Black images MY KONICA MINOLTA 7D MAXXUM TAKES ONLY BLANK (BLACK) PICTURES AND CUTS OFF AFTER EACH SHOT. IT HAS PREVIOUSLY PRODUCED EXCELLENT PICTURES. iS THIS AN INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THIS CAMERA AND HOW DO RECTIFY THE SITUATION

This is a common problem with the 7D. The shutter curtain will stick after several years of service. Put the camera in clean mode to get the curtain to lift, or send it to Sony to replace it. It was a design flaw by Minolta.

A manual for your camera can be found here.

I have this same problem. If you get a solution, please let me know. [email protected]

Thanks!

Check your "exposure compensation" and ISO settings.

Are the pictures in focus? Does your viewfinder have a diopter correction?

Precision Camera picked up the responsibility for fixing the 7D and 5D Konica-Minolta cameras when Sony bought out K-M. I contacted them when my 7D wasn't functioning, and sent them my camera. Fortunately, on of the problems was "First Frame Black". Precision completely refurbished my camera and returned it to me in better than new condition. Sony picked up the full cost for the total refurbishing; all I paid was the shipping cost to Precision. I might add that my 7D was not in warranty. The URL for Precision Camera is:
http://www.precision-camera.com/ . Give it a shot.

symptom 1: referred to as FFB (Firts Frame Black). this is when you do not use the camera for a while and when you attempt to take the first snap shot, the Shutter is either stuck, or takes a blank/black picture (some cases the picture came out bluish). Sometimes the camera would freeze and you would need to remove the battery and re-insert it in order to reset the camera. Usually the camera comes back to life and and is usuable for a while until you store it. Sony will fix this free as they identified it as a design flaw in which the remedied (incorrect gear size for the Shutter charge assembly). Contact Sony support as they own all Minolta camera assets and tell them you have the FFB or First Frame Black problem and they will set up a ticket and instructions on where and how to send it.

symptom 2: Camera does not respond at all to the shutter release. Focus is fine, menu works, every function works no problem except for the most important - taking a picture (releasing the shutter). When you first turn on the camera, you hear the Antishift module attempt to center the CCD with a series of clicking noise for 5 or so seconds (not a good sign, also called the death rattle). All 5 AS bars in the view finder are blinking. In this case, the Tebure Assembly (AS Module) has failed and will need replacing. This is not cheap - sending it in to Precision Camera will run you around $250-$280. You can do it yourself if you order the assembly from Sony: Item - ( TEBURE ASSY ), U3008233U, $118.22 ea. via 1-800-488-7669 (will take 3-4 weeks). And follow the service manual to install and calibrate it (via the service manual download at http://www.dyxum.com/dforum/topic36109_post396839.html#396839).

However, if your camera experienced the FFB and then siezed (symptom 2) you can probably still get Sony to repair it free as its one charge for a complete camera repair. Call them up and tell them your situation.

Yes this is a common problem. Set the camera to take a long exposure shot (5 seconds) and with the lens off take a photo. Can you see the ccd or just the shutter (black)? If its just the shutter the shutter is jammed. It's basically a question of persisting with rebooting the camera and taking shots until the shutter frees itself.

I had the same problem. Took picture; camera turned itself off after one shot; review of picture showed no image (black). Thought it was battery or card but battery fully charged. Took card out; turned camera on; activated shutter; camera turned itself off. Reinserted (same) card; turned camera on; took picture; problem solved. No idea why. Gary

There is a known problem with the 7D and some early 5D's where sometimes when you turn the camera on and take a picture it is all black and the camera locks up. You can turn it off and back on and the problem goes away for awhile. Don't know if this is what ou are experiencing. If it is, Sony (who bought out Konica Minolta's camera division) will fix the problem for free. Just had this repaired on my 7D.