My K50 is kaput!!

ohmic314 · 04-18-2016, 04:32 PM

Sounds like yours is doing what mine did. The aperture control is messed up and the camera is shooting with the smallest aperture. Mine broke less than 6 months after purchase. I had to send it in for repair. Problem is, they seem claimed to be out of parts and estimated mine would take months to send back. I had to escalate the issue to get it back to me sooner than that.

Good luck, I hope it gets fixed quickly!

reh321 · 04-29-2016, 05:39 AM

Originally posted by ohmic314

Sounds like yours is doing what mine did. The aperture control is messed up and the camera is shooting with the smallest aperture. Mine broke less than 6 months after purchase. I had to send it in for repair. Problem is, they seem claimed to be out of parts and estimated mine would take months to send back. I had to escalate the issue to get it back to me sooner than that.

If this is a besetting problem with the K-30/50, I wouldn't be surprised if they cannot keep up.
My wife says I can buy something else if mine fails like this, but I now have a 35mm Super-Tak living in my camera bag.

Tangent88 · 05-17-2016, 08:06 AM

Hi everyone, just joined.

Hoping to finally upgrade my 10 year old K10D, but it looks like some of the Pentax's have a problem.

Have looked at getting the K-30 or K-50 and also looked at the K-500 but since that's pretty much the same camera I assume that also has problems with the aperture control?

Tangent88 · 05-17-2016, 05:29 PM

I see from another thread that the K-500 does seem to have the same problem.

Looks like I'll be hanging on to my K10D until a replacement for the K-50 comes along.

Why they didn't sort out this problem before the K-50 and K-500 came out I don't know.

MarkJerling · 05-17-2016, 05:38 PM

How about a K-3 then? That would be a nice step up from your K10.

Tangent88 · 05-17-2016, 06:10 PM

Maybe, more expensive though.

There's also the KS-2 apparently, is this the K-50 replacement or is that still to come?

gatorguy · 05-17-2016, 06:21 PM - **1 Like**

The KS2 is a GREAT step up IMHO. I' moved from a K50 to the KS2 a couple months ago and darn happy I did.

Tangent88 · 05-17-2016, 06:38 PM

Might keep an eye on this thread for a bit though before purchasing that one:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/184-pentax-k-s1-k-s2/320993-dark-frames-k-s2.html

Seems like I've actually got one of the better Pentax cameras

reh321 · 05-18-2016, 07:46 AM

Originally posted by Tangent88

Might keep an eye on this thread for a bit though before purchasing that one:

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/184-pentax-k-s1-k-s2/320993-dark-frames-k-s2.html

Seems like I've actually got one of the better Pentax cameras

We still know nothing about mean pictures to failure; there is a lot of talk about failures, but we don't know whether this happens on occasion or whether every camera will "die before its time".

I do carry several M42 lenses around with me to meet my basic "needs", but otherwise I'm just not going to worry about it. Considering the prices of these cameras, they still seem to be a good deal.

**niceshot** · 06-22-2016, 01:32 PM

Those dark frame are caused by the cheap chinese n-30 mirror motors, that is the culprit.It seems to me that they should make these parts available to other repair shops or to those of us that would like to repair them our selves

**Kevin B123** · 07-17-2016, 10:18 AM

I have seen mention of M42 lenses in these threads for some time, but I thought any lens with an aperture ring would make the camera function in manual mode?.
I brought a dirt cheap F 35-80 mm just in case and have tried it with the ring set to f8 and menu C22 set to 2 and it seemed to work OK. Is there something special with M42 lenses?, I am not familiar with them.

**niceshot** · 07-17-2016, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by Kevin B123

I have seen mention of M42 lenses in these threads for some time, but I thought any lens with an aperture ring would make the camera function in manual mode?.
I brought a dirt cheap F 35-80 mm just in case and have tried it with the ring set to f8 and menu C22 set to 2 and it seemed to work OK. Is there something special with M42 lenses?, I am not familiar with them.

NO just that the m-42 will function in the aperture mode and expose properly

reh321 · 07-18-2016, 12:08 PM

Originally posted by Kevin B123

I have seen mention of M42 lenses in these threads for some time, but I thought any lens with an aperture ring would make the camera function in manual mode?.
I brought a dirt cheap F 35-80 mm just in case and have tried it with the ring set to f8 and menu C22 set to 2 and it seemed to work OK. Is there something special with M42 lenses?, I am not familiar with them.

Use of aperture ring on K-mount lenses is "crippled" in modern Pentax cameras, and metering is done via the green button. I'm not quite sure what is involved internally, but I'm thinking that this metering wouldn't work right if there is an issue with the aperture control mechanism - that is why I regularly mention the M42-mount lenses.

M42-mount lenses require use of an adapter, but once you are set up, usage is completely manual - in metering, all the camera does is read light hitting the sensor, so my personal plan involves M42-mount lenses, because I know that they will work with a camera still capable of taking pictures, while I'm not positive how much other functionality needs to remain in order to use a basic K-mount lens.

reh321 · 07-18-2016, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by Kevin B123

I have seen mention of M42 lenses in these threads for some time, but I thought any lens with an aperture ring would make the camera function in manual mode?.
I brought a dirt cheap F 35-80 mm just in case and have tried it with the ring set to f8 and menu C22 set to 2 and it seemed to work OK. Is there something special with M42 lenses?, I am not familiar with them.

The following article provides a more complete explanation of using totally manual lenses on a modern DSLR
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/54-pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-me...ml#post3710009

**Kevin B123** · 07-22-2016, 12:10 PM

Originally posted by reh321

The following article provides a more complete explanation of using totally manual lenses on a modern DSLR
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/54-pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-me...ml#post3710009

reh321, Sorry for the tardy reply, but thanks very much for the explanation and details, I have bookmarked it should I need it. I still use my K-50, once I got the K3ii it went in the box for a few months and I missed it, so I think I will use it until it properly dies.

05-18-2016, 07:46 AM	#39
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by Tangent88 Might keep an eye on this thread for a bit though before purchasing that one: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/184-pentax-k-s1-k-s2/320993-dark-frames-k-s2.html Seems like I've actually got one of the better Pentax cameras We still know nothing about mean pictures to failure; there is a lot of talk about failures, but we don't know whether this happens on occasion or whether every camera will "die before its time". I do carry several M42 lenses around with me to meet my basic "needs", but otherwise I'm just not going to worry about it. Considering the prices of these cameras, they still seem to be a good deal. Last edited by reh321; 05-18-2016 at 07:51 AM.

07-18-2016, 12:08 PM	#43
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by Kevin B123 I have seen mention of M42 lenses in these threads for some time, but I thought any lens with an aperture ring would make the camera function in manual mode?. I brought a dirt cheap F 35-80 mm just in case and have tried it with the ring set to f8 and menu C22 set to 2 and it seemed to work OK. Is there something special with M42 lenses?, I am not familiar with them. Use of aperture ring on K-mount lenses is "crippled" in modern Pentax cameras, and metering is done via the green button. I'm not quite sure what is involved internally, but I'm thinking that this metering wouldn't work right if there is an issue with the aperture control mechanism - that is why I regularly mention the M42-mount lenses. M42-mount lenses require use of an adapter, but once you are set up, usage is completely manual - in metering, all the camera does is read light hitting the sensor, so my personal plan involves M42-mount lenses, because I know that they will work with a camera still capable of taking pictures, while I'm not positive how much other functionality needs to remain in order to use a basic K-mount lens. Last edited by reh321; 07-18-2016 at 12:10 PM. Reason: add picture of adapter and M42 lens

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04-18-2016, 04:32 PM	#31
ohmic314 New Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 18	Sounds like yours is doing what mine did. The aperture control is messed up and the camera is shooting with the smallest aperture. Mine broke less than 6 months after purchase. I had to send it in for repair. Problem is, they seem claimed to be out of parts and estimated mine would take months to send back. I had to escalate the issue to get it back to me sooner than that. Good luck, I hope it gets fixed quickly!

04-29-2016, 05:39 AM	#32
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by ohmic314 Sounds like yours is doing what mine did. The aperture control is messed up and the camera is shooting with the smallest aperture. Mine broke less than 6 months after purchase. I had to send it in for repair. Problem is, they seem claimed to be out of parts and estimated mine would take months to send back. I had to escalate the issue to get it back to me sooner than that. If this is a besetting problem with the K-30/50, I wouldn't be surprised if they cannot keep up. My wife says I can buy something else if mine fails like this, but I now have a 35mm Super-Tak living in my camera bag.

05-17-2016, 08:06 AM	#33
Tangent88 Junior Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 37	Hi everyone, just joined. Hoping to finally upgrade my 10 year old K10D, but it looks like some of the Pentax's have a problem. Have looked at getting the K-30 or K-50 and also looked at the K-500 but since that's pretty much the same camera I assume that also has problems with the aperture control?

05-17-2016, 05:29 PM	#34
Tangent88 Junior Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 37	I see from another thread that the K-500 does seem to have the same problem. Looks like I'll be hanging on to my K10D until a replacement for the K-50 comes along. Why they didn't sort out this problem before the K-50 and K-500 came out I don't know.

05-17-2016, 05:38 PM	#35
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,406	How about a K-3 then? That would be a nice step up from your K10.

05-17-2016, 06:10 PM	#36
Tangent88 Junior Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 37	Maybe, more expensive though. There's also the KS-2 apparently, is this the K-50 replacement or is that still to come?

05-17-2016, 06:21 PM - 1 Like	#37
gatorguy Moderator Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Central Florida Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,092	The KS2 is a GREAT step up IMHO. I' moved from a K50 to the KS2 a couple months ago and darn happy I did.

05-17-2016, 06:38 PM	#38
Tangent88 Junior Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 37	Might keep an eye on this thread for a bit though before purchasing that one: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/184-pentax-k-s1-k-s2/320993-dark-frames-k-s2.html Seems like I've actually got one of the better Pentax cameras

06-22-2016, 01:32 PM	#40
niceshot Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,564	Those dark frame are caused by the cheap chinese n-30 mirror motors, that is the culprit.It seems to me that they should make these parts available to other repair shops or to those of us that would like to repair them our selves

07-17-2016, 10:18 AM	#41
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,176	I have seen mention of M42 lenses in these threads for some time, but I thought any lens with an aperture ring would make the camera function in manual mode?. I brought a dirt cheap F 35-80 mm just in case and have tried it with the ring set to f8 and menu C22 set to 2 and it seemed to work OK. Is there something special with M42 lenses?, I am not familiar with them.

07-17-2016, 10:50 AM	#42
niceshot Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,564	Originally posted by Kevin B123 I have seen mention of M42 lenses in these threads for some time, but I thought any lens with an aperture ring would make the camera function in manual mode?. I brought a dirt cheap F 35-80 mm just in case and have tried it with the ring set to f8 and menu C22 set to 2 and it seemed to work OK. Is there something special with M42 lenses?, I am not familiar with them. NO just that the m-42 will function in the aperture mode and expose properly

07-18-2016, 04:44 PM	#44
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,180	Originally posted by Kevin B123 I have seen mention of M42 lenses in these threads for some time, but I thought any lens with an aperture ring would make the camera function in manual mode?. I brought a dirt cheap F 35-80 mm just in case and have tried it with the ring set to f8 and menu C22 set to 2 and it seemed to work OK. Is there something special with M42 lenses?, I am not familiar with them. The following article provides a more complete explanation of using totally manual lenses on a modern DSLR https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/54-pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-me...ml#post3710009

07-22-2016, 12:10 PM	#45
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,176	Originally posted by reh321 The following article provides a more complete explanation of using totally manual lenses on a modern DSLR https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/54-pentax-lens-articles/110657-how-use-me...ml#post3710009 reh321, Sorry for the tardy reply, but thanks very much for the explanation and details, I have bookmarked it should I need it. I still use my K-50, once I got the K3ii it went in the box for a few months and I missed it, so I think I will use it until it properly dies.