D5100 shutter-release button problem

mario21

Senior Member
Hello guys,

I have a problem with shutter-release button on my Nikon D5100. Normal situation is to press the shutter-release button halfway to focus (camera beeps) and then to press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down and camera takes photo.

My problem is following (and it appears randomly):
I press the shutter-release button halfway to focus (camera beeps that it was successfully focused). But when I want to press the shutter-release button the rest of the way down instead of taking photo, camera re-focuses and then immediately takes photo. So it means that in case of recomposition I have focused on different place in photography.

Do you have any idea what can be the problem? My camera is still approx. 4 months under warranty but unfortunately in my country we have only one authorized service for Nikon which doesn't have good reputation.

Thank you for any advice!
 

nickt

Senior Member
What focus mode are you in? What you describe sounds like normal behavior for AF-C (continuous focus). Try AF-S.
 

nickt

Senior Member
If it is happening for sure in af-s, then I don't know. There could be a problem. AF-S should focus once and stay there unless you release the half press. AF-C will continue to correct focus as you hold the shutter at half so it wont allow you to focus-recompose.
 

J-see

Senior Member
All I can think of is that you have it set to "trigger when in focus" and by recomposing, you move the focus point and it thus won't trigger and could first refocus based upon that focus point you moved.

If you switch it to "trigger whenever" (forgot the exact terms), it should not occur. In your settings there should be an option to release on focus or always release.

Not sure if it helps.

A much easier option that avoids all these problems is switching to back-button focus. Then your AF and release have separate buttons should the problem be a badly functioning release button.
 
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Horoscope Fish

Senior Member
You're absolutely sure you're not letting up on the shutter button when you go to recompose the shot? Because this definitely should not be happening in AF-S mode but... Letting up on the shutter button would explain it.

It's one of the main reasons I use back-button focus; I don't like having to maintain that balance of half-pressing while recomposing my shot.
....
 

mario21

Senior Member
Thank you guys for your suggestions.

I'm absolutely sure my camera is in AF-S mode and I'm still half-pressing while recomposing. I don't like too much back button focusing but I will try it. My camera worked approx. one and half year without this problem.

It's bad that this problem occurs randomly so I can't reproduce it when I need it. Sometimes my camera works fine all day and sometimes several shots are OK and several shots not... That is also reason why I don't want to send it to service. I'm affraid they will try to make several test shots and if it will be OK, they will send my camera back without reparation.
 
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