20 Most Recent Pentax ZX-50 35mm SLR Camera Questions & Answers

You may download a copy of the manual here.

That will happen if the mirror is stuck in the up position and so blocking any light from entering the viewfinder.

Mirror lock-up is very common on 35mm SLR's like yours where the shutter is entirely electronically controlled and in most cases it's cured simply by fitting new batteries.

If this resolves your problem then please rate my answer, if not then add a comment instead to confirm that the batteries have been replaced and I'll try further options.

It uses two CR2 or equivalent batteries. You can tell your sister she may download the manual here.

Hi,

You may please download the manual for the camera from this link.

If you require any further assistance, please comment and let me know, and I will be happy to assist you to further resolve your issue.

I will appreciate your feedback and positive rating for this solution.
Thank you.

Follow this link. www.pentaximaging.com/files/manual/ZX50.pdf

if its just a sticky mirror you could try to very genteely flip it down again but if the shutter is jamed in its sliders it could need to go to a camera shop to get it "fully serviced!" also check its not just the shutter lock button stuck in, or the shutter is locked open,

The ZX-50 does not have a mirror lock up feature so there are several possibilities for the problem. There could be residue on the foam padding where the mirror hits the inside of the camera frame causing it to stick. In this case the foam may need replacing and the inside frame cleaned. Checking with a camera dealer in your area will answer the question in more detail.

loader gear broken,get it replaced ,get it done by a camera tec.

SLR stands for "Single Lense Reflex", and yours is not reflexing, the shutter is stuck. I would say the guy that owned it before you did not know it, because to reset it manualy you have to remove the film and or the lense. To fix it you have to send the camera in for a good cleaning. "proffesonal job, lots of small tools and touchy parts"

check the sprockets on the roller..whether they are broken or not?If not there might be problem inside the roller that locks the sprockets to rotate in one direction only when the lever is pulled....you have to open that mechanism very carefully as there are tiny parts inside.

clean the cotacts of the lens and camera,use new good batteries.

Try http://www.devicemanuals.com/guide/Cameras/Pentax-manuals-page2.html.

use ISO Kodak 400 as a start. Remember that the higher the speed the higher the grain. So if you want to enlarge to poster size a lower ISO speed will give the less grain, ( sharper image ).

Batteries inserted correctly? Check manual. I know that sounds stupid, but people do it. If the batteries were ever put in upside down, it may have shorted the electronics.
Also, batteries CAN go dead on the store shelf.
Battery contacts corroded?
If all that's OK, then we can assume a power switch problem unless this model has some unusual special handshake to get the power past the switch, LOL. Please check your manual. Yes, this probly means repair.

My mirror contacts a kind of foam substance on the upswing. It got sticky a while back and I had the same problem as you. I dampened a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol (91%) and rolled it back and forth many times over the foam. Let it dry and my mirror doesn't stick any more. Might work for you.

first make sure the mirror is fully down. if down
take your MZ50 to a camera store and try a different lens. if it does the same thing then your camera needs repaired. flex circuit,
if the different lens works then the lens needs repaired.