K-50 appears to have died

HoutHans · 07-23-2020, 01:17 AM

Hello Fellow Pentaxians,

I'm not sure what happened to my K-50, but all images are completely dark and I can't hear the mirror going up anymore and when I select the sensor clean option in the menu with the lens off, the mirror stays in place. Does this mean that it's joined the heavenly choir of cameras no more? This happened when I had my M100/4 macro lens on it and the green button no longer worked (the diaphragm didn't actuate and all I could hear was a faint buzzing sound like a distant beep from within the camera).

Has anyone else experienced this and what are your suggestions? The camera is out of warranty, so I'll have to repair it myself or factor in an (expensive) repair.

all the best,
Hans

Wasp · 07-23-2020, 01:36 AM

It could be the solenoid that actuates the lens aperture. Sadly, this is a well known problem with the K-30 and K-50. Check out this thread.

Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Discussion Thread - PentaxForums.com

**Kevin B123** · 07-23-2020, 02:24 AM

I would pull the battery and fully charge it, use the menu reset function and try a known good auto lens (DA) out and see what still works. Have you got the latest firmware 1.10?

HoutHans · 07-23-2020, 02:24 AM

Originally posted by Wasp

It could be the solenoid that actuates the lens aperture. Sadly, this is a well known problem with the K-30 and K-50. Check out this thread.

Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Discussion Thread - PentaxForums.com

Yup, that could also be (part of) it, but I'm not sure whether that also affects the mirror, which is what happened with my K-50.

---------- Post added 07-23-20 at 02:35 AM ----------

The battery is fully charged, but I don't seem to have the most recent firmware installed. I'll update that and see what happens, though I can't imagine that a firmware update would have this (sudden) effect.

krgroothuis · 07-23-2020, 04:10 AM

Originally posted by HoutHans

Yup, that could also be (part of) it, but I'm not sure whether that also affects the mirror, which is what happened with my K-50.

---------- Post added 07-23-20 at 02:35 AM ----------

The battery is fully charged, but I don't seem to have the most recent firmware installed. I'll update that and see what happens, though I can't imagine that a firmware update would have this (sudden) effect.

I have experience with the Aperture solenoid block problem on my K-S2. I replaced the solenoid with a white one, ordered in the US. Do not use the green one !. But i don't remember that the mirror lock up did not work with the dark pictures problem occuring. I live near Appingedam , (actually in Winsum). May be we can get in direct contact to do some investigations on your camera problem. I am also member of a photoclub "De Wiemers"in Loppersum. There are 4 members with a Pentax Dslr. May be you are interested too ?

HoutHans · 07-23-2020, 05:47 AM

Originally posted by krgroothuis

I have experience with the Aperture solenoid block problem on my K-S2. I replaced the solenoid with a white one, ordered in the US. Do not use the green one !. But i don't remember that the mirror lock up did not work with the dark pictures problem occuring. I live near Appingedam , (actually in Winsum). May be we can get in direct contact to do some investigations on your camera problem. I am also member of a photoclub "De Wiemers"in Loppersum. There are 4 members with a Pentax Dslr. May be you are interested too ?

OK, now for the bad news first: the new firmware and another, fully charged Pentax original, battery did not help. The mirror is still not moving. On the upside of things: I have met a fellow Pentaxian very nearby. I'll definitely get in touch and send a PM and look up the photoclub. In the meantime all other help is appreciated.

ChristianRock · 07-23-2020, 06:38 AM

Yeah I think it's toast. What was the shutter count?

HoutHans · 07-23-2020, 07:45 AM

If the numbering of photos taken is the indicator of the shutter count, it lived for 7224 clicks.

**Kevin B123** · 07-23-2020, 09:02 AM

Originally posted by HoutHans

If the numbering of photos taken is the indicator of the shutter count, it lived for 7224 clicks.

To get the shutter count, find the last jpeg you took with it and use this page:

Check Camera Shutter Count and Manufacture Date

stevebrot · 07-23-2020, 09:30 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by HoutHans

when I select the sensor clean option in the menu with the lens off, the mirror stays in place.

The mirror movement and aperture stop down are powered by the same motor. If the motor or the electronics that control it go bad, both mirror movement and aperture control will fail. Problems with the solenoid in the aperture control block will not affect mirror movement, but problems with mirror control will affect both.

Steve

**photogem** · 07-24-2020, 06:43 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

The mirror movement and aperture stop down are powered by the same motor.

That is not the case!

Only the aperture stop-down is controlled by the solenoid!

The mirror-up movement is controlled by a motor which happens to sit on the same PCP board as the solenoid.

The shutter is controlled by two pretty powerful solenoids

@HoutHans:
If it would be just the solenoid (aperture-control or also called diaphragm-control-unit) then the mirror would still work.
But if the mirror does not work anymore which is pretty rare this indicates that the mirror-motor is not acting.

This repair is very time-consuming, one has to disassemble the complete camera.
A complex undertaking.

What I would do is to open the camera:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/385045-manual-solen...id-choice.html
and then check.

Maybe with some luck just a wire broke of.

Did you ever replace the solenoid of this K50?

stevebrot · 07-24-2020, 10:53 AM

@photogem, my statement is based on a reading of the patent document as well as descriptions from Pentax.

Steve

HoutHans · 07-24-2020, 12:11 PM

Originally posted by photogem

That is not the case!

Only the aperture stop-down is controlled by the solenoid!

The mirror-up movement is controlled by a motor which happens to sit on the same PCP board as the solenoid.

The shutter is controlled by two pretty powerful solenoids

@HoutHans:
If it would be must the solenoid (aperture-control or also calle diaphragm-control-unit) then the mirror would still work.
But if the mirror does not work anymore which is pretty rare this indicates that the mirror-motor is not acting.

This repair is very time-consuming, one has to disassemble the complete camera.
A complex undertaking.

What I would do is to open the camera:
Manual solenoid replacement Pentax K30 / Discharge flash-condenser / Solenoid choice - PentaxForums.com
and then check.

Maybe with some luck just a wire broke of.

Did you ever replace the solenoid of this K50?

Nope, I never replaced the solenoid. I'll just open it up and try to diagnose the fault. There will always be something to learn at the very least (I really enjoyed opening stuff as a kid, figuring out how stuff would work). I'll keep you posted.

**Kevin B123** · 07-24-2020, 12:17 PM

Originally posted by HoutHans

I'll just open it up and try to diagnose the fault.

Please drop the battery out sometime before you open it up, to allow the flash capacitor to discharge. Lots of volts there you don't want to touch.

**photogem** · 07-24-2020, 08:17 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

@photogem, my statement is based on a reading of the patent document as well as descriptions from Pentax.

Can you quote those descriptions/sources + marked were this would be indicated?

Originally posted by Kevin B123

Please drop the battery out sometime before you open it up, to allow the flash capacitor to discharge. Lots of volts there you don't want to touch.

This won't do it. The voltage stays there for days:
How to discharge the photo-flash capacitor of a DSLR (here K-30/K-50/K-500) - PentaxForums.com

07-23-2020, 01:17 AM	#1
HoutHans Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Appingedam Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,119	K-50 appears to have died Hello Fellow Pentaxians, I'm not sure what happened to my K-50, but all images are completely dark and I can't hear the mirror going up anymore and when I select the sensor clean option in the menu with the lens off, the mirror stays in place. Does this mean that it's joined the heavenly choir of cameras no more? This happened when I had my M100/4 macro lens on it and the green button no longer worked (the diaphragm didn't actuate and all I could hear was a faint buzzing sound like a distant beep from within the camera). Has anyone else experienced this and what are your suggestions? The camera is out of warranty, so I'll have to repair it myself or factor in an (expensive) repair. all the best, Hans

07-24-2020, 06:43 AM	#11
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Originally posted by stevebrot The mirror movement and aperture stop down are powered by the same motor. That is not the case! Only the aperture stop-down is controlled by the solenoid! The mirror-up movement is controlled by a motor which happens to sit on the same PCP board as the solenoid. The shutter is controlled by two pretty powerful solenoids @HoutHans: If it would be just the solenoid (aperture-control or also called diaphragm-control-unit) then the mirror would still work. But if the mirror does not work anymore which is pretty rare this indicates that the mirror-motor is not acting. This repair is very time-consuming, one has to disassemble the complete camera. A complex undertaking. What I would do is to open the camera: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/385045-manual-solen...id-choice.html and then check. Maybe with some luck just a wire broke of. Did you ever replace the solenoid of this K50? Last edited by photogem; 08-19-2020 at 11:32 PM.

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07-23-2020, 01:36 AM	#2
Wasp Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Pretoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,661	It could be the solenoid that actuates the lens aperture. Sadly, this is a well known problem with the K-30 and K-50. Check out this thread. Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Discussion Thread - PentaxForums.com

07-23-2020, 02:24 AM	#3
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,176	I would pull the battery and fully charge it, use the menu reset function and try a known good auto lens (DA) out and see what still works. Have you got the latest firmware 1.10?

07-23-2020, 02:24 AM	#4
HoutHans Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Appingedam Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,119 Original Poster	Originally posted by Wasp It could be the solenoid that actuates the lens aperture. Sadly, this is a well known problem with the K-30 and K-50. Check out this thread. Dark exposure problems on K-30 or K-50? Discussion Thread - PentaxForums.com Yup, that could also be (part of) it, but I'm not sure whether that also affects the mirror, which is what happened with my K-50. ---------- Post added 07-23-20 at 02:35 AM ---------- The battery is fully charged, but I don't seem to have the most recent firmware installed. I'll update that and see what happens, though I can't imagine that a firmware update would have this (sudden) effect.

07-23-2020, 04:10 AM	#5
krgroothuis Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Winsum, the Netherlands Posts: 86	Originally posted by HoutHans Yup, that could also be (part of) it, but I'm not sure whether that also affects the mirror, which is what happened with my K-50. ---------- Post added 07-23-20 at 02:35 AM ---------- The battery is fully charged, but I don't seem to have the most recent firmware installed. I'll update that and see what happens, though I can't imagine that a firmware update would have this (sudden) effect. I have experience with the Aperture solenoid block problem on my K-S2. I replaced the solenoid with a white one, ordered in the US. Do not use the green one !. But i don't remember that the mirror lock up did not work with the dark pictures problem occuring. I live near Appingedam , (actually in Winsum). May be we can get in direct contact to do some investigations on your camera problem. I am also member of a photoclub "De Wiemers"in Loppersum. There are 4 members with a Pentax Dslr. May be you are interested too ?

07-23-2020, 05:47 AM	#6
HoutHans Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Appingedam Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,119 Original Poster	Originally posted by krgroothuis I have experience with the Aperture solenoid block problem on my K-S2. I replaced the solenoid with a white one, ordered in the US. Do not use the green one !. But i don't remember that the mirror lock up did not work with the dark pictures problem occuring. I live near Appingedam , (actually in Winsum). May be we can get in direct contact to do some investigations on your camera problem. I am also member of a photoclub "De Wiemers"in Loppersum. There are 4 members with a Pentax Dslr. May be you are interested too ? OK, now for the bad news first: the new firmware and another, fully charged Pentax original, battery did not help. The mirror is still not moving. On the upside of things: I have met a fellow Pentaxian very nearby. I'll definitely get in touch and send a PM and look up the photoclub. In the meantime all other help is appreciated.

07-23-2020, 06:38 AM	#7
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	Yeah I think it's toast. What was the shutter count?

07-23-2020, 07:45 AM	#8
HoutHans Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Appingedam Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,119 Original Poster	If the numbering of photos taken is the indicator of the shutter count, it lived for 7224 clicks.

07-23-2020, 09:02 AM	#9
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,176	Originally posted by HoutHans If the numbering of photos taken is the indicator of the shutter count, it lived for 7224 clicks. To get the shutter count, find the last jpeg you took with it and use this page: Check Camera Shutter Count and Manufacture Date

07-23-2020, 09:30 AM - 1 Like	#10
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by HoutHans when I select the sensor clean option in the menu with the lens off, the mirror stays in place. The mirror movement and aperture stop down are powered by the same motor. If the motor or the electronics that control it go bad, both mirror movement and aperture control will fail. Problems with the solenoid in the aperture control block will not affect mirror movement, but problems with mirror control will affect both. Steve

07-24-2020, 10:53 AM	#12
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	@photogem, my statement is based on a reading of the patent document as well as descriptions from Pentax. Steve

07-24-2020, 12:11 PM	#13
HoutHans Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Appingedam Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,119 Original Poster	Originally posted by photogem That is not the case! Only the aperture stop-down is controlled by the solenoid! The mirror-up movement is controlled by a motor which happens to sit on the same PCP board as the solenoid. The shutter is controlled by two pretty powerful solenoids @HoutHans: If it would be must the solenoid (aperture-control or also calle diaphragm-control-unit) then the mirror would still work. But if the mirror does not work anymore which is pretty rare this indicates that the mirror-motor is not acting. This repair is very time-consuming, one has to disassemble the complete camera. A complex undertaking. What I would do is to open the camera: Manual solenoid replacement Pentax K30 / Discharge flash-condenser / Solenoid choice - PentaxForums.com and then check. Maybe with some luck just a wire broke of. Did you ever replace the solenoid of this K50? Nope, I never replaced the solenoid. I'll just open it up and try to diagnose the fault. There will always be something to learn at the very least (I really enjoyed opening stuff as a kid, figuring out how stuff would work). I'll keep you posted.

07-24-2020, 12:17 PM	#14
Kevin B123 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,176	Originally posted by HoutHans I'll just open it up and try to diagnose the fault. Please drop the battery out sometime before you open it up, to allow the flash capacitor to discharge. Lots of volts there you don't want to touch.

07-24-2020, 08:17 PM	#15
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Originally posted by stevebrot @photogem, my statement is based on a reading of the patent document as well as descriptions from Pentax. Can you quote those descriptions/sources + marked were this would be indicated? Originally posted by Kevin B123 Please drop the battery out sometime before you open it up, to allow the flash capacitor to discharge. Lots of volts there you don't want to touch. This won't do it. The voltage stays there for days: How to discharge the photo-flash capacitor of a DSLR (here K-30/K-50/K-500) - PentaxForums.com