Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

therealasderty · 09-05-2016, 02:11 AM

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.

Hi everyone,
i'm new to this forum and to repairing
I found a P30 on ebay for less than 20$, the camera seemed in good shape without scratches or signs of abuse, the vendor sold the camera as functional but not tested,
I received the camera and i noticed that is not working, the metering display is not showing off and the shutter don't works,

I found in the battery compartment traces of dust of the previous batteries, i attempted to clean the compartment and the contacts with alchool, reinserted batteries, tested again nothing happened, I guess the problem is something regarding electronics but in a repairing lab they asked me over 100$ for restoration so i want to make an attempt with my hands.

Can you give me some advices on what to test first what to do and what to avoid?
I started disassembling the plate under the camera taking every piece in order, i'm trying to pull off the top cover, i removed the 2 screws in front and the 2 on the back, the advance lever and the rewind knob but the cover seems locked on the advance lever side, how can i remove that?

Thanks in advance
Andrea

Johnny Rod · 09-05-2016, 04:57 AM

Before you go too far, you need to be totally sure about the batteries working. For some reason i have found Pentaxes to be quite finnicky about batteries, compartments, and the little holder buttons. Ideally put the batteries in and measure that the voltage is actually getting to where it's needed.

therealasderty · 09-05-2016, 05:23 AM

Originally posted by Johnny Rod

Before you go too far, you need to be totally sure about the batteries working. For some reason i have found Pentaxes to be quite finnicky about batteries, compartments, and the little holder buttons. Ideally put the batteries in and measure that the voltage is actually getting to where it's needed.

thank you Johnny for the reply, i tested the p30 with batteries that work well on my other p30t, i've tried even with fresh new batteries, but no luck even with those

therealasderty · 09-05-2016, 06:35 AM

Do somebody know why the top cover won't get out even if there are no screws?

pathdoc · 09-05-2016, 07:59 AM

If it's got one of the screw-in battery covers, make sure that any corrosion on this has been thoroughly cleaned or scraped off. I have an inherited P3 that was failing to work for this reason; once that corrosion was gone, it worked like a charm.

An alternative is that the state of the camera was misrepresented, in which case the seller should be held accountable (unless you are prepared to spend the extra to get it fixed and are prepared to write off the cost of obtaining the body).

**demondata** · 09-05-2016, 01:52 PM - **1 Like**

I have an excellent and fully functional copy of a P30T that you can have for the price of shipping if that costs less than a repair quote. Probably under $20, but depends on where you live. Let me know, I'd like it to go to a home where it will get used.

therealasderty · 09-06-2016, 03:08 PM

Originally posted by pathdoc

If it's got one of the screw-in battery covers, make sure that any corrosion on this has been thoroughly cleaned or scraped off. I have an inherited P3 that was failing to work for this reason; once that corrosion was gone, it worked like a charm.

An alternative is that the state of the camera was misrepresented, in which case the seller should be held accountable (unless you are prepared to spend the extra to get it fixed and are prepared to write off the cost of obtaining the body).

i'm having some troubles opening the top cover, i have to remove this nut that seems the last one that block the piece from moving, how can i proceed? i don't know which instrument i have to use

Andrea

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

**demondata** · 09-06-2016, 03:35 PM

A good, strong, medium-sized tweezer could be useful. There are also reasonable camera repair tools on eBay that will make it much easier if you plan to repair of inspect cameras on a regular basis. Oh, and be careful about the direction of the turn, I think this could turn the opposite way, i.e. turning it right may looses it.

therealasderty · 09-07-2016, 04:05 AM

Originally posted by demondata

A good, strong, medium-sized tweezer could be useful. There are also reasonable camera repair tools on eBay that will make it much easier if you plan to repair of inspect cameras on a regular basis. Oh, and be careful about the direction of the turn, I think this could turn the opposite way, i.e. turning it right may looses it.

thank you for the reply,

Are you sure that the unscrew can be done with a tweezer, i found that on other pentax models they used rubber pads

Johnny Rod · 09-07-2016, 04:16 AM - **1 Like**

Or needle-nose pliers. A proper lens wrench is the best thing though
Neewer® Professional Flat and Pointed Tips DSLR Camera: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo
NB I'm putting the link above just for a picture - I've forgotten which one I have but it looks similar. Basically two flat-head screwdrivers attached together! I'm sure it'll be a normal thread i.e. anticlockwise to unscrew.

If you mean the shutter speed knob - I don't know, it may stay with the top cover.

**demondata** · 09-07-2016, 11:56 AM

Exactly what I meant, Johnny Rod. I have several sets that are similar to those in your link, and they work well. There are some really cheap ones, but I strongly advise anyone not to be guided by price alone - they are not sturdy, screws don't lock, points are not aligned, etc. (guess how I know!) Te ones in your link seem fine, there are much more expensive ones as well, probably for pros.

wombat2go · 09-07-2016, 12:19 PM

Originally posted by demondata

they are not sturdy, screws don't lock, points are not aligned, etc.

Yes, I have the cheaper one with a single flat cross bar. It has all the problems demon mentions

therealasderty · 09-07-2016, 11:43 PM

I went for a cheap one too, I'm gonna give you updates as soon as it put hands on it, thank for the help

Johnny Rod · 09-08-2016, 01:44 PM

The one I have has the pair of bars, but you have to use some real muscle to tighten the screws enough. Often I don't bother unless something is really hard to unscrew. Tweezers unfortunately are never stiff enough unless the screw is loosened. Needle nose pliers sometimes, but I have left a few scratches form those! A pair of flat blade screwdrivers can be used, though it is tricky, but I have had to do that when I can't get the tool onto something small. A bit like this - I learned it on a 45 gallon drum originally too, with a pair of spanners!

You Tube

NB 45 UK gallons=210 Litres presumably equals 55US Gallons!

therealasderty · 09-16-2016, 09:35 AM

Hi guys,
I give you some little updates,
i succeed to remove the advance lever nut and consequentially the top cover
Made some contacts cleaning with white vinegar (shutter contact etc) i made the same in the battery compartment,
Tried the camera again with fresh new batteries but it seems dead, my guess is that the acid of the old battery ruined some wires just under the battery compartment,

I'm new to this so i ask some help from the veterans repairers, if and only if my guess is right how can i isolate the ruined wire?
Are there any tricks to diagnose the problem?

09-05-2016, 02:11 AM	#1
therealasderty New Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 18	Repairing Pentax P30 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. Hi everyone, i'm new to this forum and to repairing I found a P30 on ebay for less than 20$, the camera seemed in good shape without scratches or signs of abuse, the vendor sold the camera as functional but not tested, I received the camera and i noticed that is not working, the metering display is not showing off and the shutter don't works, I found in the battery compartment traces of dust of the previous batteries, i attempted to clean the compartment and the contacts with alchool, reinserted batteries, tested again nothing happened, I guess the problem is something regarding electronics but in a repairing lab they asked me over 100$ for restoration so i want to make an attempt with my hands. Can you give me some advices on what to test first what to do and what to avoid? I started disassembling the plate under the camera taking every piece in order, i'm trying to pull off the top cover, i removed the 2 screws in front and the 2 on the back, the advance lever and the rewind knob but the cover seems locked on the advance lever side, how can i remove that? Thanks in advance Andrea

09-06-2016, 03:35 PM	#8
demondata Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Aurora, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	A good, strong, medium-sized tweezer could be useful. There are also reasonable camera repair tools on eBay that will make it much easier if you plan to repair of inspect cameras on a regular basis. Oh, and be careful about the direction of the turn, I think this could turn the opposite way, i.e. turning it right may looses it. Last edited by demondata; 09-06-2016 at 03:46 PM. Reason: Adding more info

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Repairing a Pentax P30t	MikeVT	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	4	05-12-2015 04:46 PM
pentax p30	tomb2112	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	12	02-23-2011 08:34 PM
Pentax P3/P30	Ole	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	4	01-25-2011 05:32 AM
Pentax P30 question !	Rmspar72	Film SLRs and Compact Film Cameras	2	08-20-2009 04:23 PM

09-05-2016, 04:57 AM	#2
Johnny Rod Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 122	Before you go too far, you need to be totally sure about the batteries working. For some reason i have found Pentaxes to be quite finnicky about batteries, compartments, and the little holder buttons. Ideally put the batteries in and measure that the voltage is actually getting to where it's needed.

09-05-2016, 05:23 AM	#3
therealasderty New Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 18 Original Poster	Originally posted by Johnny Rod Before you go too far, you need to be totally sure about the batteries working. For some reason i have found Pentaxes to be quite finnicky about batteries, compartments, and the little holder buttons. Ideally put the batteries in and measure that the voltage is actually getting to where it's needed. thank you Johnny for the reply, i tested the p30 with batteries that work well on my other p30t, i've tried even with fresh new batteries, but no luck even with those

09-05-2016, 06:35 AM	#4
therealasderty New Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 18 Original Poster	Do somebody know why the top cover won't get out even if there are no screws?

09-05-2016, 07:59 AM	#5
pathdoc Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2015 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,381	If it's got one of the screw-in battery covers, make sure that any corrosion on this has been thoroughly cleaned or scraped off. I have an inherited P3 that was failing to work for this reason; once that corrosion was gone, it worked like a charm. An alternative is that the state of the camera was misrepresented, in which case the seller should be held accountable (unless you are prepared to spend the extra to get it fixed and are prepared to write off the cost of obtaining the body).

09-05-2016, 01:52 PM - 1 Like	#6
demondata Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Aurora, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	I have an excellent and fully functional copy of a P30T that you can have for the price of shipping if that costs less than a repair quote. Probably under $20, but depends on where you live. Let me know, I'd like it to go to a home where it will get used.

09-07-2016, 04:05 AM	#9
therealasderty New Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 18 Original Poster	Originally posted by demondata A good, strong, medium-sized tweezer could be useful. There are also reasonable camera repair tools on eBay that will make it much easier if you plan to repair of inspect cameras on a regular basis. Oh, and be careful about the direction of the turn, I think this could turn the opposite way, i.e. turning it right may looses it. thank you for the reply, Are you sure that the unscrew can be done with a tweezer, i found that on other pentax models they used rubber pads

09-07-2016, 04:16 AM - 1 Like	#10
Johnny Rod Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 122	Or needle-nose pliers. A proper lens wrench is the best thing though Neewer® Professional Flat and Pointed Tips DSLR Camera: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo NB I'm putting the link above just for a picture - I've forgotten which one I have but it looks similar. Basically two flat-head screwdrivers attached together! I'm sure it'll be a normal thread i.e. anticlockwise to unscrew. If you mean the shutter speed knob - I don't know, it may stay with the top cover.

09-07-2016, 11:56 AM	#11
demondata Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Aurora, Ontario, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 632	Exactly what I meant, Johnny Rod. I have several sets that are similar to those in your link, and they work well. There are some really cheap ones, but I strongly advise anyone not to be guided by price alone - they are not sturdy, screws don't lock, points are not aligned, etc. (guess how I know!) Te ones in your link seem fine, there are much more expensive ones as well, probably for pros.

09-07-2016, 12:19 PM	#12
wombat2go Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Michigan Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Originally posted by demondata they are not sturdy, screws don't lock, points are not aligned, etc. Yes, I have the cheaper one with a single flat cross bar. It has all the problems demon mentions

09-07-2016, 11:43 PM	#13
therealasderty New Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 18 Original Poster	I went for a cheap one too, I'm gonna give you updates as soon as it put hands on it, thank for the help

09-16-2016, 09:35 AM	#15
therealasderty New Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 18 Original Poster	Hi guys, I give you some little updates, i succeed to remove the advance lever nut and consequentially the top cover Made some contacts cleaning with white vinegar (shutter contact etc) i made the same in the battery compartment, Tried the camera again with fresh new batteries but it seems dead, my guess is that the acid of the old battery ruined some wires just under the battery compartment, I'm new to this so i ask some help from the veterans repairers, if and only if my guess is right how can i isolate the ruined wire? Are there any tricks to diagnose the problem?

Repairing Pentax P30

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!