Recommedations and opinions on K-500 with aperture block problem.

**Skodadriver** · 10-30-2019, 08:13 AM

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Originally posted by photogem

Shipping costs are pretty expensive from UK to USA.

And it is true, no batteries are allowed, could be that on customs they check and send it back or whatever.

It was a bad idea to buy it from USA just due to the fact that if problems arise, one can't do much or it is pretty expensive.

For $ 40 you can buy the white solenoid and built it in yourself.

Read the manual I wrote , it is straight forward.

And then get this amount back from the seller.

This is how a Solenoid-hungry: K500 sells for in the USA

If you got it with a DA-L 55-300 lens, this sells cheap as well.

If you can find an *ist, K100D or similar you might find the solenoid cheap

Thank you but there is no way I am going to try and fix it, I managed to junk my 80-320mm lens trying to clean it inside and that has scarred me and acknowledges my D-I-Y skill level as very very poor.

---------- Post added 10-30-19 at 08:15 AM ----------

---------- Post added 10-30-19 at 08:17 AM ----------

Thank you all again, the seller and I have agreed an equitable £50 refund and I may retain the body and use it specifically for manual lens use.
Maybe I will sell it on at a later date.

**microlight** · 10-31-2019, 01:26 AM

Good result!

Vmax911 · 10-31-2019, 07:00 AM

Glad you came to a resolution. You can always try a DIY fix at a later date if you feel so inclined.

Not a Number · 10-31-2019, 11:32 AM

Too bad you are in England. Ricoh in Western and Northern Europe does not want to acknowledge the problem. In Australia it appears Ricoh will cover the repair if the camera was bought from an authorized dealer (even used). The same (not used though) with US Ricoh but it takes a some communicating with Ricoh and inspection first.

**Skodadriver** · 12-31-2019, 09:23 AM - **1 Like**

Update on my aperture block problem.
Following one of the tips I had been given or found......
I tried purchasing a cheap AA battery holder from China, it arrived today and after fitting new Lithium AA batteries and firing off a string of rapid shots.
RESULT!
The aperture problem has been fixed...….OK I am aware the fix is likely to be temporary but it may last some time at least.

ps I had already tried this with a freshly charged Lithium battery but perhaps the extra voltage of the AA's did the trick.

Lhorn · 12-31-2019, 12:17 PM - **2 Likes**

Great news. Hope it keeps working for you.

12-31-2019, 09:23 AM - 1 Like	#20
Skodadriver Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 892 Original Poster	Update on my aperture block problem. Following one of the tips I had been given or found...... I tried purchasing a cheap AA battery holder from China, it arrived today and after fitting new Lithium AA batteries and firing off a string of rapid shots. RESULT! The aperture problem has been fixed...….OK I am aware the fix is likely to be temporary but it may last some time at least. ps I had already tried this with a freshly charged Lithium battery but perhaps the extra voltage of the AA's did the trick. Last edited by Skodadriver; 12-31-2019 at 09:24 AM. Reason: added a ps.

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10-30-2019, 08:13 AM	#16
Skodadriver Site Supporter Join Date: May 2015 Location: Hampshire Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 892 Original Poster	Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Originally posted by photogem Shipping costs are pretty expensive from UK to USA. And it is true, no batteries are allowed, could be that on customs they check and send it back or whatever. It was a bad idea to buy it from USA just due to the fact that if problems arise, one can't do much or it is pretty expensive. For $ 40 you can buy the white solenoid and built it in yourself. Read the manual I wrote , it is straight forward. And then get this amount back from the seller. This is how a Solenoid-hungry: K500 sells for in the USA If you got it with a DA-L 55-300 lens, this sells cheap as well. If you can find an *ist, K100D or similar you might find the solenoid cheap Thank you but there is no way I am going to try and fix it, I managed to junk my 80-320mm lens trying to clean it inside and that has scarred me and acknowledges my D-I-Y skill level as very very poor. ---------- Post added 10-30-19 at 08:15 AM ---------- ---------- Post added 10-30-19 at 08:17 AM ---------- Thank you all again, the seller and I have agreed an equitable £50 refund and I may retain the body and use it specifically for manual lens use. Maybe I will sell it on at a later date.

10-31-2019, 01:26 AM	#17
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	Good result!

10-31-2019, 07:00 AM	#18
Vmax911 Pentaxian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ABQ Photos: Gallery Posts: 826	Glad you came to a resolution. You can always try a DIY fix at a later date if you feel so inclined.

10-31-2019, 11:32 AM	#19
Not a Number Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Venice, CA Posts: 10,526	Too bad you are in England. Ricoh in Western and Northern Europe does not want to acknowledge the problem. In Australia it appears Ricoh will cover the repair if the camera was bought from an authorized dealer (even used). The same (not used though) with US Ricoh but it takes a some communicating with Ricoh and inspection first.

12-31-2019, 12:17 PM - 2 Likes	#21
Lhorn Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 554	Great news. Hope it keeps working for you.