[Imperimus]

Hi All,

Been following the forum for a while and found lots of useful information. Unfortunately my first post is one due to a problem I am encountering with my camera .

For a couple months now when I turn my camera on it struggles to get the exposure correct. To start with often switch to LV would allow me to take a correctly exposed picture but now even that often doesn't work straight away. Normally after taking a few pictures, switching on and off, turn the exposure to +5 and back it will kick into gear and start working, and then is normally fine until the camera gets switched off fully and left for a bit. It seems to be an issue with auto lenses as the Pentax-M 50mm 1.7 works straight away, but get the problem with the stock 18-55, Sigma 17-70, 70-300 and 150-500. I have taken the following steps:

Cleaned contacts; lens and camera
Upgraded Firmware
Factory Reset Settings via menu
Set different metering modes and AF options

Camera has just over 22k actuations and camera stored in house at room temperature when not in use.

Any suggestions or do you think it needs to go to a specialist?

I am based South West UK.

Thanks in advance.

Mark

[Cerebum]

Uh oh! Looks like the dreaded aperture block failure. If you are handy with a soldering iron there are guides on here. If not, try Asahi Pentax in London or look on the Ricoh website for the approved repairer. I had a K30 fixed and fully serviced for just over £200 but the aperture block alone should be £150ish. Its a pain but it isn't terminal, unlike issues with other brands. Like you have discovered this will work with manual lenses so you could put the repair cost towards a K1 it is worth fixing though because it is a nice camera

[UncleVanya]

I would suggest a little more testing, but it does sound like an aperture solenoid problem.

Tutorial/Repair Pentax K-70 with aperture-problem: Exchange solenoid - PentaxForums.com

[marcusBMG]

I have extra white solenoids, and if necessary I would be happy to help you out with the repair. But study the threads first to confirm.

[eugene68]

I have the same issue with my K-70 camera, dark-black images. I did the troubleshooting to verify the issue with aperture. It is off the warranty amd Ricoh does not want to admit that it is a design flaw. What are my options to get it fixed?

[UncleVanya]

I have the same issue with my K-70 camera, dark-black images. I did the troubleshooting to verify the issue with aperture. It is off the warranty amd Ricoh does not want to admit that it is a design flaw. What are my options to get it fixed?

See post number 3. That’s the diy option.

[eugene68]

See post number 3. That’s the diy option.

I would consider the repair. Meanwhile I tried to get Pentax to repair it, they refuse so far. I will escalate this issue and I will see. I am not sure I can join the class action suit in US since I am in Canada.
I used camera till covid times, and since I was not in any vacations. So my count is only 3,110 or so. It is ridiculous to sell something so expensive with such a design flaw and then to refuse recall/repair.

[Ernie C.]

Or you can get a 50 dollar white solenoid and hand the camera, solenoid and forum member Photogem's repair manual to anyone that fixes electrical stuff and have it fixed properly. Even if Pentax will fix it for you, you still get another green solenoid.
I would save myself the anger en stress involved in escalation.

I also think this should not happen but because it's only real issue with the K70 and it can be fixed easy and cheap, i still consider the K70 one of the best budget camera's around.

[jeallen01]

Uh oh! Looks like the dreaded aperture block failure. If you are handy with a soldering iron there are guides on here. If not, try Asahi Pentax in London or look on the Ricoh website for the approved repairer. I had a K30 fixed and fully serviced for just over £200 but the aperture block alone should be £150ish. Its a pain but it isn't terminal, unlike issues with other brands. Like you have discovered this will work with manual lenses so you could put the repair cost towards a K1 it is worth fixing though because it is a nice camera

Not "Asahi Pentax" but "Asahi Photo" in Brentford, which replaced the original solenoid (which hadn't failed!) last year for £170, although I supplied them with a "white solenoid" - otherwise I think they use the depricated "filing" method if you don't!

Use the contact link on the website, but I have the phone number if you need it!

[Imperimus]

Thank you everyone for your responses, really helpful. Now I know what I am looking at I can find lots of useful info. Repair doesn't seem too complicated so I will have a think about whether I want to attempt it; bit more expensive than a £2 Arduino if it goes wrong

[reh321]

I would consider the repair. Meanwhile I tried to get Pentax to repair it, they refuse so far. I will escalate this issue and I will see. I am not sure I can join the class action suit in US since I am in Canada.
I used camera till covid times, and since I was not in any vacations. So my count is only 3,110 or so. It is ridiculous to sell something so expensive with such a design flaw and then to refuse recall/repair.

This is not a ‘design flaw’ - Pentax has tried to “fix” it, but the solution to avoid it seems to have involved purchasing a KP instead; since they ended the KP, I believe that the K-70 sold better, possibly because it was so incredibly inexpensive. Incidentally, occurrence of this ‘event’ seems to be more dependent on calendar time than upon shutter count. My second Canon Rebel died completely with a shutter count of about 900 - I continue to use my K-30 with Takumars, while my Rebel was good for nothing beside the town dump.

[UncleVanya]

This is not a ‘design flaw’ - Pentax has tried to “fix” it, but the solution to avoid it seems to have involved purchasing a KP instead; since they ended the KP, I believe that the K-70 sold better, possibly because it was so incredibly inexpensive. Incidentally, occurrence of this ‘event’ seems to be more dependent on calendar time than upon shutter count. My second Canon Rebel died completely with a shutter count of about 900 - I continue to use my K-30 with Takumars, while my Rebel was good for nothing beside the town dump.

Clearly it is a design issue. It is unclear if the flaw is large or small in statistical terms. It is annoying that it has persisted through 3 bodies - but the fix isn’t awful and it doesn’t make the camera totally unworthy of ownership. I hate that it is a looming concern given all the negative press on DSLR’s it makes for a harder sell of what should be a simple valuation decision.

[Cerebum]

Not "Asahi Pentax" but "Asahi Photo" in Brentford, which replaced the original solenoid (which hadn't failed!) last year for £170, although I supplied them with a "white solenoid" - otherwise I think they use the depricated "filing" method if you don't!

Use the contact link on the website, but I have the phone number if you need it!

That's the bunny thanks are they good? I am about to send my MX off to them for a cla

---------- Post added 03-01-22 at 03:50 PM ----------

Clearly it is a design issue. It is unclear if the flaw is large or small in statistical terms. It is annoying that it has persisted through 3 bodies - but the fix isn’t awful and it doesn’t make the camera totally unworthy of ownership. I hate that it is a looming concern given all the negative press on DSLR’s it makes for a harder sell of what should be a simple valuation decision.

Three, isn't it six? K500/30/50/70 K-s1/K-s2. I love Pentax. For the most part they are superbly built but not fixing the solenoid was a massive faux pas

Pentax Aperture Block Failure Survey Results - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

[UncleVanya]

That's the bunny thanks are they good? I am about to send my MX off to them for a cla

---------- Post added 03-01-22 at 03:50 PM ----------



Three, isn't it six? K500/30/50/70 K-s1/K-s2. I love Pentax. For the most part they are superbly built but not fixing the solenoid was a massive faux pas

Pentax Aperture Block Failure Survey Results - Articles and Tips | PentaxForums.com

I forgot the k-500 and the two KS models. Whoops.

[Cerebum]

I forgot the k-500 and the two KS models. Whoops.

Lol
To be honest, i would take a punt on any of them as 60% in the 2016 survey were fine. Also, they are great cameras and the cost of the fix doesn't break the bank. Thankfully, as we both have luvverly KPs, it isn't something we need to worry about