Problem...

ukwizard

New member
Hi there,

Anyone know why this has started happening on my camera?

I have swapped lens to check, tried the lock mirror up for cleaning etc with no success.

I have a Nikon D5100 with standard 18-55mm lens attached.

Also tried updating firmware to A1.02 and B1.01 (L1.003)

Again no success

DSC_7994.jpg

Thanks in advance,

Daz
 

480sparky

Senior Member
My guess: You've got a hood on the lens, and you're shooting with a pop-up flash. You're basically shooting the shadow of the hood.

Second guess: Your mirror is hanging up on something.

Mirror up for cleaning does not affect shooting in any way, shape or manor. In fact, you cannot shoot with it in that configuration. You must turn the camera off and back on for it to even fire. Doing so turns off the function and returns the camera to normal.
 

Moab Man

Senior Member
Assuming it's happening on all the pictures all the time? If so you have a mechanical issue going on with the mirror lifting up and getting out of the way. Needs to go in for service.
 
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ukwizard

New member
No hood on the lens, I think its more like a mechanical issue like MoabMan said. Yes it happens on all photos. Wont focus in AF mode, so when in MF mode I get that type of picture all the time. Is there anything I can do to 'assist' the mirror?
 

cwgrizz

Senior Member
Challenge Team
It sounds like it is time to take it to a service center. I haven't tried this personally, but I think you may be able to remove the lens and trigger the shutter while looking in the opening where the lens would mount and see what the mirror is doing. Someone else with more knowledge will jump in and correct me if I'm wrong. Ha!
 

nickt

Senior Member
It sounds like it is time to take it to a service center. I haven't tried this personally, but I think you may be able to remove the lens and trigger the shutter while looking in the opening where the lens would mount and see what the mirror is doing. Someone else with more knowledge will jump in and correct me if I'm wrong. Ha!
Yes, in M mode you can do this.
 

480sparky

Senior Member
Set the shutter to a rather long speed, like 1 second. Take the lens off and look into the body while actuating the shutter. Does the mirror go all the way up?
 
I seem to remember this happening to other people with the D5100 and the D3100. The mirror was getting stuck on a rubber stop when it tried to close after taking a shot. There were some people that had luck with taking a small screwdriver and putting ever so slight pressure to allow the mirror to close correctly. Sometimes they never had the problem again and some were not so lucky. Has the camera been dropped? I would never suggest that you try this cure but it is one thing to check. Take the lens off and look to see if the mirror is half closed/open.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKCtczszWOQ
 

480sparky

Senior Member
I seem to remember this happening to other people with the D5100 and the D3100. The mirror was getting stuck on a rubber stop when it tried to close after taking a shot. There were some people that had luck with taking a small screwdriver and putting ever so slight pressure to allow the mirror to close correctly. Sometimes they never had the problem again and some were not so lucky. Has the camera been dropped? I would never suggest that you try this cure but it is one thing to check. Take the lens off and look to see if the mirror is half closed/open.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKCtczszWOQ

If the mirror didn't return all the way back down, it would be obvious when looking through the viewfinder. Besides, if the mirror raises all the way up properly, the exposure should be fine. The issue of it not returning down would be visible when composing the next shot.
 

Marilynne

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Welcome ukwizard.

Mine was still under warranty so I brought it to an authorized Nikon repair facility that I will
NEVER use again. They had it two or three times and I don't really know what they repaired.

Yes, I still use the D5100 with no problems.


 
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