Problem with camera. Anyone seen this before?

[Mikey2cv]

Went out yesterday for some early morning shots, only to find my camera has developed a fault. It does everthing as it should, but there is no image. It is exactly as if the lens cap has been left on. i.e no light getting to the sensor. The black image does 'speckle', as if the camera has turned the gain right up, but it can't find any light to process. AFAIK it hasn't been dropped or suffered a knock; it has just been sitting in it's bag since the last time I used it. The camera is a Minolta Dimage 7i. Intend on getting a DSLR within the next year, but can't afford it now, so any help would be appreciated.

[T0MAT01]

At a guess I would say the shutter may not be moving out of the way when you take a shot, but that really is just a guess.

I take it the LCD works properly? can you see the menu screens?

It might be an idea to take a shot and post the exposure details here, i.e. iso value, shutter speed and aperature and that would give more idea of whether the sensor is actually getting any light at all.

[Mikey2cv]

Thansk for that. I think you could be right about the shutter, although it does make all the usual sounds! Yes, I can see the menus. It is exactly as it is if you don't remove the lens cap. Good idea about the photo, please see here.
Thanks for your help.

[T0MAT01]

Your link just brings up my own account in photobox. Have you made your album available to the public?

[Mikey2cv]

Doh! No I hadn't, try here.

[CyBeRkId2002]

still asking to log in

[Mikey2cv]

Thanks for the replies, bought a new camera now, so not that bothered anymore!