Originally posted by stevebrot Precision will repair the K-70 to current Ricoh specification using new parts.
Yes, but not new parts "made in Japan" but again "made in China".
The K-70 already has got a better solenoid as I have explained in all detail here:
A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY: Development of the solenoid in Pentax cameras - PentaxForums.com
Since that modificiation the solenoid has failed far less, nevertheless it does occasionally fail.
Originally posted by stevebrot There are some on this site who will claim that repair will fail. I don't know that any have actually experienced such from Precision's repair for this issue. If so, someone will surely correct me. There is much disinformation on the topic. My friend's K-50 was repaired by Precision in January 2015 for aperture block failure and five years later, it still works fine.
Nobody on this site can claim that a repair
will fail!
It can fail though:
I have experienced at least 4 repairs of official Pentax repair places in Europe (not the K70 but K30 and K50's) going wrong when the warranty of 1 year had elapsed.
Originally posted by stevebrot The option for self-repair requires a replacement solenoid, fine-tipped soldering gun, steady hands, good eyesight, tweezers/forceps, and a set of JIS screwdrivers for the disassembly.
Yes, although PH 00 + 000 screwdrivers can help, nevertheless JIS are superior and recommended.
A set of good JIS screwdrivers can be found for around $ 15+/- (and they last for a long time, could even be sold again)
VESSEL microdriver NO. 9902 4907587010322 | eBay
The solenoid costs $ 45 (free shipping within USA):
Pentax K-30 K-50 K-70 K-S1/S2 K-500 Genuine White Solenoid Part - Japan - | eBay
I have found pencil-soldering-irons incl. free shipping for $ 5 in USA
With some luck one finds a defunct Pentax ist* or early K-model with 2 solenoids for less, can sell one solenoid and thus compensate the costs.
So moneywise not much risk.
If not equipped with 2 left hands the repair is not really difficult.
Plenty users have reported successful DIY repair.
I can recall just 1 repair going wrong:
He had used a
which is a very bad idea.
You melt everything around.
So as long as there is warranty, no question, that's the way to go.
But outside of warranty with some courage and equipment with one can sell again:
Almost free repair and lasting forever.
The good thing about it:
Failure rate of Pentax bodies built after December 2015 (when they introduced a better modified China solenoid) is now within the usual 2% failure-rate altogether (that's what I know from dealers).
But failure is of course not only the solenoid but sometimes other parts as well.
Let's suppose the solenoid would be 50% of all failures: Actually owners are then much better off than CANIKONSOFU-owners because in their cases no DIY repair is possible!