"err" message on LCD display

[nathan_cenower]

While shooting with my Pentax 645, the camera suddenly shut down in the middle of a roll of film. "Err" was

displayed on the LCD. The Pentax users manual is of little help, informing me that my camera may be defective. In

any case, I removed the film and then removed the batteries. I re-inserted the batteries, but I still have the

same "err" message. The camera is essentially dead. I assume that there are a number of possible problems here,

but are there any things that I can do myself to try to remedy the situation or at least figure out what the

problem is? Thank you

[dougmiles]

Look in the manual again in the column to the right of the "defective" comment, and see a couple of possible remedies. First one is to consult the repair shop. Second one, though, suggests replacing the batteries (with fresh ones), which is easy and worth trying... Good luck!

[eugene_perepletchikov]

This just reminds me why I love the fact that my RB67 has no electronic components whatsoever!

 

As someone that works with computers a lot, i sympathize with you. Most likely some meaningless bug in the software rather than a physical problem with the camera.

 

Good luck!

[kelly_hughes]

I doubt it would be a bug in the software, because then EVERYONE would see "err" in their display.

 

More likely it's a dirty contact between the lens and body, or a failed component inside, or some internal wire has wiggled loose over time. You might try rewinding the film and rethreading it or replacing it. A roll that has somehow become sticky (too much heat? defect in manufacturing?) might require too much torque from the motor and cause it to think the motor has failed. I don't know for sure that this can happen on the P645 or whether that's the error message that would result if it could detect it -- it's just something off the top of my head.

[ed_hurst]

I have had this happen on my P67ii, and usually removing the batteries, lens, film and viewfinder, leaving it like that for a few minutes, then starting again with fresh film and batteries did the trick. Does the 645 even have interchangeable viewfinders?

 

Hope you resolve it...

[jeff_drew4]

There is also the wafer battery (good for a few years but . . . ) underneath the body that powers the memory. The idea to remove all power for a few minutes and then reinstall is a good one . . . a bit like rebooting the 'computer'. No the viewfinder is a fixed mount but viewscreens may be changed.

[nathan_cenower]

Thank you everyone for taking the time to respond and suggest solutions. I have since resolved the issue (I hope). Although I had already removed the film, I tried pressing the mid roll wind up button on the bottom side of the camera. The camera came back to life. I later spoke to Pentax tech support and was informed that this freezing up in mid-roll is not a totally uncommon occurrence. Again, thank you for your help.