E-520 write led error (noob needs help)

A couple of days ago during a night photography session, my e-520 started playing up. What is happening is that the 'write' led continues to flash and will not stop. The only thing I can do is turn it off.

What is also weird, is that it'll only do it for the second shot after the camera is turned on. Therefore I have a two shot maximum before I have to turn the camera off again. It does record the both exposures so I don't think that it is actually writing to the card.

I've tried updating the firmware and different cards but the error remains.

It's even worse if I try to shoot in continuous/burst mode. On the third actuation, it sounds as if the shutter stays open when the error occurs. And when I eventually have to turn the body off, it makes a disturbing sound for a couple of seconds.

Has anyone had this error occur to them, or know of this happening?

BTW: yes this is my first post. I have been one of 'those' spectators on these forums for a while which because it offers a wealth of information and support, hadn't had the need to join until now.

Also before anyone suggests, I agree, this could well be the perfect time to get the OM-D E-M5.

Settings when this ocurs? (shutter speed, ISO, aperture)
Camera works fine in daytime?
Are you shooting hand held or tripod mount?
If shooting on a tripod (for long exposure) do you have IS turned off?
Is NR (not noise filter, but noise reduction) turned on or off?
(although you shouldn't be able to engage NR and multi-frame mode together)
Cards were not formated in computer or different camera?

--
Art P
"I am a creature of contrast,
of light and shadow.
I live where the two play together,
I thrive on the conflict"

I have a feeling the error is independent of settings.

I have changed ISO, aperture, shutter speed, IS, noise filter, NR, dial setting, etc. It doesn't appear any of the camera settings has any influence.

I did format the cards on the camera body also.

Sounds like it may just be a battery or battery contacts issue - I have had similar problems with an E-3 and it came down to a battery that was ready to give up the ghost.

May be obvious but do you have another battery or have you made note of which battery is in the camera when it presents these problems?

Gary

TysonHodges said:

I have a feeling the error is independent of settings.

I have changed ISO, aperture, shutter speed, IS, noise filter, NR, dial setting, etc. It doesn't appear any of the camera settings has any influence.

I did format the cards on the camera body also.

Click to expand...

Just to be sure, since you said it was a night shooting situation: did you turn NR completely off ? If not, and you are making exposures longer than 1 or 2 seconds, then the NR function is engaging. The blinking write LED is the camera adding a "dark frame" to the photo, which can take several seconds and can't be interrupted.

--

Some people operate cameras. Others use them to create images. There is a difference.

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Yes I had turned the NR off. Typically the NR process will take as long as the exposure, even with a shutter speed 1/2000 it won't stop flashing (I've waited near on 30mins for such a short exposure).

I have checked the battery connections but haven't tried a different battery. I don't have a spare so that may be something I have to investigate.

Gary Blake said:

I have had similar problems with an E-3 and it came down to a battery that was ready to give up the ghost.

Click to expand...

What similar problems did you experience. I've tried searching this forum but haven't found anyone (yet) with the same issue.

The problem with a bad or dying battery is that it will result in erratic behaviour and will depend on what settings you are using on your camera at the time.

The camera locking up on whatever function you are using and requiring a power off is a common one.

This happened to me with the E-3 on several occasions, though not with long exposures. The camera would remain on, battery indicator was ok but no response from the camera.

Narrowed it down to one bad battery, binned that one and no more problems.

Another time with another battery when using anti-shock the mirror would lock up and stay there. Same thing - bad battery.

With the E-5 it would cease functioning and then reset all my settings after powering off and back on again. Binned that battery and no more problems.

Batteries are the weakest link and should always be checked first before getting too far into any diagnosis.

Sometimes they play nice and gradually start losing power, producing fewer shots per charge. Sometimes they just crap out with no warning.

The in camera battery indicators are not very accurate and usually not much help in determining battery problems.

If you only have one battery, may be time for anew one, a backup is never a bad idea anyway.

Gary

Thank you very much for sharing this info Gary.

Greatly appreciated.

I've noticed that if I keep the shutter open for long periods it takes long periods of time for the file to be written to the card. This may have to do with in camera processing but I am well aware of this "issue" on my e520.
Try shooting at 30 seconds and see what kind of "writing" occurs.

Tried a replacement battery but no luck. Still two shot max.

Also even if I take a 1/2000 exposure the problem still exists. I really don't think it has anything to fo with the settings but I'm still willing to take suggestions.

Have you tried a soft or hard reset yet?

Soft reset can be accomplished by leaving the camera without a battery for 24 hrs.

Hard reset read here:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=38383391

This will reset the camera to original factory settings - works a bit like rebooting your computer and can sometimes clear up glitches.

Gary