K1 Mode Dial Failure

Eric64800 · 09-14-2016, 10:42 AM

Hi ,

Are you sure Pentax has fixed it ?

**Erictator** · 09-14-2016, 11:10 AM

Originally posted by Rayand

Your serial number is 12,000 more than mine, perhaps they fixed it on later production and you wont have the problem

Mine is not a pre-order, I ordered right after the first pre-orders started rolling in, and they shipped mine when the next large batch that almost caught everyone up in the USA came in.
Mine is in the 6369xxx batch, so far so good... and I don't baby it... I don't beat on it either. It's a dial, and it gets used per norm.
Eric

redpit · 09-14-2016, 11:30 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Eric64800

Hi ,

Are you sure Pentax has fixed it ?

I'm one of those unlucky ones, but I have not lost my trust in Pentax! When you are an early adopter you have more chances to be the real tester as well...

Mine works fine and the service guy told me confidently "Don't worry Pentax cameras don't break!"

**UncleVanya** · 09-14-2016, 11:58 AM

Originally posted by redpit

Yesterday I got my K-1 back from the service and it works flawlessly! I spoke with the serviceman and he explained me that Pentax has changed the mode selector base with a new one (the new spare part has different code) as there was a contact problem with the original one (I don't know in which initial batches). The fix is very easy and I got my camera back the next day. I'm glad I shoot with no restrictions again!

SN: 6355971

Originally posted by Eric64800

Hi ,

Are you sure Pentax has fixed it ?

See above. If the spare part code number has changed that's a good indicator that this is resolved with a new part. However it is unclear which serial numbers might be assembled with the older part. My guess is that it's a bit of a crap shoot for now.

Jonathan Mac · 09-14-2016, 10:08 PM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

??????
What on earth makes you feel that the k-3 mode dial is fragile? I would think reports of failures would have poured in as they did with the k-1... Crickets...

Originally posted by snpsht

I have two K-3s and both of them have been absolutely fine...very robust in fact. One fell into an icy, fast flowing, boulder strewn river (with me and tripod attached) and after drying out is still going strong a couple of years later. I have taken them both into very rough conditions with no ill effects at all. From my experience, there's absolutely nothing that's fragile about the K-3, and I don't think there was ever a problem with the mode dial.

The K-1 mode dial problem is a known issue and Pentax has fixed it - I expect the mode dial will now last as long as the camera does. I certainly won't be giving it the kid glove treatment!

While I haven't had any problems, it's clear from handling the K3 that the mode dial is not built as strongly as the rest of the camera.

**UncleVanya** · 09-14-2016, 10:58 PM

Originally posted by Jonathan Mac

While I haven't had any problems, it's clear from handling the K3 that the mode dial is not built as strongly as the rest of the camera.

I just don't get that impression. The depth of field preview, the pop up flash, the memory card door... These seem weaker.

Terzof · 09-16-2016, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by Eric64800

Hi ,

Are you sure Pentax has fixed it ?

Not so sure, we are one of the first country received the K-1 and seem more than 20% of them included mine have the same problem with M-Mode. Lucky that it's all under warranty so we have to wait for a few days/weeks to get it repaired. Anyway, we can borrow the lower version like K-5, K-3 to use when the K-1 is not around.

**x-country** · 09-22-2016, 12:08 PM

Hi, it has happened to me also. I will visit my local dealer on monday. Serialnumber is 6354403.

Eric64800 · 09-23-2016, 01:14 AM

Thank you for your report , again 635 serie ...

Qwntm · 09-30-2016, 09:51 PM

As a member of both Canon Professional Services and Nikon Professional Services (30 years as a pro will do that...) I can tell you that you have to be a pretty heavy hitter to really need either service. For the casual freelancer (like myself) the expedited repairs are about the most useful thing. But you do pay a premium for shipping for that, so it's not free. And you do have to pre-authorize a certain amount on your CC for the rush service in case it's not a warranty repair.

I am not too worried about using a K-1 professionally, though, because for the price of 1 Canon 5D4 I can have 2 K-1's (+$100) and 2 K-1's is a faster repair than rush service on 1 5D4.

aiantasthor · 11-19-2016, 04:31 AM

635xxxx user.. Same problem . I've just sent email to Ricoh Greece. Bought it 4/2016

Cosimo · 11-21-2016, 10:45 AM

The dreaded mode dial stuck in M happened last week. It wouldn’t select anything but ‘M’.

The serial number in the 6356xxx range.

Body sent back to Pentax UK for warranty repair.

They replaced the mode dial assembly, put on 1.40 firmware and did a check/test.

The body was with them for two days and is now back with me.

Very impressed by their speedy repair/return.

LFLee · 11-21-2016, 11:45 AM

just saw a guy complaint about this failed mode dial in FB before I browse PF. Looks like a common issue.
- white dots in long exposures; (fix with latest firmware update)
- failed mode dial.

I guess so far only two problems? not bad!

odyseuss · 11-27-2016, 03:52 PM

Just want to add to the statistics one more data point: My K-1's mode dial just failed few days ago.
The dial is stuck in "M" mode and won't select anything else. The camera belongs to the first batch
shipped by B&H. My serial number is in the range 6359xxx.

I'm going to contact Ricoh Pentax and send the camera back for repair. I hope it won't take them
several weeks to get it fixed....

odyseuss · 12-09-2016, 10:32 AM

Got an update from Precision Camera about my K-1 mode dial failure repair.
Repair is on hold, waiting for parts. Guess I probably won't have my K-1 back until Jan or Feb 2017...Christ Lord

09-14-2016, 11:30 AM - 1 Like	#168
redpit Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Greece Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,858	Originally posted by Eric64800 Hi , Are you sure Pentax has fixed it ? I'm one of those unlucky ones, but I have not lost my trust in Pentax! When you are an early adopter you have more chances to be the real tester as well... Mine works fine and the service guy told me confidently "Don't worry Pentax cameras don't break!" Last edited by redpit; 09-15-2016 at 03:33 AM.

12-09-2016, 10:32 AM	#180
odyseuss Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: California Posts: 299	Got an update from Precision Camera about my K-1 mode dial failure repair. Repair is on hold, waiting for parts. Guess I probably won't have my K-1 back until Jan or Feb 2017...Christ Lord Attached Images

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09-14-2016, 10:42 AM	#166
Eric64800 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Pyrenées Atlantiques Posts: 55	Hi , Are you sure Pentax has fixed it ?

09-14-2016, 11:10 AM	#167
Erictator Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,352	Originally posted by Rayand Your serial number is 12,000 more than mine, perhaps they fixed it on later production and you wont have the problem Mine is not a pre-order, I ordered right after the first pre-orders started rolling in, and they shipped mine when the next large batch that almost caught everyone up in the USA came in. Mine is in the 6369xxx batch, so far so good... and I don't baby it... I don't beat on it either. It's a dial, and it gets used per norm. Eric

09-14-2016, 11:58 AM	#169
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,476	Originally posted by redpit Yesterday I got my K-1 back from the service and it works flawlessly! I spoke with the serviceman and he explained me that Pentax has changed the mode selector base with a new one (the new spare part has different code) as there was a contact problem with the original one (I don't know in which initial batches). The fix is very easy and I got my camera back the next day. I'm glad I shoot with no restrictions again! SN: 6355971 Originally posted by Eric64800 Hi , Are you sure Pentax has fixed it ? See above. If the spare part code number has changed that's a good indicator that this is resolved with a new part. However it is unclear which serial numbers might be assembled with the older part. My guess is that it's a bit of a crap shoot for now.

09-14-2016, 10:08 PM	#170
Jonathan Mac Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,916	Originally posted by UncleVanya ?????? What on earth makes you feel that the k-3 mode dial is fragile? I would think reports of failures would have poured in as they did with the k-1... Crickets... Originally posted by snpsht I have two K-3s and both of them have been absolutely fine...very robust in fact. One fell into an icy, fast flowing, boulder strewn river (with me and tripod attached) and after drying out is still going strong a couple of years later. I have taken them both into very rough conditions with no ill effects at all. From my experience, there's absolutely nothing that's fragile about the K-3, and I don't think there was ever a problem with the mode dial. The K-1 mode dial problem is a known issue and Pentax has fixed it - I expect the mode dial will now last as long as the camera does. I certainly won't be giving it the kid glove treatment! While I haven't had any problems, it's clear from handling the K3 that the mode dial is not built as strongly as the rest of the camera.

09-14-2016, 10:58 PM	#171
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,476	Originally posted by Jonathan Mac While I haven't had any problems, it's clear from handling the K3 that the mode dial is not built as strongly as the rest of the camera. I just don't get that impression. The depth of field preview, the pop up flash, the memory card door... These seem weaker.

09-16-2016, 06:25 PM	#172
Terzof Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Vietnam Posts: 45	Originally posted by Eric64800 Hi , Are you sure Pentax has fixed it ? Not so sure, we are one of the first country received the K-1 and seem more than 20% of them included mine have the same problem with M-Mode. Lucky that it's all under warranty so we have to wait for a few days/weeks to get it repaired. Anyway, we can borrow the lower version like K-5, K-3 to use when the K-1 is not around.

09-22-2016, 12:08 PM	#173
x-country Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Frösön (Östersund) Posts: 69	Hi, it has happened to me also. I will visit my local dealer on monday. Serialnumber is 6354403.

09-23-2016, 01:14 AM	#174
Eric64800 Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Pyrenées Atlantiques Posts: 55	Thank you for your report , again 635 serie ...

09-30-2016, 09:51 PM	#175
Qwntm Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 856	As a member of both Canon Professional Services and Nikon Professional Services (30 years as a pro will do that...) I can tell you that you have to be a pretty heavy hitter to really need either service. For the casual freelancer (like myself) the expedited repairs are about the most useful thing. But you do pay a premium for shipping for that, so it's not free. And you do have to pre-authorize a certain amount on your CC for the rush service in case it's not a warranty repair. I am not too worried about using a K-1 professionally, though, because for the price of 1 Canon 5D4 I can have 2 K-1's (+$100) and 2 K-1's is a faster repair than rush service on 1 5D4.

11-19-2016, 04:31 AM	#176
aiantasthor New Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Athens Photos: Gallery Posts: 1	635xxxx user.. Same problem . I've just sent email to Ricoh Greece. Bought it 4/2016

11-21-2016, 10:45 AM	#177
Cosimo Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2016 Posts: 72	The dreaded mode dial stuck in M happened last week. It wouldn’t select anything but ‘M’. The serial number in the 6356xxx range. Body sent back to Pentax UK for warranty repair. They replaced the mode dial assembly, put on 1.40 firmware and did a check/test. The body was with them for two days and is now back with me. Very impressed by their speedy repair/return.

11-21-2016, 11:45 AM	#178
LFLee Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,292	just saw a guy complaint about this failed mode dial in FB before I browse PF. Looks like a common issue. - white dots in long exposures; (fix with latest firmware update) - failed mode dial. I guess so far only two problems? not bad!

11-27-2016, 03:52 PM	#179
odyseuss Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: California Posts: 299	Just want to add to the statistics one more data point: My K-1's mode dial just failed few days ago. The dial is stuck in "M" mode and won't select anything else. The camera belongs to the first batch shipped by B&H. My serial number is in the range 6359xxx. I'm going to contact Ricoh Pentax and send the camera back for repair. I hope it won't take them several weeks to get it fixed....