Pentax Zoom 280-p

Hey all,

Currently facing a problem where my camera won’t switch on at all. Batteries are placed in and a new film roll has been loaded too. Everything had been working fine before as well.

I’ve faced this issue once in the past but managed to figure out the problem — film roll was pulled too far in when loading. Tried buying new batteries and they seemed to work for a bit. Left it aside for an hour and when I tried to use it again, it failed to switch on. The film ‘counter’ on the top won’t show anything even though the back has stated the mode I’m currently on.

Tried to load reload the film roll again and the film counter stated ‘E ex’. Not sure what that meant but it still wouldn’t switch on.

I’m pretty new at film so I have really basic knowledge on what to do, it would really be appreciated if you guys have any advice

Could the 'new' battery you've inserted be 'stale'? (Perhaps old stock or gone bad during storage.)
Also check the battery contacts, try cleaning them and the battery itself with a rubber.

My experience with Pentax compact cameras is that they randomly die as the electronics fail. I had one that failed with its zoom lens fully extended and another where I had purchased an expensive battery only for the camera to fail a few frames into the first film. I suspect that the electronics on yours has died in someway, and I doubt it is repairable. Although there is a fad for using compacts at the moment (e.g,. Olympus mjus are going for a fortune at present) they rely on 30 year old unrepairable electronics.

The irony is that earlier, all manual, cameras are much more likely to be repairable that the later electronic wonders. I suspect my Pentax SV will still be working fine long after my K-3 is little more than hardcore. My 1947 Kershaw Raven has a perfectly functional shutter and just needs the bellows replacing, and someone less cack-handed than me can manufacture bellows.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Kris.

It is in the title to the thread, a Zoom 280P.