ERROR: shutter release button, mirror stuck

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opheliarose

New member
My Nikon D5100 did not complete shooting the last photo I took, and it suddenly gave me an error message. It tells me to release the shutter button. I was shooting in live view mood and with the flash off. I have tried pressing the shutter button many times to no avail. I also tried recharging the battery and switching out the SD card. Nothing has worked.

I thought this thread would finally give me the solution, however my situation is a little different after looking at my camera's mirror. My mirror is stuck in the upward position instead of the downward position. I can push the mirror down (or open) but then snaps up again (or closes). Do you guys have any clues as to how to fix this problem? I don't want to send it to Nikon if I can fix it myself since I think the camera is out of warranty.

Here's the current state of my camera taken with a flash. The arrow points to the mirror.

 photob.jpg
 
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piperbarb

Senior Member
Make sure you do not have the mirror set on mirror lock up. I don't know about the D5100, but on the D3000 and D7000, there is a menu option to lock up the mirror. Also, be sure you don't have your camera set for "live view." I know that locks up the mirror, also. Just some suggestions. I hope it helps.
 
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opheliarose

New member
piperbarb said:
Make sure you do not have the mirror set on mirror lock up. I don't know about the D5100, but on the D3000 and D7000, there is a menu option to lock up the mirror. Also, be sure you don't have your camera set for "live view." I know that locks up the mirror, also. Just some suggestions. I hope it helps.
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I was shooting in live view when the shutter button stopped working. If the mirror got stuck during that, how do I release it from live view? I played around with the live view lever, but it didn't change anything.
 
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piperbarb

Senior Member
Make sure you depress the live view lever completely. Although this may sound dumb, be sure you have the camera turned on when you push the live view lever. Have you tried to do a reset all settings? What about pulling out the battery and putting it back in? Just some suggestions.
 
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opheliarose

New member
piperbarb said:
Make sure you depress the live view lever completely. Although this may sound dumb, be sure you have the camera turned on when you push the live view lever. Have you tried to do a reset all settings? What about pulling out the battery and putting it back in? Just some suggestions.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I've tried all of those options. Reset all setting is pressing the menu and info buttons at once, right?
 
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Epoc

Senior Member
I have read about this before. I'm a bit rushed for time now, but will see if I can find the post I read and get back to you.
 
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Epoc

Senior Member
I think it might be a trip the a repairer. All the links I found the mirror get stuck down on the stop, not up. Sorry I couldn't help.
 
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opheliarose

New member
Do you guys have any advice on finding a good Nikon repair shop? Do you like to send it to a Nikon certified place or the Nikon company? I'd like to find an affordable repair.
 
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leonardrou

New member
I use a Nikon D7000.I had the same problem with mirror stuck upwards. I just used my finger to slowly push the mirror to the right position! It worked for me!
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
From looking at the picture of the current state of your camera, I noticed that the shutter is also open partially. I would think this could be a case of shutter failure. I don't think you should try to repair this and if you don't want to send it to Nikon for an estimate, maybe ask Santa for a new camera :(
 
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Sandpatch

Senior Member
My D5100 shutter required replacement and Nikon performed the service for just under $175.00. Turnaround was about three weeks I think.
 
Bob Blaylock

Bob Blaylock

Senior Member
opheliarose said:
My Nikon D5100 did not complete shooting the last photo I took, and it suddenly gave me an error message. It tells me to release the shutter button. I was shooting in live view mood and with the flash off. I have tried pressing the shutter button many times to no avail. I also tried recharging the battery and switching out the SD card. Nothing has worked.

I thought this thread would finally give me the solution, however my situation is a little different after looking at my camera's mirror. My mirror is stuck in the upward position instead of the downward position. I can push the mirror down (or open) but then snaps up again (or closes). Do you guys have any clues as to how to fix this problem? I don't want to send it to Nikon if I can fix it myself since I think the camera is out of warranty.

Here's the current state of my camera taken with a flash. The arrow points to the mirror.

View attachment 35447
Click to expand...

It looks to me like your shutter is stuck partway open. Short of a few obvious things that you've already tried, I see no realistic possibility of a do-it-yourself fix.

At the very least, it's going to take a skilled professional to repair that. Perhaps a better use of your money to get a new camera. The D5100 is, after all, a twice-obsolete model, now that the D5300 is out. If you can afford it, this seems like a good excuse to at least upgrade to a D5200, if not a D5300.
 
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DreddPirateBob

New member
piperbarb said:
Make sure you depress the live view lever completely. Although this may sound dumb, be sure you have the camera turned on when you push the live view lever. Have you tried to do a reset all settings? What about pulling out the battery and putting it back in? Just some suggestions.
Click to expand...

YOU LEGEND!

Been battling with this very issue, thought the camera out of action. I'm way too broke to get it fixed at the moment and the better half was not best pleased (too say the least). You just saved me. Thank you! I love you.

Marry me? :)
 
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480sparky

Senior Member
Marcel said:
From looking at the picture of the current state of your camera, I noticed that the shutter is also open partially. I would think this could be a case of shutter failure. I don't think you should try to repair this and if you don't want to send it to Nikon for an estimate, maybe ask Santa for a new camera :(
Click to expand...

Yep. Shutter croaked. Ben dere, dun dat. $300-400.
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
DreddPirateBob said:
YOU LEGEND!

Been battling with this very issue, thought the camera out of action. I'm way too broke to get it fixed at the moment and the better half was not best pleased (too say the least). You just saved me. Thank you! I love you.

Marry me? :)
Click to expand...

So, were you able to make it work? If so, what did it? Don't let us in suspense will you. :)
 
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