Slight damage to K-30, plastic cover for pop-up flash, anywhere to get a new one?

JesterPrime · 02-01-2013, 08:31 PM

Hey everybody, I dropped my K-30 a little while ago while putting my trust in the wrong inanimate objects rather than the supreme force of gravity.

Anyway, seemed to be that I got away with very little the damage. The only things affected were the little cap that slides into the hotshoe (don't care at all) and it also snapped a part of the plastic covering the pop-up flash. Every time I'd try to pop it up, the plastic at the end where it pivots would not slide underneath, and would prevent the flash from extending up properly.

Anyway, I took it apart and glued the damn thing together, and it worked fine. The problem I found though, is that this compromises the weather sealing (or at least seems to). When I threw on my 18-135 zoom and zoomed in and out, I would hear air moving through the area where the crack was.

So anyway, I was wondering if I could purchase a brand new piece of plastic, just like that one. It's pretty easy to replace, I'd just like to know if Pentax sells replacement parts like these to consumers. Do I just email and ask, or do I have to find out a part number or something like that?

Eulogy · 02-01-2013, 10:04 PM

Cover it with black electrical tape. Vinyl will keep water out, won't cost more than 63 cents, and looks somewhat decent.

JesterPrime · 02-01-2013, 10:17 PM

Originally posted by Eulogy

Cover it with black electrical tape. Vinyl will keep water out, won't cost more than 63 cents, and looks somewhat decent.

I would, but the problem is if I stick anything on top of the wound, it'll just make the pop-up flash unable to pop up.

Here's a picture of the damaged area: http://i.imgur.com/WaO4yqu.jpg

Right after the horrific accident, part of the plastic bit stuck out which meant it couldn't slide into that position. Gluing it back into place worked, but clearly not well enough.

Eulogy · 02-01-2013, 10:39 PM

Then either work around it, or deal with an expensive repair. Tape should still work, assuming you're able to work with it at weird angles.

JesterPrime · 02-01-2013, 10:48 PM

Originally posted by Eulogy

Then either work around it, or deal with an expensive repair. Tape should still work, assuming you're able to work with it at weird angles.

They don't sell little plastic parts like that? The entirety of the black plastic that's on the pop-up flash is removable; I found that out when I glued that bit back together. All it'd take is a new one to just stick on and screw in. Could it really cost that much?

Eulogy · 02-01-2013, 10:49 PM

The best case scenario with repairs is that you would be without your camera for a few weeks.

JesterPrime · 02-01-2013, 10:50 PM

Originally posted by Eulogy

The best case scenario with repairs is that you would be without your camera for a few weeks.

No no, I mean like, ordering just that little piece of plastic to be delivered to me so that I can just stick it on there myself.

Eulogy · 02-01-2013, 11:05 PM

They won't send out parts. Not even a lens release button.

JesterPrime · 02-01-2013, 11:07 PM

Do you know this for sure?

That sucks. I guess I could see their side, discouraging users from messing with the cameras at home and potentially destroying everything, but in a case like mine it's just downright silly.

Eulogy · 02-01-2013, 11:09 PM

Just do a search on the forums for all the missing lens release buttons.

CP140 · 02-01-2013, 11:13 PM

Originally posted by JesterPrime

No no, I mean like, ordering just that little piece of plastic to be delivered to me so that I can just stick it on there myself.

Looking at the picture (or rather the link) you posted and at my K-30, I don't see any gaskets/sealing around the the area of the pop-up flash.

Based on that it seems to me that if you are hearing air leakage from there while zooming, there may be a seal somewhere else that is damaged and allowing air to escape to the area of the flash. My guess is that replacing the flash cover won't restore any weather resistant properties as I don't think that bit was sealed to begin with.

Regards

Eulogy · 02-01-2013, 11:17 PM

The usual air release area is the microphone port(At least on the k5) and the SD slot.

JesterPrime · 02-01-2013, 11:21 PM

You're right. I kept thinking, is that really what's letting air through? But figured it was the only thing that could.

Then I remembered that the little black thing to adjust the diopter broke off as well (maybe from the impact, or something else. I do take care of this thing, don't get the wrong idea, it was just an accident!).

http://i.imgur.com/9fYkRnz.jpg

How I didn't put something so obvious together, I don't know.

Anyway, I guess this won't have any problems with the electrical tape treatment. I'm guessing they wouldn't sell this little piece of plastic either? Maybe I could make something myself, all it has to do is grip the little metal bit in the hole and shift it left and right. Or just leave it in the middle, tape it, and forget about it.

CP140 · 02-02-2013, 11:37 AM

We've all had one of those "oops forgot about gravity" moments... mine was my K-r getting knocked off a table onto the floor... bent the fliter enough that removing it was a challenge and a couple scuffs on the body...

Regards

Eulogy · 02-02-2013, 11:56 AM

Gravity is why Mag. Alloy bodies like the K-5 exist, it's not pro-grade because it does anything better than plastic performance wise, it just withstands moments of "Derp" and "Herpa-De-Derp-a-doo" better.

02-01-2013, 08:31 PM	#1
JesterPrime New Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 15	Slight damage to K-30, plastic cover for pop-up flash, anywhere to get a new one? Hey everybody, I dropped my K-30 a little while ago while putting my trust in the wrong inanimate objects rather than the supreme force of gravity. Anyway, seemed to be that I got away with very little the damage. The only things affected were the little cap that slides into the hotshoe (don't care at all) and it also snapped a part of the plastic covering the pop-up flash. Every time I'd try to pop it up, the plastic at the end where it pivots would not slide underneath, and would prevent the flash from extending up properly. Anyway, I took it apart and glued the damn thing together, and it worked fine. The problem I found though, is that this compromises the weather sealing (or at least seems to). When I threw on my 18-135 zoom and zoomed in and out, I would hear air moving through the area where the crack was. So anyway, I was wondering if I could purchase a brand new piece of plastic, just like that one. It's pretty easy to replace, I'd just like to know if Pentax sells replacement parts like these to consumers. Do I just email and ask, or do I have to find out a part number or something like that?

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02-01-2013, 10:04 PM	#2
Eulogy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	Cover it with black electrical tape. Vinyl will keep water out, won't cost more than 63 cents, and looks somewhat decent.

02-01-2013, 10:17 PM	#3
JesterPrime New Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 15 Original Poster	Originally posted by Eulogy Cover it with black electrical tape. Vinyl will keep water out, won't cost more than 63 cents, and looks somewhat decent. I would, but the problem is if I stick anything on top of the wound, it'll just make the pop-up flash unable to pop up. Here's a picture of the damaged area: http://i.imgur.com/WaO4yqu.jpg Right after the horrific accident, part of the plastic bit stuck out which meant it couldn't slide into that position. Gluing it back into place worked, but clearly not well enough.

02-01-2013, 10:39 PM	#4
Eulogy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	Then either work around it, or deal with an expensive repair. Tape should still work, assuming you're able to work with it at weird angles.

02-01-2013, 10:48 PM	#5
JesterPrime New Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 15 Original Poster	Originally posted by Eulogy Then either work around it, or deal with an expensive repair. Tape should still work, assuming you're able to work with it at weird angles. They don't sell little plastic parts like that? The entirety of the black plastic that's on the pop-up flash is removable; I found that out when I glued that bit back together. All it'd take is a new one to just stick on and screw in. Could it really cost that much?

02-01-2013, 10:49 PM	#6
Eulogy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	The best case scenario with repairs is that you would be without your camera for a few weeks.

02-01-2013, 10:50 PM	#7
JesterPrime New Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 15 Original Poster	Originally posted by Eulogy The best case scenario with repairs is that you would be without your camera for a few weeks. No no, I mean like, ordering just that little piece of plastic to be delivered to me so that I can just stick it on there myself.

02-01-2013, 11:05 PM	#8
Eulogy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	They won't send out parts. Not even a lens release button.

02-01-2013, 11:07 PM	#9
JesterPrime New Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 15 Original Poster	Do you know this for sure? That sucks. I guess I could see their side, discouraging users from messing with the cameras at home and potentially destroying everything, but in a case like mine it's just downright silly.

02-01-2013, 11:09 PM	#10
Eulogy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	Just do a search on the forums for all the missing lens release buttons.

02-01-2013, 11:13 PM	#11
CP140 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Greater Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 190	Originally posted by JesterPrime No no, I mean like, ordering just that little piece of plastic to be delivered to me so that I can just stick it on there myself. Looking at the picture (or rather the link) you posted and at my K-30, I don't see any gaskets/sealing around the the area of the pop-up flash. Based on that it seems to me that if you are hearing air leakage from there while zooming, there may be a seal somewhere else that is damaged and allowing air to escape to the area of the flash. My guess is that replacing the flash cover won't restore any weather resistant properties as I don't think that bit was sealed to begin with. Regards

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02-01-2013, 11:17 PM	#12
Eulogy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	The usual air release area is the microphone port(At least on the k5) and the SD slot.

02-01-2013, 11:21 PM	#13
JesterPrime New Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 15 Original Poster	You're right. I kept thinking, is that really what's letting air through? But figured it was the only thing that could. Then I remembered that the little black thing to adjust the diopter broke off as well (maybe from the impact, or something else. I do take care of this thing, don't get the wrong idea, it was just an accident!). http://i.imgur.com/9fYkRnz.jpg How I didn't put something so obvious together, I don't know. Anyway, I guess this won't have any problems with the electrical tape treatment. I'm guessing they wouldn't sell this little piece of plastic either? Maybe I could make something myself, all it has to do is grip the little metal bit in the hole and shift it left and right. Or just leave it in the middle, tape it, and forget about it.

02-02-2013, 11:37 AM	#14
CP140 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Greater Vancouver Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 190	We've all had one of those "oops forgot about gravity" moments... mine was my K-r getting knocked off a table onto the floor... bent the fliter enough that removing it was a challenge and a couple scuffs on the body... Regards

02-02-2013, 11:56 AM	#15
Eulogy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Fredericton, New Brunswick Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	Gravity is why Mag. Alloy bodies like the K-5 exist, it's not pro-grade because it does anything better than plastic performance wise, it just withstands moments of "Derp" and "Herpa-De-Derp-a-doo" better.