What's that wire on the back of the K1 mount for?

Fenwoodian · 06-25-2016, 09:50 AM

I did a little minor surgery this morning on my K1's mount. I actually had to remove it (don't ask me why - that's a long story).

Removing it and replacing it was very easy.

While removing it I noticed a very thin wire was soldered to the underside of the mount. Anyway, during the process, this little wire broke off at the solder point where it was attached to the mount.

I've shot the camera a bit since this happened and everything seems to be working just fine.

Do other digital Pentax cameras have this wire? Anyone know what that little wire was for?

Thanks

sewebster · 06-25-2016, 10:00 AM

Ground wire? (just guessing)

Not a Number · 06-25-2016, 10:01 AM - **1 Like**

It is the grounding wire for the electronics involved with the "A" contacts. If the connection goes bad you'll probably see the dreaded "F---" and auto-focus may stop working.

Wheatfield · 06-25-2016, 10:19 AM

I'm always astounded that the first thing some people do when they by some new and shiny toy is take it apart and break it.

Dlanor Sekao · 06-25-2016, 10:24 AM

Maybe You SHOULD tell us the whole Story ? You gave us just enough info to have us wondering "Why in the World" would you do Surgery in the first place ?

Fenwoodian · 06-25-2016, 10:32 AM

Not A Number, thanks for your response.

I actually only have one auto-focus lens, all of the rest are manual focus.

Just tested my only AF lens, and it appears to be working and auto focusing perfectly.

By the way, what's the dreaded "F"?

---------- Post added 06-25-16 at 12:36 PM ----------

Originally posted by Dlanor Sekao

Maybe You SHOULD tell us the whole Story ? You gave us just enough info to have us wondering "Why in the World" would you do Surgery in the first place ?

I adapt many old Xray / TV / Projector lenses to fit onto modern digital cameras (e.g. Nikon, Canon, Fuji, and Pentax of course). I currently have about 15 such lenses that I am in various stages of adapting. While working on one of them I did something wrong and had to remove the mount.

vonBaloney · 06-25-2016, 10:36 AM

Yes, seems like a strange thing to do to void the warranty on your brand new camera. Anyway -- the "F--" is when it shows that on the LCD instead of aperture info -- just like it would do with a non-A manual lens -- indicating that the lens and body are not communicating...

Dlanor Sekao · 06-25-2016, 10:56 AM

Originally posted by Fenwoodian

I adapt many old Xray / TV / Projector lenses to fit onto modern digital cameras (e.g. Nikon, Canon, Fuji, and Pentax of course). I currently have about 15 such lenses that I am in various stages of adapting. While working on one of them I did something wrong and had to remove the mount.

You mean a Frankenlense type adaption ? I'm working on one also....however , When you said mount the first thing that came to mind was the Camera Tripod Mount.....not the Lens Mount.....Yes.....I see now.

Not a Number · 06-25-2016, 11:03 AM - **1 Like**

I don't know if the K-1 is prone to the aperture lever / green button not working syndrome with lenses of non-conducting bases but if the connection goes bad this could happen too.

Fenwoodian · 06-25-2016, 11:14 AM

Originally posted by Not a Number

I don't know if the K-1 is prone to the aperture lever / green button not working syndrome with lenses of non-conducting bases but if the connection goes bad this could happen too.

Just got through shooting an old Pentax 28mm f/3.5 using "green button". Worked just fine.

Rupert · 06-25-2016, 11:18 AM

It broke on my K5IIs when it fell off the shelf and pulled the mount out.......All I can tell you is that it is "not for breaking". Keep shooting and using all the functions and you will soon understand that little wire is not for hanging Christmas bulbs!

Regards!

Not a Number · 06-25-2016, 12:28 PM

It may work now but if the connection works loose or oxidizes the connection might become intermittent or stop working altogether.

06-25-2016, 09:50 AM	#1
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874	What's that wire on the back of the K1 mount for? I did a little minor surgery this morning on my K1's mount. I actually had to remove it (don't ask me why - that's a long story). Removing it and replacing it was very easy. While removing it I noticed a very thin wire was soldered to the underside of the mount. Anyway, during the process, this little wire broke off at the solder point where it was attached to the mount. I've shot the camera a bit since this happened and everything seems to be working just fine. Do other digital Pentax cameras have this wire? Anyone know what that little wire was for? Thanks

06-25-2016, 10:32 AM	#6
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874 Original Poster	Not A Number, thanks for your response. I actually only have one auto-focus lens, all of the rest are manual focus. Just tested my only AF lens, and it appears to be working and auto focusing perfectly. By the way, what's the dreaded "F"? ---------- Post added 06-25-16 at 12:36 PM ---------- Originally posted by Dlanor Sekao Maybe You SHOULD tell us the whole Story ? You gave us just enough info to have us wondering "Why in the World" would you do Surgery in the first place ? I adapt many old Xray / TV / Projector lenses to fit onto modern digital cameras (e.g. Nikon, Canon, Fuji, and Pentax of course). I currently have about 15 such lenses that I am in various stages of adapting. While working on one of them I did something wrong and had to remove the mount. Last edited by Fenwoodian; 06-25-2016 at 10:41 AM.

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06-25-2016, 10:00 AM	#2
sewebster Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 544	Ground wire? (just guessing)

06-25-2016, 10:01 AM - 1 Like	#3
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	It is the grounding wire for the electronics involved with the "A" contacts. If the connection goes bad you'll probably see the dreaded "F---" and auto-focus may stop working.

06-25-2016, 10:19 AM	#4
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	I'm always astounded that the first thing some people do when they by some new and shiny toy is take it apart and break it.

06-25-2016, 10:24 AM	#5
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Maybe You SHOULD tell us the whole Story ? You gave us just enough info to have us wondering "Why in the World" would you do Surgery in the first place ?

06-25-2016, 10:36 AM	#7
vonBaloney Pentaxian Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 6,029	Yes, seems like a strange thing to do to void the warranty on your brand new camera. Anyway -- the "F--" is when it shows that on the LCD instead of aperture info -- just like it would do with a non-A manual lens -- indicating that the lens and body are not communicating...

06-25-2016, 10:56 AM	#8
Dlanor Sekao Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 1,457	Originally posted by Fenwoodian I adapt many old Xray / TV / Projector lenses to fit onto modern digital cameras (e.g. Nikon, Canon, Fuji, and Pentax of course). I currently have about 15 such lenses that I am in various stages of adapting. While working on one of them I did something wrong and had to remove the mount. You mean a Frankenlense type adaption ? I'm working on one also....however , When you said mount the first thing that came to mind was the Camera Tripod Mount.....not the Lens Mount.....Yes.....I see now.

06-25-2016, 11:03 AM - 1 Like	#9
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	I don't know if the K-1 is prone to the aperture lever / green button not working syndrome with lenses of non-conducting bases but if the connection goes bad this could happen too.

06-25-2016, 11:14 AM	#10
Fenwoodian Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,874 Original Poster	Originally posted by Not a Number I don't know if the K-1 is prone to the aperture lever / green button not working syndrome with lenses of non-conducting bases but if the connection goes bad this could happen too. Just got through shooting an old Pentax 28mm f/3.5 using "green button". Worked just fine.

06-25-2016, 11:18 AM	#11
Rupert Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 25,123	It broke on my K5IIs when it fell off the shelf and pulled the mount out.......All I can tell you is that it is "not for breaking". Keep shooting and using all the functions and you will soon understand that little wire is not for hanging Christmas bulbs! Regards!

06-25-2016, 12:28 PM	#12
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	It may work now but if the connection works loose or oxidizes the connection might become intermittent or stop working altogether.