Shutter clicks twice

My K-x is set to take single shots, but often when I press the shutter it takes 2 shots. Any ideas? Thanks.

this might be a stupid question, but are you in Live View mode?

No- I don't often use Live View.

Dodgy shutter button maybe?

Hi. First, what mode are you shooting in, as far as the main dial is concerned? This may explain things (some of the SCENE modes automaticaly engage Continuous mode, for example).

Secondly, what does the main LCD display show for the top icon out of the five that make up the 'paw-print' group of icons?

This top icon shows the current 'Drive' mode, and maybe you're in 'Auto Exposure Bracketing' mode which looks a bit like:
(but is not exactly the same... the + is on a white background, and there are a couple of 'stacked' square icons behind the main one, to show that it will take multiple shots at different exposure levels).

Alternatively, you might be in 'Continuous Shooting' mode (icon is
, but has Hi or Lo in the top-right corner of the icon). Bear in mind though, as I said above, if you're in one of the main dial modes that auto-select this drive mode, you may not be able to switch it off. Just use a different main-dial mode instead!

To narrow down which setting it might be, try this: If you leave your finger on the shutter a long time, does it KEEP taking shots, or does it take just three and then stop? If the former, then you're in Continous mode, I reckon. If the latter, then you're in Auto Exposure Bracket, probably. The reason you were only seeing two shots was probably because you didn't hold the button down long enough for the third shot to fire!

Final thing to check is the photos themselves - if the second one is marked with any kind of positive or negative 'Exposure Compensation' when you view its EXIF file, or its INFO (on-camera via the LCD), then I'd say Auto Exposure Bracketing is the cause. Likewise, the EXIF data will record whether Continous mode was on or off at the time of the shot.

Either way, the solution is simple enough - simply press the corresponding top button in the 'paw-print' on the K-x's back (the one marked
and select the first icon - the green square
- Single Frame Shooting, and you should be alright. Or change the main dial to use another main mode that doesn't engage this drive mode, as mentioned above.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if it does.

If you want me to have a look, I'll be at Bedfords on Sunday.

Dan

Thanks Neil for your exhaustive response . I've just checked and the camera is on aperture mode, and is definitely set for single frame. I tested it and the shutter clicks twice (not more) intermittently, say once every 10 or 20 shots. If there is a fault it's a relief that I bought it from a well-known shop in Watford

Thanks Daniel- I may well take you up on your offer!

How strange. Sorry my missive didn't help... but it was worth a stab.

Just out of curiousity, do you actually get two photos recorded, in those times where it clicks twice? If so, are there any differences between the two shots recorded in the EXIFs? Another long shot, but it might shed some light.

Otherwise it does sound like something's gone haywire, doesn't it? Maybe the shutter button itself is not de-bouncing properly - as Mannesty says..."dodgy". Slack return spring? Certainly I'd be hard pushed to imagine an 'electronic' cause, but I suppose it is possible too.

Good luck with finding the solution. Please do let us know what it was, won't you? Just in case it happens to me too! LOL

Assuming you only get one image with your two clicks, what shutter speeds are being recorded?

Just a thought.

Myles

I get 2 separate images, as if I'd pressed the shutter twice.

Anyway I got a pro to check the camera over (thanks Mr Bridge ) and he confirmed that the shutter button is faulty.

So I'll be using my new Freedom Pass to travel to Watford for a repair (to the camera, not to me!).

Thanks for letting us know, Niles. I shall keep an eye on my shutter button and hope for the best! Good luck with getting yours fixed. Make sure they do it under warranty!

You're welcome Mr. Crane.

Dan

I know this is a little irrelevant to the current thread but also, when you have High ISO noise reduction on, the K-x will take two shots at different exposure settings, using the difference to help cancel out noise. (Or so the manual reads)

The second shot is taken off the sensor with the shutter closed and the mirror in the down position to get a dark frame, so it wouldn't click twice.

That's the one! Cheers Pentaxian450