My Pentax lens failed on me
Yesterday was a day of reckoning for my Pentax system. I am worried. I could use some advice.
A few months ago, after some research, I decided to upgrade my Pentax K5 camera to the K5 IIs version, hoping, as the specs say, to get the benefits of a sensor without anti-aliasing filter, plus other promises. This one arrived in pristine condition, with less then 9K clicks, the look of it was a delight to my G.A.S. eyes, and coupled with my Pentax DA 16-55mm 2.8 lens provided a great gear alternative when weather conditions could demand much from the system. Such case happened yesterday.
A couple of great friends and I decided to spent early morning to hike up to a place in Gamboa, Panama, known as the "Pipeline Road”. This is a most favorite hiking trail for bird watchers and extreme sports enthusiasts (joggers, bikers, and the sort) and if my history serves me right, this petroleum pipeline was constructed along the route of the Panama Canal around the time of World Ward II to protect the flow of oil across the Isthmus.
We arrived early morning, probably 6AM. We got there and I decided to explore around and test the system. Suddenly, I noticed the camera was acting up strangely, metering was not functioning properly, and pressing the shutter was difficult. I got very concerned. Popped the battery and back on, and the situation got fixed. I thought that was weird but my worries faded away as soon as the whole gang arrived to start the hike. This was my first hike on this trail, so in a sense I was very excited as usual, not knowing what to expect.
I had the camera hanging by my waist throughout the trail using a clip belt from Peak Design, this way I had easy access to the camera when any photo opportunity came to be. The morning walk was humid, cloudy, with a foggy mist from afar, accompanied by the sound of thunders, monkeys and birds. Muddy roads, and slippery wood bridges made the way into what can only be described as dense jungle. I kid you not, this is as close to the tropical experience as you can have in my home country. Then and again, I brought the camera to my eye and notice sometimes difficulties pressing the shutter to which I thought were focusing problems. I couldn't believe it, I know from experiences this Pentax system can focus in the dark, and this situation, as unusual as it is, kept repeating every more often than not.
Three hours and 6 kilometers into the road, and it was getting very hot, very humid, sometimes fogging the front of my lens. I started wondering whether or not these weather conditions were testing my assumptions on how pervasive and resilient the Pentax system is. Then, we made a decision to make a turn and come back, clearly understanding most of us were physically unfitted (me mostly, just didn't know in that moment), and should head back before the midday sun get to us. Walking back the camera really started acting up, the zoom ring would become stiff at certain focal lengths, pressing the shutter became more and more difficult, until at some point the zoom got stuck. It still is.
A while later, on the way back home, the whole camera system was stuck, the lens zoom didn't work, the shutter didn't work, it would turn on, but it wouldn't take pictures at all. This is my first time a K5 failed on me. Is it the camera? Is it the lens? I just didn't know.
Back home, I tried other Pentax lenses on the K5 IIs and the camera worked perfectly. It was a relief. But it put serious doubts on what I thought was a dream combo for extreme weather conditions. Looking at some forums it seems I am not alone experiencing these issues with this lens, and living in Panama I understand the economics of having it sent to a repair shop in US are not feasible. And besides, if I am honest, I still wondered if the acting ups of the camera were a consequence of a damaged lens, or something else. Therefore, I decided to write this post, hoping for somebody with more Pentax experience to educate me in this situation, and even more, to recommend lenses that could provide the calm state of mind and Pentax camera produces.
Not all was bad, I still was able to produce some images from yesterday's hike. Hope you enjoy them.
