Error codes

https://www.pentaxuser.com/helpcentre#faq_question8

http://www.pentax.co.uk/photographic/service_repairs_price_guide.html

.........as people keep asking about them!

ps. you'll find details of the models for which repairs are undertaken by Pentax (spares are no longer available for some)

Hi Kim - the second link doesn't seem to want to work for me...???

Hi Spirit, try this one:

http://www.pentax.co.uk/_uk/photo/service/guide.php?photo&service&guide

Pentax have recently updated their website, so old pages may have been deleted.

Dan

And isn't that confusing?

Under the section 35mm SLR lenses (auto & manual focus), they include fixed focal length lens lengths making no mention of the lens series.

Further down, they state that most M series lenses can't be repaired.
Further down still, they say that all M series and 'older' A series are subject to parts availibility.

There is no mention of the original SMC Pentax (K) series lenses, one of which I have that needs cleaning.

Even the pricing table overlaps lens lengths. I have a 400mm in need of some TLC, which price bracket does it come under when there are two (I can guess, the more expensive one). Actually, on re-reading and taking the 150mm boundary as an example, I think the 400mm on the third line below should read 401mm (I hope).

Fixed Focal Length up to 150mm £25.00 £40.00 £70.00
Fixed Focal Length from 151mm up to 400mm £30.00 £45.00 £75.00
Fixed Focal Length from 400mm up to 1000mm £40.00 £75.00 £120.00

I find it disgusting that Pentax don't continue to support older cameras, after all many people invested a lot of money in kit over the years to find that it is now useless.
Top brand watch makers like Rolex can and will repair any of their watches no matter how old thus enhancing their reputation even further. Seiko don't do this. I am a fan of Japanese technology but they are quite ruthless with their older equipment support and this upsets a lot of people who thought they had bought something that could be used "for life" with proper back up.
I have a Pentax MX and have just read on one of the links above that some parts are unavailable so depending on the fault in future my camera might at best be useful as a donor of spare parts to repair someone elses.
A friend of mine has just sent his LX to Pentax for repair and got a bill for inspection and a report that a repair was not possible.

Try Robin at Harrow Technical. He has a good supply of spares for most of the K mount cameras. He bought most of Pentax's stock when they moved out of Pentax House and closed much of the repair in the UK. Failing that try Asahiphoto.

Kim

Mercedes Benz dont support cars dating back that far and they cost a heck of a lot more than cameras! I dont really think it would be possible for any manufacturer of anything to offer unlimited support especially when the cost of camera replacement, although not like for like, is likely to be less than repair.

Some of the lenses and cameras mentioned are now thirty years old, so I think it's reasonable that spares are getting thin on the ground.

I'm sure that Voigtlander don't support the Bessamatic SLRs, but new parts can still be fitted by a few specialists. It's the same for older Pentaxes. Most things can be repaired, subject to parts being available.

I wonder if Ford still offer total support for the Model T?

Enthusiasts still keep Spitfires and Hurricanes flying !!

Yes, but at what cost...a game for the rich? You can keep an MX flying if you can make the parts, and indeed they could be made. But the cost would probably be outof all proportion.

Yeah the ordainairy Joanna like me on the street could never afford that. Once you could buy a Spitfire for a little as £5, now now. be a cool way to get to work through

These days many manufacturers don't support older equipment. They are only interested in selling new equipment. Not only in the camear field, but also in electronic equipment.one of the worst are manufacturers like Agilent (previous HP) or just about all Japanese manufacturers. They don't want to know you if you come to them with a 10 year old piece of gear.
Some camera manufacturers have still one oldtimer working who does repair old cameras, but when he retires thats also the end of these repairs.Canon in Australia repaired a Canon IIf from 1953 for me a few years ago, but I think this is finished now too.
I believe Leitz does still do older Leicas. (repair and service), but they are the exeption.

Don't ask them to replace the screen on an M8...they only offer an upgrade to an M9. That's one reason why I prefer more mainstream manufacturers, there are more sales and more spares when things go wrong.

There are no flying Spitfires or Hurricanes in anything like original condition, they wouldn't get an airworthiness certificate. They may look like them but...