The dreaded K30 aperture motor failure strikes again

There K1 is a big jump, both in features and price. I'd say the K50 is likely to provide the best value upgrade, or the K-S2 if you prefer that styling.

I'd take a look at the just to be released K-70 (upgrade from the K-50 and K-S2). Some reviews should be out before long (maybe a week?).
Another VERY good choice would be the pro grade K-3 II (available now from Amazon for $730):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00WBIYADC/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

I'm a bit strapped for cash, this is why my camera braking down now is very upsetting. Went to Castle cameras this morning. They can't find out what's wrong with it, so for £25 have sent it away to be pocked about etc. I'd like to upgrade the body not to a K70 but a K500, the K70 is a bit far out of my price range.

Are they realiable, the K500?

The K500 was not widely taken up by forum members, but we didn't hear of any particular repeating reliability issues. If you can find one it should prove to be great value, and the image quality is very good I believe. It may well be a very good option for you.

I'd hang on a bit Louise and see what Castle Cameras find out. Even if it is the aperture motor failing it could still work out cheaper getting the camera repaired, and mine since being repaired has worked perfectly. Don't forget forum members get a discount from Johnsons Photopia.

I bought one off here for a workmate's daughter, a white stormtrooper. She loves it, I gave her a Pentax A 50mm f1.7 too and it's her fave lens.
However the dreaded shutter motor failure reared its ugly head and she was devastated. Her dad was none too pleased either. So he set about getting it fixed FOC and succeeded
While we are still part of Europe you have certain rights and goods are expected to last a period of time from purchase. Not sure how the girls dad worded his emails but he used this website to his advantage and Pentax fixed the motor for free.

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/consumers/shopping/guarantees-returns/index...

Setting aside any EU legislation, which hasn't all been adopted by the UK, you still have a case to argue if a good fails within 6 years of purchase and it is clear that the failure is due to an inherent fault. In this instance there are numerous reports of the aperture block failure to demonstrate it's an inherent problem.

Personally I find a quick letter to the manufacturer, giving them 14 days to respond normally does the trick, with a promise of action via the Small Claims Court if they fail to resolve the matter to your satisfaction. Only once have I needed to start the Small Claims process, which I copied 'them' into. They contacted me by return and we agreed a settlement.

Not sure about reliability but it's a downgrade from your K-30 and not WR. In which case repairing the K-30 may end up being a better option. If you don't need weatherproofing the K-S1 is capable and can be had at a lower price (or of course there's the K-50 with WR which is very similar to your K-30). Another consideration perhaps: only the K-70, the K-S1, K-S2 and K-3 II will be able to use the new line of KAF4 lenses.

I don't know if that applies anymore seeing as were not in the EU anymore.

I think that's where C Cameras have sent my camera.

That was quick.

I'd avoid the K-50 (K-500 was discontinued long ago) as it's basically a K-30 in a difeerent shell.
My advice would be to consider the K-S1 or K-S2.

OK thanks very much

My K50 is massively underexposed using the view finder but seems to be ok using live view. Is there any setting I've missed that could be causing this or is it most likely hardware? Of course it had to happen at the start of a fort night holiday

We are still in the EU Louise, nothing has changed. The UK has to invoke Article 50 to even start the process of leaving and this has not been done, it is likely it won't be done until next year and even then it will take a couple of years to leave.

Regards
David

Sounds like your camera is going down the same path as my 'dead' one.

You could check to see that you are not set to spot metering. This can cause exposure problems if unaware that it's set. Try centre weighted or matrix metering and that should solve that problem.