Pentax has today admitted that some K-5 digital SLRs, contained in the ‘first shipment’ of cameras from Japan, were blighted by a ‘stained image sensor’.
The firm believes the problem was caused ‘during manufacturing’ and is offering a free repair to customers affected.
Last month Pentax Japan launched an urgent investigation into a report that ‘foreign matter’ had led to ‘dirty’ imaging sensors on the K-5.
Amateur Photographer was contacted by a photographer from Norwich who said he was worried having bought one of the cameras.
In a statement released this week (see below) Pentax Japan said the stained sensor occasionally produces ‘images with spots which look something like water drops’.
The firm added that users are not able to remove these marks with ‘ordinary cleaning methods’.
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Full statement, issued by Pentax Japan on 26 January 2011:
‘We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation for your patronage of PENTAX products.
We deeply regret that the first shipment of our PENTAX K-5 digital SLR camera included some products with a stained image sensor ? a problem which we believe was caused during manufacturing ? causing them to occasionally produce images with spots which look something like water drops, and which users cannot remove with ordinary cleaning methods.
All users of these defective products will receive free repair at our service center.
We sincerely apologize for any trouble and inconvenience this problem may have caused. We also promise to do all we can to achieve the highest level of quality control in the future, and eliminate any worries our customers might have about our products. We sincerely appreciate your kind understanding and cooperation regarding this issue.’
