*ist DL Black Images

**67comet** · 06-18-2021, 11:04 AM

Hello,

I got a *ist DL off e-bay. Seller said takes wonderful images, works perfectly. I didn't have a small enough SD card for it to work, so I ordered a few small ones (no one around here has any SD cards that are smaller than 16gb).

Received my memory cards today, fired up the *ist DL, tried to fire off some simple images and it only shows black.

I tried all the modes, flash, no flash, and even bulb, all black.

I upgraded the firmware from 1.00 to 1.03, went through all the modes again, reset the camera, went through all modes again, all black (the first images before the upgrade did have a colored stripe down the right side, but only the first couple images).

Changed to the other lens, all black.

I've tried 4 SD cards (2 1gb cards, and 2 2gb cards), all black.

Is there anything I can do to test the CCD, or a self check?

Thank you

**grog85361** · 06-18-2021, 11:22 AM

You have already tested the sensor, and it no longer works. I don't know how prevalent sensor failure is in the istDL, I have had two istDL's develop this problem, I assume the sensors have failed. Both worked one day, the next time I used the camera, I got black frames. Playing back images taken with another body works, and the menus display, so it isn't an LCD failure. Very frustrating, for sure.

You could see if the seller will take it back, or keep/sell it for the white aperture control solenoids it contains for repairing K30/50/70 bodies.

I wish I had better news for you. Best of luck with it.

Wheatfield · 06-18-2021, 11:48 AM

Originally posted by 67comet

Hello,

I got a *ist DL off e-bay. Seller said takes wonderful images, works perfectly. I didn't have a small enough SD card for it to work, so I ordered a few small ones (no one around here has any SD cards that are smaller than 16gb).

Received my memory cards today, fired up the *ist DL, tried to fire off some simple images and it only shows black.

I tried all the modes, flash, no flash, and even bulb, all black.

I upgraded the firmware from 1.00 to 1.03, went through all the modes again, reset the camera, went through all modes again, all black (the first images before the upgrade did have a colored stripe down the right side, but only the first couple images).

Changed to the other lens, all black.

I've tried 4 SD cards (2 1gb cards, and 2 2gb cards), all black.

Is there anything I can do to test the CCD, or a self check?

Thank you

Make sure the shutter is actually working?

**67comet** · 06-18-2021, 12:06 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

Make sure the shutter is actually working?

Yes'r, I popped the lens off and watched it all ca-clack ..

**Just1MoreDave** · 06-18-2021, 12:13 PM - **1 Like**

I've seen two DLs with this problem; I even mentioned it in my reply to your post yesterday. It doesn't seem to happen to the other 6mp cameras so it seems like a connection rather than actual sensor failure. The camera will act like it has taken a photo but not record any usable image data in the file.

Wheatfield · 06-18-2021, 12:17 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by 67comet

Yes'r, I popped the lens off and watched it all ca-clack ..

Well I'm out of ideas. I really don't know much about what goes on inside these things. I'm happy to believe there is a little magician inside them making everything work. Perhaps there is, and the one in your camera has passed on to that great electronic darkroom in the sky.

**DonV** · 06-18-2021, 01:31 PM - **1 Like**

Return it.
It never worked after you received it.

**ramseybuckeye** · 06-18-2021, 03:30 PM - **1 Like**

Send it back.

leekil · 06-18-2021, 05:06 PM

Could this be an aperture block failure? You could try it with a manual lens to see if that is it.

(But return it.)

---------- Post added 06-18-21 at 05:06 PM ----------

Could this be an aperture block failure? You could try it with a manual lens to see if that is it.

(But return it.)

**67comet** · 06-18-2021, 05:33 PM

Originally posted by leekil

Could this be an aperture block failure? You could try it with a manual lens to see if that is it.

(But return it.)

Tried a couple lenses, both lenses look good.

I did request a return, then ordered a K100D Super from another seller (that accepts returns). Here's hoping I don't loose my mind (June 24th-29th feels so far away).

**DWS1** · 06-18-2021, 06:26 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by grog85361

You could see if the seller will take it back, or keep/sell it for the white aperture control solenoids it contains for repairing K30/50/70 bodies.

That's why I bought a cheap non working *ist. Parts insurance. Turns out the camera works fine.

**67comet** · 06-18-2021, 07:26 PM

Looked up some stuff on the YouTubes.. Think this might be the answer (oh man, no way, it's just funny)..

Youtu.be

**ramseybuckeye** · 06-18-2021, 07:42 PM

Originally posted by 67comet

Looked up some stuff on the YouTubes.. Think this might be the answer (oh man, no way, it's just funny)..

I wonder if it actually could still record an image?

Your screen name of 67 Comet is interesting. I learned to drive in a light blue 67 Ford Fairlane.

Gamblat · 06-18-2021, 10:07 PM

Originally posted by 67comet

Looked up some stuff on the YouTubes.. Think this might be the answer (oh man, no way, it's just funny).. Sensor Cleaning

Don’t think u want to do this—yet.

**Michail_P** · 06-18-2021, 10:23 PM

You should return it. Spare yourself the hustle...

06-18-2021, 11:04 AM	#1
67comet Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Ogden, UT Photos: Albums Posts: 54	ist DL Black Images Hello, I got a ist DL off e-bay. Seller said takes wonderful images, works perfectly. I didn't have a small enough SD card for it to work, so I ordered a few small ones (no one around here has any SD cards that are smaller than 16gb). Received my memory cards today, fired up the *ist DL, tried to fire off some simple images and it only shows black. I tried all the modes, flash, no flash, and even bulb, all black. I upgraded the firmware from 1.00 to 1.03, went through all the modes again, reset the camera, went through all modes again, all black (the first images before the upgrade did have a colored stripe down the right side, but only the first couple images). Changed to the other lens, all black. I've tried 4 SD cards (2 1gb cards, and 2 2gb cards), all black. Is there anything I can do to test the CCD, or a self check? Thank you

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06-18-2021, 11:22 AM	#2
grog85361 Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Phoenix Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 893	You have already tested the sensor, and it no longer works. I don't know how prevalent sensor failure is in the istDL, I have had two istDL's develop this problem, I assume the sensors have failed. Both worked one day, the next time I used the camera, I got black frames. Playing back images taken with another body works, and the menus display, so it isn't an LCD failure. Very frustrating, for sure. You could see if the seller will take it back, or keep/sell it for the white aperture control solenoids it contains for repairing K30/50/70 bodies. I wish I had better news for you. Best of luck with it.

06-18-2021, 11:48 AM	#3
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by 67comet Hello, I got a ist DL off e-bay. Seller said takes wonderful images, works perfectly. I didn't have a small enough SD card for it to work, so I ordered a few small ones (no one around here has any SD cards that are smaller than 16gb). Received my memory cards today, fired up the ist DL, tried to fire off some simple images and it only shows black. I tried all the modes, flash, no flash, and even bulb, all black. I upgraded the firmware from 1.00 to 1.03, went through all the modes again, reset the camera, went through all modes again, all black (the first images before the upgrade did have a colored stripe down the right side, but only the first couple images). Changed to the other lens, all black. I've tried 4 SD cards (2 1gb cards, and 2 2gb cards), all black. Is there anything I can do to test the CCD, or a self check? Thank you Make sure the shutter is actually working?

06-18-2021, 12:06 PM	#4
67comet Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Ogden, UT Photos: Albums Posts: 54 Original Poster	Originally posted by Wheatfield Make sure the shutter is actually working? Yes'r, I popped the lens off and watched it all ca-clack ..

06-18-2021, 12:13 PM - 1 Like	#5
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I've seen two DLs with this problem; I even mentioned it in my reply to your post yesterday. It doesn't seem to happen to the other 6mp cameras so it seems like a connection rather than actual sensor failure. The camera will act like it has taken a photo but not record any usable image data in the file.

06-18-2021, 12:17 PM - 1 Like	#6
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	Originally posted by 67comet Yes'r, I popped the lens off and watched it all ca-clack .. Well I'm out of ideas. I really don't know much about what goes on inside these things. I'm happy to believe there is a little magician inside them making everything work. Perhaps there is, and the one in your camera has passed on to that great electronic darkroom in the sky.

06-18-2021, 01:31 PM - 1 Like	#7
DonV Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Near Charlotte NC Photos: Albums Posts: 693	Return it. It never worked after you received it.

06-18-2021, 03:30 PM - 1 Like	#8
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	Send it back.

06-18-2021, 05:06 PM	#9
leekil Pentaxian Join Date: May 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 2,003	Could this be an aperture block failure? You could try it with a manual lens to see if that is it. (But return it.) ---------- Post added 06-18-21 at 05:06 PM ---------- Could this be an aperture block failure? You could try it with a manual lens to see if that is it. (But return it.)

06-18-2021, 05:33 PM	#10
67comet Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Ogden, UT Photos: Albums Posts: 54 Original Poster	Originally posted by leekil Could this be an aperture block failure? You could try it with a manual lens to see if that is it. (But return it.) Tried a couple lenses, both lenses look good. I did request a return, then ordered a K100D Super from another seller (that accepts returns). Here's hoping I don't loose my mind (June 24th-29th feels so far away).

06-18-2021, 06:26 PM - 1 Like	#11
DWS1 Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Arkansas, USA Posts: 1,169	Originally posted by grog85361 You could see if the seller will take it back, or keep/sell it for the white aperture control solenoids it contains for repairing K30/50/70 bodies. That's why I bought a cheap non working *ist. Parts insurance. Turns out the camera works fine.

06-18-2021, 07:42 PM	#13
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	Originally posted by 67comet Looked up some stuff on the YouTubes.. Think this might be the answer (oh man, no way, it's just funny).. I wonder if it actually could still record an image? Your screen name of 67 Comet is interesting. I learned to drive in a light blue 67 Ford Fairlane.

06-18-2021, 10:07 PM	#14
Gamblat Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 87	Originally posted by 67comet Looked up some stuff on the YouTubes.. Think this might be the answer (oh man, no way, it's just funny).. Sensor Cleaning Don’t think u want to do this—yet.

06-18-2021, 10:23 PM	#15
Michail_P Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Kalymnos Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,006	You should return it. Spare yourself the hustle...