Where can i find a replacement cable for my KS-2's internal LCD?

JohFredersen · 02-02-2021, 01:04 PM

Hello,

My secondhand(no warranty) pentax KS-2's internal LCD stopped displaying images today. Everything works fine with an external display. After opening it up, I saw that the video cable for the screen was all frayed up. I called pentax's listed repair service and they said its 250 minimum to even work on the camera before parts. Does anyone know where I could find a replacement cable for my screen? I really need this camera for school (I'm a photo/film student in college) and absolutely cannot afford the repair cost. Alternatively, does anyone on this forum have a junked KS-2 I could buy off them for parts? any help would be greatly appreciated!

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

**PocketPixels** · 02-02-2021, 01:16 PM - **1 Like**

Oof. Brutal that a little frayed cable might cost you $250.

Thing is, and it's good news/bad news: the K-S2 appears to be a far healthier camera than the K-30 and K-50. So there might not be all that many junk K-S2 cameras around to be cannibalized for parts. I think it's well worth the repair, but I remember my college days, and I might not have been able to swing $250 back then, either.

Hopefully, somebody here can tell you if that cable is common among other Pentax cameras.

Let us know how it goes. If it becomes an issue of not being able to complete your coursework, I have a full-functional K200D I could lend you for the semester. I'm not going to pretend my K200D can do all that my K-S2 can, but PM me if you'd like a free loaner.

JohFredersen · 02-02-2021, 01:28 PM

Originally posted by PocketPixels

Oof. Brutal that a little frayed cable might cost you $250.

Thing is, and it's good news/bad news: the K-S2 appears to be a far healthier camera than the K-30 and K-50. So there might not be all that many junk K-S2 cameras around to be cannibalized for parts. I think it's well worth the repair, but I remember my college days, and I might not have been able to swing $250 back then, either.

Hopefully, somebody here can tell you if that cable is common among other Pentax cameras.

Let us know how it goes. If it becomes an issue of not being able to complete your coursework, I have a full-functional K200D I could lend you for the semester. I'm not going to pretend my K200D can do all that my K-S2 can, but PM me if you'd like a free loaner.

wow, i really appreciate that offer! the kindness of strangers always amazes me. I think if the camera is irreparable, I'll ask if any of my professors have a loaner unit or something until I can get working again.

I agree that 250 bucks would be a reasonably fair price for a repair, but the person i spoke to said their base fee is 250. That's not including parts, labor, and shipping. For now, I'm gonna try to DIY it with a 3.5 inch raspberry pi display I have on hand. It'll be a pain setting up an external screen/battery bank every time I take a shot with it, but its better than nothing.

Haenzel · 02-02-2021, 02:29 PM

Originally posted by JohFredersen

wow, i really appreciate that offer! the kindness of strangers always amazes me. I think if the camera is irreparable, I'll ask if any of my professors have a loaner unit or something until I can get working again.

I agree that 250 bucks would be a reasonably fair price for a repair, but the person i spoke to said their base fee is 250. That's not including parts, labor, and shipping. For now, I'm gonna try to DIY it with a 3.5 inch raspberry pi display I have on hand. It'll be a pain setting up an external screen/battery bank every time I take a shot with it, but its better than nothing.

Wouldn't it be possible to carefully strip the cable and try to identify the broken wire so you can solder (bridge) it as a temp fix?

Not a Number · 02-02-2021, 02:31 PM - **1 Like**

You can try USCamera.com might have it. They used to be able to get parts but perhaps not since Ricoh seems to have gotten more restrictive

SharkyCA · 02-02-2021, 03:15 PM

Originally posted by Not a Number

You can try USCamera.com might have it. They used to be able to get parts but perhaps not since Ricoh seems to have gotten more restrictive

There you go, my thoughts too Nan!

Pentax K-S2 Parts List | Digital SLR | USCamera Pentax Parts | DownloadsUSCamera

JohFredersen · 02-02-2021, 03:37 PM

Originally posted by Haenzel

Wouldn't it be possible to carefully strip the cable and try to identify the broken wire so you can solder (bridge) it as a temp fix?

It may be, but i doubt it. The cable is extremely thin and im not confident that a handheld soldering iron could fix something like that.

**PocketPixels** · 02-02-2021, 04:35 PM

Originally posted by JohFredersen

It may be, but i doubt it. The cable is extremely thin and im not confident that a handheld soldering iron could fix something like that.

Good thing to be cautious about. It sounds as if you have busted a $3 wire on an otherwise working camera. Go in there with a soldering iron and you could very well do big-dollar damage.

I'm a big fan of taking apart old tech and trying to fix stuff that you can't otherwise save. But this is a very nice 2016-era camera you're using for school, so yeah, keep the soldering iron far away and try to hang in there somehow until you can get it fixed by someone skilled at this.

Some colleges have budgets and grants that are available to cover these sorts of emergencies. Ask politely at financial aid, the dean of the photography department, etc. $250 is big money if you're a college student, but it is not big money if you're an Assistant Dean of Financial Aid. Doesn't hurt to ask. Keep us updated.

Haenzel · 02-02-2021, 07:09 PM

Originally posted by JohFredersen

wow, i really appreciate that offer! the kindness of strangers always amazes me. I think if the camera is irreparable, I'll ask if any of my professors have a loaner unit or something until I can get working again.

I agree that 250 bucks would be a reasonably fair price for a repair, but the person i spoke to said their base fee is 250. That's not including parts, labor, and shipping. For now, I'm gonna try to DIY it with a 3.5 inch raspberry pi display I have on hand. It'll be a pain setting up an external screen/battery bank every time I take a shot with it, but its better than nothing.

Have you thought about the Image Sync app?

...by installing the newly developed, exclusive Image Sync application on a communications device, the user can effortlessly control the K-S2’s aperture, shutter-speed and ISO-sensitivity settings, release its shutter, check the live-view image...

JohFredersen · 02-03-2021, 08:13 AM

Originally posted by Haenzel

Have you thought about the Image Sync app?

...by installing the newly developed, exclusive Image Sync application on a communications device, the user can effortlessly control the K-S2’s aperture, shutter-speed and ISO-sensitivity settings, release its shutter, check the live-view image...

the image sync app requires you to enable wifi in the cameras settings every time you turn it on.

SamirShah · 02-04-2021, 11:20 AM - **1 Like**

I have my K-S2 apart - was not working when I got it off ebay - it seems it got some water damage and messed up the main board. The LCD panel however works. Here is a link to my first 'help' post that has some pictures.

If you want to buy it as a spares machine, I am open to that - I dont need this. I can send you more pictures with a battery inserted to show the LCD working.

K-S2 problem - no live view, no saving pictures, freezing, etc - PentaxForums.com

Samir.

**photogem** · 02-09-2021, 03:58 PM

Originally posted by JohFredersen

Hello,

My secondhand(no warranty) pentax KS-2's internal LCD stopped displaying images today. Everything works fine with an external display. After opening it up, I saw that the video cable for the screen was all frayed up. I called pentax's listed repair service and they said its 250 minimum to even work on the camera before parts. Does anyone know where I could find a replacement cable for my screen? I really need this camera for school (I'm a photo/film student in college) and absolutely cannot afford the repair cost. Alternatively, does anyone on this forum have a junked KS-2 I could buy off them for parts? any help would be greatly appreciated!

If you have any experience with fine soldering (pencil-tip is a must)

Such a cable-set is much easier to fix than you think.

Either one of the wires is broken (to be measured for impedance) or the insulation is gone of one or two wires produces a short.

$ 250 just as a basis plus plus....: Rip-off!

Could be even that you don't have so solder but find a solution to insulate one or two wires.
Of course best would be to unsolder, put a thin heat-shrink over it and thats it then.

**PocketPixels** · 10-20-2021, 11:03 AM

OP, did you ever get this fixed? How are things going now?

**photogem** · 10-21-2021, 12:02 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by PocketPixels

OP, did you ever get this fixed? How are things going now?

Best to check on the other posts of a threadopener
The screen died on my KS-2, so I improvised. - PentaxForums.com
Everybody there was thrilled about how he solved it, I would for sure have tried first to repair the wire.

But yes, I think if somebody opens a thread, asks questions, gets help/suggestions some answer could be given (in that very thread)
Even if just based on politeness

JohFredersen · 10-23-2021, 06:35 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by PocketPixels

OP, did you ever get this fixed? How are things going now?

Sure did, a nice user on here had a dead KS-2 that had been making the rounds for parts. I was able to yank the cable from that guy and swap it into my camera. 6 months later still going strong.

02-02-2021, 01:16 PM - 1 Like	#2
PocketPixels Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 385	Oof. Brutal that a little frayed cable might cost you $250. Thing is, and it's good news/bad news: the K-S2 appears to be a far healthier camera than the K-30 and K-50. So there might not be all that many junk K-S2 cameras around to be cannibalized for parts. I think it's well worth the repair, but I remember my college days, and I might not have been able to swing $250 back then, either. Hopefully, somebody here can tell you if that cable is common among other Pentax cameras. Let us know how it goes. If it becomes an issue of not being able to complete your coursework, I have a full-functional K200D I could lend you for the semester. I'm not going to pretend my K200D can do all that my K-S2 can, but PM me if you'd like a free loaner. Last edited by PocketPixels; 02-02-2021 at 01:23 PM. Reason: clarified repair cost

10-21-2021, 12:02 AM - 1 Like	#14
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Originally posted by PocketPixels OP, did you ever get this fixed? How are things going now? Best to check on the other posts of a threadopener The screen died on my KS-2, so I improvised. - PentaxForums.com Everybody there was thrilled about how he solved it, I would for sure have tried first to repair the wire. But yes, I think if somebody opens a thread, asks questions, gets help/suggestions some answer could be given (in that very thread) Even if just based on politeness Last edited by photogem; 10-21-2021 at 12:12 AM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K-30 internal battery / capacitor replacement for clock	ekip	Pentax K-30 & K-50	47	07-19-2021 02:17 PM
KS-2 LCD Screen Replacement / Issues	rosettaquarrier	Pentax K-S1 & K-S2	4	03-13-2018 09:33 AM
KS-1 and KS-2 Back from Precision Repair..Finally	GuitarGuru76	Pentax K-S1 & K-S2	6	02-18-2018 02:30 PM
Where can I find Crumpler replacement dividers	TinaS	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	6	04-27-2016 07:07 AM
Does anyone have or know where I can find a replacement PCB for the 540GZ Flash	Christopher M.W.T	Pentax DSLR Discussion	5	07-08-2010 07:29 PM

02-02-2021, 01:28 PM	#3
JohFredersen New Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 10 Original Poster	Originally posted by PocketPixels Oof. Brutal that a little frayed cable might cost you $250. Thing is, and it's good news/bad news: the K-S2 appears to be a far healthier camera than the K-30 and K-50. So there might not be all that many junk K-S2 cameras around to be cannibalized for parts. I think it's well worth the repair, but I remember my college days, and I might not have been able to swing $250 back then, either. Hopefully, somebody here can tell you if that cable is common among other Pentax cameras. Let us know how it goes. If it becomes an issue of not being able to complete your coursework, I have a full-functional K200D I could lend you for the semester. I'm not going to pretend my K200D can do all that my K-S2 can, but PM me if you'd like a free loaner. wow, i really appreciate that offer! the kindness of strangers always amazes me. I think if the camera is irreparable, I'll ask if any of my professors have a loaner unit or something until I can get working again. I agree that 250 bucks would be a reasonably fair price for a repair, but the person i spoke to said their base fee is 250. That's not including parts, labor, and shipping. For now, I'm gonna try to DIY it with a 3.5 inch raspberry pi display I have on hand. It'll be a pain setting up an external screen/battery bank every time I take a shot with it, but its better than nothing.

02-02-2021, 02:29 PM	#4
Haenzel Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 149	Originally posted by JohFredersen wow, i really appreciate that offer! the kindness of strangers always amazes me. I think if the camera is irreparable, I'll ask if any of my professors have a loaner unit or something until I can get working again. I agree that 250 bucks would be a reasonably fair price for a repair, but the person i spoke to said their base fee is 250. That's not including parts, labor, and shipping. For now, I'm gonna try to DIY it with a 3.5 inch raspberry pi display I have on hand. It'll be a pain setting up an external screen/battery bank every time I take a shot with it, but its better than nothing. Wouldn't it be possible to carefully strip the cable and try to identify the broken wire so you can solder (bridge) it as a temp fix?

02-02-2021, 02:31 PM - 1 Like	#5
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	You can try USCamera.com might have it. They used to be able to get parts but perhaps not since Ricoh seems to have gotten more restrictive

02-02-2021, 03:15 PM	#6
SharkyCA Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Carleton Place, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 806	Originally posted by Not a Number You can try USCamera.com might have it. They used to be able to get parts but perhaps not since Ricoh seems to have gotten more restrictive There you go, my thoughts too Nan! Pentax K-S2 Parts List \| Digital SLR \| USCamera Pentax Parts \| DownloadsUSCamera

02-02-2021, 03:37 PM	#7
JohFredersen New Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 10 Original Poster	Originally posted by Haenzel Wouldn't it be possible to carefully strip the cable and try to identify the broken wire so you can solder (bridge) it as a temp fix? It may be, but i doubt it. The cable is extremely thin and im not confident that a handheld soldering iron could fix something like that.

02-02-2021, 04:35 PM	#8
PocketPixels Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 385	Originally posted by JohFredersen It may be, but i doubt it. The cable is extremely thin and im not confident that a handheld soldering iron could fix something like that. Good thing to be cautious about. It sounds as if you have busted a $3 wire on an otherwise working camera. Go in there with a soldering iron and you could very well do big-dollar damage. I'm a big fan of taking apart old tech and trying to fix stuff that you can't otherwise save. But this is a very nice 2016-era camera you're using for school, so yeah, keep the soldering iron far away and try to hang in there somehow until you can get it fixed by someone skilled at this. Some colleges have budgets and grants that are available to cover these sorts of emergencies. Ask politely at financial aid, the dean of the photography department, etc. $250 is big money if you're a college student, but it is not big money if you're an Assistant Dean of Financial Aid. Doesn't hurt to ask. Keep us updated.

02-02-2021, 07:09 PM	#9
Haenzel Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 149	Originally posted by JohFredersen wow, i really appreciate that offer! the kindness of strangers always amazes me. I think if the camera is irreparable, I'll ask if any of my professors have a loaner unit or something until I can get working again. I agree that 250 bucks would be a reasonably fair price for a repair, but the person i spoke to said their base fee is 250. That's not including parts, labor, and shipping. For now, I'm gonna try to DIY it with a 3.5 inch raspberry pi display I have on hand. It'll be a pain setting up an external screen/battery bank every time I take a shot with it, but its better than nothing. Have you thought about the Image Sync app? ...by installing the newly developed, exclusive Image Sync application on a communications device, the user can effortlessly control the K-S2’s aperture, shutter-speed and ISO-sensitivity settings, release its shutter, check the live-view image...

02-03-2021, 08:13 AM	#10
JohFredersen New Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 10 Original Poster	Originally posted by Haenzel Have you thought about the Image Sync app? ...by installing the newly developed, exclusive Image Sync application on a communications device, the user can effortlessly control the K-S2’s aperture, shutter-speed and ISO-sensitivity settings, release its shutter, check the live-view image... the image sync app requires you to enable wifi in the cameras settings every time you turn it on.

02-04-2021, 11:20 AM - 1 Like	#11
SamirShah Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Stamford, Ct Photos: Albums Posts: 101	I have my K-S2 apart - was not working when I got it off ebay - it seems it got some water damage and messed up the main board. The LCD panel however works. Here is a link to my first 'help' post that has some pictures. If you want to buy it as a spares machine, I am open to that - I dont need this. I can send you more pictures with a battery inserted to show the LCD working. K-S2 problem - no live view, no saving pictures, freezing, etc - PentaxForums.com Samir.

02-09-2021, 03:58 PM	#12
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520	Originally posted by JohFredersen Hello, My secondhand(no warranty) pentax KS-2's internal LCD stopped displaying images today. Everything works fine with an external display. After opening it up, I saw that the video cable for the screen was all frayed up. I called pentax's listed repair service and they said its 250 minimum to even work on the camera before parts. Does anyone know where I could find a replacement cable for my screen? I really need this camera for school (I'm a photo/film student in college) and absolutely cannot afford the repair cost. Alternatively, does anyone on this forum have a junked KS-2 I could buy off them for parts? any help would be greatly appreciated! If you have any experience with fine soldering (pencil-tip is a must) Such a cable-set is much easier to fix than you think. Either one of the wires is broken (to be measured for impedance) or the insulation is gone of one or two wires produces a short. $ 250 just as a basis plus plus....: Rip-off! Could be even that you don't have so solder but find a solution to insulate one or two wires. Of course best would be to unsolder, put a thin heat-shrink over it and thats it then.

10-20-2021, 11:03 AM	#13
PocketPixels Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 385	OP, did you ever get this fixed? How are things going now?

10-23-2021, 06:35 PM - 2 Likes	#15
JohFredersen New Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Posts: 10 Original Poster	Originally posted by PocketPixels OP, did you ever get this fixed? How are things going now? Sure did, a nice user on here had a dead KS-2 that had been making the rounds for parts. I was able to yank the cable from that guy and swap it into my camera. 6 months later still going strong.