K30 Clicking Black / Very underexposed images but runs ok with Manual Lens

Avishekm1983 · 04-15-2016, 08:41 PM

I have a problem with my K30 Camera.

I was not using for more than 3 months. When I clicked a few images indoor in night yesterday, it all appeared black. I checked the exposure, shutter speed, iso and all was good.

Then I tried to overexpose the shot by making a long shuttered shot, and that image came very dark, underexposed although on screen meter reading was +5.

Then I changed my kit lens and attached a Manual lens that i bought from ebay. To my surprise, K30 is clicking perfect exposed shots with no issue.

I rubbed the metallic contacts of Camera and lens and then again attached the automatic lens - and again I am clicking black / very dark images.

Can you please help me or suggest.

Auzzie-Phoenix · 04-15-2016, 08:44 PM

Sounds like aperture block failure. Easy way to test is to put a lens with "A" setting on aperture ring on camera... fire a shot in "A" at a specific aperture set in camera, then take a picture set at the same aperture manually on the aperture ring. If the "A" test shot is dark, and the manual aperture one isn't, it's time to send it in for repair.

Avishekm1983 · 04-15-2016, 08:57 PM

Originally posted by Auzzie-Phoenix

to put a lens with "A" setting on aperture ring on camera... fire a shot in "A" at a specific aperture set in camera, then take a picture set at the same aperture manually on the aperture ring

Auzzie-Phoenix - Thanks, but I do not understand what you are asking me to do..

yusuf · 04-15-2016, 09:46 PM

Clean lens and camera contacts and see if it helps. Looks like camera is not able to set the aperture.

AldaCZ · 04-16-2016, 02:27 AM - **1 Like**

try to set if co continuous-hi and then let lis shoot some blanks shots. I have fixed my K30 this way but I'm afraid the aperture servo will fail so I'm taking a lens with the ring (m50 1,7/) as a backup

Avishekm1983 · 04-17-2016, 09:17 PM

Originally posted by AldaCZ

try to set if co continuous-hi and then let lis shoot some blanks shots

It worked.. after around 15 shots, K30 is now clicking decent pics with AF lens as well.

Thanks a lot for the help.

JHHT · 04-01-2017, 06:25 AM

I have this same problem. When it first happened several weeks ago I tried the solution suggested above which seemed to work but it happened again. Today it happened for the third time but after shooting a lot of frames - seemed like hundreds but I'm sure it wasn't that many - It is still not working. I have also updated the firmware version but that doesn't help.

Any other suggestions please?

AldaCZ · 04-01-2017, 07:05 AM

AA Adapter?

**sergysergy** · 04-01-2017, 07:33 AM

Apparently it is a common issue with K500, K30 and K50.
Getting an adapter seems to work for some people: Pentax k 500 aperture block failure resolved! - PentaxForums.com

JHHT · 04-01-2017, 08:26 AM

Many thanks. An adapter at £9.99 is worth a try and even if it doesn't solve the problem it will be a useful emergency back up for my K3.

I'll report back when I have tried it.

**iheiramo** · 04-01-2017, 02:46 PM

It's a solenoid issue in the camera. This is quite good photo of the solenoid in question:

The problem and how to fix it is discussed at length in the tread linked below (photo above is linked from that thread). Apparently spare parts can be found in older models and some CD-ROM drives.

K-30 / K-50 Aperture Block Failue - Repair Solution available - Page 31 - PentaxForums.com

Personally I haven't tried to fix my K-30 so far. I've been happy shooting manual lenses.

JHHT · 04-05-2017, 04:03 AM

The adapter arrived and the K30 is working again which is a relief. Must confess that I don't understand why that makes a difference but I'm very pleased that it does.

Thank you.

ekip · 04-05-2017, 02:44 PM

Originally posted by JHHT

The adapter arrived and the K30 is working again which is a relief. Must confess that I don't understand why that makes a difference but I'm very pleased that it does.

Thank you.

Which type/brand of batteries did you use?

JHHT · 04-06-2017, 11:01 AM

Standard Duracell AA batteries.

04-15-2016, 08:41 PM	#1
Avishekm1983 New Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 14	K30 Clicking Black / Very underexposed images but runs ok with Manual Lens I have a problem with my K30 Camera. I was not using for more than 3 months. When I clicked a few images indoor in night yesterday, it all appeared black. I checked the exposure, shutter speed, iso and all was good. Then I tried to overexpose the shot by making a long shuttered shot, and that image came very dark, underexposed although on screen meter reading was +5. Then I changed my kit lens and attached a Manual lens that i bought from ebay. To my surprise, K30 is clicking perfect exposed shots with no issue. I rubbed the metallic contacts of Camera and lens and then again attached the automatic lens - and again I am clicking black / very dark images. Can you please help me or suggest.

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04-15-2016, 08:44 PM	#2
Auzzie-Phoenix Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,020	Sounds like aperture block failure. Easy way to test is to put a lens with "A" setting on aperture ring on camera... fire a shot in "A" at a specific aperture set in camera, then take a picture set at the same aperture manually on the aperture ring. If the "A" test shot is dark, and the manual aperture one isn't, it's time to send it in for repair.

04-15-2016, 08:57 PM	#3
Avishekm1983 New Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 Original Poster	Originally posted by Auzzie-Phoenix to put a lens with "A" setting on aperture ring on camera... fire a shot in "A" at a specific aperture set in camera, then take a picture set at the same aperture manually on the aperture ring Auzzie-Phoenix - Thanks, but I do not understand what you are asking me to do..

04-15-2016, 09:46 PM	#4
yusuf Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Palo Alto, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,497	Clean lens and camera contacts and see if it helps. Looks like camera is not able to set the aperture.

04-16-2016, 02:27 AM - 1 Like	#5
AldaCZ Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: North Bohemia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,251	try to set if co continuous-hi and then let lis shoot some blanks shots. I have fixed my K30 this way but I'm afraid the aperture servo will fail so I'm taking a lens with the ring (m50 1,7/) as a backup

04-17-2016, 09:17 PM	#6
Avishekm1983 New Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 14 Original Poster	Originally posted by AldaCZ try to set if co continuous-hi and then let lis shoot some blanks shots It worked.. after around 15 shots, K30 is now clicking decent pics with AF lens as well. Thanks a lot for the help.

04-01-2017, 06:25 AM	#7
JHHT Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 38	I have this same problem. When it first happened several weeks ago I tried the solution suggested above which seemed to work but it happened again. Today it happened for the third time but after shooting a lot of frames - seemed like hundreds but I'm sure it wasn't that many - It is still not working. I have also updated the firmware version but that doesn't help. Any other suggestions please?

04-01-2017, 07:05 AM	#8
AldaCZ Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: North Bohemia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,251	AA Adapter?

04-01-2017, 07:33 AM	#9
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,175	Apparently it is a common issue with K500, K30 and K50. Getting an adapter seems to work for some people: Pentax k 500 aperture block failure resolved! - PentaxForums.com

04-01-2017, 08:26 AM	#10
JHHT Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 38	Many thanks. An adapter at £9.99 is worth a try and even if it doesn't solve the problem it will be a useful emergency back up for my K3. I'll report back when I have tried it.

04-01-2017, 02:46 PM	#11
iheiramo Unoriginal Poster Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Espoo Photos: Albums Posts: 3,182	It's a solenoid issue in the camera. This is quite good photo of the solenoid in question: The problem and how to fix it is discussed at length in the tread linked below (photo above is linked from that thread). Apparently spare parts can be found in older models and some CD-ROM drives. K-30 / K-50 Aperture Block Failue - Repair Solution available - Page 31 - PentaxForums.com Personally I haven't tried to fix my K-30 so far. I've been happy shooting manual lenses.

04-05-2017, 04:03 AM	#12
JHHT Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 38	The adapter arrived and the K30 is working again which is a relief. Must confess that I don't understand why that makes a difference but I'm very pleased that it does. Thank you.

04-05-2017, 02:44 PM	#13
ekip Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 68	Originally posted by JHHT The adapter arrived and the K30 is working again which is a relief. Must confess that I don't understand why that makes a difference but I'm very pleased that it does. Thank you. Which type/brand of batteries did you use?

04-06-2017, 11:01 AM	#14
JHHT Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Posts: 38	Standard Duracell AA batteries.