Where the white solenoids at?!

Pentax Digital Camera DiscussionPentax Digital Camer...

742 posts
4 years
Cymru

Posted 13/08/2019 - 11:57 Link

Hi all,

Recently purchased a bundle of goodies including a K-50 which is suffering from (the seemingly inevitable) aperture block. I'm happy to teardown the camera to fix but the only 'true' fix I've seen mentioned is the white solenoid replacement from the SLR's of yore.

Where can I find one of these, as they seem to be thin on the ground? I know I can find green solenoids from China but these would only offer a very temporary fix before exhibiting the same issues! I don't want to sand down the solenoid as a temporary fix, as the likelihood is I'll be selling the camera on anyway.

Thanks in advance for any/all feedback.

jeallen01 jeallen01

1930 posts
15 years
W.London

Posted 13/08/2019 - 20:24 Link

Some probably available on ebay from US suppliers - but they cost around fifty quid delivered to the UK, and are getting scarcer by the day (the K-30 already has one, and that's why I got another one for the K-70, should it ever need it after the warrantee ends at the end of 2020).

K-3 II, K-3 and a K-70 from SRS (having now relegated the K-30 /"K-50" to a backup body), & some Sigma and Pentax lenses (and a lot of old 35mm gear!)

Edited by jeallen01: 13/08/2019 - 20:25

Benz3ne Benz3ne

742 posts
4 years
Cymru

Posted 14/08/2019 - 09:27 Link

jeallen01 wrote:
Some probably available on ebay from US suppliers - but they cost around fifty quid delivered to the UK, and are getting scarcer by the day (the K-30 already has one, and that's why I got another one for the K-70, should it ever need it after the warrantee ends at the end of 2020).

Thanks for the prompt response! I wonder if anyone has compiled a list of the cameras which do/do not feature them from the factory? I.e. if you can find a fubar'ed K100d at a car-boot sale for a tenner, that might be a cheaper means of getting one?

Edit: found the below at Pentax Forums;

*ist D, *ist DS (Samsung GX1), *ist DS2(Samsung GX1s), K100D, K110D, K200D, K-m (2000), K-x, K-r (all those have 2 solenoids built in: One in the aperture circuit, one in the flash circuit).

The made in Japan solenoid was also used in the K10D (Samsung GX10) and K20D(Samsung GX20).
High shutter count was achieved with them and never any reported solenoid failure.

Read more at: https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/151-pentax-k-30-k-50/385045-manual-solenoid-...

Edited by moderator: 15/08/2019 - 09:48

erikro erikro

66 posts
16 years
Denmark

Posted 14/08/2019 - 12:18 Link

Hi.
I have some from cameras I use for spareparts, but don't know how much shipping will cost.
You can send me a PM.
Erik

K5IIs/K-1 II + film cameraes
I love my Pentax, all of them.

Benz3ne Benz3ne

742 posts
4 years
Cymru

Posted 15/08/2019 - 09:30 Link

erikro wrote:
Hi.
I have some from cameras I use for spareparts, but don't know how much shipping will cost.
You can send me a PM.
Erik

Thank you Erik - I'll PM you now.
Edit: Apologies, Erik. I've not been a member for 30 days yet so cannot send a private message.

Edited by Benz3ne: 15/08/2019 - 09:31