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07-19-2014, 08:38 AM   #1
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No image captured - mirror jammed? K-30

I'm at an animal sanctuary for a photo weekend and my K-30 has decided not to participate. Everything works perfectly, exposure sensors, auto-focus, displays, but when you click the shutter a black image is all that you get.

I've tried
- dust removal (seems to work)
- sensor cleaning (the mirror raises)
- different lenses

Any ideas?

07-19-2014, 09:10 AM   #2
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Mirror up mode?
07-19-2014, 09:12 AM   #3
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Please post an image with exif info.
07-19-2014, 09:34 AM   #4
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To check the mirror operation;

If you can see an image through the viewfinder then the mirror is in the correct 'start' position.

If still looking through the viewfinder the image is lost momentarily as you operate the shutter button then the mirror is going up and down again.

All good.

Are you getting an image on the SD card? Are you on timer? Are you set to long exposure?

07-19-2014, 09:57 AM   #5
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QuoteOriginally posted by SpecialK Quote
Please post an image with exif info.
See https://dl-web.dropbox.com/get/Public/20140719_124420.jpg?_subject_uid=19494...JVi_U4nywZqVgg
07-19-2014, 10:03 AM   #6
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It checks out, the viewfinder functions normally, and the image disappears momentarily when the shutter is clicked.

So where does that leave me? Everything seems perfectly normal but only darkness is saved to the card. There is a file created each time I click, but I'm just racking up black images.

QuoteOriginally posted by JohnX Quote
To check the mirror operation;

If you can see an image through the viewfinder then the mirror is in the correct 'start' position.

If still looking through the viewfinder the image is lost momentarily as you operate the shutter button then the mirror is going up and down again.

All good.

Are you getting an image on the SD card? Are you on timer? Are you set to long exposure?
07-19-2014, 10:37 AM   #7
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Link doesn't work.

07-19-2014, 11:55 AM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by moreilly Quote
It checks out, the viewfinder functions normally, and the image disappears momentarily when the shutter is clicked.

So where does that leave me? Everything seems perfectly normal but only darkness is saved to the card. There is a file created each time I click, but I'm just racking up black images.
Stranger still: on "Bulb" mode I get an image with the correct exposure. Same in video. In other modes the highlights show faintly, so it's not a fully black image after all (but you need a strong highlight and you have to look hard at the camera's display in dim light to see it).

So the camera seems to be fine mechanically. I reset the settings back to the defaults, so it's not some obscure setting that I messed up. All I can think of that that leaves is firmware. But that hasn't changed since Thursday, when I was shooting without difficulty.

---------- Post added 07-19-14 at 12:12 PM ----------

QuoteOriginally posted by Tom S. Quote
Link doesn't work.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/vy8s5d6q2ynhvjn/20140719_124420.jpg
07-19-2014, 12:54 PM   #9
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Check shooting mode and see if mirror lock up is on.

---------- Post added 07-19-14 at 09:55 PM ----------

Upload a pic taken with the camera
07-19-2014, 03:10 PM   #10
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When you say you reset the settings back to defaults, was that a factory reset? If not, you'll need to try that, but seems that you have a serious fault.

Last hope is taking the battery out and leave it out for a day or so, then try the camera again in the hope that it'll have lost any settings held in memory.
07-19-2014, 03:17 PM   #11
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Does LiveView works?
07-20-2014, 05:44 PM   #12
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QuoteOriginally posted by PabloFP Quote
Does LiveView works?
Good thought, but yes.
07-20-2014, 06:24 PM   #13
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I repeat, what shooting mode are you in? If you click on the shutter twice, what happens then?
07-20-2014, 07:45 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by moreilly Quote
Good thought, but yes.
Your sensor is ok :-). Do you have another sd? Green mode works?
09-17-2014, 06:58 PM   #15
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Can you enable the pre-view mode which will record the image in camera and display on LCD briefly but not writing to the SD card. If it is good, the problem likely is writing to SD in camera.
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