Quoting from here:
http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/pentax_645d___a_first_review.shtml
-- start quote #1
An annoying mechanical fault
About a week after the 645D arrived, I began to notice the rear control
dial acting strangely. Whichever way it was turned, it would increase
the value being effected, often in multi-increment leaps. Over time,
the problem has gotten worse, to the point that the rear-dial is now
essentially unusable. Want to get to ISO 1600 in a hurry, or +5 stops
exposure compensation? This is your ticket. Otherwise, not too good.
Fortunately, the 645D is so user-configurable, that I have simply put
ISO on the front dial in Program mode, and switch it there, but shoot
most of the time in physical aperture priority using the aperture rings
on the older FA lenses. This is a passable work-around, but obviously
the camera is mechanically defective and needs to be repaired. Pentax
Canada and USA have only just ordered their toolkits for 645D repairs,
so it is unclear how and when this will get done. Service is a very
significant component in the pro-level camera equations. More to come
on this in future updates to this review.
At this point, I have not heard of any other users encountering this
particular problem, so unless my inbox is flooded with reports of
similar problems, I will assume it is unique to my camera. These things
happen. Make 5,000 of anything, each with thousands of parts, and
something is bound to break. Still, this is very unfortunate. I have to
say that the defect caused me some real cognitive dissonance, given the
quality build-feel of the camera. Time will tell how reliable the 645D
proves to be.
-- end quote #1
-- start quote #2
UPDATE:
Shortly after this review was published, I received an email from a
photographer in Sweden who has experienced exactly the same dial-failure
with the 645D. One is a fluke, two is a pattern. Perhaps by coincidence,
I also learned from three different sources around the same time that
the first shipment of 645Ds had reached Australia and Canada, but was
recalled literally from the dealers' hands due to some sort of defect
identified by Pentax. It appears that replacements are anticipated
shortly, so this does not appear to be a systemic issues (a la M8 IR
sensitivity) and may just be batch-related, but who knows. I am glad
Pentax is taking QC seriously, and look forward to more information
becoming available on this.
November 14, 2010.
-- end quote 2
On 11/16/2010 5:04 PM, Ralf R. Radermacher wrote:
My dealer exchanged my first K-5 today because of a stabilizer problem.
Just tested the new one. The rear thumbwheel is erratic. Didn't need
much explanation, though. He has the same thumbwheel trouble with his
private K-7.
Fortunately he has enough K-5 in stock, so we should be fine for a few
more exchanges.
All of my Pentax DSLRs (DS, K10D, K-7) have been exchanged at least
once. With all due respect, Pentax, your Q.C. is a mess.
Ralf
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