I have just revived my granddaughter’s k50 using this method, I used emery cloth to slightly reduce the size and round off the edges of the actuator, the coils of the solenoid work fine so my conclusion is that reducing/smoothing the actuator makes it operate more freely, thank you very much Eric
Been 10 months and used often with no problems even in hot tropical weather and snowy freezing cold. Also shot over an hour of excellent video on a tripod in lowish light without a problem.
Man, i was quoted 200-250€ for my K-50.. They said it needs a diagnostics and it needs to be sent to Pentax in Germany.. Well i found this a bit too expensive, considering, this K-50 has done just a few thousand clicks... It started making black pictures right after i swapped lens.. and after 4 months of collecting dust i stumbled across this video.. well, you can add 38th camera to your list now. Less than an hour (i took my time) and it works again! Whereever you are in the world, have a cold one now. :)
I offer my services for this problem only (k30/k50) for $50 USD plus return shipping. Not so convenient for overseas, but I have fixed USA and Canadian cameras.
Mine actually had a wire that had disconnected from the solenoid. Was a super pain to solder it back on because the wire is very short, and it's in a very confined space. Got the wire back on and it all worked again. Great tutorial on how to get into the camera to that part.
Thankyou kindly. Did it without doublesided tape, but did a screen capture of your screw layout. Fully successful with replacement solenoid off of ebay.
14:47 I almost got a heart attack when you're trying so hard to unscrew it. But you were actually tightening it more. Righty tighty lefty loosey? Anyway, great fix! Thanks for the video!
I fixed mine. I put it back together and it was taking photos and video when I got all the screws back in. It wouldn’t take a photo. I couldn’t find the screw that goes under theshutter button.
Check the silly things. Did you connect the wires (or is one not quite on?)? There is a black ground wire. Make sure that didn't come disconnected. Make sure the horseshoe shaped piece is reconnected at the bottom (to the peg in the camera).
@justinweier4099 it's a similar process, just watch 2 things. 1. There is a corner screw that also holds a U-shaped plastic gapped piece near the bottom hinge point of the back screen, make sure you keep an eye on it. 2, there is a very tiny o-ring (weather sealing ring) that sometimes falls out near the microphone port. You'll just have to slip it back into place during reassembling.
it works so far on my Ks2 however, when removing the covers I noticed a paper thin black metal washer the same size as the wi-fi button that fell out. it would remind you of an o ring except metal, do you know where it belongs?
@@SharkyClavestone actually i found out that it goes over the mic jack before reassembly, also a tiny copper washer fell out and it goes under the bottom cover where the battery goes per the pentax forum.
WRONG approach!!! The filing method damages the surface protection of the magnet, the surface protection of the magnet is NOT due to optical reasons. This method just works for a limited time (e.g. for selling the "repaired" item, what nearly is criminal) Proper method exchange to proper type of solenoid. Altenatively there is drilling method where the magnetic properties of the anchor will be chanded, AND THE SURFACE WILL BE SEALED AGAIN. Problem is to find the proper solenoid, as most of the offered solenoids are with the WRONG electrical, physical and material properties nevertheless what the seller promise. Look at History of the solenoid in the pentax forum very informative article.
Define limited time? I have yet to have one re-fail in almost 5 years. My repair method may be controversial to some, but if you don't have access to a local repair facility OR know how to solder, OR don't want to spend $200+ on an independent repair facility repair, this gives users an option to repair a 10+ year old DSLR worth $125 on the open market. If it gives the camera another 5-7 years of life, I'm okay with that.
I have just revived my granddaughter’s k50 using this method, I used emery cloth to slightly reduce the size and round off the edges of the actuator, the coils of the solenoid work fine so my conclusion is that reducing/smoothing the actuator makes it operate more freely, thank you very much Eric
Been 10 months and used often with no problems even in hot tropical weather and snowy freezing cold. Also shot over an hour of excellent video on a tripod in lowish light without a problem.
Man, i was quoted 200-250€ for my K-50.. They said it needs a diagnostics and it needs to be sent to Pentax in Germany.. Well i found this a bit too expensive, considering, this K-50 has done just a few thousand clicks... It started making black pictures right after i swapped lens.. and after 4 months of collecting dust i stumbled across this video.. well, you can add 38th camera to your list now. Less than an hour (i took my time) and it works again! Whereever you are in the world, have a cold one now. :)
I offer my services for this problem only (k30/k50) for $50 USD plus return shipping. Not so convenient for overseas, but I have fixed USA and Canadian cameras.
@@SharkyClavestone I have a K-50 in need of this repair. How can i get it to you? I live in Southern California
@@terrysullivan7468 feel free to message me on Facebook or text me at 330-350-6963.
It works!! Thank you so much. You just saved my Camera
You're welcome!
thank you sir, i just saved my camera from scrapping ... much health and luck in life
Mine actually had a wire that had disconnected from the solenoid. Was a super pain to solder it back on because the wire is very short, and it's in a very confined space. Got the wire back on and it all worked again. Great tutorial on how to get into the camera to that part.
Thankyou kindly. Did it without doublesided tape, but did a screen capture of your screw layout. Fully successful with replacement solenoid off of ebay.
Thank you for your help, just saved my K50 from trash (or me from a 250€ repair)
thank you very much! I fixed my k50 by using your method.
Dzięki Pana instrukcji w filmie sam wymieniłem na nowy solenoid w K30 i działa super!!! Dziękuję i pozdrawiam 👍
14:47 I almost got a heart attack when you're trying so hard to unscrew it. But you were actually tightening it more. Righty tighty lefty loosey? Anyway, great fix! Thanks for the video!
Thanks. I fixed my k30 👍 great Work
Thanks for your video. I fixed my K70 as well.
Thanks, Eric! Works like a charm.
Glad it helped!
Thanks, I repaired the Pentax KS2.
Thanks a lot! i just fixed my k 50
Very very cool, incredible work.
Worked for me Eric after viewing your video. You can add me to your list and thanks for sharing your easy to follow and do...tommyt.
Thank you!
I fixed mine. I put it back together and it was taking photos and video when I got all the screws back in. It wouldn’t take a photo. I couldn’t find the screw that goes under theshutter button.
Great video thank you.
I replaced the solanoid and still get dark pix, any idea what else it could be. Pentax K-S1
Cheers
Check the silly things. Did you connect the wires (or is one not quite on?)? There is a black ground wire. Make sure that didn't come disconnected. Make sure the horseshoe shaped piece is reconnected at the bottom (to the peg in the camera).
@@SharkyClavestone Cheers Eric, I'll go back in and have a look 🤞🏻. I guess there's a chance the new solenoid is a dud. Thanks again.
Does this process also work for the K70?
@justinweier4099 it's a similar process, just watch 2 things. 1. There is a corner screw that also holds a U-shaped plastic gapped piece near the bottom hinge point of the back screen, make sure you keep an eye on it. 2, there is a very tiny o-ring (weather sealing ring) that sometimes falls out near the microphone port. You'll just have to slip it back into place during reassembling.
I'm planning to try your fix. What tape are you using?
Cat scratch tape. But any double sided tape works
it works so far on my Ks2 however, when removing the covers I noticed a paper thin black metal washer the same size as the wi-fi button that fell out. it would remind you of an o ring except metal, do you know where it belongs?
I noticed the same thing as I was working on a K70 yesterday. At the moment, no, I did not see where it came out of.
@@SharkyClavestone actually i found out that it goes over the mic jack before reassembly, also a tiny copper washer fell out and it goes under the bottom cover where the battery goes per the pentax forum.
@@bobjohnson9597 never saw the copper washer fall off. But now I'll keep an eye out for it. Thanks
Whats about k20d? Can i use this method to fix it? Thank you.
I have not worked on a k20, but it should be similar.
It looks like you were accidentally tightening the last screw instead of loosening at 14:47.
Yea, screwdriver slipped off, and I had to move it around to find the screw again.
WRONG approach!!!
The filing method damages the surface protection of the magnet, the surface protection of the magnet is NOT due to optical reasons.
This method just works for a limited time (e.g. for selling the "repaired" item, what nearly is criminal)
Proper method exchange to proper type of solenoid.
Altenatively there is drilling method where the magnetic properties of the anchor will be chanded, AND THE SURFACE WILL BE SEALED AGAIN.
Problem is to find the proper solenoid, as most of the offered solenoids are with the WRONG electrical, physical and material properties nevertheless what the seller promise.
Look at History of the solenoid in the pentax forum very informative article.
Define limited time? I have yet to have one re-fail in almost 5 years.
My repair method may be controversial to some, but if you don't have access to a local repair facility OR know how to solder, OR don't want to spend $200+ on an independent repair facility repair, this gives users an option to repair a 10+ year old DSLR worth $125 on the open market.
If it gives the camera another 5-7 years of life, I'm okay with that.
Close clockwise, lol