K-30 / K-50 Aperture Block Failue - Repair Solution available

JayDee · 02-12-2017, 06:55 PM

Originally posted by reh321

What is the total shutter count on your K-30 now?

At 14,300 now. First noticed the problem at around 13,000. Used the continuous shooting trick for a while before that stopped working.

Bought my K-30 used at around 11,000 exposures. Not sure how old it is, guessing 3 or 4 years now.

reh321 · 02-12-2017, 07:14 PM

Originally posted by JayDee

At 14,300 now. First noticed the problem at around 13,000. Used the continuous shooting trick for a while before that stopped working.

Bought my K-30 used at around 11,000 exposures. Not sure how old it is, guessing 3 or 4 years now.

And here I've taken a total of 1464 exposures in 20 months!

I think I'd be afraid of using the continuous shooting trick - to me it sounds like a good way to burn out a motor.

**caliscouser** · 02-13-2017, 01:42 PM

The coloration of the solenoid (and perhaps shape too) seems to be a clue as to whether it is one of the Japanese sourced components (yellow/whitish) or Chinese (greenish)

Not definitive of course but every solenoid I have seen in a K-30/K-50/K-S1 is of the greenish variety.
Every solenoid I have seen in a K-x/K-r/K10d is whitish/yellowish.

Again not conclusive and just another clue in this mystery, but may be an indicator for anyone assessing a replacement solenoid for their camera.

First pic, my previously broken K-30 (now fixed with replacement solenoid from a donor camera).
Second pic, my K-r.

paolo11 · 02-13-2017, 02:33 PM

For what it's worth, Wikipedia states: the K50 is manufactured in Vietnam, Kr and K30 in the Philippines. The K30 as pictured by the Russians is also green in color.

So, how did you determine Japanese or Chinese solenoid source by color?

**caliscouser** · 02-13-2017, 02:50 PM

Country of assembly has little to do with where individual components are sourced and manufactured (particularly in this case)
It's a global manufacturing supply chain. The last step is assembly where all the components are brought together.

**rjbrett** · 02-14-2017, 06:09 AM

Have just ordered a new K50 - will be sure to discuss extended warranty options when I go to pick it up.....

Thanks

paolo11 · 02-14-2017, 06:42 AM

I agree, as you don't know where the manufacturing took place. But interesting in the different color.

reh321 · 02-14-2017, 08:59 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by rjbrett

Have just ordered a new K50 - will be sure to discuss extended warranty options when I go to pick it up.....

Thanks

I hope you have read much of this thread also
Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Read me first! - PentaxForums.com

You will notice much disagreement about K-30/50 longevity. One piece of advice I will offer is to avoid putting it away for an extended period of time; although we do not clearly understand the aperture block issue, anecdotal evidence clearly suggests that this camera does not respond well to extended "time off".

paolo11 · 02-14-2017, 09:34 AM - **1 Like**

Best of luck, it's an excellent camera all around. I know you'll enjoy it. Hopefully, there's a better aperture block as some owners haven't had a problem.

An extended warranty would be wise as it seems these cameras last about two years on average before having a problem, at least some of them like my wife's.

One owner went a couple of weeks over warranty before having a problem.

**rjbrett** · 02-14-2017, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by reh321

I hope you have read much of this thread also
Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Read me first! - PentaxForums.com

You will notice much disagreement about K-30/50 longevity. One piece of advice I will offer is to avoid putting it away for an extended period of time; although we do not clearly understand the aperture block issue, anecdotal evidence clearly suggests that this camera does not respond well to extended "time off".

Thanks paolo11 - at this price I'm thinking it will be worth it if I get 2 years learning out of it. Am thinking I'll want to upgrade to a K3 or something similar after that.

**rjbrett** · 02-14-2017, 04:03 PM

Originally posted by reh321

I hope you have read much of this thread also
Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Read me first! - PentaxForums.com

You will notice much disagreement about K-30/50 longevity. One piece of advice I will offer is to avoid putting it away for an extended period of time; although we do not clearly understand the aperture block issue, anecdotal evidence clearly suggests that this camera does not respond well to extended "time off".

Thanks for the link reh321. I had read around the topic a bit but that looks a good diagnostic procedure. Interestingly this actuator/impeller problem sounds like the failure I've had in two CD players over the decades - one Denon, and now I have another Yamaha that is stuttering. Spoke with a repairman about the Denon about 10 years ago, and he said it is a common failure in these units. That unit had been packed away for some time, and I had intuitively been running the old Yamaha I'm now using at least once a week. Will be sure to do the same with camera.

Not a Number · 02-14-2017, 06:00 PM

Originally posted by rjbrett

Interestingly this actuator/impeller problem sounds like the failure I've had in two CD players over the decades - one Denon, and now I have another Yamaha that is stuttering

Sorry to say but stuttering is usually caused by the laser pickup burning out or the head positioning mechanism wearing out. Motors and screw drives are used to position the head. My Sony CD changer, Sony Discman and two Pioneer LaserDisc players all developed "stuttering" at some point and none of them had the horseshoe solenoid in them.

The solenoid common with the K-30/50 is typcally used in for the tray eject mechanism of small CD drives or head / drive mechanism releases on small ("Walkman") tape players. Basically any place where space is at a premium.

solatana · 02-17-2017, 09:11 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by reh321

I hope you have read much of this thread also
Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Read me first! - PentaxForums.com

You will notice much disagreement about K-30/50 longevity. One piece of advice I will offer is to avoid putting it away for an extended period of time; although we do not clearly understand the aperture block issue, anecdotal evidence clearly suggests that this camera does not respond well to extended "time off".

strong resistance indeed.

'you' do not clearly understand.

Others understand it very "clearly".

There is zero disagreement about K30/50 longevity. Nobody disagrees.
There is nothing to agree or disagree.

But there is clarity. It POPS OUT.
It is called

SOLENOID

made in Japan or China

There is full agreement that K30 and others with chinese solenoid are possible victim for same damage if repair
is done by using same solenoid again.

But you see, solenoid is inductor, induces something.
There is also resistor.

You know what is meant with this?

Resistor can be very powerful, very strong resistance.
Will resist even if no resistance is needed.

So is in need of very powerful inductor maybe?

**pepperberry farm** · 02-17-2017, 09:35 AM

Originally posted by solatana

There is zero disagreement about K30/50 longevity. Nobody disagrees.
There is nothing to agree or disagree.

I disagree - there are many, many, undocumented K-30/K-50's out there without any issues at all; like mine, with over 20,000 actuations and no problems at all...

madphys · 02-17-2017, 10:08 AM

How many K100s, K200s, K10s etc developed this dark frame issue (they utilize identical mechanism)? Are there any data? I haven't heard anything. I personally have K100D and K100D Super - both still work just fine (~ 10 years).
Now - with K30/K50/K500 etc - there are quite a lot of dark-frame complaints. You don't have to be a Scherlock Holmes to figure this one out.

It is like saying - everything is fine - let's ignore that 1 in 80 children has autism (which was something like 1 in 10 000 in 1965) because mine doesn't so I guess everything is fine - this is how it should be...

02-13-2017, 02:33 PM	#379
paolo11 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 115	Solenoid colors K30/K50 and Kr For what it's worth, Wikipedia states: the K50 is manufactured in Vietnam, Kr and K30 in the Philippines. The K30 as pictured by the Russians is also green in color. So, how did you determine Japanese or Chinese solenoid source by color?

02-14-2017, 06:09 AM	#381
rjbrett Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Brisbane Posts: 895	Additional warranty Have just ordered a new K50 - will be sure to discuss extended warranty options when I go to pick it up..... Thanks Last edited by rjbrett; 02-14-2017 at 08:26 AM.

02-14-2017, 09:34 AM - 1 Like	#384
paolo11 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 115	New K50 Best of luck, it's an excellent camera all around. I know you'll enjoy it. Hopefully, there's a better aperture block as some owners haven't had a problem. An extended warranty would be wise as it seems these cameras last about two years on average before having a problem, at least some of them like my wife's. One owner went a couple of weeks over warranty before having a problem.

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02-12-2017, 06:55 PM	#376
JayDee New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 12	Originally posted by reh321 What is the total shutter count on your K-30 now? At 14,300 now. First noticed the problem at around 13,000. Used the continuous shooting trick for a while before that stopped working. Bought my K-30 used at around 11,000 exposures. Not sure how old it is, guessing 3 or 4 years now.

02-12-2017, 07:14 PM	#377
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by JayDee At 14,300 now. First noticed the problem at around 13,000. Used the continuous shooting trick for a while before that stopped working. Bought my K-30 used at around 11,000 exposures. Not sure how old it is, guessing 3 or 4 years now. And here I've taken a total of 1464 exposures in 20 months! I think I'd be afraid of using the continuous shooting trick - to me it sounds like a good way to burn out a motor.

02-13-2017, 02:50 PM	#380
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	Country of assembly has little to do with where individual components are sourced and manufactured (particularly in this case) It's a global manufacturing supply chain. The last step is assembly where all the components are brought together.

02-14-2017, 06:42 AM	#382
paolo11 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 115	I agree, as you don't know where the manufacturing took place. But interesting in the different color.

02-14-2017, 08:59 AM - 1 Like	#383
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by rjbrett Have just ordered a new K50 - will be sure to discuss extended warranty options when I go to pick it up..... Thanks I hope you have read much of this thread also Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Read me first! - PentaxForums.com You will notice much disagreement about K-30/50 longevity. One piece of advice I will offer is to avoid putting it away for an extended period of time; although we do not clearly understand the aperture block issue, anecdotal evidence clearly suggests that this camera does not respond well to extended "time off".

02-14-2017, 03:58 PM	#385
rjbrett Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Brisbane Posts: 895	Originally posted by reh321 I hope you have read much of this thread also Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Read me first! - PentaxForums.com You will notice much disagreement about K-30/50 longevity. One piece of advice I will offer is to avoid putting it away for an extended period of time; although we do not clearly understand the aperture block issue, anecdotal evidence clearly suggests that this camera does not respond well to extended "time off". Thanks paolo11 - at this price I'm thinking it will be worth it if I get 2 years learning out of it. Am thinking I'll want to upgrade to a K3 or something similar after that.

02-14-2017, 04:03 PM	#386
rjbrett Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Brisbane Posts: 895	Originally posted by reh321 I hope you have read much of this thread also Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Read me first! - PentaxForums.com You will notice much disagreement about K-30/50 longevity. One piece of advice I will offer is to avoid putting it away for an extended period of time; although we do not clearly understand the aperture block issue, anecdotal evidence clearly suggests that this camera does not respond well to extended "time off". Thanks for the link reh321. I had read around the topic a bit but that looks a good diagnostic procedure. Interestingly this actuator/impeller problem sounds like the failure I've had in two CD players over the decades - one Denon, and now I have another Yamaha that is stuttering. Spoke with a repairman about the Denon about 10 years ago, and he said it is a common failure in these units. That unit had been packed away for some time, and I had intuitively been running the old Yamaha I'm now using at least once a week. Will be sure to do the same with camera.

02-14-2017, 06:00 PM	#387
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Originally posted by rjbrett Interestingly this actuator/impeller problem sounds like the failure I've had in two CD players over the decades - one Denon, and now I have another Yamaha that is stuttering Sorry to say but stuttering is usually caused by the laser pickup burning out or the head positioning mechanism wearing out. Motors and screw drives are used to position the head. My Sony CD changer, Sony Discman and two Pioneer LaserDisc players all developed "stuttering" at some point and none of them had the horseshoe solenoid in them. The solenoid common with the K-30/50 is typcally used in for the tray eject mechanism of small CD drives or head / drive mechanism releases on small ("Walkman") tape players. Basically any place where space is at a premium.

02-17-2017, 09:11 AM - 1 Like	#388
solatana New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 23	Originally posted by reh321 I hope you have read much of this thread also Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Read me first! - PentaxForums.com You will notice much disagreement about K-30/50 longevity. One piece of advice I will offer is to avoid putting it away for an extended period of time; although we do not clearly understand the aperture block issue, anecdotal evidence clearly suggests that this camera does not respond well to extended "time off". strong resistance indeed. 'you' do not clearly understand. Others understand it very "clearly". There is zero disagreement about K30/50 longevity. Nobody disagrees. There is nothing to agree or disagree. But there is clarity. It POPS OUT. It is called SOLENOID made in Japan or China There is full agreement that K30 and others with chinese solenoid are possible victim for same damage if repair is done by using same solenoid again. But you see, solenoid is inductor, induces something. There is also resistor. You know what is meant with this? Resistor can be very powerful, very strong resistance. Will resist even if no resistance is needed. So is in need of very powerful inductor maybe?

02-17-2017, 09:35 AM	#389
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,766	Originally posted by solatana There is zero disagreement about K30/50 longevity. Nobody disagrees. There is nothing to agree or disagree. I disagree - there are many, many, undocumented K-30/K-50's out there without any issues at all; like mine, with over 20,000 actuations and no problems at all...

02-17-2017, 10:08 AM	#390
madphys Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Riga, Latvia Posts: 98	How many K100s, K200s, K10s etc developed this dark frame issue (they utilize identical mechanism)? Are there any data? I haven't heard anything. I personally have K100D and K100D Super - both still work just fine (~ 10 years). Now - with K30/K50/K500 etc - there are quite a lot of dark-frame complaints. You don't have to be a Scherlock Holmes to figure this one out. It is like saying - everything is fine - let's ignore that 1 in 80 children has autism (which was something like 1 in 10 000 in 1965) because mine doesn't so I guess everything is fine - this is how it should be...