Help with Pentax KD100

[PrincessBelle39]

We've just arrived at Disney World tonight and I've pulled out my camera to take photo's and on the screen get the message card locked. I've tried several cards and get the same message everytime. It worked fine yesterday when I used it. Can anyone help? I can't imagine not being able to take any photos while I'm here.

 

[VVFF]

We've just arrived at Disney World tonight and I've pulled out my camera to take photo's and on the screen get the message card locked. I've tried several cards and get the same message everytime. It worked fine yesterday when I used it. Can anyone help? I can't imagine not being able to take any photos while I'm here.

Assuming it takes SD cards check the small switch on the side of the SD cards to make sure they didn't get bumped into the "locked" position.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

It takes SD cards but its not the switch on the cards. I used the camera, did not take the card out, and next time I went to use, it wasn't working. I've now tried 4 cards and get the same message.

 

[gokenin]

long shot here but have you taken the batteries out and tried a restart afterwards may possibly cause the camera to reset. Another alternative is something may be in the card slot you can turn the camer with the slot facing down and try to use your blower to clean out the slot.
I hate to say it but if none of these options work then they may be a physical problem with the sensor reading the card that is telling the camera that the card has the memory locked. I know thats not good news but browsing the Pentax Forums for answers it appears that this may be and unfortunate option. I hope its not

 

[ukcatfan]

I had an error once like that. I took the batteries out and left it sit for about a day and everything worked fine since. I was obviously not at WDW and had the time to wait. If you run out of luck, there is a Walmart a few miles down the road from DTD on Apopka-Vineland Rd. where you could get an inexpensive p&s to at least cover your trip. There is also a Target if you go farther on the same road to 192 and make a left.

 

[Groucho]

Ugh, that stinks!

I would try putting a piece of tape over where the write-protect tab is. I think there's a little piece inside the camera that looks for that slot and if it's there, says that the memory card is locked. Maybe the extra thinkness of the tape will be enough to solve the problem. It definitely is thinking that the write-protect tab is set to lock. Searching for Pentax "memory card locked" shows pretty much nothing specific to their DSLRs except for one guy who had taken his apart to convert it to infrared - which means that it's not a common problem so hopefully it's just something simple that you can workaround.

Another option, if you're totally stuck, is to overnight a Pentax body from Camera Lens Rentals - they have K20Ds and K7s ready to rent and can get them to you next-day, then you can use your existing lens(es) on one of them.

 

[PrincessBelle39]

Ugh, that stinks!

Another option, if you're totally stuck, is to overnight a Pentax body from Camera Lens Rentals - they have K20Ds and K7s ready to rent and can get them to you next-day, then you can use your existing lens(es) on one of them.

Thanks guys. I've tried everyones suggestions and nothing worked. I wish I had read this one earlier. It would have been a great idea. I ended up going out today and looking everywhere for another on body but couldn't find a single place that stocked Pentax. We must have gone to about 8 different places. I ended up getting a Nikon D40 on special at Target with two lenses for $619.00. I figure I can sell it on Ebay afterwards when/if my Pentax is fixed. I had to get something.

 

[Groucho]

Too bad - at least you have something now. I didn't even think about the rental thing until halfway through writing that message... I don't know if it would have helped if you'd read it earlier, I assume that place is closed on Sundays and even if they were, it would probably cost a boatload to have something overnighted on a Saturday or Sunday. Tomorrow (Tuesday) is probably the first day that you could have had it. Another option, if you were willing to spend that much, would be to buy a K20D and overnight it - Adorama has them for $620. In fact, if you're going to be there for a few more days, that is an option and you can probably return the D40 kit for full price instead of having to take a loss eBaying it.

 

[rhiansmom]

Ugh, that stinks!



Another option, if you're totally stuck, is to overnight a Pentax body from Camera Lens Rentals - they have K20Ds and K7s ready to rent and can get them to you next-day, then you can use your existing lens(es) on one of them.

I thought this was a great idea and looked into it for my upcoming trip (thinking to have lens shipped to hotel to save on the days rented) and I was looking on the site and found this:

I am on vacation can you ship to my hotel?
No. No exceptions.

So I guess that is out.... anyone know of a place that will?