Pentax ZX-30 not working or is it me?

Jimscaf · 06-17-2022, 04:58 PM

Hello, I just purchased a ZX-30 from ebay listed as working camera and installed 2 new Energizer CR2 3 volt batteries. When I turn camera on it sounds like it's powering on, and the only thing that comes up in the display is Av-- that keeps flashing. I tried zooming lens nothing happens, I cannot see anything in the viewfinder and everything I've tried doesn't seem to work.
I contacted the seller and he said he didn't use the camera it was his fathers but it worked a couple years ago when his father was taking photos with it.
Not being familiar with this camera is there something simple I'm missing?
Jim

**c.a.m** · 06-17-2022, 05:14 PM - **2 Likes**

Welcome to Pentax Forums!

It might be worth looking at the Operating Manual, available here: Pentax ZX-30 manual, user manual, free instruction manual, pdf manuals

I note on the first page: "This camera does not operate when the lens aperture ring is set to any position other then the A position or if used with a lens that does not have the A position."

- Craig

**ramseybuckeye** · 06-17-2022, 05:16 PM

The flashing Av sound like it is not recognizing the lens, take a microfibre cloth with a bit of alcohol and clean the mount surface of the lens and camera, being careful not to get anything in the camera. That's the easiest thing to try.

**UncleVanya** · 06-17-2022, 06:00 PM

As @c.a.m says make sure the lens is set to the “A” position not a set to a number on the aperture ring.

The manual also describes basic operation on page 24.

**ismaelg** · 06-18-2022, 06:00 AM - **1 Like**

Hello,

You mention you don't see anything in the viewfinder. Remove the lens and see if the mirror is stuck in the up position. If so, it is most likely a mirror return gear failure, common to this series of cameras. That is not a simple fix and requires major surgery. I'd return and ask for a refund if advertised as working.

Thanks,
Ismael

**photogem** · 06-18-2022, 10:17 AM

Originally posted by ismaelg

Hello,

You mention you don't see anything in the viewfinder. Remove the lens and see if the mirror is stuck in the up position. If so, it is most likely a mirror return gear failure, common to this series of cameras. That is not a simple fix and requires major surgery. I'd return and ask for a refund if advertised as working.

Thanks,
Ismael

I think you got it! That is a common problem of the ZX/MZ Series.

Jimscaf · 06-18-2022, 11:50 AM

Originally posted by ismaelg

Hello,

You mention you don't see anything in the viewfinder. Remove the lens and see if the mirror is stuck in the up position. If so, it is most likely a mirror return gear failure, common to this series of cameras. That is not a simple fix and requires major surgery. I'd return and ask for a refund if advertised as working.

Thanks,
Ismael

Thanks Ismael that appears to be the problem the mirror is stuck in up position. I'll work something out with the seller.
Jim

**photogem** · 06-19-2022, 09:50 PM

Originally posted by Jimscaf

Thanks Ismael that appears to be the problem the mirror is stuck in up position. I'll work something out with the seller.
Jim

Happens all to often to the ZX/MZ Series.
Get a Z70 or Z1. The P versions are special, P stands for Panorama, but they are much more expensive and thought after.
They have the KAF2 mount, i.e. you can use the aperture ring on the lenses!

But of course there are some advantages with the "crippled KAF mount:
Features and Operation of the “crippled” KAF Mount | The K-Mount Page

Maybe if you have all FA-limiteds, then the MZ-S but this is much more money.
And yet the Z1 and the Z1P have their advantages. I don't know about the Z5 and Z5P, only read about them.
If I remember right they are similar to the Z1's but silver and only for the Japanese market.

I sold my Z1P few years ago when I gave up film but sometimes I regret it.

The MZ-S of course is (to me) the looking Pentax ever.

06-17-2022, 04:58 PM	#1
Jimscaf New Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 2	Pentax ZX-30 not working or is it me? Hello, I just purchased a ZX-30 from ebay listed as working camera and installed 2 new Energizer CR2 3 volt batteries. When I turn camera on it sounds like it's powering on, and the only thing that comes up in the display is Av-- that keeps flashing. I tried zooming lens nothing happens, I cannot see anything in the viewfinder and everything I've tried doesn't seem to work. I contacted the seller and he said he didn't use the camera it was his fathers but it worked a couple years ago when his father was taking photos with it. Not being familiar with this camera is there something simple I'm missing? Jim

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06-17-2022, 05:14 PM - 2 Likes	#2
c.a.m Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,194	Welcome to Pentax Forums! It might be worth looking at the Operating Manual, available here: Pentax ZX-30 manual, user manual, free instruction manual, pdf manuals I note on the first page: "This camera does not operate when the lens aperture ring is set to any position other then the A position or if used with a lens that does not have the A position." - Craig

06-17-2022, 05:16 PM	#3
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,296	The flashing Av sound like it is not recognizing the lens, take a microfibre cloth with a bit of alcohol and clean the mount surface of the lens and camera, being careful not to get anything in the camera. That's the easiest thing to try.

06-17-2022, 06:00 PM	#4
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,472	As @c.a.m says make sure the lens is set to the “A” position not a set to a number on the aperture ring. The manual also describes basic operation on page 24.

06-18-2022, 06:00 AM - 1 Like	#5
ismaelg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Puerto Rico Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,685	Hello, You mention you don't see anything in the viewfinder. Remove the lens and see if the mirror is stuck in the up position. If so, it is most likely a mirror return gear failure, common to this series of cameras. That is not a simple fix and requires major surgery. I'd return and ask for a refund if advertised as working. Thanks, Ismael

06-18-2022, 10:17 AM	#6
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,525	Originally posted by ismaelg Hello, You mention you don't see anything in the viewfinder. Remove the lens and see if the mirror is stuck in the up position. If so, it is most likely a mirror return gear failure, common to this series of cameras. That is not a simple fix and requires major surgery. I'd return and ask for a refund if advertised as working. Thanks, Ismael I think you got it! That is a common problem of the ZX/MZ Series.

06-18-2022, 11:50 AM	#7
Jimscaf New Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Originally posted by ismaelg Hello, You mention you don't see anything in the viewfinder. Remove the lens and see if the mirror is stuck in the up position. If so, it is most likely a mirror return gear failure, common to this series of cameras. That is not a simple fix and requires major surgery. I'd return and ask for a refund if advertised as working. Thanks, Ismael Thanks Ismael that appears to be the problem the mirror is stuck in up position. I'll work something out with the seller. Jim

06-19-2022, 09:50 PM	#8
photogem Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 3,525	Originally posted by Jimscaf Thanks Ismael that appears to be the problem the mirror is stuck in up position. I'll work something out with the seller. Jim Happens all to often to the ZX/MZ Series. Get a Z70 or Z1. The P versions are special, P stands for Panorama, but they are much more expensive and thought after. They have the KAF2 mount, i.e. you can use the aperture ring on the lenses! But of course there are some advantages with the "crippled KAF mount: Features and Operation of the “crippled” KAF Mount \| The K-Mount Page Maybe if you have all FA-limiteds, then the MZ-S but this is much more money. And yet the Z1 and the Z1P have their advantages. I don't know about the Z5 and Z5P, only read about them. If I remember right they are similar to the Z1's but silver and only for the Japanese market. I sold my Z1P few years ago when I gave up film but sometimes I regret it. The MZ-S of course is (to me) the looking Pentax ever.