K100D metering fault

I have a problem with my Pentax K100d that I would be gratful if

anyone could offer any advice on.

 

The problem is that in any mode requiring auto exposure, the camera

massivly underexposes to the extent where output is just black. For

example, in low light conditions where I would expect shutter speeds

of say 1/20 or slower, it is selecting 1/500 - 1/2000. Intermittently

however it works correctly. Manual exposure works fine.

 

 

This occurred a while ago and it was sent back to pentax who seemed to

fix the problem (albeit they kept the thing for 2 months). The

service docket said something like exposure reset or re-calibrated.

After that things were ok again for a while but the problem has

started again.

 

 

The camera is still under warrantee (just) and so I intend to send it

back again but my concern is that pentax will do a temporary fix again

but that the camera has a more serious fault somewhere. Can anyone

suggest what the problem might be? Should I be insisting on a

replacement? Can the exposure be user reset/re-calibrated? many

thanks for any thoughts or suggestions.

I would ask that Pentax replace the camera with a new one, since their fix did not last.

I agree. send copies of any paperwork you got back the first time and ask that they contact you when the unit is received to arrange a replacement. At the very least you want them to extend the warranty if for some reason they don't replace the unit.

Also, check out the consumer protection laws in your state or country on defective merchandise and warranty repairs. In Massachusetts, USA, for example, a store's return policy does not apply to defective merchandise. Even if a store says that merchandise can only be returned within a specific period of time and for store credit, defective merchandise can always be returned for a full refund within the admittedly fuzzy "implied warranty of merchantability" time period. In addition, some U.S. states actually extend by law warranty coverage for items that are repaired under warranty. So, if the lightmeter (or whatever) breaks 9 months into a one-year warranty and is repaired, the warranty on the lightmeter resets to a year from the date of repair. Know your rights!

Get it right back to Pentax. They should take any steps necessary to resolve your problem. A DSLR is such a piece of electronic complexity, any make can have some kind of possible defect.

 

And yes, send a copy of paperwork, especially of the last service work.

 

My first DSLR, the *ist-D, had a defective flash unit, which they repaired.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I think you have confirmed what I really knew, which is that I should stop worrying about the details of what the problem is and get the supplier/pentax to sort it out! And of course you are also right that the previous fix that has now failed is a good argument for a replacement. Thanks again