I recently took a shot with my pentax zx-7, but when it was taking the picture everything froze up. it wouldn't turn off when i moved the switch, it would just stay on, and if you look through the viewfinder everything is just black, you can't see out of it. I took the batteries out and put them back in but now it just won't turn on. What happened and what should I do?

SOURCE: black viewfinder

Slr mirror is stuck. remove the lens and try to slightly move the mirror up and down ( but not forcing it to move!)and pushing the shutter switch. Try also applying lighter fluid in the mechanism while operating or shooting, fluid will help loosen the stucked mechanism.

SOURCE: Pentax zx 50 35mm slr

Others here have suggested the problem lays with the plastic gear on the advancing motor beside the mirror.

This might cost $100 or so...?

SOURCE: black viewfinder

where is the mirror on the camera? i am having the same problem
and what does it look like?

SOURCE: THE SHUTTER STUCK OPEN AND NOTHING HAPPENS, EXCEPT

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

SOURCE: I recently shot three rolls of color film with my

The shutter assembly has failed, a common fault with all older autofocus SLR's. it's nothing to do with the autofocus itself, just that AF SLR's usually tend to have fully electronically operated shutters which cannot be serviced and repaired like older models.

The only fix is to replace it, but it's no longer available and even if you do find one the repair is not economically worthwhile.

If you're not too choosy as to the brand, then free similar SLR models complete with lenses are regularly available on FreeCycle and Freegle. It's where I got all of mine.