SD Card Malfunction - Card won't lock into place

I have the Pentax K-S2. What started as a SD Card problem where the card would not eject has now turned into a problem where the SD Card won't lock into place, when inserted.

I am basically here to ask for second opinions, or additional opinions, of users. Please read my post here first:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/58-troubleshooting-beginner-help/439464-sd-card-spring.html

Now, the post I made today in the above thread at pentaxforums.com is as follows, and I would like your opinions:

I'm resurrecting this thread because the SD card just became nearly impossible to get out. So I'm going to get it out with either getting the tape down in there and attached to the card or some very small needle nose pliers (or something)....


One thing on my side is when I bought the k-s2 on the auction site, I did purchase a 2 year square trade insurance warranty (owned by Allstate insurance).... I don't know if they'll actually try to do a repair or simply do a $ refund if I started a claim.

Anyways, here goes trying to get the card out. And BTW, it was a brand new Sandisk SC card....

Regards,

Michael

Addendum: ok, I did get the card out and made myself the scotch tape solution as suggested above and it works well. Now, however, I kinda have the opposite problem of the card being stuck in the slot - the 2 Sandisk SD cards I have will slide in and work in the camera, but there is no "locking in" of the card at all - it simply slides in and sits there - it works, but that's how it is working (and this is with 2 Sandisk SD cards I have - put tape on both of them).

I am curious though, what would users here do if they had the square trade warranty and had this problem? Would you live with it and the tape solution or would you give serious considerations to starting a claim - ?

Michael,

My crystal ball sees a new K70 or K-3iii in your future

Michael Piziak said:

I am curious though, what would users here do if they had the square trade warranty and had this problem?

Click to expand...

I don't know the exact terms of the policy. But if you paid for it, why not just file a claim?

Michael Piziak said:

Would you live with it and the tape solution or would you give serious considerations to starting a claim - ?

Click to expand...

Receiving a compensation does not always mean you have to hand over the product. This will depend on a variety of factors.

Sjak said:

Michael Piziak said:

I am curious though, what would users here do if they had the square trade warranty and had this problem?

Click to expand...

I don't know the exact terms of the policy. But if you paid for it, why not just file a claim?

Sjak said:

Would you live with it and the tape solution or would you give serious considerations to starting a claim - ?

Click to expand...

Receiving a compensation does not always mean you have to hand over the product. This will depend on a variety of factors.

Click to expand...

I'm going to look into this, this evening - I may not get around to it until tomorrow. I can share with you, and others here, that I recall paying approximately $80 for the 2 year square trade warranty. I actually bought it because the camera mirror (or shutter or whatever in there), anyways something opened up and stayed opened up and only black could be seen through the view finder - I thought that it was possibly starting to get the infamous problem where a solenoid from Japan was/is needed to resolve the issue.

Regardless, I agree with what you typed. Perhaps I would get compensated & get to keep the camera - if so, I would actually sell the camera and put the money toward getting another body (likely a used one off the auction site). I had a new k-70 and did not like the ergonomics of it - although I must admit that the $549 price tag at the official Pentax site is quite appealing. I see the Kp is no longer on the website, and thus must be discontinued (the k-70 could be discontinued now as well, with product inventory still available). But

I will not be getting a K3iii - the lack of an articulating screen is an absolute deal breaker as that feature is crucial to my macro photography needs. I also like to situate the articulating screen so that I can look down at my camera, at waste level height, and take street photography photographs (the way that Vivian Maier used her Rolleiflex to take less intrusive photos of people)...

Regards and thanks!

Michael

My advice to those that frequently take out the card to copy photos to computer is to do the following: use micro SD card with SD card adapter and when you take the card out, leave the adapter in and just take the the micro SD card, possibly just by pulling it out with your fingernail. In that way you will not engage the card mechanism on a daily basis which could damage it one day and then you're in trouble. Adapter stays locked in the camera without mechanism doing anything.

5r82 said:

My advice to those that frequently take out the card to copy photos to computer is to do the following: use micro SD card with SD card adapter and when you take the card out, leave the adapter in and just take the the micro SD card, possibly just by pulling it out with your fingernail. In that way you will not engage the card mechanism on a daily basis which could damage it one day and then you're in trouble. Adapter stays locked in the camera without mechanism doing anything.

Click to expand...

Thanks so much for your tip(s).

I have filed a claim with SquareTrade (owned by Allstate). I will come back here and give updates on what they actually do for me. I may have mentioned it, but I paid about $80 for the SquareTrade and was pleased to find out today that there is $0 copay. I bought it back in April of 2021 - bought the 2 year plan.



Regards,

Michael

Update: They say they can fix it.

I am to mail it to Precision Camera for repair. A shipping label was supplied.

Will be interesting to see if they can actually ship it, as someone on Pentaxforums said this particular type of repair is very difficult - something it attached to the mother board or something like that...

Question: If you have experience with Precision Camera, about how long would you estimate they take for a repair?

Anyways, I'm going to visit my sister, a few states away, so this repair is good timing. My sister has a Pentax k-r & I'll, take some lens with me, and use her camera down there...

Regards,

Michael

The SD card slot started working properly, with both cards. It did that before.

I fear that they'll get it and determine there is no problem and just ship it back, or monkey wrench around on it when it doesn't need it yet. So, I'm going to just keep it and keep using it until the problem gets undoubtedlly & consistently worse.

I am curious, what what users here do if they were in my shoes?

Michael

Michael Piziak said:

The SD card slot started working properly, with both cards. It did that before.

I fear that they'll get it and determine there is no problem and just ship it back, or monkey wrench around on it when it doesn't need it yet. So, I'm going to just keep it and keep using it until the problem gets undoubtedlly & consistently worse.

I am curious, what what users here do if they were in my shoes?

Michael

Click to expand...

I would sell it while it is working - telling prospective buyers of your past troubles - and get a new camera.

If you keep it, it will likely end up a doorstop.

Tom Lusk said:

I would sell it while it is working - telling prospective buyers of your past troubles - and get a new camera.

If you keep it, it will likely end up a doorstop.

Click to expand...

I think I'll keep it, as the SquareTrade insurance policy on it lasts for another year. Also, they haven't offered a refund (so I can get a new camera) - they are indicating that Precision Camera can fix it.

I just think that if I send it in now, and it works, then it will either be sent back to me or some technician will monkey wrench around on it until it has an adverse effect on it.

I honestly think that disclosing this problem will have a pretty negative effect on its saleability - perhaps so much that it wouldn't even sale.

I'm actually hoping the problem gets worse, so that the defect is always there, then filing a claim on it.

Thanks for your reply & regards,

Michael