All pictures are dark since I took picture directly into the sun

SidecarDan · 11-17-2020, 09:34 PM

I found a place in Vancouver that does camera repairs so I took it to them, I got it back within the week.
Vancam Services did the job, so far so good. As soon as I have some time and the rain stops I will get out and try and learn more about this camera and see if I can improve my picture quality.
Thanks everyone for the help.
Regards, Dan

**photogem** · 11-18-2020, 12:14 AM

Do you know what they did?
How much did they charge?

**Cerebum** · 11-18-2020, 02:21 AM

Originally posted by SidecarDan

I found a place in Vancouver that does camera repairs so I took it to them, I got it back within the week.
Vancam Services did the job, so far so good. As soon as I have some time and the rain stops I will get out and try and learn more about this camera and see if I can improve my picture quality.
Thanks everyone for the help.
Regards, Dan

You did the right thing. Repairing it yourself is risky, especially if you are a klutz like me

So, you want to get to know your camera! Here are a couple of suggestions. You are a film shooter, so how about getting some film era primes and go old school (have you got some in your cupboard?). You can use any K mount lens on your camera so maybe try to grab a Pentax-M 50mm f2. It is a solid performer and is cheap. There are loads of old K mount lenses, the secret is to google "[lens name] review pentax" and that will give you the Pentax forums review. There are hundreds of them

The Pentax-M are fully manual. You will also see ones with an A on the aperture ring. Setting it to this means you can control aperture in body. You could also look at M42 mount lenses. These require an adapter. Have a look at the genuine Pentax one so you know what you are looking for. Don't buy the cheap ones! They sometimes get stuck and you have to take the camera apart. I have a pixco and its great and half the price of the Pentax one. There will be suggestions on here, just search

M42 is a whole new voyage of discovery

(check out Simon's utak on YouTube). Suggestion 2 is to join one of the challenges where you commit to producing an image per day. In The daily in you can use any lens/camera combo, in the single in you choose one lens for the month. It can be any make so long as it is on a Pentax camera. The guys on there are happy to give feedback and guidance, just let us know on the way in

Any questions, just ask! Like I keep saying, this is the best community, and not just in the world of photography, and we have some genuine experts who are happy to help.

SidecarDan · 11-20-2020, 04:26 AM

Originally posted by photogem

Do you know what they did?
How much did they charge?

camera repair.jpg

---------- Post added 11-20-20 at 05:29 AM ----------

Originally posted by Cerebum

You did the right thing. Repairing it yourself is risky, especially if you are a klutz like me

So, you want to get to know your camera! Here are a couple of suggestions. You are a film shooter, so how about getting some film era primes and go old school (have you got some in your cupboard?). You can use any K mount lens on your camera so maybe try to grab a Pentax-M 50mm f2. It is a solid performer and is cheap. There are loads of old K mount lenses, the secret is to google "[lens name] review pentax" and that will give you the Pentax forums review. There are hundreds of them

The Pentax-M are fully manual. You will also see ones with an A on the aperture ring. Setting it to this means you can control aperture in body. You could also look at M42 mount lenses. These require an adapter. Have a look at the genuine Pentax one so you know what you are looking for. Don't buy the cheap ones! They sometimes get stuck and you have to take the camera apart. I have a pixco and its great and half the price of the Pentax one. There will be suggestions on here, just search

M42 is a whole new voyage of discovery

(check out Simon's utak on YouTube). Suggestion 2 is to join one of the challenges where you commit to producing an image per day. In The daily in you can use any lens/camera combo, in the single in you choose one lens for the month. It can be any make so long as it is on a Pentax camera. The guys on there are happy to give feedback and guidance, just let us know on the way in

Any questions, just ask! Like I keep saying, this is the best community, and not just in the world of photography, and we have some genuine experts who are happy to help.

I will poke around and see what I may have hidden away. Thanks for the suggestion, it may help a techno-tard figure out a few things.

Attached Images

**Cerebum** · 11-20-2020, 05:00 AM

Originally posted by SidecarDan

camera repair.jpg

---------- Post added 11-20-20 at 05:29 AM ----------

I will poke around and see what I may have hidden away. Thanks for the suggestion, it may help a techno-tard figure out a few things.

Don't forget, you don't have to learn everything yesterday and if you have shot film you will already get exposure, your K70 adds image stabilization, focus peaking, high iso handling etc etc to your film era style shooting

**photogem** · 11-20-2020, 06:07 AM

Originally posted by SidecarDan

camera repair.jpg

So what they say they did:

1.Repair mechanism plate
2.Repair mirror operation
3.Clean magnets

4.CLEAN SOLENOID

I am very wary when I read such "statements/claims".

1. Mechanism-plate: There is the diaphragm-control-block on which we find the solenoid.
O.k., one could say if

#3 and #4 are done which is actually the same, then one could kind off say, that the mechanism plate was repaired.
But it is a lot of nonsense!

2.Repair mirror operation
Big big daubt! This was not faulty and if, it would be a major repair. Hours of work!

So all they did was actually "clean the solenoid and its magnet!"

Well, if that is true, in 99,9% the mistake will reappear!

So I guess that actually they also filed/sanded the plunger of the solenoid because otherwise you would for sure have the same fault happening very quickly again!
Few days at the most!

3.Clean magnets: A stupid thing to do!

a) there is only 1 magnet and cleaning it won't do anything. It won't get dirty.
But even if it would, it would even be slightly positive, because its holding-force is too strong,
one of the main reasons the problem occurs!

b) there are 2 coils/field-coils which act as electro-magnets: Cleaning those would be as much sheer stupidity!
They don't get dirty either, but even if they would, it would not stop them from working.

4.CLEAN SOLENOID: Same as #3!

Next time .... which I hope for you won't happen .... but if, then re-think:

Originally posted by SidecarDan

Thanks very much for the assistance, any suggestions as to where I could get one of these, or a part number so I could try and track one down and attempt the repair myself? I do enjoy a puzzle and upgrading to a better part is preferable.

and don't be put off by:

Originally posted by SidecarDan

That repair thread was very interesting, right up until it said solder.

but learn it!

It is not that difficult.

reh321 · 11-20-2020, 06:45 AM

Originally posted by photogem

So what they say they did:

1.Repair mechanism plate
2.Repair mirror operation
3.Clean magnets

4.CLEAN SOLENOID

I am very wary when I read such "statements/claims".

1. Mechanism-plate: There is the diaphragm-control-block on which we find the solenoid.
O.k., one could say if

#3 and #4 are done which is actually the same, then one could kind off say, that the mechanism plate was repaired.
But it is a lot of nonsense!

2.Repair mirror operation
Big big daubt! This was not faulty and if, it would be a major repair. Hours of work!

So all they did was actually "clean the solenoid and its magnet!"

Well, if that is true, in 99,9% the mistake will reappear!

So I guess that actually they also filed/sanded the plunger of the solenoid because otherwise you would for sure have the same fault happening very quickly again!
Few days at the most!

3.Clean magnets: A stupid thing to do!

a) there is only 1 magnet and cleaning it won't do anything. It won't get dirty.
But even if it would, it would even be slightly positive, because its holding-force is too strong,
one of the main reasons the problem occurs!

b) there are 2 coils/field-coils which act as electro-magnets: Cleaning those would be as much sheer stupidity!
They don't get dirty either, but even if they would, it would not stop them from working.

4.CLEAN SOLENOID: Same as #3!

I will agree that this list is very strange when applied to a modern WR camera.
The “clean” parts may be the best way they have of billing labor these days.

The most valuable part may be the “use often” warning at the end, an interesting - but useful - message in light of the fact that modern cameras like a K-70 often sit on the shelf between holidays - maybe even repair people realize that is not good for the cameras which have solenoid controlled aperture control.

Last edited by reh321; 11-20-2020 at 07:47 AM.

stevebrot · 11-20-2020, 01:31 PM

Originally posted by photogem

I am very wary when I read such "statements/claims".

I agree that the problem will likely recur. However, I am very wary of claims made without actually seeing the camera or talking with the tech. I know it is unfashionable to consider what actually moves the aperture actuation coupling (it is not the solenoid), but addressing the mirror mechanism would not be out of order if it were not in proper condition and may have contributed to the problem.

In any case, I doubt they will lower the bill. In my town (the other Vancouver), one pays a minimum of $250 USD to have a shop even open a dSLR. It appears the OP was charged the minimum.

Vancam Service Ltd. (where the camera was taken)

Steve

**Cerebum** · 11-20-2020, 02:10 PM - **1 Like**

I agree with reh321 sometimes you cannot explain what you have done in one or two words. Presumably this is a reputable camera shop and their work is guaranteed, so isn’t it reasonable to assume they have done what they were asked to do. The price is certainly similar to what I paid. I say assume it is fixed, then you can enjoy the camera without overanalysing what may or may not have gone on inside. After all, you have no way of proving anything without getting it dismantled again, and if you then find the work has been done..... assume they did a good job and go out and shoot

**photogem** · 11-21-2020, 12:50 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

I agree that the problem will likely recur. However, I am very wary of claims made without actually seeing the camera or talking with the tech. I know it is unfashionable to consider what actually moves the aperture actuation coupling (it is not the solenoid), but addressing the mirror mechanism would not be out of order if it were not in proper condition and may have contributed to the problem.

As soon as the TO wrote that both his lenses, the DA18-135 and the DA55-300 (not PLM) brought the same difficulties it was to me clear as clear can be, that it is just the solenoid.
For being able to repair the mirror-mechanism you have to "dig" way way deeper.

I explained why I am wary, for sure I cannot know... otherwise I would have used harder words.

But a "dark-imaging" K-S2 is on the way to me, mirror mechanism identical with the K-70.

I shall inspect the mirror-mechanism again in all detail.

11-17-2020, 09:34 PM	#31
SidecarDan New Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 22 Original Poster	Fixed I found a place in Vancouver that does camera repairs so I took it to them, I got it back within the week. Vancam Services did the job, so far so good. As soon as I have some time and the rain stops I will get out and try and learn more about this camera and see if I can improve my picture quality. Thanks everyone for the help. Regards, Dan

11-20-2020, 01:31 PM	#38
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by photogem I am very wary when I read such "statements/claims". I agree that the problem will likely recur. However, I am very wary of claims made without actually seeing the camera or talking with the tech. I know it is unfashionable to consider what actually moves the aperture actuation coupling (it is not the solenoid), but addressing the mirror mechanism would not be out of order if it were not in proper condition and may have contributed to the problem. In any case, I doubt they will lower the bill. In my town (the other Vancouver), one pays a minimum of $250 USD to have a shop even open a dSLR. It appears the OP was charged the minimum. Vancam Service Ltd. (where the camera was taken) Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 11-20-2020 at 01:38 PM.

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11-18-2020, 12:14 AM	#32
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,522	Do you know what they did? How much did they charge?

11-18-2020, 02:21 AM	#33
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,829	Originally posted by SidecarDan I found a place in Vancouver that does camera repairs so I took it to them, I got it back within the week. Vancam Services did the job, so far so good. As soon as I have some time and the rain stops I will get out and try and learn more about this camera and see if I can improve my picture quality. Thanks everyone for the help. Regards, Dan You did the right thing. Repairing it yourself is risky, especially if you are a klutz like me So, you want to get to know your camera! Here are a couple of suggestions. You are a film shooter, so how about getting some film era primes and go old school (have you got some in your cupboard?). You can use any K mount lens on your camera so maybe try to grab a Pentax-M 50mm f2. It is a solid performer and is cheap. There are loads of old K mount lenses, the secret is to google "[lens name] review pentax" and that will give you the Pentax forums review. There are hundreds of them The Pentax-M are fully manual. You will also see ones with an A on the aperture ring. Setting it to this means you can control aperture in body. You could also look at M42 mount lenses. These require an adapter. Have a look at the genuine Pentax one so you know what you are looking for. Don't buy the cheap ones! They sometimes get stuck and you have to take the camera apart. I have a pixco and its great and half the price of the Pentax one. There will be suggestions on here, just search M42 is a whole new voyage of discovery (check out Simon's utak on YouTube). Suggestion 2 is to join one of the challenges where you commit to producing an image per day. In The daily in you can use any lens/camera combo, in the single in you choose one lens for the month. It can be any make so long as it is on a Pentax camera. The guys on there are happy to give feedback and guidance, just let us know on the way in Any questions, just ask! Like I keep saying, this is the best community, and not just in the world of photography, and we have some genuine experts who are happy to help.

11-20-2020, 04:26 AM	#34
SidecarDan New Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Posts: 22 Original Poster	Originally posted by photogem Do you know what they did? How much did they charge? camera repair.jpg ---------- Post added 11-20-20 at 05:29 AM ---------- Originally posted by Cerebum You did the right thing. Repairing it yourself is risky, especially if you are a klutz like me So, you want to get to know your camera! Here are a couple of suggestions. You are a film shooter, so how about getting some film era primes and go old school (have you got some in your cupboard?). You can use any K mount lens on your camera so maybe try to grab a Pentax-M 50mm f2. It is a solid performer and is cheap. There are loads of old K mount lenses, the secret is to google "[lens name] review pentax" and that will give you the Pentax forums review. There are hundreds of them The Pentax-M are fully manual. You will also see ones with an A on the aperture ring. Setting it to this means you can control aperture in body. You could also look at M42 mount lenses. These require an adapter. Have a look at the genuine Pentax one so you know what you are looking for. Don't buy the cheap ones! They sometimes get stuck and you have to take the camera apart. I have a pixco and its great and half the price of the Pentax one. There will be suggestions on here, just search M42 is a whole new voyage of discovery (check out Simon's utak on YouTube). Suggestion 2 is to join one of the challenges where you commit to producing an image per day. In The daily in you can use any lens/camera combo, in the single in you choose one lens for the month. It can be any make so long as it is on a Pentax camera. The guys on there are happy to give feedback and guidance, just let us know on the way in Any questions, just ask! Like I keep saying, this is the best community, and not just in the world of photography, and we have some genuine experts who are happy to help. I will poke around and see what I may have hidden away. Thanks for the suggestion, it may help a techno-tard figure out a few things. Attached Images

11-20-2020, 05:00 AM	#35
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,829	Originally posted by SidecarDan camera repair.jpg ---------- Post added 11-20-20 at 05:29 AM ---------- I will poke around and see what I may have hidden away. Thanks for the suggestion, it may help a techno-tard figure out a few things. Don't forget, you don't have to learn everything yesterday and if you have shot film you will already get exposure, your K70 adds image stabilization, focus peaking, high iso handling etc etc to your film era style shooting

11-20-2020, 06:07 AM	#36
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,522	Originally posted by SidecarDan camera repair.jpg So what they say they did: 1.Repair mechanism plate 2.Repair mirror operation 3.Clean magnets 4.CLEAN SOLENOID I am very wary when I read such "statements/claims". 1. Mechanism-plate: There is the diaphragm-control-block on which we find the solenoid. O.k., one could say if #3 and #4 are done which is actually the same, then one could kind off say, that the mechanism plate was repaired. But it is a lot of nonsense! 2.Repair mirror operation Big big daubt! This was not faulty and if, it would be a major repair. Hours of work! So all they did was actually "clean the solenoid and its magnet!" Well, if that is true, in 99,9% the mistake will reappear! So I guess that actually they also filed/sanded the plunger of the solenoid because otherwise you would for sure have the same fault happening very quickly again! Few days at the most! 3.Clean magnets: A stupid thing to do! a) there is only 1 magnet and cleaning it won't do anything. It won't get dirty. But even if it would, it would even be slightly positive, because its holding-force is too strong, one of the main reasons the problem occurs! b) there are 2 coils/field-coils which act as electro-magnets: Cleaning those would be as much sheer stupidity! They don't get dirty either, but even if they would, it would not stop them from working. 4.CLEAN SOLENOID: Same as #3! Next time .... which I hope for you won't happen .... but if, then re-think: Originally posted by SidecarDan Thanks very much for the assistance, any suggestions as to where I could get one of these, or a part number so I could try and track one down and attempt the repair myself? I do enjoy a puzzle and upgrading to a better part is preferable. and don't be put off by: Originally posted by SidecarDan That repair thread was very interesting, right up until it said solder. but learn it! It is not that difficult.

11-20-2020, 06:45 AM	#37
reh321 Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: South Bend, IN, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,185	Originally posted by photogem So what they say they did: 1.Repair mechanism plate 2.Repair mirror operation 3.Clean magnets 4.CLEAN SOLENOID I am very wary when I read such "statements/claims". 1. Mechanism-plate: There is the diaphragm-control-block on which we find the solenoid. O.k., one could say if #3 and #4 are done which is actually the same, then one could kind off say, that the mechanism plate was repaired. But it is a lot of nonsense! 2.Repair mirror operation Big big daubt! This was not faulty and if, it would be a major repair. Hours of work! So all they did was actually "clean the solenoid and its magnet!" Well, if that is true, in 99,9% the mistake will reappear! So I guess that actually they also filed/sanded the plunger of the solenoid because otherwise you would for sure have the same fault happening very quickly again! Few days at the most! 3.Clean magnets: A stupid thing to do! a) there is only 1 magnet and cleaning it won't do anything. It won't get dirty. But even if it would, it would even be slightly positive, because its holding-force is too strong, one of the main reasons the problem occurs! b) there are 2 coils/field-coils which act as electro-magnets: Cleaning those would be as much sheer stupidity! They don't get dirty either, but even if they would, it would not stop them from working. 4.CLEAN SOLENOID: Same as #3! I will agree that this list is very strange when applied to a modern WR camera. The “clean” parts may be the best way they have of billing labor these days. The most valuable part may be the “use often” warning at the end, an interesting - but useful - message in light of the fact that modern cameras like a K-70 often sit on the shelf between holidays - maybe even repair people realize that is not good for the cameras which have solenoid controlled aperture control. Last edited by reh321; 11-20-2020 at 07:47 AM.

11-20-2020, 02:10 PM - 1 Like	#39
Cerebum Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Lancaster Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,829	I agree with reh321 sometimes you cannot explain what you have done in one or two words. Presumably this is a reputable camera shop and their work is guaranteed, so isn’t it reasonable to assume they have done what they were asked to do. The price is certainly similar to what I paid. I say assume it is fixed, then you can enjoy the camera without overanalysing what may or may not have gone on inside. After all, you have no way of proving anything without getting it dismantled again, and if you then find the work has been done..... assume they did a good job and go out and shoot

11-21-2020, 12:50 AM	#40
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,522	Originally posted by stevebrot I agree that the problem will likely recur. However, I am very wary of claims made without actually seeing the camera or talking with the tech. I know it is unfashionable to consider what actually moves the aperture actuation coupling (it is not the solenoid), but addressing the mirror mechanism would not be out of order if it were not in proper condition and may have contributed to the problem. As soon as the TO wrote that both his lenses, the DA18-135 and the DA55-300 (not PLM) brought the same difficulties it was to me clear as clear can be, that it is just the solenoid. For being able to repair the mirror-mechanism you have to "dig" way way deeper. I explained why I am wary, for sure I cannot know... otherwise I would have used harder words. But a "dark-imaging" K-S2 is on the way to me, mirror mechanism identical with the K-70. I shall inspect the mirror-mechanism again in all detail.