I am taking a bit of a gamble!
Posted 22/05/2026 - 07:37
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I look forward to your thoughts on the K70. I had one for a few years and found it a very capable and easy to use camera. Later model K70s had a different solenoid so should not suffer from the aperture block issue. Over the years I have only had one body (a K30) which developed the problem so hopefully you will avoid it with your K70
Stephen
645Z, K1, K1ii, K3iii + mono, K3ii, K3,KP, K-S1, K200D,K10D, K-r, Ist* DL, Ist* D, QS-1 plus too many film bodies !
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645Z, K1, K1ii, K3iii + mono, K3ii, K3,KP, K-S1, K200D,K10D, K-r, Ist* DL, Ist* D, QS-1 plus too many film bodies !
Flickr Page
Photocrowd Page
Posted 22/05/2026 - 11:48 - Helpful Comment
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The KP's cable that connects the camera to the moving screen is prone to breaking with time and use so not the best bet if you're going to be making a lot of use of that feature, though it can be replaced cheaply with a third-party one but that will impact weather resistance.
On the aperture block failure, the low shutter count may not indicate that you're safe for long as I've seen some comments on failure with very low shutter counts, I think it's more a question of time. Still, it's user-repairable I think and if not then I see a banner advertising the repair every time I come to this forum, though it's doubtless more expensive than a DIY job. I don't know if it's possible to check on the solenoid type based on the serial number but might be worth looking into. If you don't want to be caught out then you could get it done at the outset before it fails.
On the aperture block failure, the low shutter count may not indicate that you're safe for long as I've seen some comments on failure with very low shutter counts, I think it's more a question of time. Still, it's user-repairable I think and if not then I see a banner advertising the repair every time I come to this forum, though it's doubtless more expensive than a DIY job. I don't know if it's possible to check on the solenoid type based on the serial number but might be worth looking into. If you don't want to be caught out then you could get it done at the outset before it fails.
Pentax hybrid user - Digital K3, film 645 and 35mm SLR and Pentax (&other) lenses adapted to Fuji X and Panasonic L digital
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Fan of DA limited and old manual lenses
Posted 22/05/2026 - 14:49 - Helpful Comment
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I've heard about K-70 cameras having different types of solenoid based on year of manufacture so that's something you can look into. It's a really really good camera so even if it does come up with issues it's worth fixing. I've recently replaced the solenoid for a K-30 with a white one and it took around two hours from testing pre-repair to fixing and testing. The K-70 will be roughly the same amount of work.
As the above poster mentioned the KP is a top class body with a clear design flaw, but I've not come across many for sale with that issue so it's not the biggest dealbreaker. The shape isn't for everyone and that's an important point for you coming from the K-5ii. With the L grip + battery grip attached, it becomes a slightly hefty but solid camera, maybe that's something to look into as well.
As the above poster mentioned the KP is a top class body with a clear design flaw, but I've not come across many for sale with that issue so it's not the biggest dealbreaker. The shape isn't for everyone and that's an important point for you coming from the K-5ii. With the L grip + battery grip attached, it becomes a slightly hefty but solid camera, maybe that's something to look into as well.
All the gear with no idea
Posted 22/05/2026 - 15:13
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Jonathan-Mac wrote:
The KP's cable that connects the camera to the moving screen is prone to breaking with time and use so not the best bet if you're going to be making a lot of use of that feature, though it can be replaced cheaply with a third-party one but that will impact weather resistance.
On the aperture block failure, the low shutter count may not indicate that you're safe for long as I've seen some comments on failure with very low shutter counts, I think it's more a question of time. Still, it's user-repairable I think and if not then I see a banner advertising the repair every time I come to this forum, though it's doubtless more expensive than a DIY job. I don't know if it's possible to check on the solenoid type based on the serial number but might be worth looking into. If you don't want to be caught out then you could get it done at the outset before it fails.
Apparently you can check the manufacturing date by taking a photo and then doing a shutter count check, so I will be doing that when I receive it but like I said, it's a bit of a gamble
The KP's cable that connects the camera to the moving screen is prone to breaking with time and use so not the best bet if you're going to be making a lot of use of that feature, though it can be replaced cheaply with a third-party one but that will impact weather resistance.
On the aperture block failure, the low shutter count may not indicate that you're safe for long as I've seen some comments on failure with very low shutter counts, I think it's more a question of time. Still, it's user-repairable I think and if not then I see a banner advertising the repair every time I come to this forum, though it's doubtless more expensive than a DIY job. I don't know if it's possible to check on the solenoid type based on the serial number but might be worth looking into. If you don't want to be caught out then you could get it done at the outset before it fails.
Posted 22/05/2026 - 15:36 - Helpful Comment
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Wishing you well with the switch and look forward to hearing how you get on.
Posted 23/05/2026 - 15:38 - Helpful Comment
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There are sites where you can upload a JPG and read the EXIF data. I preger to use a program called Exiftool. Because it has a command line interface, I use it with a Windows GUI shell:
ExifToolGui Version 6.3.12
ExifToolGui Version 6.3.12
Dale H. Cook, Pentax K-70, Pentax DA 35mm, Pentax-D FA Macro 100mm, Pentax-DA 12-24mm,
Pentax DA 18-270mm; Mamiya/Sekor 400mm; Rokinon 650Z 650-1300mm
https://plymouthcolony.net/photos/index.html
Pentax DA 18-270mm; Mamiya/Sekor 400mm; Rokinon 650Z 650-1300mm
https://plymouthcolony.net/photos/index.html
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