Pentax K-30 pictures are getting Dark

reh321 · 06-08-2016, 12:03 PM

Originally posted by niceshot

Dont worry the aperture motor will surely die just like it did on mine about three months later

What was its shutter count when yours died {rough estimate would be enough if you don't know the exact value}??

**niceshot** · 06-08-2016, 01:10 PM

Originally posted by reh321

what was its shutter count when yours died {rough estimate would be enough if you don't know the exact value}??

10000

ludpi · 07-10-2016, 11:30 PM

Hello
I too have after just over two years occurred the same problem.
I read in Spain pentaxforum of a user who discovered that using AA batteries go well exposed photos from the first shot.
I have an adapter for AA batteries, I've tried and so far goes perfectly.
As you can read, the problem is typical of Pentax k30, k50 and k500.
I hope it helps.
Greetings.

Problema con exposimetro K30 - Pentaxeros.com

**niceshot** · 07-11-2016, 02:00 AM

Originally posted by ludpi

Hello
I too have after just over two years occurred the same problem.
I read in Spain pentaxforum of a user who discovered that using AA batteries go well exposed photos from the first shot.
I have an adapter for AA batteries, I've tried and so far goes perfectly.
As you can read, the problem is typical of Pentax k30, k50 and k500.
I hope it helps.
Greetings.

Problema con exposimetro K30 - Pentaxeros.com

//// Yes that might help it the beginning but in the end, the camera will still fail. there are two problems one the aperture block motor gets tired, 2 the shutter mechanism fails to fire or gets jammed as it did on mine.

tosudarshana · 07-12-2016, 12:38 PM

Its great to learn that AA batteries would resolve the issue.
1. New questions is striking my mind. How is the type of battery power affecting the Aperture Motor ?
2. Would the problem reoccur on AA battery mode too ?

What's the final solutions for me.

I am thinking of retiring K500 and go with K-SII

What's your take on K-S2 ?

**niceshot** · 07-12-2016, 01:05 PM

Originally posted by tosudarshana

Its great to learn that AA batteries would resolve the issue.
1. New questions is striking my mind. How is the type of battery power affecting the Aperture Motor ?
2. Would the problem reoccur on AA battery mode too ?

What's the final solutions for me.

I am thinking of retiring K500 and go with K-SII

What's your take on K-S2 ?

The answer is yes, and outside of rebuilding the camera there is no final answer. Maybe the K-s2 is the answer

tosudarshana · 07-12-2016, 01:08 PM

Great. Have been eyeing KS2

Rvdevon · 10-04-2021, 02:39 AM

Hello all.
I have the K-30 and have been experiencing the 'black' pictures.
I first tried cleaning all the contacts on the Lens and the Camera body but to no avail.
I did read that the pictures were OK if the 'Live View' was enabled, and that proved true.
However, that gave me an idea.
I changed the setting to Continuous Shooting (Hi) and gave it a few bursts, which has done the trick.
Whether it is a permanent fix remains to be seen.
Fingers crossed.

**photogem** · 10-13-2021, 01:37 PM

Hi Rvdevon,
just wondered why on earth you used that really vintage very old thread which is completly out of date?

Originally posted by Rvdevon

Hello all.
I have the K-30 and have been experiencing the 'black' pictures.
I first tried cleaning all the contacts on the Lens and the Camera body but to no avail.

Of course not because the electrical contacts have zero connection with the solenoid which is the culprit.

Originally posted by Rvdevon

I did read that the pictures were OK if the 'Live View' was enabled, and that proved true.
However, that gave me an idea.
I changed the setting to Continuous Shooting (Hi) and gave it a few bursts, which has done the trick.
Whether it is a permanent fix remains to be seen.
Fingers crossed.

Pictures which seem to come out alright with LV are actually not o.k.!

With a functioning solenoid the lens switches to f4.0 in LV.

But when the solenoid is stuck it is fully closed i.e. f22 or whatever the maximum value for the given lens is!
So EXIF Data will show that metering was not quite correct.
It is just so that pictures are not underdeveloped / black.
But that only works for a limited time and yet is not really a desireable state.

Your recommendation of Continuous Shooting is not a good idea!
It forces the solenoid to be freed and works for the time being but usually not for a long time either!

But the bitter pill can be that the adjustment of the complex mechanism goes wrong or worse that a spring jumps off.
Then it turns into a very (too) expensive repair as you have to either replace the complete unit (14 hours of work) or open it to adjust it anew

All this has been explained again and again in this forum, so it is recommended first to study the threads and understand the theme and maybe then give recommendations. It's just to avoid mistakes and wrong recommendations which I'm sure you understand.

07-10-2016, 11:30 PM	#18
ludpi New Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 4	AA batteries Hello I too have after just over two years occurred the same problem. I read in Spain pentaxforum of a user who discovered that using AA batteries go well exposed photos from the first shot. I have an adapter for AA batteries, I've tried and so far goes perfectly. As you can read, the problem is typical of Pentax k30, k50 and k500. I hope it helps. Greetings. Problema con exposimetro K30 - Pentaxeros.com

07-12-2016, 12:38 PM	#20
tosudarshana Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Schaumbutg, IL, USA Posts: 39	So what's the Final Advise Its great to learn that AA batteries would resolve the issue. 1. New questions is striking my mind. How is the type of battery power affecting the Aperture Motor ? 2. Would the problem reoccur on AA battery mode too ? What's the final solutions for me. I am thinking of retiring K500 and go with K-SII What's your take on K-S2 ?

10-13-2021, 01:37 PM	#24
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Hi Rvdevon, just wondered why on earth you used that really vintage very old thread which is completly out of date? Originally posted by Rvdevon Hello all. I have the K-30 and have been experiencing the 'black' pictures. I first tried cleaning all the contacts on the Lens and the Camera body but to no avail. Of course not because the electrical contacts have zero connection with the solenoid which is the culprit. Originally posted by Rvdevon I did read that the pictures were OK if the 'Live View' was enabled, and that proved true. However, that gave me an idea. I changed the setting to Continuous Shooting (Hi) and gave it a few bursts, which has done the trick. Whether it is a permanent fix remains to be seen. Fingers crossed. Pictures which seem to come out alright with LV are actually not o.k.! With a functioning solenoid the lens switches to f4.0 in LV. But when the solenoid is stuck it is fully closed i.e. f22 or whatever the maximum value for the given lens is! So EXIF Data will show that metering was not quite correct. It is just so that pictures are not underdeveloped / black. But that only works for a limited time and yet is not really a desireable state. Your recommendation of Continuous Shooting is not a good idea! It forces the solenoid to be freed and works for the time being but usually not for a long time either! But the bitter pill can be that the adjustment of the complex mechanism goes wrong or worse that a spring jumps off. Then it turns into a very (too) expensive repair as you have to either replace the complete unit (14 hours of work) or open it to adjust it anew All this has been explained again and again in this forum, so it is recommended first to study the threads and understand the theme and maybe then give recommendations. It's just to avoid mistakes and wrong recommendations which I'm sure you understand. Last edited by photogem; 10-13-2021 at 01:57 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K-30 Battery Life, what are you getting ??	tammons	Pentax K-30 & K-50	111	09-16-2013 12:34 PM
K-30 after accidentally getting wet	ASheffield	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	10	08-20-2013 05:22 AM
My experience with the Pentax k-30 @ B&H (BIG PICTURES)	JinDesu	Pentax DSLR Discussion	19	02-24-2013 11:26 PM
Misc Getting used to the K-30	loco	Post Your Photos!	22	08-08-2012 06:03 PM
Pentax K-30 Pictures	Adam	Pentax K-30 & K-50	15	07-02-2012 04:25 PM

06-08-2016, 12:03 PM	#16
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by niceshot Dont worry the aperture motor will surely die just like it did on mine about three months later What was its shutter count when yours died {rough estimate would be enough if you don't know the exact value}??

06-08-2016, 01:10 PM	#17
niceshot Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,564	Originally posted by reh321 what was its shutter count when yours died {rough estimate would be enough if you don't know the exact value}?? 10000

07-11-2016, 02:00 AM	#19
niceshot Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,564	Originally posted by ludpi Hello I too have after just over two years occurred the same problem. I read in Spain pentaxforum of a user who discovered that using AA batteries go well exposed photos from the first shot. I have an adapter for AA batteries, I've tried and so far goes perfectly. As you can read, the problem is typical of Pentax k30, k50 and k500. I hope it helps. Greetings. Problema con exposimetro K30 - Pentaxeros.com //// Yes that might help it the beginning but in the end, the camera will still fail. there are two problems one the aperture block motor gets tired, 2 the shutter mechanism fails to fire or gets jammed as it did on mine.

07-12-2016, 01:05 PM	#21
niceshot Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,564	Originally posted by tosudarshana Its great to learn that AA batteries would resolve the issue. 1. New questions is striking my mind. How is the type of battery power affecting the Aperture Motor ? 2. Would the problem reoccur on AA battery mode too ? What's the final solutions for me. I am thinking of retiring K500 and go with K-SII What's your take on K-S2 ? The answer is yes, and outside of rebuilding the camera there is no final answer. Maybe the K-s2 is the answer

07-12-2016, 01:08 PM	#22
tosudarshana Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Schaumbutg, IL, USA Posts: 39	Great. Have been eyeing KS2

10-04-2021, 02:39 AM	#23
Rvdevon New Member Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: Devon, England. Posts: 1	Hello all. I have the K-30 and have been experiencing the 'black' pictures. I first tried cleaning all the contacts on the Lens and the Camera body but to no avail. I did read that the pictures were OK if the 'Live View' was enabled, and that proved true. However, that gave me an idea. I changed the setting to Continuous Shooting (Hi) and gave it a few bursts, which has done the trick. Whether it is a permanent fix remains to be seen. Fingers crossed.