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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
12-05-2011, 09:48 AM
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Thought I'd insert a follow-up from my post of 9/2/11 for all those with symptomatic cameras... the above count is *after* the repair - not even one malfunction from this issue. It is now a pleasure to shoot with again but this episode has made Pentax (Hoya/Ricoh... or whoever is on first) lose some credibility in my eyes. Good luck to all.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-27-2011, 08:06 AM
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@Rupert Just to clarify... devices = triggers (i.e., not an actual flash unit) and if so, was it the V5? What wireless flash unit(s) are you using? Mine is the Metz 58 AF-2 (which supposedly has no problem with the K-7s). Don't see any exposure problems what-so-ever.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-26-2011, 08:28 PM
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Original K-5 SN#394XXXX
Mfg. date 01/28/11 (considered "safe" by some)
Rec'd. April 2011
Exchanged for newer copy because of sensor stain
Replacement K-5 SN#402XXXX
Mfg. date 03/24/11 Rec'd. 05/11/11
@robyn: First malfunctioned on 07/28/11 @ 936 shutter count
Serviced at CRIS/U.S. for "Mirror overrun" - No parts were replaced in my camera; it sounds like they basically just tightened some nuts and bolts. ...turnaround time - about 10 days ...received back from repair 8/30/11 - it's holding at 725 frames into the repair.
However, CRIS did not even look at the "inconsistent exposure" issue I'm having in wireless flash mode (mostly underexposed, sporadically overexposed). The camera will be going back to CRIS for this after I return from a trip at the end of Oct. I am holding my breath the "mirror overrun" repair holds for the trip. Meanwhile, I'm considering the purchase of a Cactus V5 (which may or may not resolve the problem).
These are the facts, not complaints. I perused this site before my purchase and thought I was "safe" - concluded it's a crap shoot so I bought the 2 year extended warranty. LOVE the quality of the images (when it performs), but since this is my first Pentax, I have wondered if all of this is worth it. Admittedly though, my skills have tremendously improved with this camera. Since it does more than my last camera (digital Rebel), I have felt inclined to *learn* more. Bottom line: We have trade-offs in every area of our lives. I can only fantasize that I won't continue to be plagued with these nuances and at some point, can go out and do some care-free shooting again.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-21-2011, 11:47 PM
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-21-2011, 11:11 AM
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K-5 Master or Controller
Metz 58 AF-2 Slave (just one)
Pentax DA 55-300 or Sigma 17-70
I've read many posts here to conclude there IS a problem with either the hardware or firmware of the camera causing the inconsistent exposures. I've ruled the flash units out because it happens with the Petax ones also (from what people post); and it happens with different lenses for me and at different distances. Curious (I believe these are new questions), many are talking about it, but...
Questions:- Has anyone actually sent their camera to CRIS (or anywhere) for servicing this issue? If so, what was done?
- If you've experienced this issue, does putting a radio trigger on the hotshoe completely resolve the problem?
IF no servicing is being done to repair this issue, then CRIS and Pentax are unaware there is a problem. If they're unaware of a problem, there's no way this issue will be addressed in any firmware update (should that be a fix). Yes, I'm thinking of sending my K-5 back again in a few weeks since they apparently didn't look at the wireless exposure dilemma while there (just got it back for mirror overrun).
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-15-2011, 11:39 PM
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Sounds exactly like what they did to mine; no parts were replaced so turnaround time was great. My repair is holding at 660 shots; the original malfunction was around 930. I was told if it fails again within 90 days of repair, they will pay shipping both ways.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-04-2011, 07:02 AM
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Sometimes mine would do scenario #1, sometimes scenario #2 (and would continue indefinitely until I lifted my finger from the button/wheel). I'll leave feedback as it happens...no news equals good news. Good luck to everyone in this same boat.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
09-02-2011, 08:32 AM
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Hello to all who are still following this issue. Just got my K-5 back from repair 3 days ago and put a freshly charged Pentax battery in it. So far, no malfunctions, in the first 200 shots anyway. I phoned CRIS to clarify what "Mirror Overrun" is: Supposedly it's when the charged mirror is "traveling too far" - it's going beyond the limits of the factory specifications. No parts were replaced in my camera; it sounds like they basically just tightened some nuts and bolts. Guess they're so confident in their repair, they returned my mailing label to them to make it handy for me should I need to mail it back a second time!
They also "adjusted to manufacturers specifications, general check and clean (which I don't believe; have dust spots on a few pics), and updated firmware (to 1.11)." Just find it interesting that they have such vastly different approaches to fixing the same problem. IF this fix holds up over time, then it tells me CRIS is just going after what the market will bear. [My cover letter told them I'm under a time constraint.] I'm guessing Pentax pays them more money for extensive repairs and replacement parts vs. a minor tweak.
Happy for now.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
08-18-2011, 01:07 PM
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Don't have an A series lens but with a Sigma 17-70, in-camera flash as Master, off-board Metz 58 AF-2 as Slave (fully charged 1900 mAh AA Eneloops), I did NOT get satisfactory results. The first handful of shots were good; then they got progressively dimmer and dimmer. After trying 3 different sets of Eneloops, I gave up and put the Metz on the hot shoe in PTTL... worked just perfect then. The mystery is that when I recharged the batteries after attempting this, they only took (i.e., were only drained) around 160 mAh! [Have not tried the set up on my DA 55-300.]
Also, I am not happy with the flash delay / lag on the K-5 from when the shutter is pressed (not talking recycle time)... seems like 1/2 sec. to 1 sec. By then, your opportunity has passed!!! This is consistent whether in-camera, hot shoe, or wireless modes - makes no difference.
But then, my K-5 is victim to "hyper-shuttering" so I've got bigger problems to worry about right now; it's going in for warranty work. This is my first Pentax; love the IQ, hate their software and bugs... I'm really fighting off buyer's remorse right now.
Update: Just tested wireless with DA 55-300/Metz on about 20+ shots; it worked perfectly... exposure good, no lag / delay. Also concluded that red-eye reduction is what causes lag / delay in other modes (so was mistaken regarding the wireless delay - sorry). Tried the Sigma again and not as bad now.
No more red-eye reduction for me!
Update, Sept. 2011: Results extremely poor/inconsistent after attempting to use wireless (Metz) flash with my Sigma lens/K-5 at a wedding reception. While on the phone with the Metz techie, took shots in direct line of sight with the infrared sensor - got pic of the flash going off but the image is WAY underexposed. With the Pentax DA 55-300 lens, everything seems to be in sync and exposed correctly.
Conclusion: (1)Wireless flash on the K-5 will only work with specific Pentax lenses!
(2) I need to use the hot shoe connection if using Metz flash with my Sigma lenses/K-5.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
08-18-2011, 07:41 AM
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Re: philbaum's post
Before sending my camera in for U.S. servicing, I had a friend test the voltage of my two batteries before/after charge: Pentax 8.14 / 8.38 Power2000 8.05/ 8.29... I then attempted to force the symptoms by taking a series of pics (about 300 total).
Conclusion: Immediately after recharge, the Pentax battery produced far more and worse malfunctions than the 3rd party brand (which I could only produce one minor time). I also noted that just prior to the full blown malfunction, the shutter makes a louder and *clunkier* sound to it vs. the normal, quiet sound.
I phoned Pentax this morning and was told the 8.4V output printed on the back of my charger is the only one they make and that the 7.2V listed on the back of our Pentax battery is the minimun expected charge. IF this is battery/charger related, wouldn't we all be having the same problem (since we all have the identical product accessories)? Does anyone out there have a charger that states less than 8.4V output on the back???
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
08-17-2011, 12:10 AM
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SN#402XXXX
Production ID 1 (not sure what this is)
Firmware V1.03
Mfgd. 03/24/2011
Rec’d. 05/11/2011 (replacement for a sensor-stained unit)
First malfunctioned @ 936 shutter count on 07/28/2011 31C / 88F (battery died before shot was fully processed)
Currently @ 2120 shutter count
1 Pentax battery 12/2010; 1 Power2000 7.4V 1700 mAh (no grip)
Charger 12/2010
Usual behavior is sporadic, both in and outdoors, Pentax or Sigma lens, and in varied temperatures. Most often, it sounds as if it’s shooting 3 frames in continuous mode, yet I only use single-frame (RAW) mode. Pushing any button on the camera while “hyper-shuttering” continues the symptoms. It will even click 3 times when turning it off and another 3 when turning it back on (has done this in succession 2-3 times when trying to clear it). No image can be achieved during “hyper-shuttering.” Changed the auto-focus button from half-way shutter to the AF button; this did not resolve… same behavior. I also get the F8 / 125 too. Interestingly, I used my shutter release cable the other night for 50+ fireworks pics… (Bulb / Manual focus) it did not act up even once on a freshly charged battery! (Sorry, I have not been monitoring which battery was in use.)
Possibly related??? I was attempting to use wireless off-camera flash mode with a Metz 58-AF2 and fully charged Eneloops (2 days after the problem started). It would shoot a handful of images ok; then the lighting progressively got dimmer (and yes, I waited for the ready light). After going through 3 sets of AA batteries in the flash, I gave up and put it on-camera; PTTL did just fine. The AAs only took about 160 mAh when recharged, which is bizarre for 1900 mAh batteries.
Pentax told me they’ve never heard of anything like this. I just happened to google the problem tonight before composing my letter to them and found this post. This is my first (maybe last) Pentax. And to think I just sold all my Canon stuff last December for the K-5. Hope if we all put our heads together, we can determine the common thread.
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Forum: Sold Items
04-01-2011, 10:09 PM
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I am ordering my camera this week-end; sure would like this lens. Maybe now that I post this, the site will let me PM. If not, I'm hoping alesauskas will PM me.
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-01-2011, 09:59 PM
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@ndy4eva where did you buy yours from; is that with a U.S. warranty?
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Forum: Pentax K-5 & K-5 II
04-01-2011, 09:57 PM
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Ditto the congrats. I'm so jealous I'm going to order mine this week-end!
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