Cannot take photos with my D5100!

[Dobivann]

Few days ago I bought D5100 and immediately found an issue:

if I halfpress my D5100's shutter button it focuses just fine, but then - when I press it all the way down, it should IMMEDIATELY make an exposure. Instead of that, it keeps doing the same sound if when focusing and it takes the photo after like 0,5-5 seconds - it depends.

Another thing I've noticed is that the warning question mark appears almost all the time saying "Subject is too dark" or "Lighting is poor, flash reccomended!" and for me it looks like this is what is stopping me from taking the picture (What the hell is that? It should appear in auto mode, but you know what you are doing when you use A, S or M mode. What would I do if I would like to take a night photo using tripod and long exposure?)

I found that when I first focus (half press shutter button), then press AF-L and then press the shutter button all the way down, it takes the picture perfectly, immediately and how my D90 does.

All that happens even in MANUAL MODE and I do NOT have shutter delay enabled.

Any suggestions what would it be? I'll be pleased for any help!

 

[WayneF]

There is a little round green dot at left end, at bottom of viewfinder, which lights up green when the lens has found focus. Does that light up? AF-S mode will not activate the shutter if it is not in focus. If the green dot is on, shutter should trip.

I don't think the "too dark" warnings will prevent the shutter, at least not on my Nikon model (I don't have a D5100). But too dark may make it unable to focus (no green dot then).

 

[Dave_W]

What "mode" are you shooting in? Often the problem is the mode that creates problems like this. Put the camera on "P" or "A" and see if that doesn't change things. Also, you may have your shutter release set at "focus" so that the shutter will not release until the camera is satisfied the subject is in focus. So try taking photos of things in bright light with lots of contrast and see if how it behaves.

 

[Bill16]

It sounds like the timer is on to me, at least some of the description does anyway. But other than that I couldn't say. I hardly ever use my af lens, and tend to use M mode with my old 105mm non af lens. But when I used my timer it took about that long before snapping the photo.

 

[Horoscope Fish]

if I halfpress my D5100's shutter button it focuses just fine, but then - when I press it all the way down, it should IMMEDIATELY make an exposure. Instead of that, it keeps doing the same sound if when focusing and it takes the photo after like 0,5-5 seconds - it depends.

This sounds like your camera is having a difficult time achieving focus lock in combination with the camera being set to "Focus" release mode. You say the green light comes on but the whirring sound of the camera, once again, trying to get a lock, makes me think this is the issue. Are you shooting in bright light, low light, or what?

Another thing I've noticed is that the warning question mark appears almost all the time saying "Subject is too dark" or "Lighting is poor, flash reccomended!" and for me it looks like this is what is stopping me from taking the picture (What the hell is that? It should appear in auto mode, but you know what you are doing when you use A, S or M mode. What would I do if I would like to take a night photo using tripod and long exposure?)

This makes me think you are shooting in very low light. Is that the case?

 

[WhiteLight]

Yes.. both your queries are inter-linked.
In any mode other than Manual, if the camera is unable to get a focus, it won't 'click'
it may not get a focus in low light as well

 

[Dobivann]

There is a little round green dot at left end, at bottom of viewfinder, which lights up green when the lens has found focus. Does that light up? AF-S mode will not activate the shutter if it is not in focus. If the green dot is on, shutter should trip.

I don't think the "too dark" warnings will prevent the shutter, at least not on my Nikon model (I don't have a D5100). But too dark may make it unable to focus (no green dot then).

Yes the dot lights up and camera beeps

What "mode" are you shooting in? Often the problem is the mode that creates problems like this. Put the camera on "P" or "A" and see if that doesn't change things. Also, you may have your shutter release set at "focus" so that the shutter will not release until the camera is satisfied the subject is in focus. So try taking photos of things in bright light with lots of contrast and see if how it behaves.

It's the same for all modes. Yes, I have this setting set to "release". And it behaves the same in all kinds of light and contrast conditions.

It sounds like the timer is on to me, at least some of the description does anyway. But other than that I couldn't say. I hardly ever use my af lens, and tend to use M mode with my old 105mm non af lens. But when I used my timer it took about that long before snapping the photo.

Timer is OFF

This sounds like your camera is having a difficult time achieving focus lock in combination with the camera being set to "Focus" release mode. You say the green light comes on but the whirring sound of the camera, once again, trying to get a lock, makes me think this is the issue. Are you shooting in bright light, low light, or what?

This makes me think you are shooting in very low light. Is that the case?

When half pressed, it focus locks fast and easy, but when fully pressed it seems like it's doing the same procedure once again. I tried it in all light conditions and it behaves the same. Even in very low light it focus locks fine and then does the same thing.

 

[fotojack]

Perhaps this needs to be addressed by a Nikon service tech. Hopefully it's still under warranty.

 

[Horoscope Fish]

Perhaps this needs to be addressed by a Nikon service tech. Hopefully it's still under warranty.

Judging from the response above his, I agree with 'jack...

I think it's time to have a professional take a look at your camera.



......

 

[JohnFrench]

Are you using "Live View"?

 

[Marcel]

Could there be some "shutter delay" function that could have been inadvertently activated?

 

[Moab Man]

Could there be some "shutter delay" function that could have been inadvertently activated?

It resets off self timer delay when the camera is shut off.

 

[Smoke]

I sometimes get this when I am too close to the object and have to back up a foot or two

 

[Aland]

Is your shooting delay mode off in the shooting display menu

 

[hark]

Have you tried switching to manual focus to see if the shutter will take the photo? It might help narrow down the problem to an autofocus issue rather than a camera setting issue.