Pentax MZ50/ZX50 - no photo when shutter is pressed

Use autofocus if you have a AF lens on it.

Usually you get a kit 18-55 AF lens that has a A/M switch on the side. The switch should be facing the A side so it's set on autofocus. Then you have 9 points on your viewfinder, those are the autofocus points. It should usually be set to center, because you usually want the object in center of your photo to not be blurry.
Remember to press the shutter button halfway and give some time for the autofocus to focus. Then you can press it all the way, you should have your photos nice and clear.

If you happen to have a manual focus lens, you should be watching through the viewfinder and turning the focus ring on the lens and determine if your object is in focus. It's hard at night, but get some practice at home when you have some more light so you get more familiar with the focus.

You did not say which camera body you are using, but you probably have three different auto-focus modes on you camera. You might be using the wrong one.

The modes are as follows:
AF-A Mode: Camera automatically selects single-servo autofocus when AF-A subject is stationary, continuous-servo autofocus when subject is moving. Shutter can only be released if camera is able to focus. AF-S Mode: For stationary subjects. Focus locks when shutter-release button AF-S is pressed halfway. Shutter can only be released when in-focus indicator is displayed.
AF-C Mode: For moving subjects. Camera focuses continuously while AF-C shutter-release button is pressed halfway. Photographs can be taken even when in-focus indicator is not displayed.

Hi Noodle
One of Pentax's strengths is that that you can use lenses from the late 1960s on them (via an adaptor). However, I'm assuming that you have a bayonet fitting lens - but as you say 'my manual pentax' could it be that they are not autofocus lenses?
If autofocus is switched on and you have a manual focus lens, you have to have something in focus in order for the shutter to fire. (with no lens fitted it doesn't seem to matter). Switch the camera to manual focus (where you can shoot out-of-focus stuff) and see if the problem is still there.
If it is then it spounds as though there is something amiss with the camera to lens coupling.

The Nikon D40 in Auto Focus mode will only allow the shutter to operate when the image is in focus. When looking through the viewfinder, the bottom edge provides information relative to what you are looking at. See the image below:



Item 2 is the focus indicator. It must be illuminated to allow the shutter to release. If it is not illuminated, the lens has not been able to determine the correct focus. This can happen when attempting to take a picture in low light conditions. Make sure that the front facing "focus assist lamp" on the camera (between the shutter release and lens) has not been blocked or disabled (Settings Menu # 09) and try again. Many times, you will see and or hear the lens "hunt" for proper focus - the lens will travel from one end of its focus range to the other trying to find focus. When it can't, it stops and prevents the shutter from releasing. You can get around this "unable to focus" issue by changing the position of the switch on the lens to "Manual Focus" mode, detailed below:

If a lens has an "A - M" switch, move it to "M" to manually focus. If the switch says "M/A - M " then leave on M/A (unless you're going to be taking several or more in manual mode), as these lenses may be focused manually at any time in either position. As soon as you tap the shutter button in M/A you return to autofocus.

More advanced lenses, like the 18-200mm, 70-300mm VR and 18-135mm, and any lens with an M/A position, may be focused manually at any time without moving any switches. Leave them in their A or A/M positions.

I hope this helps and good luck!

Try cleaning the contacts on the lens and camera body where they meet with a cotton swab lightly dampened with rubbing alcohol.

Remove the lens and clean the contacts between the body and the lens with a pencil eraser. Make sure the camera is on Autofocus mode. If these don't solve the problem, take it to an authorized service center.

Hello,

I don't own a K10D, but I do own a K100D which I have successfully used both manual focus & auto-focus lenses from my old Pentax stash!

1) If it is a manual focus lens, you need to turn off Autofocus on the body of your K10D. On my K100D, there is a switch on the side of the lens mount that says [-MF or -AF]. "-MF" is manual focus mode & "-AF" is autofocus mode. Since your lens doesn't have autofocus capability, turn it to the "-MF" mode.

Also . . . When I press "Menu" and go to "Custom Setting", I change two settings . . .

1) I change "Using aperture ring" to "Permitted". This allows you to use manual lenses (M lenses) that do not have an auto(exposure) setting, and also lets you use Auto lenses (A, KA, KA2, FA, etc.) in either the Auto or manual aperture setting modes.

2) I change "Fl with S lens used" so that even with a manual focus lens, although I don't have autofocus capability, my K100D beeps and shows a little red square in the viewfinder when I have successfully focused manually!

The K10D should have the same options.

This should get you up and running!

I have had a load of fun with my old lens on my new digital Pentax!

Take care & Happy Imaging!
Glen
:)

Hey harleymomma,
If the d70 is set to AF-S mode focus has to be achieved for the shutter to be allowed to take the photo. In some exposure modes the aperture must be locked down on the smallest aperture. I would also make sure the contacts are clean that allow communication between the body and the lens. Of course you need to make sure the body and the lens are set to autofocus. If none of this works I would have it looked at by an authorized service technician. I hope this helps!

Sincerely,
Allan
Go Ahead. Use Us.

First see that autofocus is swiched on ( side of the camera ) camera will not auto focus if body set to manual focus. Otherwise check lens which may be faulty( use another lens to check ). If you are still getting no joy camera should go in but this sort of problem is not expensive to repair.