A Newbs sad story with a K-x

MelAllsop · 12-16-2009, 02:00 PM

Greetings.

I am new to this community, and to DSLR's. I've decided to go for the K-x, as it's reputation already, as a very affordable entry level DSLR, is infamous

Today I recieved my lovely new K-x. It's spanking. However, I cannot get it to work!

SD card - check, batteries - check, lenses check, power on - check.

Hmm....can't take any pictures. No shutter action at all. No auto focus. Nothing. Every time I lightly press the shutter release, the details on the screen flash. But nothing happens.

Tried the other lense, same.

Took the lenses off, the shutter works....

Am I bring a complete newb. Am I missing something? Please help this very frustrated chap, who really needs his camera!

Thankyou

**Just1MoreDave** · 12-16-2009, 03:36 PM

Originally posted by MelAllsop

Took the lenses off, the shutter works...

If that's true, I think it means you are not installing the lenses correctly. Try reading the instructions about this in the manual. It's a little weird. The camera will work with no lens, however, not work with a partly installed lens*.

*doesn't apply to advanced users who change the Using aperture ring setting to Permitted.

MelAllsop · 12-16-2009, 03:53 PM

Hi Just1MoreDave

I thought that too. But, the instructions are very clear. Aligned the red dots, turn clockwise until you hear an audible "click". The camera does this fine. But when I attached the lense, I get nothing.....

I know this wierd. I'm a pretty competant chap. But this has thrown me. I literally can't do anything different.

SOldBear · 12-16-2009, 03:56 PM

What are the lenses that you try?

I'm not sure if the lenses matter, but have to ask.

aleonx3 · 12-16-2009, 04:01 PM

Did you see the focus confirmation on the viewfinder? Also, when the screen flashes that usually means the camera can not achieve proper exposure.

What mode is the camera on?

MelAllsop · 12-16-2009, 04:02 PM

The lenses I got with the "kit" are:

SMC Pentax DAL 18-15 &
SMC Pentax DAL 50-200

I've just tried again to see if there is any other way these lenses can go on. I cannot attache then any differently.

When the lenses are attached, something is stopping them from working. IE no focus or shutter action. Completely baffled!

MelAllsop · 12-16-2009, 04:08 PM

There is no focus confirmation on the viewfinder.

I get the picture mode icon IE Auto Pict
Shake Reduction
Shutter speed and Aperture
ISO

Depressing the shutter release, does nothing. No focus, shutter action at all.

Thankyou very much for taking the time to reply to my troubles.

MelAllsop · 12-16-2009, 04:09 PM

Sorry, the camera is on Auto Pict mode.

causey · 12-16-2009, 04:23 PM

what kind of batteries are you using? the ones included in the original package?

deadwolfbones · 12-16-2009, 04:29 PM

Probably a dumb question, but is the AF/MF switch turned to AF? Lens cap off?

fccwpe · 12-16-2009, 04:29 PM

maybe you're not turning the lens far enough? Is the red alignment dot on the lens directly under the center of the PENTAX logo on the camera?

deadwolfbones · 12-16-2009, 04:31 PM

Originally posted by fccwpe

maybe you're not turning the lens far enough? Is the red alignment dot on the lens directly under the center of the PENTAX logo on the camera?

He said he heard the click when it locked into place... this shouldn't be it...

Igilligan · 12-16-2009, 04:34 PM

Are you sure the camera is not in Manual focus mode? it will not snap a pic in MF unless you have manually focused the lens to focus confirmation.

enoeske · 12-16-2009, 04:45 PM

Originally posted by Igilligan

Are you sure the camera is not in Manual focus mode? it will not snap a pic in MF unless you have manually focused the lens to focus confirmation.

That doesn't sound right. What if you are taking an abstract image of some bokeh? How would you go about taking that picture if you want nothing in focus?

Eruditass · 12-16-2009, 04:47 PM

Yeah, that doesn't sound right, unless trap-AF is enabled - but it is off by default - and actually can't be used with AF lenses w/o a AF/MF switch on the lens (although I wish it could).

This is baffling - if you have a P&S take a video!

Maybe try putting it on MF and seeing if it will snap a picture.

What happens when you go in Video or LiveView mode? If you half-press - do you hear the motor trying to focus?

12-16-2009, 02:00 PM	#1
MelAllsop New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 8	A Newbs sad story with a K-x Greetings. I am new to this community, and to DSLR's. I've decided to go for the K-x, as it's reputation already, as a very affordable entry level DSLR, is infamous Today I recieved my lovely new K-x. It's spanking. However, I cannot get it to work! SD card - check, batteries - check, lenses check, power on - check. Hmm....can't take any pictures. No shutter action at all. No auto focus. Nothing. Every time I lightly press the shutter release, the details on the screen flash. But nothing happens. Tried the other lense, same. Took the lenses off, the shutter works.... Am I bring a complete newb. Am I missing something? Please help this very frustrated chap, who really needs his camera! Thankyou

12-16-2009, 04:34 PM	#13
Igilligan Guest	I am with DWB... Are you sure the camera is not in Manual focus mode? it will not snap a pic in MF unless you have manually focused the lens to focus confirmation.

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12-16-2009, 03:36 PM	#2
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	Originally posted by MelAllsop Took the lenses off, the shutter works... If that's true, I think it means you are not installing the lenses correctly. Try reading the instructions about this in the manual. It's a little weird. The camera will work with no lens, however, not work with a partly installed lens. doesn't apply to advanced users who change the Using aperture ring setting to Permitted.

12-16-2009, 03:53 PM	#3
MelAllsop New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 8 Original Poster	Hi Just1MoreDave I thought that too. But, the instructions are very clear. Aligned the red dots, turn clockwise until you hear an audible "click". The camera does this fine. But when I attached the lense, I get nothing..... I know this wierd. I'm a pretty competant chap. But this has thrown me. I literally can't do anything different.

12-16-2009, 03:56 PM	#4
SOldBear Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Alameda, CA Posts: 3,206	What are the lenses that you try? I'm not sure if the lenses matter, but have to ask.

12-16-2009, 04:01 PM	#5
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Did you see the focus confirmation on the viewfinder? Also, when the screen flashes that usually means the camera can not achieve proper exposure. What mode is the camera on?

12-16-2009, 04:02 PM	#6
MelAllsop New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 8 Original Poster	The lenses I got with the "kit" are: SMC Pentax DAL 18-15 & SMC Pentax DAL 50-200 I've just tried again to see if there is any other way these lenses can go on. I cannot attache then any differently. When the lenses are attached, something is stopping them from working. IE no focus or shutter action. Completely baffled!

12-16-2009, 04:08 PM	#7
MelAllsop New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 8 Original Poster	There is no focus confirmation on the viewfinder. I get the picture mode icon IE Auto Pict Shake Reduction Shutter speed and Aperture ISO Depressing the shutter release, does nothing. No focus, shutter action at all. Thankyou very much for taking the time to reply to my troubles.

12-16-2009, 04:09 PM	#8
MelAllsop New Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 8 Original Poster	Sorry, the camera is on Auto Pict mode.

12-16-2009, 04:23 PM	#9
causey Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Arlington, VA Photos: Albums Posts: 3,757	what kind of batteries are you using? the ones included in the original package?

12-16-2009, 04:29 PM	#10
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Probably a dumb question, but is the AF/MF switch turned to AF? Lens cap off?

12-16-2009, 04:29 PM	#11
fccwpe Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Perris, CA Photos: Gallery Posts: 380	maybe you're not turning the lens far enough? Is the red alignment dot on the lens directly under the center of the PENTAX logo on the camera?

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12-16-2009, 04:31 PM	#12
deadwolfbones Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: La Crescenta, CA Posts: 7,450	Originally posted by fccwpe maybe you're not turning the lens far enough? Is the red alignment dot on the lens directly under the center of the PENTAX logo on the camera? He said he heard the click when it locked into place... this shouldn't be it...

12-16-2009, 04:45 PM	#14
enoeske Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Surprise, Az Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,136	Originally posted by Igilligan Are you sure the camera is not in Manual focus mode? it will not snap a pic in MF unless you have manually focused the lens to focus confirmation. That doesn't sound right. What if you are taking an abstract image of some bokeh? How would you go about taking that picture if you want nothing in focus?

12-16-2009, 04:47 PM	#15
Eruditass Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,207	Yeah, that doesn't sound right, unless trap-AF is enabled - but it is off by default - and actually can't be used with AF lenses w/o a AF/MF switch on the lens (although I wish it could). This is baffling - if you have a P&S take a video! Maybe try putting it on MF and seeing if it will snap a picture. What happens when you go in Video or LiveView mode? If you half-press - do you hear the motor trying to focus?