with the K-50.

My advice? Buy a camera based on features/price. If a warranty extension is available, buy that as well. This advice applies to ALL brands and models.**


Steve

* I was involved in the first wave of troubleshooting requests regarding the controller issues on the K-30 and was dismayed when the same reports surfaced for the K-50. I was doubly dismayed when a close friend's K-50's mirror controller failed 2 weeks outside of warranty expiration. (Pentax fixed for free as a grace gesture.)

** Incidence of defect and/or serious failure is fairly high for interchangeable lens cameras across brands. Current Consumer Reports data indicate: Panasonic (4%), Canon (5%), Sony (7%), Pentax (7%), Nikon (8%), and Olympus (8%). The Pentax numbers include the recent general recall of K-3II bodies.

[tgchan]

Another k-50 user here. Never had any problems/

[esrandall]

Bottom line is that it's a nice camera. The new price is so cheap that you just buy it new, slap the $20 extended warranty know it - and good to go. I was without mine for about 3 weeks, and it's been fine since the replacement. I speak regularly with the person I sold it too, and he's put 8k shots on it over the past year.

[Des]

Two K-30s, about 15,000 actuations between them. No problem. It's a fine camera and amazing value second hand. Otherwise a new K-50 with extended warranty for peace of mind.