Determine the year of manufacture using the serial number

cwogofoto · 12-29-2022, 05:02 AM

Hallo everybody,

I'm a hobby phtographer from Germany and try - before buying - to determine the year of manufacture using the serial number of a Pentax K-70. I want to avoid the Pentax's solenoid problem this way. I would be very happy about help.

kypfer · 12-29-2022, 08:52 AM

This page may help :- Pentax K-70 Serial Numbers - Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com

AfterPentax Mark II · 12-29-2022, 09:55 AM

Best way is to ask the seller of the last jpg picture or have it made and send to you. Then use this feature to know the number of actuations and the manufacture date. Check Camera Shutter Count and Manufacture Date
Hope this helps. But beware: the solenoids were obtained from several manufacturers so it depends on the batch if you have the danger of being confronted with the solenoid problem.

**KoenR** · 12-29-2022, 02:27 PM

Originally posted by cwogofoto

Hallo everybody,

I'm a hobby phtographer from Germany and try - before buying - to determine the year of manufacture using the serial number of a Pentax K-70. I want to avoid the Pentax's solenoid problem this way. I would be very happy about help.

More information on solenoids and K70 can be found here: https://www.pentaxians.de/40456504nx51499/technische-probleme-f76/solenoid-e...37830-s50.html. (Page 6) (in german).

Rudy

Edward Brock · 01-31-2023, 12:12 PM

Still a bit new so please excuse my ignorance on this K-70 Solenoid thing.
If I understand correctly, there is or was a continued issue. Is there a certain
year or years to avoid or how do I know when buying one if it has the problem?

**photogem** · 02-02-2023, 10:30 AM

Serialnumbers don't allow concludions about when the Pentax DSLR was manufactured.

With a new Pentax K-70 I wouldn't worry, it is highly unlikely that it would be pre-2021 when the K-70 still had the older (2nd. generation) solenoid which does fail at times but not as bad as the previous 1.st generation solenoid in the K30/K50

If it is a 2nd hand K-70, then you need to ask the seller if he can send you a jpeg taken with his K70 and then you upload it here:
Check Camera Shutter Count and Manufacture Date

But safer it is to find a 2-nd hand K70 which already has the "white Japan-DSLR solenoid" installed.
For example on Amazon.de you can find it sometimes.

**photogem** · 02-02-2023, 10:45 AM

Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II

But beware: the solenoids were obtained from several manufacturers so it depends on the batch if you have the danger of being confronted with the solenoid problem.

No, you somehow got this wrong:
The solenoid in all Pentax DSLR was manufactured by Shinmei Japan, but since quite a time they moved manufacture to China, tested it in the flash circuit (solenoid-driven popup-flash) in the K100D, K200D up to the K-r.
Because it worked there without any problem from the K30 onwards it was used for aperture control as well.
But aperture control is more complex and there it started to fail.

So we have ALWAYS from Shinmei three variants:

1. as used in the flash-circuit from the K100D and then aperture-control in K30/50/500 up to Dec. 2015
2. modified with a smaller magnet from 12/2015 in the K50/K-S1, K-S2 and early K-70 (up to end of 2020)
3. more modified with again a smaller magnet from 1/2021 onwards

The exakt date when version 2 and 3 changed is unknown.

Although it was often said that the old DSLR solenoid still made in Japan was made by ALPS and Matsushita this isn't quite correct,
Shinmei sold solenoids to ALPS and Matsushita.

Shinmei also produced solenoids for CD/DVD-ROM drives/burners, which were more simple and have a much much higher holding force
(endless quantities offered on ebay from China, Hongkong and others)
and there is a blue version which is 15ohms only and even worse.

A lot of "jumb on the bandwaggon"- selfmade specialists which try to fool Pentax owners into buying cheap and wrong.

AfterPentax Mark II · 02-04-2023, 04:38 AM

Originally posted by photogem

The solenoid in all Pentax DSLR was manufactured by Shinmei Japan

I believe that they supplied the solenoids to Ricoh/Pentax that were procured from several manufacturers. That was the reason that the quality differed so much. Not uncommon in such cases was the fact that on the product the name of the client was put on. (bit like Tamron assembling lenses with the name Pentax on it).

**photogem** · 02-04-2023, 05:33 AM

Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II

I believe that they supplied the solenoids to Ricoh/Pentax that were procured from several manufacturers. That was the reason that the quality differed so much. Not uncommon in such cases was the fact that on the product the name of the client was put on. (bit like Tamron assembling lenses with the name Pentax on it).

And you got this information from where?

From the very beginning Shinmei produced and didn't buy.
And from the moment they moved all machines to China, they produced only in China.

And the reason that the quality differed so much is explained in all detail HERE

Edward Brock · 02-05-2023, 08:55 AM

Ahh,Well, thank you. Obviously, I'm not a Tech-Head like you guys.
I think I may possibly be just as confused now as before. hahahaha
Maybe I'll just keep shooting with my Kx until I get more comfortable
with this digital thing I'm trying to catch up with before I make my final
choice. Thank you for your explanation.

12-29-2022, 05:02 AM	#1
cwogofoto New Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 1	Determine the year of manufacture using the serial number Hallo everybody, I'm a hobby phtographer from Germany and try - before buying - to determine the year of manufacture using the serial number of a Pentax K-70. I want to avoid the Pentax's solenoid problem this way. I would be very happy about help.

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12-29-2022, 08:52 AM	#2
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,596	This page may help :- Pentax K-70 Serial Numbers - Pentax Serial Number Database - PentaxForums.com

12-29-2022, 09:55 AM	#3
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,467	Best way is to ask the seller of the last jpg picture or have it made and send to you. Then use this feature to know the number of actuations and the manufacture date. Check Camera Shutter Count and Manufacture Date Hope this helps. But beware: the solenoids were obtained from several manufacturers so it depends on the batch if you have the danger of being confronted with the solenoid problem.

12-29-2022, 02:27 PM	#4
KoenR Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Gent - Belgium Posts: 45	Originally posted by cwogofoto Hallo everybody, I'm a hobby phtographer from Germany and try - before buying - to determine the year of manufacture using the serial number of a Pentax K-70. I want to avoid the Pentax's solenoid problem this way. I would be very happy about help. More information on solenoids and K70 can be found here: https://www.pentaxians.de/40456504nx51499/technische-probleme-f76/solenoid-e...37830-s50.html. (Page 6) (in german). Rudy

01-31-2023, 12:12 PM	#5
Edward Brock Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: South Central Texas Posts: 41	Still a bit new so please excuse my ignorance on this K-70 Solenoid thing. If I understand correctly, there is or was a continued issue. Is there a certain year or years to avoid or how do I know when buying one if it has the problem?

02-02-2023, 10:30 AM	#6
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,522	Serialnumbers don't allow concludions about when the Pentax DSLR was manufactured. With a new Pentax K-70 I wouldn't worry, it is highly unlikely that it would be pre-2021 when the K-70 still had the older (2nd. generation) solenoid which does fail at times but not as bad as the previous 1.st generation solenoid in the K30/K50 If it is a 2nd hand K-70, then you need to ask the seller if he can send you a jpeg taken with his K70 and then you upload it here: Check Camera Shutter Count and Manufacture Date But safer it is to find a 2-nd hand K70 which already has the "white Japan-DSLR solenoid" installed. For example on Amazon.de you can find it sometimes.

02-02-2023, 10:45 AM	#7
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,522	Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II But beware: the solenoids were obtained from several manufacturers so it depends on the batch if you have the danger of being confronted with the solenoid problem. No, you somehow got this wrong: The solenoid in all Pentax DSLR was manufactured by Shinmei Japan, but since quite a time they moved manufacture to China, tested it in the flash circuit (solenoid-driven popup-flash) in the K100D, K200D up to the K-r. Because it worked there without any problem from the K30 onwards it was used for aperture control as well. But aperture control is more complex and there it started to fail. So we have ALWAYS from Shinmei three variants: 1. as used in the flash-circuit from the K100D and then aperture-control in K30/50/500 up to Dec. 2015 2. modified with a smaller magnet from 12/2015 in the K50/K-S1, K-S2 and early K-70 (up to end of 2020) 3. more modified with again a smaller magnet from 1/2021 onwards The exakt date when version 2 and 3 changed is unknown. Although it was often said that the old DSLR solenoid still made in Japan was made by ALPS and Matsushita this isn't quite correct, Shinmei sold solenoids to ALPS and Matsushita. Shinmei also produced solenoids for CD/DVD-ROM drives/burners, which were more simple and have a much much higher holding force (endless quantities offered on ebay from China, Hongkong and others) and there is a blue version which is 15ohms only and even worse. A lot of "jumb on the bandwaggon"- selfmade specialists which try to fool Pentax owners into buying cheap and wrong.

02-04-2023, 04:38 AM	#8
AfterPentax Mark II Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2021 Posts: 1,467	Originally posted by photogem The solenoid in all Pentax DSLR was manufactured by Shinmei Japan I believe that they supplied the solenoids to Ricoh/Pentax that were procured from several manufacturers. That was the reason that the quality differed so much. Not uncommon in such cases was the fact that on the product the name of the client was put on. (bit like Tamron assembling lenses with the name Pentax on it).

02-04-2023, 05:33 AM	#9
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,522	Originally posted by AfterPentax Mark II I believe that they supplied the solenoids to Ricoh/Pentax that were procured from several manufacturers. That was the reason that the quality differed so much. Not uncommon in such cases was the fact that on the product the name of the client was put on. (bit like Tamron assembling lenses with the name Pentax on it). And you got this information from where? From the very beginning Shinmei produced and didn't buy. And from the moment they moved all machines to China, they produced only in China. And the reason that the quality differed so much is explained in all detail HERE

02-05-2023, 08:55 AM	#10
Edward Brock Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: South Central Texas Posts: 41	Ahh,Well, thank you. Obviously, I'm not a Tech-Head like you guys. I think I may possibly be just as confused now as before. hahahaha Maybe I'll just keep shooting with my Kx until I get more comfortable with this digital thing I'm trying to catch up with before I make my final choice. Thank you for your explanation.