K30 Replacement

MagusAku · 07-28-2020, 06:01 AM

It's been awhile; looking for guidance from fellow Pentaxians.

I got bored during lockdown/isolation, so I dusted off my k30 only to find it's blocked.

A combo of lazy, convenience, phone and go pro meant I barely used the k30 during its prime (<5k shutter count).

Photos are fine with my primes but I mainly record these days and all my wides are auto.

Any recommendation for a second hand body without running foul of the aperture block?

Probably cant justify dropping cash on a new body and now regretting selling my SMC A28mm after seeing these ebay listings.

**pepperberry farm** · 07-28-2020, 06:07 AM

Originally posted by MagusAku

It's been awhile; looking for guidance from fellow Pentaxians.

I got bored during lockdown/isolation, so I dusted off my k30 only to find it's blocked.

A combo of lazy, convenience, phone and go pro meant I barely used the k30 during its prime (<5k shutter count).

Photos are fine with my primes but I mainly record these days and all my wides are auto.

Any recommendation for a second hand body without running foul of the aperture block?

Probably cant justify dropping cash on a new body and now regretting selling my SMC A28mm after seeing these ebay listings.

K-5 or K-3 series don't seem to suffer this issue...
my suggestion on the K-30 is to get an OEM M42 adapter for it and build a Takumar collection...

The Squirrel Mafia · 07-28-2020, 06:59 AM

Get more older lenses with aperture rings. Its the only way to keep using that K-30.

There is a "risky way" of updating the K-30 firmware with a hacked K-50 firmware for the K-30. This will allow you to use the newer KAF4 lenses like the DA 55-300mm PLM that have the aperture motors in the lenses. Those lenses don't use the body's aperture motor.

**macman24054** · 07-28-2020, 07:15 AM

Second on the K-5 and K-3. Wonderful camera bodies and a good upgrade from K-30. I've owned them all. Still have the K-5 and K-3.

ChristianRock · 07-28-2020, 08:55 AM - **1 Like**

I think the KP should not have that issue either. It's a current model though, so it will be more expensive even on the used market. But also, being a current model, will give the best image quality in APS-C that Pentax has available today.

Kozlok · 07-28-2020, 09:17 AM

The newer entry level bodies still have the problem, but to a less extent, apparently (KS-2 and K-70). The K5 and K3 do not since they have a different mechanism.

I'd think a used KS-2 would be worth a gamble, but for similar money, a K5 might be more reliable.

**jatrax** · 07-28-2020, 09:42 AM

Maybe repair the k-30? There are instructions here: Manual solenoid replacement Pentax K30 / Discharge flash-condenser / Solenoid choice - PentaxForums.com

E-man · 07-28-2020, 11:26 AM

If you're on a tight budget, a K20D might be a good solution. Former flagship model with only two fewer megapixels and a lot more bells and whistles than the K30. They're going pretty inexpensively these days.

**Apet-Sure** · 07-28-2020, 01:30 PM

Another vote for the fine K-5II / IIs. Great camera and inexpensive used.

C_Jones · 07-28-2020, 01:43 PM

A Pentax K-5 IIs is a nicely performing and well built camera. I have one and it has done an excellent job.

**suraswami** · 07-28-2020, 01:49 PM

Originally posted by MagusAku

It's been awhile; looking for guidance from fellow Pentaxians.

I got bored during lockdown/isolation, so I dusted off my k30 only to find it's blocked.

A combo of lazy, convenience, phone and go pro meant I barely used the k30 during its prime (<5k shutter count).

Photos are fine with my primes but I mainly record these days and all my wides are auto.

Any recommendation for a second hand body without running foul of the aperture block?

Probably cant justify dropping cash on a new body and now regretting selling my SMC A28mm after seeing these ebay listings.

This and few Eneloops will hold you for sometime.

amazon.com : VONOTO Camera AA battery holder Box Adapter Bracket for Pentax KR K30 K50 K500 39100 D-bh109 DSLR* : Camera & Photo?tag=pentaxforums-20&

I would buy a KP, seems to be good value or a real cheap K-5.

rr1736 · 07-28-2020, 08:17 PM

I think a K-5 or K3 would be a great upgrade but if you could find the money for a KP it would be a great up grade. The KP uses the same battery as the K30 . I have a K30, K5, K3 and a KP and the KP is a favorite. The K3 is a very durable camera I have well over a 100,000 on mine and no problem.

MagusAku · 07-29-2020, 06:50 AM

Thanks all. Time for the ol' analysis paralysis.

Think I'll try the battery adapter with enloops and keep an eye out for an old K-5/3.

If I was going to drop the cash for a new body (KP, K-? II etc) I'll probably sell up shop and look for something more video friendly like a Sony.

On the K-30, I took it for a walk today and found other issues with the electronics on top of the ap block. AE a bit off, AE-lock was a hit and miss (compose, ae-l confirmed with symbol, press shutter, it recomposes and locks on something over/under exposed), spinning dials does nothing (works again after you toggle mode).

MagusAku · 07-29-2020, 11:55 PM

Does this look decent you think? 2nd hand k-5 with 12mth warranty and free delivery AUD400 (USD285)

Pentax K5 Body | Secondhand | Ted's Cameras

I guess it depends on the condition as well but I'll probably inspect it in store vs a blind online purchase.

**photogem** · 07-30-2020, 09:52 AM

Your K-30 with 99% certainty has a stuck solenoid, you find that out for sure:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/402053-detection-ap...-k-50-k500.htm

and you repair it this way if you feel up to it:
How to exchange battery-hook on Pentax K-30/K-50/K-70/K-500 and K-S2 - PentaxForums.com

You can download firmware 1.10:
How to exchange battery-hook on Pentax K-30/K-50/K-70/K-500 and K-S2 - PentaxForums.com
and thus use it for KAF4 lenses as well, I would do this no matter if repaired or not repaired.

This download is 100% save, there is ZERO RISK!
Even official Ricoh repairplaces use it since years.

Otherwise, the K5 is a very nice body, K5II/s even better but those cannot handle KAF4/PLM lenses!

Investing in better lenses such as the DA55-300 PLM will bring you more fun it you dare DIY!

07-28-2020, 06:01 AM	#1
MagusAku Forum Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Brisbane Posts: 91	K30 Replacement It's been awhile; looking for guidance from fellow Pentaxians. I got bored during lockdown/isolation, so I dusted off my k30 only to find it's blocked. A combo of lazy, convenience, phone and go pro meant I barely used the k30 during its prime (<5k shutter count). Photos are fine with my primes but I mainly record these days and all my wides are auto. Any recommendation for a second hand body without running foul of the aperture block? Probably cant justify dropping cash on a new body and now regretting selling my SMC A28mm after seeing these ebay listings.

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07-28-2020, 06:07 AM	#2
pepperberry farm amateur dirt farmer Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: probably out in a field somewhere... Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 41,678	Originally posted by MagusAku It's been awhile; looking for guidance from fellow Pentaxians. I got bored during lockdown/isolation, so I dusted off my k30 only to find it's blocked. A combo of lazy, convenience, phone and go pro meant I barely used the k30 during its prime (<5k shutter count). Photos are fine with my primes but I mainly record these days and all my wides are auto. Any recommendation for a second hand body without running foul of the aperture block? Probably cant justify dropping cash on a new body and now regretting selling my SMC A28mm after seeing these ebay listings. K-5 or K-3 series don't seem to suffer this issue... my suggestion on the K-30 is to get an OEM M42 adapter for it and build a Takumar collection...

07-28-2020, 06:59 AM	#3
The Squirrel Mafia Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 3,054	Get more older lenses with aperture rings. Its the only way to keep using that K-30. There is a "risky way" of updating the K-30 firmware with a hacked K-50 firmware for the K-30. This will allow you to use the newer KAF4 lenses like the DA 55-300mm PLM that have the aperture motors in the lenses. Those lenses don't use the body's aperture motor.

07-28-2020, 07:15 AM	#4
macman24054 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Axton, VA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 461	Second on the K-5 and K-3. Wonderful camera bodies and a good upgrade from K-30. I've owned them all. Still have the K-5 and K-3.

07-28-2020, 08:55 AM - 1 Like	#5
ChristianRock Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: People's Republic of America Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,910	I think the KP should not have that issue either. It's a current model though, so it will be more expensive even on the used market. But also, being a current model, will give the best image quality in APS-C that Pentax has available today.

07-28-2020, 09:17 AM	#6
Kozlok Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Albuquerque Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,148	The newer entry level bodies still have the problem, but to a less extent, apparently (KS-2 and K-70). The K5 and K3 do not since they have a different mechanism. I'd think a used KS-2 would be worth a gamble, but for similar money, a K5 might be more reliable.

07-28-2020, 09:42 AM	#7
jatrax Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cascades Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,991	Maybe repair the k-30? There are instructions here: Manual solenoid replacement Pentax K30 / Discharge flash-condenser / Solenoid choice - PentaxForums.com

07-28-2020, 11:26 AM	#8
E-man Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 678	If you're on a tight budget, a K20D might be a good solution. Former flagship model with only two fewer megapixels and a lot more bells and whistles than the K30. They're going pretty inexpensively these days.

07-28-2020, 01:30 PM	#9
Apet-Sure Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Goldsboro North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,861	Another vote for the fine K-5II / IIs. Great camera and inexpensive used.

07-28-2020, 01:43 PM	#10
C_Jones Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: NY Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,084	A Pentax K-5 IIs is a nicely performing and well built camera. I have one and it has done an excellent job.

07-28-2020, 01:49 PM	#11
suraswami Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 419	Originally posted by MagusAku It's been awhile; looking for guidance from fellow Pentaxians. I got bored during lockdown/isolation, so I dusted off my k30 only to find it's blocked. A combo of lazy, convenience, phone and go pro meant I barely used the k30 during its prime (<5k shutter count). Photos are fine with my primes but I mainly record these days and all my wides are auto. Any recommendation for a second hand body without running foul of the aperture block? Probably cant justify dropping cash on a new body and now regretting selling my SMC A28mm after seeing these ebay listings. This and few Eneloops will hold you for sometime. amazon.com : VONOTO Camera AA battery holder Box Adapter Bracket for Pentax KR K30 K50 K500 39100 D-bh109 DSLR* : Camera & Photo?tag=pentaxforums-20& I would buy a KP, seems to be good value or a real cheap K-5.

07-28-2020, 08:17 PM	#12
rr1736 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Chicago Illinois Photos: Albums Posts: 203	I think a K-5 or K3 would be a great upgrade but if you could find the money for a KP it would be a great up grade. The KP uses the same battery as the K30 . I have a K30, K5, K3 and a KP and the KP is a favorite. The K3 is a very durable camera I have well over a 100,000 on mine and no problem.

07-29-2020, 06:50 AM	#13
MagusAku Forum Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Brisbane Posts: 91 Original Poster	Thanks all. Time for the ol' analysis paralysis. Think I'll try the battery adapter with enloops and keep an eye out for an old K-5/3. If I was going to drop the cash for a new body (KP, K-? II etc) I'll probably sell up shop and look for something more video friendly like a Sony. On the K-30, I took it for a walk today and found other issues with the electronics on top of the ap block. AE a bit off, AE-lock was a hit and miss (compose, ae-l confirmed with symbol, press shutter, it recomposes and locks on something over/under exposed), spinning dials does nothing (works again after you toggle mode).

07-29-2020, 11:55 PM	#14
MagusAku Forum Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Brisbane Posts: 91 Original Poster	Does this look decent you think? 2nd hand k-5 with 12mth warranty and free delivery AUD400 (USD285) Pentax K5 Body \| Secondhand \| Ted's Cameras I guess it depends on the condition as well but I'll probably inspect it in store vs a blind online purchase.

07-30-2020, 09:52 AM	#15
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Your K-30 with 99% certainty has a stuck solenoid, you find that out for sure: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/402053-detection-ap...-k-50-k500.htm and you repair it this way if you feel up to it: How to exchange battery-hook on Pentax K-30/K-50/K-70/K-500 and K-S2 - PentaxForums.com You can download firmware 1.10: How to exchange battery-hook on Pentax K-30/K-50/K-70/K-500 and K-S2 - PentaxForums.com and thus use it for KAF4 lenses as well, I would do this no matter if repaired or not repaired. This download is 100% save, there is ZERO RISK! Even official Ricoh repairplaces use it since years. Otherwise, the K5 is a very nice body, K5II/s even better but those cannot handle KAF4/PLM lenses! Investing in better lenses such as the DA55-300 PLM will bring you more fun it you dare DIY!