K200D broken - Mirror stays up, picture not saved

cfraz · 03-21-2010, 09:34 PM

See a short description of the problem in post #2.

My K200D stopped working a couple of days ago. Everything appears to work normally except when I press the shutter release, the mirror stays up for about 3/4 second regardless of the shutter speed and then the Guide display comes on (just as it does when you first turn on the camera). However it does not save a picture. It behaves like this whether using 18-55 kit lens, an SMC Takumar, or no lens at all.

All menu functions, controls, viewfinder display, top and back LCDs, autofocus all work normally. The camera asks for focal length when a Takumar is mounted, as it should.

The meter responds like I expect, and the shutter seems to open and close appropriate to shutter speed setting: I can see a definite reflection of the sensor at 1/60 sec., just barely at 1/250 sec. and not at all at 1/4000 sec.

The diaphram on the 18-55 kit lens stops down, and stays down for as long as the mirror is up. The amber SD card write light comes on, but the picture is not saved. Existing pictures on the SD card are displayed correctly on the camera.

If I set a shutter speed lower than 1/15 second, the mirror stays up. When I turn the camera off, the mirror is still up. When I remove the batteries, the mirror is still up. The mirror only returns when I put the batteries back in and close the battery door (while the camera is still turned off).

Shake reduction off/on, AF/MF, JPEG/RAW, JPEG size or quality, single or HI or Lo continuous drive mode, metering mode, P, Sv, Tv, Av, M do not make a difference; it fails just the same.

Other things I've tried:
Use nearly fresh set of Energizer lithiums.
Use freshly charged Rayovac Hybrids.
Format SD card.
Remove batteries overnight.
Slightly bend tabs in battery compartment to make sure they are tight.
Clean connection tabs in battery compartment.
Clean lens contacts.
Use brand new set of Energizer Ultimate Lithiums.
Leave new batteries in camera 15 mins. before turning the camera on.
Use brand new SD card.

Any ideas of what is wrong?

Last edited by cfraz; 03-22-2010 at 07:32 PM. Reason: Pointer to summary post

cfraz · 03-22-2010, 07:30 PM

Hoping someone will respond to this shorter description:

My K200D has stopped saving pictures. Also, the mirror stays up the same length of time (about 3/4 second) for any shutter speed above 1/20 sec. At shutter speeds 1/15 sec. and lower, the mirror stays up until the batteries are removed and then replaced.

Installing new Energizer Ultimate lithium batteries and a new SD card did not help.

Any ideas of what is wrong?

Clicker · 03-22-2010, 08:38 PM

Did you try to reset the settings in the menu options under "set-up"? If that doesn't help, it seems more like a mechanical break down?

I read your post yesterday and it's the first time i've come across this issue, i'm not sure if other past or present users have had your issue?

cfraz · 03-22-2010, 08:54 PM

Yes, reset the menu settings.

03-21-2010, 09:34 PM	#1
cfraz Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nevada, USA Posts: 494	K200D broken - Mirror stays up, picture not saved *See a short description of the problem in post #2.* My K200D stopped working a couple of days ago. Everything appears to work normally except when I press the shutter release, the mirror stays up for about 3/4 second regardless of the shutter speed and then the Guide display comes on (just as it does when you first turn on the camera). However it does not save a picture. It behaves like this whether using 18-55 kit lens, an SMC Takumar, or no lens at all. All menu functions, controls, viewfinder display, top and back LCDs, autofocus all work normally. The camera asks for focal length when a Takumar is mounted, as it should. The meter responds like I expect, and the shutter seems to open and close appropriate to shutter speed setting: I can see a definite reflection of the sensor at 1/60 sec., just barely at 1/250 sec. and not at all at 1/4000 sec. The diaphram on the 18-55 kit lens stops down, and stays down for as long as the mirror is up. The amber SD card write light comes on, but the picture is not saved. Existing pictures on the SD card are displayed correctly on the camera. If I set a shutter speed lower than 1/15 second, the mirror stays up. When I turn the camera off, the mirror is still up. When I remove the batteries, the mirror is still up. The mirror only returns when I put the batteries back in and close the battery door (while the camera is still turned off). Shake reduction off/on, AF/MF, JPEG/RAW, JPEG size or quality, single or HI or Lo continuous drive mode, metering mode, P, Sv, Tv, Av, M do not make a difference; it fails just the same. Other things I've tried: Use nearly fresh set of Energizer lithiums. Use freshly charged Rayovac Hybrids. Format SD card. Remove batteries overnight. Slightly bend tabs in battery compartment to make sure they are tight. Clean connection tabs in battery compartment. Clean lens contacts. Use brand new set of Energizer Ultimate Lithiums. Leave new batteries in camera 15 mins. before turning the camera on. Use brand new SD card. Any ideas of what is wrong? Last edited by cfraz; 03-22-2010 at 07:32 PM. Reason: Pointer to summary post

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03-22-2010, 07:30 PM	#2
cfraz Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nevada, USA Posts: 494 Original Poster	Problem summary Hoping someone will respond to this shorter description: My K200D has stopped saving pictures. Also, the mirror stays up the same length of time (about 3/4 second) for any shutter speed above 1/20 sec. At shutter speeds 1/15 sec. and lower, the mirror stays up until the batteries are removed and then replaced. Installing new Energizer Ultimate lithium batteries and a new SD card did not help. Any ideas of what is wrong?

03-22-2010, 08:38 PM	#3
Clicker Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,241	Did you try to reset the settings in the menu options under "set-up"? If that doesn't help, it seems more like a mechanical break down? I read your post yesterday and it's the first time i've come across this issue, i'm not sure if other past or present users have had your issue?

03-22-2010, 08:54 PM	#4
cfraz Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nevada, USA Posts: 494 Original Poster	Yes, reset the menu settings.