New Class Action for Pentax owners with aperture block issue

flektogon wrote:

Conjure wrote:

DougOB wrote:

ozdean wrote:

So is the problem the Distributors or do we just have an exceptionally good one?

What are consumer protection laws like in Australia? In general Europe is better than North America, but I am not familiar with other places.

Doug

Yes, Europe is better.

Instead of meaningful consumer protection laws, the US has a system of class action lawsuits, which usually results in a company disappearing or withdrawing from the US market.

Of course the original problem (non-reaction to complaints) was caused by Pentax-US. But this particular lawsuit is bad luck for the US Pentaxians.

Anton

Well, in the USA at least class actions protect the customers. But not in Canada. Here, you are simply doomed .

Actually I have been the beneficiary of several class action lawsuits (here in Canada).  Sometimes it means $50, and sometimes more, e.g., VW.

Doug

They seem so be sound here but class actions aren't a big thing we have government bodies that seem to manage things pretty well.

CRK our Pentax Distributor is very good - I think they are the Oldest One in the World, Right from the start of Pentax?

ozdean wrote:

They seem so be sound here but class actions aren't a big thing we have government bodies that seem to manage things pretty well.

CRK our Pentax Distributor is very good - I think they are the Oldest One in the World, Right from the start of Pentax?

+1

Pentax Australia has to operate within the parameters of Australian consumer laws. Just like Pentax US operate within US consumer laws.

Hence the disparity in service.

I dont know what to say,here is my story

^ That sucks. That is the reason that I don't recommend any of the cheaper Pentax bodies.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/193-pentax-k-70/399198-tutorial-repair-pentax-k-70-aperture-problem-exchange-solenoid.html

^ Take a look at this thread. You can probably fix it, but it will require a bit of your time & patience. I had to repair 2 K-50 bodies with this issue. It took me about +-3 hours the first time fumbling around & about +-1.5 hours the second time.

The average owner won't even get near 100% of the repair costs on this even if they do win, while the lawyers will get the majority of the money. I have been in a couple of CA lawsuits just because I owned something and the most I ever got out of it was less than $25 USD.

Kent Gittings

Tom Lusk wrote:

aisu825 wrote:

Tom Lusk wrote:

"Around 12,000 Pentax cameras were sold, says the Pentax camera aperture problem class action lawsuit, which brought Ricoh Inc. more than $5,000,000 in sales.

The plaintiff says that, despite collecting millions in profits"

Millions in profits were generated by the sale of 12,000 lower-end cameras in the U.S.?

Too funny! This suit doesn't stand a chance.

Ridiculous conclusion, based on ..... nada. *eye roll*

Millions in profits from $5 million in sales?

Sure...

Double *eye roll* to you sir!

/

For those who aren't from the USA and may be unaware, it doesn't really matter if Pentax made $1M or $1 or lost money.

If they are liable, they are liable, and damages will be based on the harm to consumers. I don't think punitive damages will be available here.

I wouldn't be surprised if they settle for some repair perks and such, chiefly non monetary relief. Having owned a K-50 I was pretty aware of the issues, so I'm sure Pentax was too, and not too much problem proving it IF there is enough money behind the suit to go far enough along. But again, I'd bet on a relatively quick settlement.

Pentax has behaved rather poorly on this in the US IMHO. Makes me wonder if I'll stay with them.

Not sure I would have been interested in litigating this before I retired, but glad to see someone is.

GeneMCO wrote:

This also should include the K-70 model as well.

My Pentax K-70 just recently failed with the aperture block failure issue and is basically worthless shooting dartk pictures no matter what I do to correct it.

It's sad after spending YEARS buying Pentax lenses to match my current cameras and maintaining the same lens mount system and now this!

My K-70's solenoid failed after 1300 shots, 2.5 years old.

Repaired under the 5 year warranty that came with the camera.

Working fine again.

Temporary solution:

Set the WiFi/Fx button to 'Optical Preview'.

See the manual, page 106 -108.

This actuates the solenoid: closes the aperture of the lens to see the DOF.

Pressing the button ca. 20 times should reactivate the solenoid (until it happens again).

Permanent solution is to replace the defective solenoid.

Waiting for the coming PLM lens series...