K1 sensor not level

**Bruce Clark** · 11-05-2018, 03:49 PM

Interesting discussion

On a recent overseas trip I noticed that nearly all my photos were 1 or 2 degrees out. All the same way too. All hand held and while I try to line things up to the view finder marks I do not take much notice of the built in level (K5IIs).
Then again many of the old European buildings are not level to start with. (Amsterdam, Venice etc)

I guess I will have to set up a spirit level to check it out

Lord Lucan · 11-05-2018, 04:28 PM

Originally posted by pschlute

My K10 sensor was misaligned.

Misalignment was a known issue with the K10D. I believe that Pentax eventually recognised the issue, although did nothing about it.

Wheatfield · 11-05-2018, 04:55 PM

Originally posted by Bruce Clark

Interesting discussion

On a recent overseas trip I noticed that nearly all my photos were 1 or 2 degrees out. All the same way too. All hand held and while I try to line things up to the view finder marks I do not take much notice of the built in level (K5IIs).
Then again many of the old European buildings are not level to start with. (Amsterdam, Venice etc)

I guess I will have to set up a spirit level to check it out

Put the camera on a table and check for level. Then turn the camera 180 degrees and check the level. If the reading is the same in both directions, the level is good. If the readings differ, the level is off by half the difference.

As an aside, it’s a good idea, when buying a spirit level, to check it for accuracy before you purchase it. A surprisingly high percentage of them are off by a bit.

SSGGeezer · 11-05-2018, 05:02 PM

I have to check my cameras now! I always just thought that I was at least a half a bubble off of level. That's what my friends always said.

stevebrot · 11-05-2018, 06:02 PM

Originally posted by Lord Lucan

Misalignment was a known issue with the K10D. I believe that Pentax eventually recognised the issue, although did nothing about it.

Mine was fine and today is the first I have heard of that known issue with the K10D (owned 3/07 through 3/14).

Steve

Lord Lucan · 11-06-2018, 03:50 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Mine was fine and today is the first I have heard of that known issue with the K10D

I saw it in a discussion on another forum some years ago. It did not affect all cameras so perhaps it was an assembly issue. There have been discussions in the past here too (some before my time), and this will lead to them :-

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/242738-k10d-club...l?#post4233565

alcvet · 11-06-2018, 01:34 PM - **1 Like**

Thanks all, I have done a few tests as recommended, and am pretty sure that the sensor (unit?) is slightly rotated. I have also tested the pixel shift feature, which still seems to work. I was worried that if the sensor was rotated, but still pixel shifted along a truly straight axis the pixels would not line up with each other, but they seem to, which maybe means it is the whole unit off? Anyway, as it is pretty minor I'm just going to live with it, it's probably always been like that, but I've only just recently started shooting straight things!

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Last edited by alcvet; 11-06-2018 at 01:41 PM.

Wheatfield · 11-11-2018, 04:56 PM

Excellent picture. Well done.

11-06-2018, 03:50 AM	#21
Lord Lucan Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: South Wales Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,975	Originally posted by stevebrot Mine was fine and today is the first I have heard of that known issue with the K10D I saw it in a discussion on another forum some years ago. It did not affect all cameras so perhaps it was an assembly issue. There have been discussions in the past here too (some before my time), and this will lead to them :- https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/6-pentax-dslr-discussion/242738-k10d-club...l?#post4233565 Last edited by Lord Lucan; 11-12-2018 at 03:18 AM. Reason: Typo

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11-05-2018, 03:49 PM	#16
Bruce Clark Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ocean Grove, Victoria Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,458	Interesting discussion On a recent overseas trip I noticed that nearly all my photos were 1 or 2 degrees out. All the same way too. All hand held and while I try to line things up to the view finder marks I do not take much notice of the built in level (K5IIs). Then again many of the old European buildings are not level to start with. (Amsterdam, Venice etc) I guess I will have to set up a spirit level to check it out

11-05-2018, 04:28 PM	#17
Lord Lucan Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: South Wales Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,975	Originally posted by pschlute My K10 sensor was misaligned. Misalignment was a known issue with the K10D. I believe that Pentax eventually recognised the issue, although did nothing about it.

11-05-2018, 04:55 PM	#18
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	Originally posted by Bruce Clark Interesting discussion On a recent overseas trip I noticed that nearly all my photos were 1 or 2 degrees out. All the same way too. All hand held and while I try to line things up to the view finder marks I do not take much notice of the built in level (K5IIs). Then again many of the old European buildings are not level to start with. (Amsterdam, Venice etc) I guess I will have to set up a spirit level to check it out Put the camera on a table and check for level. Then turn the camera 180 degrees and check the level. If the reading is the same in both directions, the level is good. If the readings differ, the level is off by half the difference. As an aside, it’s a good idea, when buying a spirit level, to check it for accuracy before you purchase it. A surprisingly high percentage of them are off by a bit.

11-05-2018, 05:02 PM	#19
SSGGeezer Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Indiana, U.S. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,845	I have to check my cameras now! I always just thought that I was at least a half a bubble off of level. That's what my friends always said.

11-05-2018, 06:02 PM	#20
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Lord Lucan Misalignment was a known issue with the K10D. I believe that Pentax eventually recognised the issue, although did nothing about it. Mine was fine and today is the first I have heard of that known issue with the K10D (owned 3/07 through 3/14). Steve

11-11-2018, 04:56 PM	#23
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,986	Excellent picture. Well done.