Meter on my K-30 is sticking?

Patti_M · 12-18-2016, 05:44 AM

I have a K-30, purchased 3 years ago. It's been great. No problems until about a month ago. When I first turn on the camera and try to take pictures, the result is extremely dark. For example, I shot directly at a light with flash engaged. I got an all-black image with the light fixture showing very faintly. If I take a few pictures in varying light situations, finally, the meter kicks in and after that, the exposures are fine. I confess that I am not an expert on this complex camera and all it's settings. I wonder if somehow, I have inadvertently changed something, though I don't think so. The battery is fully charged, so I don't think it's that. I looked through the manual to see if the meter had it's own battery, but I see no mention of it.

I hope someone can help me. I love this camera, but this exposure issue is troubling...

**pepperberry farm** · 12-18-2016, 06:01 AM - **1 Like**

I don't think it's the meter; it's probably the aperture-block failure that seems to run through the K-30/K-50 production...

Patti_M · 12-18-2016, 06:27 AM

I have read a bit about this issue this morning. It seems to fit, except that my issue is not continuous. So far, anyway. I can get things working after taking a few pictures, especially in bright light. Is this how it starts??

Based on what I read, and the pictures I saw, I believe I am not qualified to attempt the fix myself. Has anyone had it repared by Ricoh? If so, is it prohibitively expensive? Please tell me it's not one of those planned obsolescence type issues where repairing is more expensive than replacing.

I am so bummed. I do love this camera...

ckbboy · 12-18-2016, 06:48 AM - **1 Like**

My K-30 had this problem intermittently at first, but then it became permanent. It still works with M lenses though, so it still has some use for me.

Patti_M · 12-18-2016, 07:08 AM

Originally posted by ckbboy

My K-30 had this problem intermittently at first, but then it became permanent. It still works with M lenses though, so it still has some use for me.

So, you didn't consider repairing it? I read about a survey they did on this problem. One of the survey questions was cost of repair. But I don't see anywhere that they published this number.

**UncleVanya** · 12-18-2016, 08:16 AM - **1 Like**

My k50 was repaired in warranty. The repair otherwise would have been more than $200.

Patti_M · 12-18-2016, 08:38 AM

Originally posted by UncleVanya

My k50 was repaired in warranty. The repair otherwise would have been more than $200.

Lucky! My camera is almost 4 years old. Long out of warranty.

**UncleVanya** · 12-18-2016, 08:39 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Patti_M

Lucky! My camera is almost 4 years old. Long out of warranty.

Agreed. I was fortunate.

reh321 · 12-18-2016, 01:01 PM

Apparently there's a guy out there repairing them for $100 each. {anytime there is a common problem, you can expect a "cottage industry" dealing with that problem to develop}
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/189-repairs-warranty-service/334112-k30-a...-repaired.html

Patti_M · 12-19-2016, 01:56 AM

Originally posted by reh321

Apparently there's a guy out there repairing them for $100 each. {anytime there is a common problem, you can expect a "cottage industry" dealing with that problem to develop}
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/189-repairs-warranty-service/334112-k30-a...-repaired.html

Thanks! Unfortunately, I live in Canada. This may still be an option, though.

12-18-2016, 05:44 AM	#1
Patti_M New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 11	Meter on my K-30 is sticking? I have a K-30, purchased 3 years ago. It's been great. No problems until about a month ago. When I first turn on the camera and try to take pictures, the result is extremely dark. For example, I shot directly at a light with flash engaged. I got an all-black image with the light fixture showing very faintly. If I take a few pictures in varying light situations, finally, the meter kicks in and after that, the exposures are fine. I confess that I am not an expert on this complex camera and all it's settings. I wonder if somehow, I have inadvertently changed something, though I don't think so. The battery is fully charged, so I don't think it's that. I looked through the manual to see if the meter had it's own battery, but I see no mention of it. I hope someone can help me. I love this camera, but this exposure issue is troubling...

12-18-2016, 06:27 AM	#3
Patti_M New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 11 Original Poster	What do I do about it? I have read a bit about this issue this morning. It seems to fit, except that my issue is not continuous. So far, anyway. I can get things working after taking a few pictures, especially in bright light. Is this how it starts?? Based on what I read, and the pictures I saw, I believe I am not qualified to attempt the fix myself. Has anyone had it repared by Ricoh? If so, is it prohibitively expensive? Please tell me it's not one of those planned obsolescence type issues where repairing is more expensive than replacing. I am so bummed. I do love this camera...

12-18-2016, 06:48 AM - 1 Like	#4
ckbboy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: central kansas Photos: Gallery Posts: 27	K30 Problem My K-30 had this problem intermittently at first, but then it became permanent. It still works with M lenses though, so it still has some use for me.

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12-18-2016, 06:01 AM - 1 Like	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,677	I don't think it's the meter; it's probably the aperture-block failure that seems to run through the K-30/K-50 production...

12-18-2016, 07:08 AM	#5
Patti_M New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by ckbboy My K-30 had this problem intermittently at first, but then it became permanent. It still works with M lenses though, so it still has some use for me. So, you didn't consider repairing it? I read about a survey they did on this problem. One of the survey questions was cost of repair. But I don't see anywhere that they published this number.

12-18-2016, 08:16 AM - 1 Like	#6
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	My k50 was repaired in warranty. The repair otherwise would have been more than $200.

12-18-2016, 08:38 AM	#7
Patti_M New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by UncleVanya My k50 was repaired in warranty. The repair otherwise would have been more than $200. Lucky! My camera is almost 4 years old. Long out of warranty.

12-18-2016, 08:39 AM - 1 Like	#8
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,401	Originally posted by Patti_M Lucky! My camera is almost 4 years old. Long out of warranty. Agreed. I was fortunate.

12-18-2016, 01:01 PM	#9
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,179	Apparently there's a guy out there repairing them for $100 each. {anytime there is a common problem, you can expect a "cottage industry" dealing with that problem to develop} https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/189-repairs-warranty-service/334112-k30-a...-repaired.html

12-19-2016, 01:56 AM	#10
Patti_M New Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 11 Original Poster	Originally posted by reh321 Apparently there's a guy out there repairing them for $100 each. {anytime there is a common problem, you can expect a "cottage industry" dealing with that problem to develop} https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/189-repairs-warranty-service/334112-k30-a...-repaired.html Thanks! Unfortunately, I live in Canada. This may still be an option, though.