Error press shutter release button

tomcatsgirl

Senior Member
Good Morning, I am brand new to the forum and to photography. In 2007 before a trip to the Riveria Maya my husband bought us a new D40x. I did say I was going to take a class to learn my new camera and never did. Played with it a lot and took thousands of pictures nothing to write home about. Like I said I am new still even though I have had an slr for a few years. I am very into baking and taking pictures of what I have produced Cakes and Breads. Someday maybe a blog. This past Christmas I was very surpised to open a gift that was my new D5100 oh man I was in heaven. Again I stated I will take a class. Still haven't. But I will!!! We were on vacation this past week and three days into it I started to get the error message "press shutter release button" after more investigating noticed that the last 30 pics or so were black. I can see them in the view finder to take the picture but the picture is black. I did not drop or bang the camera I have been pretty gentle with it. From what I have gathered it seems that I need to send it in for service. Only 5 months old so still covered under warrenty. I tried a few things took out battery, sd card, reset it, tried a different lense still nothing. I am wondering how common this is with this model. I have seen a few posts with the same issue. The camera was bought from Best Buy is it best to go to them or just send it straight to Nikon? I hate to wait months for my camera. My D40X needs a cleaning so I thought I would send it along for the ride. Is it cheaper to send to Nikon or just take it to a local camera shop? I still have so much to learn basic stuff really I love Nature Photography. I am in the Pacific NW and only have a few months of nice weather. I fill kind of jipped with this camera. What has been your experiance as far how long it takes to get your camera back? Thanks so much and I look forward to learning from this site.
 

Dave_W

The Dude
If you live by an authorized Nikon repair then dropping it off there is the best way to go. I shouldn't be more than a week turnaround, if even that. If you do not live by a repair shop you have to send it to Nikon El Segundo shop and it will be about a 2 week turnaround, not the dreaded months that you mentioned. The only bummer is that you have to pay the shipping to Nikon and they will cover the return. Using USPS the cost w/ insurance is approx $15. But on the bright side you can ask them to check the focus as well as clean the sensor. Just mention when you're filling out the repair page on MyNikon just mention these items you would like checked out.
All in all, it's not that bad of a wait. And maybe while you're waiting to receive the camera back you can finally find time to attend a class or two? ;)
 

pedroj

Senior Member
Welcome to the forum...Clutching at straws here...You haven't accidentally put it in manual mode or moved the exposure compensation...
 

tomcatsgirl

Senior Member
I am in Seattle there are shops all around me. A week is not bad or two for that matter. Pedroj lol possible but as I am very new well just lazy I haven't played with the buttons much as I am afraid of them I don't know what they do hence getting my lazy butt to a class. I piont and shoot and hope for the best. I love close up shots and nature. I suck at taking portriats. I see so many beautiful shots that I know I am capable of as well as my camera I am very creative not to toot my own horn but I have a creative side. I need to learn basic photography first and with my new camera. I would love to be able to have my camera at the class as I am a hands on learner. Thanks for the replies. And again I look forward to learning from this site. ~
Cheers~
 

fotojack

Senior Member
You don't know what the buttons do??? Did your camera come with an owners manual? ;) hehehe I'm not trying to be facetious or anything, but come on......really? Your manual has a lot of information in it that would point you in the right direction on how to get the most out of your camera. You don't have to read it cover to cover.....just look up the stuff that you want to know and go hands on from there.

About your pictures going black, I have two suggestions.
1.) Your battery MUST be fully charged. Also, see if it has the latest firmware. If not, time to update the firmware.
2.) You can reset the camera to factory specs by pressing the 2 green buttons for a couple of seconds. This may cure the black picture problem.

Either way, let us know how you make out with it, OK? :) And welcome to the forums. Looking forward to seeing your pictures. :)
 

tomcatsgirl

Senior Member
Well I brought my camera into Best Buy where it was purchased. They took a look at it and sent it into Nikon. I should have it back in about 2-3 weeks. Found a class but think August will work better for me. I plan to call the store today and ask about there August schedule. They have several to choose from I'm thinking of the Crash Course into digital photography covers everything. Photojack I wasn't kidding :eek: I play with the dial and my lenses but thats about it. I'm afraid to dive into the menu and start tinkering as how am I going to fix it if I mess it up? I look forward to getting into my class. I have to make it a priority! We all deserve "me" time. Like baking bread or decorating cakes taking pictures quiets me. It settles my insides down. I want my photos to be rewarding like my baking is to me.
 
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pedroj

Senior Member
"When I first started photography some one said to me "aperture priority" so opened the manual to that section with the cam and read about and experimented and used Aperture Priority most of the time, and gradually picked up the rest of my know how"....

Try something like this...Just a bit at a time
 

tomcatsgirl

Senior Member
Mojo~Thanks :) pedro I suppose you have a good point. When I first statred to learn sourdough bread baking it was very confusing things Ive never heard of I am not a scientist. Once I grew my starter I went crazy baking a bunch of bad loaves. Someone said to me try one and stick with it till you have it down. Best advice ever! Thanks so much for all your replies much apprieciated!
 

Fotojo

Senior Member
tomcatsgirl you made the right call, the extra time waiting on return from Nikon will be worth it. I had to send in a D-90 that was few months old and they went through it and cleaned sensor,I had scratched the cover on the back screen and they replaced free of charge. When all said and done only cost me frt. to ship to them all else was no charge. Also you can tract your camera on their site to see where it is in the repair process
 

tomcatsgirl

Senior Member
HaHa yes Patrick the lens cap was off. I went ahead and sent for my "paper" owners guide. I like a booklet. My computer does not go anywhere with me I'm surprised they don't include one with the camera. $9.00 wasn't so bad from Nikon but the $7.50 shipping is kind of a rip off but whatever! In the meantime I will satre at my computer screen and try to learn a little before my camera come back. Looking forward to sharing my progress. :)
 
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