[Nass]

Can anyone reccomend me a suitably qualified repair company that can sort out a little issue I have, namely a lens stuck on a Pentax Auto Bellows K unit that was recently sold to me on eBay. I'm looking for a company that has experience at this and carries obscure spare parts.

I bought it for its independently movable lens and camera attachments but it turns out that the lever which is used to release the lens doesn't work. So I cannot release the lens. The lever looks like it's been subject to a fall because it's bent at 90 degrees to the position it should be. This is the obscure 60 year old part that, once the lens has been removed, needs removing and replacing.

Curious, does anyone know what the consumer's position is when something that is described as in good condition etc actually has a fault that causes the consumer to have to pay out extra to have both that fault rectified and to have the effects of that fault rectified? This seller carries other Pentax stuff so my guess is they didn't actually test the unit with an actual lens.

Many thanks

[Stone G.]

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Curious, does anyone know what the consumer's position is when something that is described as in good condition etc actually has a fault that causes the consumer to have to pay out extra to have both that fault rectified and to have the effects of that fault rectified? This seller carries other Pentax stuff so my guess is they didn't actually test the unit with an actual lens.

Many thanks

On ebay/Paypal you, as a consumer, are reasonably well protected when it comes to refund for goods sold that are not as decribed.

But when it comes to consequential damages I don't think you have much of a chance. From what I have heard and read you would most likely even have to pay the return postage yourself. (Take a look at the Community/Questions pages on ebay).

Would be interested to hear others' experiences too as I have to buy a good deal of my Pentax stuff via ebay....

[TomB_tx]

I don't have a Bellows K, but did just get a mint Bellows A, and if the K is made like this you may be able to get the lens off.
First, is the lens release tab like the one in the lower right of this picture?

If so, does your bellows also have the round knob on the side like above? Unscrew that knob and the bellows will slide back from the lens flange, so you can see inside the mount from the rear. In this picture, the yellow line points to a leaf spring that forms the lens release mechanism. Depending on the lens you mounted, you may be able to see it like this:

I was able to insert a flat blade (or tiny screwdiver) and pull this leaf-spring back so the lens would release. Of course, as soon as the lens turns it hits the tool, but by then you can remove the tool and the lens is free.
I hope your K bellows is made like this one.

[Nass]

Very kind, thank you. I'll have a look when I get home

[TomB_tx]

Actually - re-reading your post there may be nothing wrong with the Bellows. If you are used to the releases on the cameras, the bellows release does look backwards in comparison. It is realy just a cheap, flat spring that forms the release, and the end sticking out has a button fastened on "backwards" from what you expect. Here's a closeup of the undamaged release in the locked position:

Notice the flat spring coming out of the body is to the front (lens side) of the slot. To release it you have to push it to the back, away from the lens, so you push on the edge of the button, not the round face.
If it is deformed you could probably release the lens by using a small screwdriver between the button and flange to push it to the back of the slot, as shown here:

[Nass]

The one I have is bent more than that... have tried what you've pointed out about a billion times, thanks though

[TomB_tx]

OK - then if the Bellows K is built like the Bellows A - try removing the latch cover. On the front beside the lens mount under the latch area is a small phillips-head scew:

Remove it, and the latch cover comes off. Press the flat latch spring in the area of the red circle and it will release the lens: