Problem with 7D lockup on shutter press

Hey folks,

I've been a 7D user since June, and while I have had a nearly perfect experience with the camera, my first SLR of any sort, I've noticed a problem from time to time with the camera locking up. I've seen it perhaps half a dozen times in 2000 or so frames shot, and I think it happens when I don't press down very hard, i.e., I press past the focusing position but not definitively down all the way (if that makes sense). The CF access light comes on for a bit, the LCD is blank, and then the camera does not respond. Once I power down and then turn it back on, everything is fine, and I can immediately take pictures again.

I haven't seen anyone else mention this problem though perhaps I missed it. Is this something common or previously seen? Any idea what's causing it? I haven't paid attention to what lens I was using at the time, though I think it's been various ones (from beercan to 28-75 f/2.8 to 50 f/1.7 and perhaps a Sigma as well).

...
...the following thread!

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1035&message=20364207

... Lucas
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Always having fun with photography ...

I had this months ago and reformatting my card in the camera cured it, I formatted it windows 32 bit I think if I can remember rightly, problem never returned, but as usual YMMV you could always use your computer to format it as well like a hard drive.
Les.
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It doesn't matter how much light you have, you can't see in the dark.

for my experience don't underestimate this. i had the same problem very rarely, once amonth in the first months. The shutter was blocked.

After 6 months the camera stopped to shutter and when i switched on a strange long sound.

A lot of people have had this problem, maybe linked to AS mechanism, or a unccorrect alignemntof CCD at the beginning.
If i were you i 'lls end the camera for a check.
It's clear the quality control missed a lot in the ast months of minolta's life.

http://www.pbase.com/jon1976

though I am dismayed that I have the dreaded first black shot problem (though I've noticed it happening on other than first shots). Since I was able to buy a Nikon D50 with a flash unit for an awesome price, I need to decide whether to stay with Minolta or move to Nikon (by selling the D50 and kit lens and buying a D80 or even D200 once I sell my Minolta glass).

I wonder what I can get for this stuff:
18-70mm kit
28-105mm f/3.5-5.6 Sigma
28-75mm f/2.8
70-210mm f/4
70-300mm f/3.5-5.6 Sigma
50mm f/1.7

I really do like the 7D though.

Be careful if you send it in to Precision Camera because they might state that the camera is beyond economical repair due to "external force" (pushing the shutter button) and any external force voids the warranty. They are sleeze bags. See my post with Precision Camera problems.

...

I have that "first black shot" problem and now everyday I turn on the camera with mode set to "M" and speed to "Bulb". I then push the shutter button and hold it down until I hear the shutter opening ( after the mirror goes up ), after that I can set the camera normally and it will work fine through the day!

... Lucas
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Always having fun with photography ...