Split focus screen for K-30

Ok so results:

I tested using live view and also using the calibration testing procedure that Rachael Katz from KatzEye suggested I use (taking photos of a printed scale at fixed distance and reviewing the output).

The camera is front-focusing slightly so I think I will need to fit a thinner shim.

I think I'll start by getting some quotes from shops that might be able to do it. If it's cheap enough then I'd rather pay and get it done professionally than try myself.

Right! Finally the shims arrived today and I've fitted it and got it working correctly. It was actually really not too hard to fit. I got a bit daunted by the fact that the shim is not classed as a "user serviceable part" but it was all fine.

For me the 0.25mm shim was the right one. Apparently most k-30s come with a 0.35mm shim by default so the .25 was 2 steps down.

For anyone that needs to buy these you can get them from here:

www.johnsons-photopia.co.uk

The part numbers are:

77240.M02200A - 0.10mm
77240.M02200B - 0.15mm
77240.M02200C - 0.20mm
77240.M02200D - 0.25mm
77240.M02200E - 0.30mm
77240.M02200F - 0.35mm
77240.M02200G - 0.40mm
77240.M02200H - 0.45mm
77240.M02200I - 0.50mm

Pentax refer to them as 'washers' rather than 'shims'.

They cost me £6/shim inc p&p. I had to buy 5 in the end because I wasn't sure which one I needed.

One thing I wanted to say is that I can't say good enough things about KatzEye Optics and particularly about Rachael Katz who was incredibly helpful throughout the whole process. The focus screen was dispatched quickly and packaged well, she responded to emails really quickly and spent a lot of time advising me on how best to check the calibration of the focus screen and even assessing the photos my camera was taking to check that my calibration was correct. I'm really impressed and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

Thanks also to all on here who helped me out with advice.

Now very happy with my focusing - time to get out and take some pics!