Camera will not work

Jenntray · 01-24-2016, 02:28 AM

I'm new to this DSLR thing. I purchased the Pentax K-50 as a starter camera. Everything was going great and it was working awesome until we moved to another country. When I packed it, I made sure it was safe and secure. Now that we are in our new country I wanted to use it to capture our new home. However it will not work at all. The only mode I can kinda get any sort of a picture is auto and even that doesn't always work. Any other settings even the scene ones and even auto the pictures come out black and too dark to see. How can I correct this? They even come out black in the daylight.

Adam · 01-24-2016, 02:44 AM

Could you attach a picture straight auto of camera? Hopefully it's just a settings issue.

**newmikey** · 01-24-2016, 02:55 AM

Originally posted by Jenntray

When I packed it, I made sure it was safe and secure.

Was the camera packed in checked-in suitcases on a flight? They get thrown around a lot and even if you had it packed securely it may have dislodged a mechanical part of your camera. Hope for the best after we see some examples like Adam said.

**Bruce Clark** · 01-24-2016, 03:04 AM - **1 Like**

Can only suggest basic fault finding procedures. You should find procedures for these in the manual.

Remove battery for at least 10 minutes.
Reinsert fully charged battery.
Reformat card in camera (after downloading any images on the card to a computer as back up)
Reset camera to factory defaults.
Check firmware is latest version
Download and install new version of firmware.
Confirm lens compatibility.
Ensure lens is properly fitted.
Clean lens contacts.

If still not working take to a local camera store. They may be able to assist.

Good luck

osv · 01-24-2016, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by Jenntray

Any other settings even the scene ones and even auto the pictures come out black and too dark to see. How can I correct this? They even come out black in the daylight.

how about in full manual mode?

Jenntray · 01-24-2016, 11:32 PM

Thank you! I'll post a picture from each setting so y'all can see. I'll also try the suggestions! I'll take a picture outside and inside if that helps.

Jenntray · 01-25-2016, 12:03 AM

I just took these today. These where taken on Auto with the flash on and with the flash off. I also used a few of the scene modes as well. The only one that came out I took on Live mode instead of the viewfinder and it was an outside shot. Anything else comes out black or the camera won't even take the picture even with the flash on and popped up. Thank you all for your help! I'm really hoping to learn my camera and take pictures of our new country!

---------- Post added 01-25-16 at 12:49 AM ----------

I also just tried the tips listed above and still no change. Thank you for the suggestions though. Like I said I'm new to this so I welcome any words of wisdom!

Attached Images

View Picture EXIF

View Picture EXIF

Jenntray · 01-27-2016, 01:21 AM

Any suggestions?

Adam · 01-27-2016, 01:38 AM

Unfortunately this doesn't look like an issue with your settings. Try taking a few more photos in live view and see if they turn out fine. If they do, and your viewfinder photos are still dark, then I'd be inclined to believe that the camera's shutter or mirror mechanism is somehow damaged.

Jenntray · 01-27-2016, 11:44 PM

Is that something easily fixed? As I said before, I live overseas and my current country, it's highly unlikely there's a repair shop. Do you know if I can send it to Pentax for repairs? Do they do that sort of thing?

**Ex Finn.** · 01-28-2016, 03:20 PM

I take it that you do not have an other lens to try. You could take off the DA L18-55 and take an image in the green mode. Should come out fairly bright, if not then there is something wrong with the body. What happens if you turn up the ISO beyond 200?

01-24-2016, 02:28 AM	#1
Jenntray New Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 8	Camera will not work I'm new to this DSLR thing. I purchased the Pentax K-50 as a starter camera. Everything was going great and it was working awesome until we moved to another country. When I packed it, I made sure it was safe and secure. Now that we are in our new country I wanted to use it to capture our new home. However it will not work at all. The only mode I can kinda get any sort of a picture is auto and even that doesn't always work. Any other settings even the scene ones and even auto the pictures come out black and too dark to see. How can I correct this? They even come out black in the daylight.

01-24-2016, 02:44 AM	#2
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	Could you attach a picture straight auto of camera? Hopefully it's just a settings issue. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

01-27-2016, 01:38 AM	#9
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,593	Unfortunately this doesn't look like an issue with your settings. Try taking a few more photos in live view and see if they turn out fine. If they do, and your viewfinder photos are still dark, then I'd be inclined to believe that the camera's shutter or mirror mechanism is somehow damaged. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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01-24-2016, 02:55 AM	#3
newmikey Site Supporter Join Date: May 2007 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,287	Originally posted by Jenntray When I packed it, I made sure it was safe and secure. Was the camera packed in checked-in suitcases on a flight? They get thrown around a lot and even if you had it packed securely it may have dislodged a mechanical part of your camera. Hope for the best after we see some examples like Adam said.

01-24-2016, 03:04 AM - 1 Like	#4
Bruce Clark Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Ocean Grove, Victoria Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,458	Can only suggest basic fault finding procedures. You should find procedures for these in the manual. Remove battery for at least 10 minutes. Reinsert fully charged battery. Reformat card in camera (after downloading any images on the card to a computer as back up) Reset camera to factory defaults. Check firmware is latest version Download and install new version of firmware. Confirm lens compatibility. Ensure lens is properly fitted. Clean lens contacts. If still not working take to a local camera store. They may be able to assist. Good luck

01-24-2016, 01:53 PM	#5
osv Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: So Cal Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,080	Originally posted by Jenntray Any other settings even the scene ones and even auto the pictures come out black and too dark to see. How can I correct this? They even come out black in the daylight. how about in full manual mode?

01-24-2016, 11:32 PM	#6
Jenntray New Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 8 Original Poster	Thank you! I'll post a picture from each setting so y'all can see. I'll also try the suggestions! I'll take a picture outside and inside if that helps.

01-27-2016, 01:21 AM	#8
Jenntray New Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 8 Original Poster	Any suggestions?

01-27-2016, 11:44 PM	#10
Jenntray New Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 8 Original Poster	Is that something easily fixed? As I said before, I live overseas and my current country, it's highly unlikely there's a repair shop. Do you know if I can send it to Pentax for repairs? Do they do that sort of thing?

01-28-2016, 03:20 PM	#11
Ex Finn. Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern Maryland. Espoo. Kouvola. Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,975	I take it that you do not have an other lens to try. You could take off the DA L18-55 and take an image in the green mode. Should come out fairly bright, if not then there is something wrong with the body. What happens if you turn up the ISO beyond 200?

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