[Syb]

Hello all,

After a long period of unhappiness with my "crippled" Ist*Ds, I am happy now to announce... it is fixed! Not by a camera repair professional, nor by Pentax, but I did it all by myself! With help from our everlastingly estimated fellow member CMV. He dug up a thread in a different forum concerning exactly my problem:

P.J. Alling on PDML.net:
The Jog wheel on my Ds seems to be getting flaky. When attempting to stop down the aperture or increase shutter speed, (in other words turning the wheel to the right), it doesn't always stop down, sometimes it even opens up.

This is the wheel referred to; it is the wheel near your right had thumb when holding the camera. The picture was taken before the solution was implemented. Now it does look a little bit cleaner



Now it appears that I was not the only one here having this problem. Other fellow forum member have reported similar problems. They will be interested in reading the posts, too.

DS Problems (on PDML)...

and in reading the solution!

Carlos Royo on PDML.net:
I took the batteries out of the camera, sprayed a bit of CRC contact cleaner on the wheel, turned left and right a few times, and let the liquid evaporate (that contact cleaner doesn't
leave any residue). It solved the problem.

... and it solved mine, as well.

The solution in my story cost approximately 10 Euros. For a can with Tuner 600 contact spray form "Kontakt Chemie" in Belgium. But, beware! The material is said to be "irritating, toxic, inflamable". No kid's stuff. But really effective, indeed!

Now let's hope the Pentax technical staff will learn from this too. They offered to fix my problem for about 225 Euros.

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Last edited by Syb; 02-04-2008 at 04:49 PM.

[heatherslightbox]

Yay, Syb!

I'm glad it worked for you. I get paid Friday, so that's 1 thing I'm planning on getting--a can of that contact cleaner spray. It runs about $9.99 at the electronics store. For any of you in the USA, I'm referring to the following:

RadioShack.com - Cables, Parts & Connectors: TV-Tuner/Control Cleaner & Lubricant

I'm looking forward to getting it fixed, as I may sell it once I get my K10D to raise money for another lens purchase.

Heather

[Syb]

I'm referring to the following:
RadioShack.com - Cables, Parts & Connectors: TV-Tuner/Control Cleaner & Lubricant

Yep, that's a good one too. Found on the document pdf that it is "100% volatile".

Good luck with your Ds! I am loving mine again!

Syb

[borno]

I used to use Freon tf electronics cleaner and it was the best one I tried but sadly I think it's banned.

[heatherslightbox]

Well, I finally got a can of contact cleaner and tried the trick twice and the problem is still not completely fixed. It's a little better, but it still skips around some. I was hoping this would resolve the problem completely because I eventually want to sell this body.

I don't want to pay through the nose to have a professional fix a body that I'm planning on getting rid of anyway.

Does anybody have any other suggestions that I could try myself?

Thanks!
Heather

[Syb]

Hi Heather,

I am sorry to hear that. However, maybe give it a third and a fourth try. Wouldn't it be nice if another try would help you out?

Syb

[iht]

Hi guys, just wondering if WD40 would work?

[mcjm78]

I've tried to use water on my K20 body. Just make sure all other parts are sealed tightly before doing this!

I put in under a running tap, and turn the wheel at the same time to "clean" it. It worked on mine.

Do it at your own risk.

[Just1MoreDave]

Hi guys, just wondering if WD40 would work?

No. You want something meant for electronics, safe for plastics and that will evaporate quickly.

[wlachan]

No. You want something meant for electronics, safe for plastics and that will evaporate quickly.

WD-40 will work and is safe on plastic, BUT, it will leave some oil residue. It is best to just use plastic safe contact cleaner.

[iht]

I see. Thanks for that!