Originally posted by Not a Number I inquired through a proxy that at the time could still buy parts from Pentax / Ricoh. The solenoid is not sold separately (even though it has a separate part number) - only with the entire Diaphragm Block Assembly.
Some other thoughts about this matter:
1. Before
WE (
here in this forum*) found out that the main culprit was only the solenoid itself
( i.e. before Ricoh or authorized repairshops did!)
Ricoh (and repairshops) thought it was the complete diaphragm control block!
*well, actually not all here: Some tried to play it down or to deflect, you might well remember that!
During those early years (i.e. until about Dec. 2015 when Ricoh had found out as well and started to use a modified solenoid)
it literally hailed defunct Pentax K30's, K50's and K500's.
I would now say it almost gets every 2.nd Pentax of those years using a solenoid, possibly even more!
So Ricoh and the repairshops had to act and they just simply ordered that diaphragm-control-block so they could act quickly!
But then ... after
we (
here in this our forum) found out that it was
just the solenoid and that replacing that green China-Solenoid with the DLSR white Japan-Solenoid was the true way to go...
.... AND (!!!) authorized repair-placed would not use that very best solenoid
many went the DIY way!
Everybody having studies this knows that the DSLR Japan-Solenoid wasn't manufactured anymore, could only be found in older Pentax DSLR bodies or on ebay
But:
2. Authorized repairshops cannot or are not willing to give warranty on 2-nd hand parts, i.e. the Japan-Solenoid.
Moreover:
3. Authorized repairshops + Ricoh most likely
sat an a huge stock of diaphragm-control-blocks and ... business ahoy....
want to use those and... possibly charge for those (particular as it "hails more money")
SO:
I question very strongly that Ricoh or the authorized repair-places would not be able to buy "just the solenoid"!!!
That to me is a fairy-tale and if Ricoh Germany, France etc. can get it.... it would be the "
joke of the year*" if Ricoh USA could not get it.
I know one can get it for sure ... it is available and I can prove it!
Original Pentax Solenoid as in K-70: Price within the EU € 28 + VAT + shipping
Now... thats the retail price! Not the price Ricoh buys it of course.
*or better "
alternative fact of the year"!