Solenoid in Pentax K-70

**Stefan Jr** · 05-30-2020, 08:16 AM

Is there any news that Pentax finally solved the issue with K-70?

Got a good deal for a new one - but black exposures is a dealbreaker for me.

MarkJerling · 05-30-2020, 07:58 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Stefan Jr

Is there any news that Pentax finally solved the issue with K-70?

Got a good deal for a new one - but black exposures is a dealbreaker for me.

No-one knows. Evidence seems to suggest that far fewer K-70 cameras fail than K-30 and K-50 cameras, but it could be because they're newer and not because the part has been modified.

**Stefan Jr** · 05-31-2020, 04:16 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by MarkJerling

No-one knows. Evidence seems to suggest that far fewer K-70 cameras fail than K-30 and K-50 cameras, but it could be because they're newer and not because the part has been modified.

OK - as I feared then.
Thx for the answer!

kypfer · 05-31-2020, 05:35 AM

My K-70, doubtless like the vast majority of others, is totally problem-free after 18 months and 23K+ exposures.
There'll be the odd one or two examples of any production run by any manufacturer that fail, for whatever reason. If I allowed statistics like that to worry me I'd still be using film with a separate selenium light meter ... the Spotmatic is in the cupboard, so's the Weston 'meter

Tord · 06-27-2020, 01:16 AM

Seems the eBay seller still sells them!

**photogem** · 06-27-2020, 04:29 AM

Originally posted by Tord

Seems the eBay seller still sells them!

???
Do you mean the solenoid?

riverrock · 07-16-2020, 06:48 AM

Well I'm getting my K70 back from the UK Service Center (John Pye) with a replaced solenoid.
They wouldn't cover it under warranty: I bought it via an international seller who provided a 1 year warranty only and it failed a little more than a year after I got it. Just hope that it never fails again!

**photogem** · 07-16-2020, 09:41 AM

Let Steve Brot know, he still doesn't want to believe it is the solenoid:
K-70 Underexposed Photo Reports - Page 8 - PentaxForums.com

**tonyzoc** · 08-01-2020, 05:07 PM

My K-70, which I purchased used last year with only 96 shutter actuations, is developing the dreaded aperture failure issue. My K-S2 had the same issue so I'm well aware of the symptoms. It's just starting. First image is dark and if the camera sits for a few hours the first image is dark again. Examples below. After I send this out for repair I'll sell it as soon as I get it back and buy a K-3ii or KP. They clearly (IMO) have not solved this issue and I would avoid this camera, or any using this mechanism, like the plague in the future. You know I've got a K2000 I bought in 2009 and it has never failed me. I'm very disappointed in Pentax.

**photogem** · 08-02-2020, 04:45 AM

This is of course disappointing, my own K-70 developed this problem as well.

But you know how to repair it, just this time use the prober soldering-iron with a pencil-tip.
It is more or less the same work as with the K-S2, maybe you dare one more time and do it right. I am sure you have ability for it, you do other work which is actually more complicated.

Just don't use a soldering-gun with gas anymore!

**tonyzoc** · 08-02-2020, 05:11 AM

Originally posted by photogem

This is of course disappointing, my own K-70 developed this problem as well.

But you know how to repair it, just this time use the prober soldering-iron with a pencil-tip.
It is more or less the same work as with the K-S2, maybe you dare one more time and do it right. I am sure you have ability for it, you do other work which is actually more complicated.

Just don't use a soldering-gun with gas anymore!

I did get a better soldering station...electric with adjustable temp and fine point changeable tips. I tested it and the very tip was able to flow solder. I'm debating whether to try this repair again or just send it out and sell it. After my failure with the K-S2 I'm a little gun-shy.

**photogem** · 08-02-2020, 05:26 AM

Originally posted by tonyzoc

I did get a better soldering station...electric with adjustable temp and fine point changeable tips. I tested it and the very tip was able to flow solder. I'm debating whether to try this repair again or just send it out and sell it. After my failure with the K-S2 I'm a little gun-shy.

Well... the repair on your K-S2 with the gun was as it is called to crack a nut with a sledgehammer, or as we say:
To shoot sparrows with cannons (or was it Canons, can't remember....

)

Anyway, if you do it, have a close look at this washer which some found left over on the K-S2 but as I have shown here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/184-pentax-k-s1-k-s2/399162-manual-solen...ml#post5050414
There was no washer with this K-S2. Strange!

**tonyzoc** · 08-02-2020, 10:09 AM

Originally posted by photogem

Well... the repair on your K-S2 with the gun was as it is called to crack a nut with a sledgehammer, or as we say:
To shoot sparrows with cannons (or was it Canons, can't remember....

)

Anyway, if you do it, have a close look at this washer which some found left over on the K-S2 but as I have shown here:
https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/184-pentax-k-s1-k-s2/399162-manual-solen...ml#post5050414
There was no washer with this K-S2. Strange!

Isn't that washer over the mic input hole? I don't think I had any parts left over on the K-S2, but I did have the lower screen hinge slip off and during reassembly I couldn't figure out where it came from...for a while. I've seen other ask the same question about that part. Once you realize what it is, it's easy to put back together.

**photogem** · 08-02-2020, 10:39 AM

Originally posted by tonyzoc

Isn't that washer over the mic input hole? I don't think I had any parts left over on the K-S2, but I did have the lower screen hinge slip off and during reassembly I couldn't figure out where it came from...for a while. I've seen other ask the same question about that part. Once you realize what it is, it's easy to put back together.

There is for sure this black washer over the microphone input (which I mention in my tutorial).
If it is a white K-S2, the washer is white.
I also know about this part for the lower screen hinge, it can come off.

But this copper-washer (brass-coloured from another person), no idea, it wasn't there on this K-S2 I repaired nor on the others in past times.

**tonyzoc** · 08-05-2020, 04:34 PM

Well my K-70 is no longer usable (except with lenses with aperture rings). Every picture I tried to shoot was black. Even firing of 15-20 frames didn't fix it. I order the white solenoid and I'm replacing it myself and, assuming I'm successful, selling this POS. I'm either going to get a KP when the new APC-S flagship comes out (assuming a drop in KP prices) or I'll get a K-3ii. I'm done with Pentaxes bottom of the line. I'll guess I'll shoot more film the rest of the summer.

08-02-2020, 05:26 AM	#42
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520 Original Poster	Originally posted by tonyzoc I did get a better soldering station...electric with adjustable temp and fine point changeable tips. I tested it and the very tip was able to flow solder. I'm debating whether to try this repair again or just send it out and sell it. After my failure with the K-S2 I'm a little gun-shy. Well... the repair on your K-S2 with the gun was as it is called to crack a nut with a sledgehammer, or as we say: To shoot sparrows with cannons (or was it Canons, can't remember....) Anyway, if you do it, have a close look at this washer which some found left over on the K-S2 but as I have shown here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/184-pentax-k-s1-k-s2/399162-manual-solen...ml#post5050414 There was no washer with this K-S2. Strange!

08-02-2020, 10:09 AM	#43
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 992	Originally posted by photogem Well... the repair on your K-S2 with the gun was as it is called to crack a nut with a sledgehammer, or as we say: To shoot sparrows with cannons (or was it Canons, can't remember....) Anyway, if you do it, have a close look at this washer which some found left over on the K-S2 but as I have shown here: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/184-pentax-k-s1-k-s2/399162-manual-solen...ml#post5050414 There was no washer with this K-S2. Strange! Isn't that washer over the mic input hole? I don't think I had any parts left over on the K-S2, but I did have the lower screen hinge slip off and during reassembly I couldn't figure out where it came from...for a while. I've seen other ask the same question about that part. Once you realize what it is, it's easy to put back together.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Manual solenoid replacement Pentax K30 / Discharge flash-condenser / Solenoid choice	photogem	Pentax K-30 & K-50	204	03-20-2024 01:14 AM
Manual: Solenoid Replacment Pentax K-30/50/500 + Discharge of flash-condenser	photogem	Do-It-Yourself	23	08-26-2022 06:22 AM
K-30 Aperture Solenoid Fix	peteedee	Pentax K-30 & K-50	31	09-21-2019 06:41 PM
Genuine Aperture Solenoid Plunger Part K-30 K-50 K-S1/S2 K-500	jhaji	Repairs and Warranty Service	2	04-24-2019 03:40 PM

05-30-2020, 08:16 AM	#31
Stefan Jr Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 338	Is there any news that Pentax finally solved the issue with K-70? Got a good deal for a new one - but black exposures is a dealbreaker for me.

05-30-2020, 07:58 PM - 1 Like	#32
MarkJerling Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: May 2012 Location: Wairarapa, New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 20,405	Originally posted by Stefan Jr Is there any news that Pentax finally solved the issue with K-70? Got a good deal for a new one - but black exposures is a dealbreaker for me. No-one knows. Evidence seems to suggest that far fewer K-70 cameras fail than K-30 and K-50 cameras, but it could be because they're newer and not because the part has been modified.

05-31-2020, 04:16 AM - 1 Like	#33
Stefan Jr Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Sweden Posts: 338	Originally posted by MarkJerling No-one knows. Evidence seems to suggest that far fewer K-70 cameras fail than K-30 and K-50 cameras, but it could be because they're newer and not because the part has been modified. OK - as I feared then. Thx for the answer!

05-31-2020, 05:35 AM	#34
kypfer Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Jersey C.I. Posts: 3,592	My K-70, doubtless like the vast majority of others, is totally problem-free after 18 months and 23K+ exposures. There'll be the odd one or two examples of any production run by any manufacturer that fail, for whatever reason. If I allowed statistics like that to worry me I'd still be using film with a separate selenium light meter ... the Spotmatic is in the cupboard, so's the Weston 'meter

06-27-2020, 01:16 AM	#35
Tord Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Gothenburg, aka Göteborg Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 233	Seems the eBay seller still sells them!

06-27-2020, 04:29 AM	#36
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520 Original Poster	Originally posted by Tord Seems the eBay seller still sells them! ??? Do you mean the solenoid?

07-16-2020, 06:48 AM	#37
riverrock New Member Join Date: Sep 2019 Posts: 5	Well I'm getting my K70 back from the UK Service Center (John Pye) with a replaced solenoid. They wouldn't cover it under warranty: I bought it via an international seller who provided a 1 year warranty only and it failed a little more than a year after I got it. Just hope that it never fails again!

07-16-2020, 09:41 AM	#38
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520 Original Poster	Let Steve Brot know, he still doesn't want to believe it is the solenoid: K-70 Underexposed Photo Reports - Page 8 - PentaxForums.com

08-01-2020, 05:07 PM	#39
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 992	My K-70, which I purchased used last year with only 96 shutter actuations, is developing the dreaded aperture failure issue. My K-S2 had the same issue so I'm well aware of the symptoms. It's just starting. First image is dark and if the camera sits for a few hours the first image is dark again. Examples below. After I send this out for repair I'll sell it as soon as I get it back and buy a K-3ii or KP. They clearly (IMO) have not solved this issue and I would avoid this camera, or any using this mechanism, like the plague in the future. You know I've got a K2000 I bought in 2009 and it has never failed me. I'm very disappointed in Pentax.

08-02-2020, 04:45 AM	#40
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520 Original Poster	This is of course disappointing, my own K-70 developed this problem as well. But you know how to repair it, just this time use the prober soldering-iron with a pencil-tip. It is more or less the same work as with the K-S2, maybe you dare one more time and do it right. I am sure you have ability for it, you do other work which is actually more complicated. Just don't use a soldering-gun with gas anymore!

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

08-02-2020, 05:11 AM	#41
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 992	Originally posted by photogem This is of course disappointing, my own K-70 developed this problem as well. But you know how to repair it, just this time use the prober soldering-iron with a pencil-tip. It is more or less the same work as with the K-S2, maybe you dare one more time and do it right. I am sure you have ability for it, you do other work which is actually more complicated. Just don't use a soldering-gun with gas anymore! I did get a better soldering station...electric with adjustable temp and fine point changeable tips. I tested it and the very tip was able to flow solder. I'm debating whether to try this repair again or just send it out and sell it. After my failure with the K-S2 I'm a little gun-shy.

08-02-2020, 10:39 AM	#44
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,520 Original Poster	Originally posted by tonyzoc Isn't that washer over the mic input hole? I don't think I had any parts left over on the K-S2, but I did have the lower screen hinge slip off and during reassembly I couldn't figure out where it came from...for a while. I've seen other ask the same question about that part. Once you realize what it is, it's easy to put back together. There is for sure this black washer over the microphone input (which I mention in my tutorial). If it is a white K-S2, the washer is white. I also know about this part for the lower screen hinge, it can come off. But this copper-washer (brass-coloured from another person), no idea, it wasn't there on this K-S2 I repaired nor on the others in past times.

08-05-2020, 04:34 PM	#45
tonyzoc Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2018 Posts: 992	Well my K-70 is no longer usable (except with lenses with aperture rings). Every picture I tried to shoot was black. Even firing of 15-20 frames didn't fix it. I order the white solenoid and I'm replacing it myself and, assuming I'm successful, selling this POS. I'm either going to get a KP when the new APC-S flagship comes out (assuming a drop in KP prices) or I'll get a K-3ii. I'm done with Pentaxes bottom of the line. I'll guess I'll shoot more film the rest of the summer.