Has your repaired Aperture Control Block stayed fixed?

**filmamigo** · 05-28-2016, 07:33 AM

I am facing a repair of the Diaphragm Control Block on my K-S2, same as many K-30 and K-50 owners....

If you had your camera repaired, did it stay repaired? Or did they install the same flawed design of ACB and it will eventually fail/has failed again?

**niceshot** · 05-28-2016, 09:28 AM

Originally posted by filmamigo

I am facing a repair of the Diaphragm Control Block on my K-S2, same as many K-30 and K-50 owners....

If you had your camera repaired, did it stay repaired? Or did they install the same flawed design of ACB and it will eventually fail/has failed again?

Seem to be a major defect in the Pentax cameras these days

**stevebrot** · 05-28-2016, 03:30 PM

Originally posted by filmamigo

If you had your camera repaired, did it stay repaired? Or did they install the same flawed design of ACB and it will eventually fail/has failed again?

My friend's K-50 was repaired for that issue Jan 2015 by Precision and continues to operate with no problems. If you have concerns about the quality of replacement parts, perhaps the good folk at Sun Camera Repair (authorized repair for Ricoh/Pentax Canada) can set your mind at ease.

Steve

**UncleVanya** · 05-29-2016, 09:20 PM

Mine did but I have no idea how long it lasted as I eventually traded it. It worked for about 6 months originally then was repaired and then worked 6 months before I got a K-3.

**THoog** · 05-31-2016, 06:10 AM

Pentax has used the same aperture control block design in their entry/mid-range bodies since at least the K100D, and it has worked reliably in thousands of cameras for over a decade. However, based on what we've learned in the linked thread, it appears that a solenoid used in the ACB of the K-30/50 is failing more often than previous versions. The solenoid in question is a standard part made by multiple vendors for use in cameras and DVD players.

This does not mean that ALL (or even most) of the solenoids used in the K-30/50 will fail eventually, nor does it mean that a replacement solenoid from a different batch or a different supplier will NEVER fail. What it should mean is that a repaired unit should have a failure rate no worse than a new camera.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/321871-k-30-k-50-ape...available.html

**niceshot** · 05-31-2016, 11:08 AM

Originally posted by THoog

Pentax has used the same aperture control block design in their entry/mid-range bodies since at least the K100D, and it has worked reliably in thousands of cameras for over a decade. However, based on what we've learned in the linked thread, it appears that a solenoid used in the ACB of the K-30/50 is failing more often than previous versions. The solenoid in question is a standard part made by multiple vendors for use in cameras and DVD players.

This does not mean that ALL (or even most) of the solenoids used in the K-30/50 will fail eventually, nor does it mean that a replacement solenoid from a different batch or a different supplier will NEVER fail. What it should mean is that a repaired unit should have a failure rate no worse than a new camera.

https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/321871-k-30-k-50-ape...available.html

My theory is if you catch it in time clean or replace it it will save the aperture motor from failing.If the black frames start and you dont address it it will smoke the motor

Mothballs · 05-31-2016, 07:45 PM

Been holding fine on mine for over a year now.

**filmamigo** · 06-03-2016, 01:01 PM

Thanks folks. I have opted to go ahead with the repair.

**ramseybuckeye** · 06-09-2016, 04:58 PM

I sent my then two year old K-30 in for repair, I got it back 19 months ago and so far so good (knock on wood).

Dlanor Sekao · 08-15-2016, 03:57 PM

My 1st K-30 failed at 50K.....warranty repair lasted 3 months and it failed again.......sold that one on Ebay for Parts.
2nd new K-30 (backup Body) failed at 7K just out of warranty......tossed that one in the Trash Can and Moved on to K3 then to K3II , and also the K-1.....Problem solved !
Really sucked because I Loved my K-30's.........

Life is Too Short to worry about repetitive problems with this model......Ditch it and Move On to something more reliable. Also BUY the longest extended warranty you can possibly find.

**mee** · 08-15-2016, 04:16 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Dlanor Sekao

My 1st K-30 failed at 50K.....warranty repair lasted 3 months and it failed again.......sold that one on Ebay for Parts.
2nd new K-30 (backup Body) failed at 7K just out of warranty......tossed that one in the Trash Can and Moved on to K3 then to K3II , and also the K-1.....Problem solved !
Really sucked because I Loved my K-30's.........

Life is Too Short to worry about repetitive problems with this model......Ditch it and Move On to something more reliable. Also BUY the longest extended warranty you can possibly find.

Oh please tell me you didn't really throw the broken K-30 away..

Dlanor Sekao · 08-15-2016, 05:39 PM

Originally posted by mee

Oh please tell me you didn't really throw the broken K-30 away..

I absolutely did....Showlow Arizona.......tossed it (Slam Dunked it actually) right in the Campground dumpster at 10AM and Immediately ordered a K-3II from B&H.......they expressed shipped it to the campground Host and I got it within 36 hours !
Problem forever solved......

**mee** · 08-15-2016, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by Dlanor Sekao

I absolutely did....Showlow Arizona.......tossed it (Slam Dunked it actually) right in the Campground dumpster at 10AM and Immediately ordered a K-3II from B&H.......they expressed shipped it to the campground Host and I got it within 36 hours !
Problem forever solved......

Aww.. I would have paid you something for it.

I wanted one that still turned on that I could potentially break forcing a K-50 firmware onto it.

When I had a K-30 I noticed it was possible to feed it a K-50 firmware by simply renaming the file to that of a K-30's. Too scared to try it though at the time (since it was only a few months old). Wanted to see if it would work.. if it bricked the 'broken' camera, it wouldn't be a problem.

You don't suppose you could go back to that campground and fish out the K-30?

Dlanor Sekao · 08-16-2016, 12:14 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by mee

Aww.. I would have paid you something for it.

I wanted one that still turned on that I could potentially break forcing a K-50 firmware onto it.

When I had a K-30 I noticed it was possible to feed it a K-50 firmware by simply renaming the file to that of a K-30's. Too scared to try it though at the time (since it was only a few months old). Wanted to see if it would work.. if it bricked the 'broken' camera, it wouldn't be a problem.

You don't suppose you could go back to that campground and fish out the K-30?

From what I hear one of the local Black Bears has it and is trying to use it with an old 50mm Super Takumar in M mode .......

rom01 · 08-22-2016, 09:06 PM

I have mine in as I type, if they fix it, I hope it stays fixed, I like my camera...

05-28-2016, 07:33 AM	#1
filmamigo Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 684	Has your repaired Aperture Control Block stayed fixed? I am facing a repair of the Diaphragm Control Block on my K-S2, same as many K-30 and K-50 owners.... If you had your camera repaired, did it stay repaired? Or did they install the same flawed design of ACB and it will eventually fail/has failed again?

08-15-2016, 03:57 PM	#10
Dlanor Sekao Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	My 1st K-30 failed at 50K.....warranty repair lasted 3 months and it failed again.......sold that one on Ebay for Parts. 2nd new K-30 (backup Body) failed at 7K just out of warranty......tossed that one in the Trash Can and Moved on to K3 then to K3II , and also the K-1.....Problem solved ! Really sucked because I Loved my K-30's......... Life is Too Short to worry about repetitive problems with this model......Ditch it and Move On to something more reliable. Also BUY the longest extended warranty you can possibly find. Last edited by Dlanor Sekao; 08-15-2016 at 04:12 PM.

08-16-2016, 12:14 AM - 2 Likes	#14
Dlanor Sekao Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Originally posted by mee Aww.. I would have paid you something for it. I wanted one that still turned on that I could potentially break forcing a K-50 firmware onto it. When I had a K-30 I noticed it was possible to feed it a K-50 firmware by simply renaming the file to that of a K-30's. Too scared to try it though at the time (since it was only a few months old). Wanted to see if it would work.. if it bricked the 'broken' camera, it wouldn't be a problem. You don't suppose you could go back to that campground and fish out the K-30? From what I hear one of the local Black Bears has it and is trying to use it with an old 50mm Super Takumar in M mode ....... Last edited by Dlanor Sekao; 08-16-2016 at 12:21 AM.

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05-28-2016, 09:28 AM	#2
niceshot Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 960	Originally posted by filmamigo I am facing a repair of the Diaphragm Control Block on my K-S2, same as many K-30 and K-50 owners.... If you had your camera repaired, did it stay repaired? Or did they install the same flawed design of ACB and it will eventually fail/has failed again? Seem to be a major defect in the Pentax cameras these days

05-28-2016, 03:30 PM	#3
stevebrot Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 26,866	Originally posted by filmamigo If you had your camera repaired, did it stay repaired? Or did they install the same flawed design of ACB and it will eventually fail/has failed again? My friend's K-50 was repaired for that issue Jan 2015 by Precision and continues to operate with no problems. If you have concerns about the quality of replacement parts, perhaps the good folk at Sun Camera Repair (authorized repair for Ricoh/Pentax Canada) can set your mind at ease. Steve

05-29-2016, 09:20 PM	#4
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,750	Mine did but I have no idea how long it lasted as I eventually traded it. It worked for about 6 months originally then was repaired and then worked 6 months before I got a K-3.

05-31-2016, 06:10 AM	#5
THoog Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: North Carolina Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,479	Pentax has used the same aperture control block design in their entry/mid-range bodies since at least the K100D, and it has worked reliably in thousands of cameras for over a decade. However, based on what we've learned in the linked thread, it appears that a solenoid used in the ACB of the K-30/50 is failing more often than previous versions. The solenoid in question is a standard part made by multiple vendors for use in cameras and DVD players. This does not mean that ALL (or even most) of the solenoids used in the K-30/50 will fail eventually, nor does it mean that a replacement solenoid from a different batch or a different supplier will NEVER fail. What it should mean is that a repaired unit should have a failure rate no worse than a new camera. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/321871-k-30-k-50-ape...available.html

05-31-2016, 11:08 AM	#6
niceshot Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2014 Photos: Gallery Posts: 960	Originally posted by THoog Pentax has used the same aperture control block design in their entry/mid-range bodies since at least the K100D, and it has worked reliably in thousands of cameras for over a decade. However, based on what we've learned in the linked thread, it appears that a solenoid used in the ACB of the K-30/50 is failing more often than previous versions. The solenoid in question is a standard part made by multiple vendors for use in cameras and DVD players. This does not mean that ALL (or even most) of the solenoids used in the K-30/50 will fail eventually, nor does it mean that a replacement solenoid from a different batch or a different supplier will NEVER fail. What it should mean is that a repaired unit should have a failure rate no worse than a new camera. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/321871-k-30-k-50-ape...available.html My theory is if you catch it in time clean or replace it it will save the aperture motor from failing.If the black frames start and you dont address it it will smoke the motor

05-31-2016, 07:45 PM	#7
Mothballs Senior Member Join Date: May 2015 Posts: 259	Been holding fine on mine for over a year now.

06-03-2016, 01:01 PM	#8
filmamigo Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 684 Original Poster	Thanks folks. I have opted to go ahead with the repair.

06-09-2016, 04:58 PM	#9
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Elida, Ohio Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 8,491	I sent my then two year old K-30 in for repair, I got it back 19 months ago and so far so good (knock on wood).

08-15-2016, 04:16 PM - 1 Like	#11
mee Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,663	Originally posted by Dlanor Sekao My 1st K-30 failed at 50K.....warranty repair lasted 3 months and it failed again.......sold that one on Ebay for Parts. 2nd new K-30 (backup Body) failed at 7K just out of warranty......tossed that one in the Trash Can and Moved on to K3 then to K3II , and also the K-1.....Problem solved ! Really sucked because I Loved my K-30's......... Life is Too Short to worry about repetitive problems with this model......Ditch it and Move On to something more reliable. Also BUY the longest extended warranty you can possibly find. Oh please tell me you didn't really throw the broken K-30 away..

08-15-2016, 05:39 PM	#12
Dlanor Sekao Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Originally posted by mee Oh please tell me you didn't really throw the broken K-30 away.. I absolutely did....Showlow Arizona.......tossed it (Slam Dunked it actually) right in the Campground dumpster at 10AM and Immediately ordered a K-3II from B&H.......they expressed shipped it to the campground Host and I got it within 36 hours ! Problem forever solved......

08-15-2016, 06:25 PM	#13
mee Site Supporter Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,663	Originally posted by Dlanor Sekao I absolutely did....Showlow Arizona.......tossed it (Slam Dunked it actually) right in the Campground dumpster at 10AM and Immediately ordered a K-3II from B&H.......they expressed shipped it to the campground Host and I got it within 36 hours ! Problem forever solved...... Aww.. I would have paid you something for it. I wanted one that still turned on that I could potentially break forcing a K-50 firmware onto it. When I had a K-30 I noticed it was possible to feed it a K-50 firmware by simply renaming the file to that of a K-30's. Too scared to try it though at the time (since it was only a few months old). Wanted to see if it would work.. if it bricked the 'broken' camera, it wouldn't be a problem. You don't suppose you could go back to that campground and fish out the K-30?

08-22-2016, 09:06 PM	#15
rom01 New Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: NSW Photos: Gallery Posts: 8	I have mine in as I type, if they fix it, I hope it stays fixed, I like my camera...