'New' *istDS severe color issues

[BLWNHR]

I bought an *istDL a bit over a year ago. Over that time I've had exposure issues that have seen the camera returned twice and both times it hasn't been fixed.

I travelled interstate last Thursday and decided the best plan was to go straight to the Australian importer of all Pentax and Sigma gear, C.R. Kennedy. After viewing 20 sheets of photos which undesputedly proved the camera was very unhealthy they still wanted me to 'leave it with them' so they could repair it. I told them that the issue had been dragging on for nearly a year and I wasn't waiting any more. They said the only thing they would do for me is give me a 'refurbished' *istDS.

Not knowing anything about the DS they assured me it was pretty much a direct comparison to the DL. Having used it I tend to agree. However, before I agreed to take the DS I requested the history of this 'refurbished' body. They assured me that the camera had 2-days of use and was returned because of discoloration in the photos which turned out to be the original purchasers printer. I believed them and took the camera to tide me over until I could decide if I wanted a K10D.

Well tonight I loaded the pictures onto my computer from a full days travel shooting around Melbourne. To say I'm disappointed is a gross understatement! To say I am infuriated wouldn't even scrape the surface. Take a look at these 4 pics, which are some samples from a full days shooting.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/blownhr/Photography/IMGP0481a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/blownhr/Photography/IMGP0493a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/blownhr/Photography/IMGP0520a.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v197/blownhr/Photography/IMGP0523a.jpg

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS CAMERA? Look at the rainbows! What is going on in the shadows and the sky?!? I've used $10 web cams with better picture quality than this!

[Rooz]

man thats some bad shit right there. i've never seen anything like that actually. :confused: you obviously got a couple of bad examples.

if it's still under warranty and you bought it from a dealer, call the dept of fair trading and nail em.

[BLWNHR]

if it's still under warranty and you bought it from a dealer

Bought if from a dealer; I got it directly from the certified Australian importer/distributor of Pentax and Sigma, in person last Friday!

[Riley]

looks like sensor failure
seek a replacement camera
it happens

[BLWNHR]

OK, just got a phone call from C.R. Kennedy. Their offer is as follows:

I send them back the *istDS the gave me on Friday and they send me

K10D - $1200
Sigma EF 500 DG Super - $429
Sigma 50-500 f4-6.3 - $1405

The price in brackets after it is how much I can buy it for as a consumer from local stores. This totals $3034, plus postage on some items.

C.R. Kennedy are offering me all this gear for $2400.

Sound fair?

The *istDS is selling for about $600-700 on eBay with a lens. I get to keep my lens so basically I'mm getting all the gear without the hassle of postage, going to a store, or trying to sell the DS.

[coldrain]

Hmm, it is up to YOU if you want to change a DS to a K10D for that amount of money.

It is YOU who wanted that flash and that Bigma, right?

The real replacement of the *istDS is the K100D.

[BLWNHR]

This whole issue has been resolved. CRK gave me a call this afternoon and all is well. I'll have some new gear to play with soon :)

[Rooz]

good stuff mate. great to hear.

[Riley]

i not surprised, Kennedy's have been around a long time so i reckon theyre ok, they might have checked that camera out before attempting to pass it on though. Anyways cheers on your final succession.