Broken Pentax??!!?! Need a pressure plate...

Bryce · 07-21-2007, 08:48 PM

Hey all-
My KX is scratching my negatives, and I'm wondering what to do about it.
Whatever is wrong with the pressure plate is vanishingly small, and a thorough cleaning has done nothing for the problem.
So my question is this: should I attempt to polish the plate, get a new one (available?), maybe try to scavenge one from a donor camera, or what?
The plate is easy enough to remove, if a replacement is the answer. So nothing to fear there.
Sad deal- this is my favorite 35mm camera, hands down. I really never thought I'd live to see one of my Pentax products need a repair!

Mike Cash · 07-21-2007, 10:13 PM

From the position of the scratch(es) on the negatives, have you tried to narrow down the likely position of the problem?

Does the KX have film rollers and is it possible they are the source of the problem instead of the pressure plate?

Bryce · 07-22-2007, 11:31 AM

I can't see anything wrong with the camera's roller, and other than the pressure plate that seems to be the only thing that rubs on the back of the film.
I've looked over the pressure plate and roller with a fine toothed comb... There are a couple of very small spots that look like may have some corrosion, but rubbing a piece of scrap film over it doesn't leave scratches that I can see.
Anyway, I swapped the plate out last night- the K1000 uses the same type, so I put the suspect one in the K1000 and the 'known good' one in the KX. So running a roll of film through the KX should determine whether the problem is gone or not.
Does anyone know if new pressure plates are available for these cameras?

DAP · 07-23-2007, 07:17 AM

I would call Pentax Colorado to check availability of new plates/backs. They should still stock parts for the K1000 seeing as though it was only discontinued in the mid to late 90's. If that doesn't work I would check flea-bag for some cheap DOA cameras to use as a parts donor.

Bryce · 07-23-2007, 08:49 PM

DAP-
Thanks for the resources! I'm going to run a roll through the camera at this point and see if the pressure plate from the other camera changes things. If so, I'll be in the market. If not, I'll have a mystery on my hands!

**wirrah** · 07-24-2007, 02:02 AM

Originally posted by Bryce

If not, I'll have a mystery on my hands!

I'm sure this is just a silly coincidence. I've just been reading Keppler's Pentax Way and there was a comment in there about rewinding film too fast. It mentioned that attempting to rewind swiftly can cause static build up which results in scratch like marks on the film.

I've never seen this and have certainly, on occasion, rewound film as fast as possible but you never know. Besides motor rewinds are probably pretty fast anyway.

If you're not trying to rewind fast this is obviously a furphy (aka red herring)!

cheers

greg

07-21-2007, 08:48 PM	#1
Bryce New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Monroe, WA USA Posts: 19	Broken Pentax??!!?! Need a pressure plate... Hey all- My KX is scratching my negatives, and I'm wondering what to do about it. Whatever is wrong with the pressure plate is vanishingly small, and a thorough cleaning has done nothing for the problem. So my question is this: should I attempt to polish the plate, get a new one (available?), maybe try to scavenge one from a donor camera, or what? The plate is easy enough to remove, if a replacement is the answer. So nothing to fear there. Sad deal- this is my favorite 35mm camera, hands down. I really never thought I'd live to see one of my Pentax products need a repair!

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07-21-2007, 10:13 PM	#2
Mike Cash Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Japan Photos: Gallery Posts: 6,950	From the position of the scratch(es) on the negatives, have you tried to narrow down the likely position of the problem? Does the KX have film rollers and is it possible they are the source of the problem instead of the pressure plate?

07-22-2007, 11:31 AM	#3
Bryce New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Monroe, WA USA Posts: 19 Original Poster	I can't see anything wrong with the camera's roller, and other than the pressure plate that seems to be the only thing that rubs on the back of the film. I've looked over the pressure plate and roller with a fine toothed comb... There are a couple of very small spots that look like may have some corrosion, but rubbing a piece of scrap film over it doesn't leave scratches that I can see. Anyway, I swapped the plate out last night- the K1000 uses the same type, so I put the suspect one in the K1000 and the 'known good' one in the KX. So running a roll of film through the KX should determine whether the problem is gone or not. Does anyone know if new pressure plates are available for these cameras?

07-23-2007, 07:17 AM	#4
DAP Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 151	I would call Pentax Colorado to check availability of new plates/backs. They should still stock parts for the K1000 seeing as though it was only discontinued in the mid to late 90's. If that doesn't work I would check flea-bag for some cheap DOA cameras to use as a parts donor.

07-23-2007, 08:49 PM	#5
Bryce New Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Monroe, WA USA Posts: 19 Original Poster	DAP- Thanks for the resources! I'm going to run a roll through the camera at this point and see if the pressure plate from the other camera changes things. If so, I'll be in the market. If not, I'll have a mystery on my hands!

07-24-2007, 02:02 AM	#6
wirrah Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lower Hunter, NSW Photos: Gallery Posts: 526	Originally posted by Bryce If not, I'll have a mystery on my hands! I'm sure this is just a silly coincidence. I've just been reading Keppler's Pentax Way and there was a comment in there about rewinding film too fast. It mentioned that attempting to rewind swiftly can cause static build up which results in scratch like marks on the film. I've never seen this and have certainly, on occasion, rewound film as fast as possible but you never know. Besides motor rewinds are probably pretty fast anyway. If you're not trying to rewind fast this is obviously a furphy (aka red herring)! cheers greg