Fleetwood271
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2010
- Messages
- 314
- Reaction score
- 3
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos NOT OK to edit
I was outside this morning taking pictures of birds, when my viewfinder went dark. I could not see anything through the viewfinder, even though I was outside in bright light. And the shutter button would not operate. I thought maybe the battery had died, since it was about 20º outside. But I still had power to pull up the menu, and the battery info showed it at 78%.
I turned the camera off and back on, but it did not help. I took the lens off and put it back on, but that did not help either. I then tried another lens. No change. Last, I changed the battery for a fresh charge. Still no results.
Finally, I got my manual out (when all else fails, read the instructions
. I was hoping for a simple solution, but in the troubleshooting section, where it gives the ERR message, it says "Camera Malfunction". It then tells me to take camera to authorized service center.
Being stubborn, I didn't give up. Took battery out again, pulled lens off and replaced again. Without looking through viewfinder, I pointed camera at the wall and pushed shutter button, and....it clicked. I then looked through the viewfinder and all was well.
So, I have no idea what was wrong. Do you think that just being outside in the cold for 1/2 hour or so would have done this? I know the cold sucks the power out of batteries quickly, but I've never heard of this happening. It was snowing slightly, but at 20º, it wasn't a wet snow, so I don't see how moisture could have been an issue.
Anyone have a similar problem, or know what might have caused it? Even when the camera is off, I can see through the viewfinder. What would cause it to go black? Could shutter have gotten stuck?
I turned the camera off and back on, but it did not help. I took the lens off and put it back on, but that did not help either. I then tried another lens. No change. Last, I changed the battery for a fresh charge. Still no results.
Finally, I got my manual out (when all else fails, read the instructions

Being stubborn, I didn't give up. Took battery out again, pulled lens off and replaced again. Without looking through viewfinder, I pointed camera at the wall and pushed shutter button, and....it clicked. I then looked through the viewfinder and all was well.
So, I have no idea what was wrong. Do you think that just being outside in the cold for 1/2 hour or so would have done this? I know the cold sucks the power out of batteries quickly, but I've never heard of this happening. It was snowing slightly, but at 20º, it wasn't a wet snow, so I don't see how moisture could have been an issue.
Anyone have a similar problem, or know what might have caused it? Even when the camera is off, I can see through the viewfinder. What would cause it to go black? Could shutter have gotten stuck?