K-30 going to shop again

krmitchell1055 · 02-12-2015, 09:31 AM

I have to send my K-30 to the shop for the second time. Now I'm out of warranty (ouch). Same problem. Dang thing is underexposing every shot, whether I turn on the flash or any other mode. Appears to be a problem with the metering somehow. Oh well, cheaper than a new one. Just hope it works more than a year and a half this time!

Wolfeye · 02-12-2015, 10:00 AM

I find all Pentax DSLR cameras deliberately underexpose. It's not a fault, it's a design feature, to preserve highlights. I set my K-3 to +1 permanently.

Does it do it in all metering modes? I got better metering once I switched from spot to multi segment.

stillshot2 · 02-12-2015, 10:03 AM

Originally posted by krmitchell1055

Dang thing is underexposing every shot, whether I turn on the flash or any other mode.

Is it slightly underexposing or are you getting black frames?

arkav · 02-12-2015, 10:20 AM

Originally posted by Wolfeye

I find all Pentax DSLR cameras deliberately underexpose.

Not my K-30. It seems biased towards slight overexposure, as least in high contrast situations.

**UncleVanya** · 02-12-2015, 10:36 AM

Originally posted by krmitchell1055

I have to send my K-30 to the shop for the second time. Now I'm out of warranty (ouch). Same problem. Dang thing is underexposing every shot, whether I turn on the flash or any other mode. Appears to be a problem with the metering somehow. Oh well, cheaper than a new one. Just hope it works more than a year and a half this time!

If you send it to Precision Camera it won't be much cheaper. The standard out of warranty rate is just over $200 for that camera. The new (red) K50 is around $366 and comes with a warranty...

Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera (Body Only, Red) 10974 B&H Photo

loco · 02-12-2015, 11:26 AM

This is discouraging. Hope you get it back quickly and it stays fixed this time. Mine was in for a similar problem and they replaced the diaphragm control block. It's been working great since I got it back. If mine breaks after my extended warranty ends, I think I'll just take that as a sign to upgrade.

Dlanor Sekao · 02-12-2015, 12:25 PM

Sorry to hear this....must be very disheartening. Mine is now just a beat up old Dog of a K30.
Never had a single issue ever with it except for slight exposure /metering problems. 49K clicks as of today and still going fine......think Im going to buy another K30 next month.
Miss that new camera look.
Keep us posted.

stevebrot · 02-17-2015, 06:02 PM

Originally posted by krmitchell1055

I have to send my K-30 to the shop for the second time. Now I'm out of warranty (ouch). Same problem.

If it is the same problem, then apparently they did not fix it properly. What are the terms for the repair. Usually shops will warranty the repair for at least 90 days and usually for a full year.

Steve

bladerunner6 · 02-20-2015, 10:18 AM

Originally posted by krmitchell1055

I have to send my K-30 to the shop for the second time. Now I'm out of warranty (ouch). Same problem. Dang thing is underexposing every shot, whether I turn on the flash or any other mode. Appears to be a problem with the metering somehow. Oh well, cheaper than a new one. Just hope it works more than a year and a half this time!

Did you check to see if the
credit card you bought it with offers an extended warranty?

I believe all Amex cards do,along with many MC and Visa cards, plus the Discover It card.

kodai84 · 02-24-2015, 04:06 PM - **1 Like**

I had a similar issue (randomly dark frames) Took it to a "local" shop in Dallas, go it back fixed & clean in < a week. Shop said the aperture-control moving parts had gotten dirty (I use primes & switch lenses aLOT) and it was common for this model. I suspect I'll have to do it again in a cpl years. It was a/b $160, which my credit card's free extended warranty reembursed me for. (I've learned from experience to buy ALL electronics thru my card for this reason!)

JimC1101 · 02-26-2015, 02:01 AM

I wonder what the MTBF data is on the K-30. I have had it for over 2 years and never had a problem. Same goes with my K-X. Failures occur but in my situation, Pentax has been very good in regard to no failures.

kodai84 · 05-10-2015, 03:34 PM

UPDATE, failed again same way after 5mo. Shop fixed again, failed again after 3 DAYS, I bought a new K50. What I understand is that this is not common at all, but if your K-30 has this "aperture control" pbm, get a different camera, it's apparently hard to keep fixed, if it IS prone to this pbm, it's a "lemon".

**UncleVanya** · 05-10-2015, 05:58 PM

Originally posted by kodai84

UPDATE, failed again same way after 5mo. Shop fixed again, failed again after 3 DAYS, I bought a new K50. What I understand is that this is not common at all, but if your K-30 has this "aperture control" pbm, get a different camera, it's apparently hard to keep fixed, if it IS prone to this pbm, it's a "lemon".

I hope they fixed it in the K50. I had that same diagnosis and repair on my K50. So far after six months so good.

Not a Number · 05-10-2015, 06:14 PM

Originally posted by kodai84

it's apparently hard to keep fixed, if it IS prone to this pbm, it's a "lemon".

Or perhaps given the slew of recent complaints, shoddy work by Precision.

Dlanor Sekao · 05-10-2015, 07:26 PM

Originally posted by kodai84

UPDATE, failed again same way after 5mo. Shop fixed again, failed again after 3 DAYS, I bought a new K50. What I understand is that this is not common at all, but if your K-30 has this "aperture control" pbm, get a different camera, it's apparently hard to keep fixed, if it IS prone to this pbm, it's a "lemon".

If I had mine do that out of warranty I would throw it in the lake ! You have MUCH more patience than I would in that situation.

02-12-2015, 09:31 AM	#1
krmitchell1055 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springdale, Arkansas Photos: Gallery Posts: 168	K-30 going to shop again I have to send my K-30 to the shop for the second time. Now I'm out of warranty (ouch). Same problem. Dang thing is underexposing every shot, whether I turn on the flash or any other mode. Appears to be a problem with the metering somehow. Oh well, cheaper than a new one. Just hope it works more than a year and a half this time!

02-12-2015, 10:03 AM	#3
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070	Originally posted by krmitchell1055 Dang thing is underexposing every shot, whether I turn on the flash or any other mode. Is it slightly underexposing or are you getting black frames? Last edited by stillshot2; 02-12-2015 at 10:29 AM.

02-20-2015, 10:18 AM	#9
bladerunner6 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,080	Originally posted by krmitchell1055 I have to send my K-30 to the shop for the second time. Now I'm out of warranty (ouch). Same problem. Dang thing is underexposing every shot, whether I turn on the flash or any other mode. Appears to be a problem with the metering somehow. Oh well, cheaper than a new one. Just hope it works more than a year and a half this time! Did you check to see if the credit card you bought it with offers an extended warranty? I believe all Amex cards do,along with many MC and Visa cards, plus the Discover It card. Last edited by bladerunner6; 02-20-2015 at 10:24 AM.

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02-12-2015, 10:00 AM	#2
Wolfeye Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 782	I find all Pentax DSLR cameras deliberately underexpose. It's not a fault, it's a design feature, to preserve highlights. I set my K-3 to +1 permanently. Does it do it in all metering modes? I got better metering once I switched from spot to multi segment.

02-12-2015, 10:20 AM	#4
arkav Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 366	Originally posted by Wolfeye I find all Pentax DSLR cameras deliberately underexpose. Not my K-30. It seems biased towards slight overexposure, as least in high contrast situations.

02-12-2015, 10:36 AM	#5
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	Originally posted by krmitchell1055 I have to send my K-30 to the shop for the second time. Now I'm out of warranty (ouch). Same problem. Dang thing is underexposing every shot, whether I turn on the flash or any other mode. Appears to be a problem with the metering somehow. Oh well, cheaper than a new one. Just hope it works more than a year and a half this time! If you send it to Precision Camera it won't be much cheaper. The standard out of warranty rate is just over $200 for that camera. The new (red) K50 is around $366 and comes with a warranty... Pentax K-50 Digital SLR Camera (Body Only, Red) 10974 B&H Photo

02-12-2015, 11:26 AM	#6
loco Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Virginia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,846	This is discouraging. Hope you get it back quickly and it stays fixed this time. Mine was in for a similar problem and they replaced the diaphragm control block. It's been working great since I got it back. If mine breaks after my extended warranty ends, I think I'll just take that as a sign to upgrade.

02-12-2015, 12:25 PM	#7
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Sorry to hear this....must be very disheartening. Mine is now just a beat up old Dog of a K30. Never had a single issue ever with it except for slight exposure /metering problems. 49K clicks as of today and still going fine......think Im going to buy another K30 next month. Miss that new camera look. Keep us posted.

02-17-2015, 06:02 PM	#8
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by krmitchell1055 I have to send my K-30 to the shop for the second time. Now I'm out of warranty (ouch). Same problem. If it is the same problem, then apparently they did not fix it properly. What are the terms for the repair. Usually shops will warranty the repair for at least 90 days and usually for a full year. Steve

02-24-2015, 04:06 PM - 1 Like	#10
kodai84 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 97	I had a similar issue (randomly dark frames) Took it to a "local" shop in Dallas, go it back fixed & clean in < a week. Shop said the aperture-control moving parts had gotten dirty (I use primes & switch lenses aLOT) and it was common for this model. I suspect I'll have to do it again in a cpl years. It was a/b $160, which my credit card's free extended warranty reembursed me for. (I've learned from experience to buy ALL electronics thru my card for this reason!)

02-26-2015, 02:01 AM	#11
JimC1101 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Fremont, Ca Photos: Albums Posts: 395	I wonder what the MTBF data is on the K-30. I have had it for over 2 years and never had a problem. Same goes with my K-X. Failures occur but in my situation, Pentax has been very good in regard to no failures.

05-10-2015, 03:34 PM	#12
kodai84 Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Texas Posts: 97	UPDATE, failed again same way after 5mo. Shop fixed again, failed again after 3 DAYS, I bought a new K50. What I understand is that this is not common at all, but if your K-30 has this "aperture control" pbm, get a different camera, it's apparently hard to keep fixed, if it IS prone to this pbm, it's a "lemon".

05-10-2015, 05:58 PM	#13
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,398	Originally posted by kodai84 UPDATE, failed again same way after 5mo. Shop fixed again, failed again after 3 DAYS, I bought a new K50. What I understand is that this is not common at all, but if your K-30 has this "aperture control" pbm, get a different camera, it's apparently hard to keep fixed, if it IS prone to this pbm, it's a "lemon". I hope they fixed it in the K50. I had that same diagnosis and repair on my K50. So far after six months so good.

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05-10-2015, 06:14 PM	#14
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by kodai84 it's apparently hard to keep fixed, if it IS prone to this pbm, it's a "lemon". Or perhaps given the slew of recent complaints, shoddy work by Precision.

05-10-2015, 07:26 PM	#15
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Originally posted by kodai84 UPDATE, failed again same way after 5mo. Shop fixed again, failed again after 3 DAYS, I bought a new K50. What I understand is that this is not common at all, but if your K-30 has this "aperture control" pbm, get a different camera, it's apparently hard to keep fixed, if it IS prone to this pbm, it's a "lemon". If I had mine do that out of warranty I would throw it in the lake ! You have MUCH more patience than I would in that situation.