fjwallace

Hi,
This is my first post. I have 'lurked' here, learning a lot, and finally find I need some help.
I've had this camera out for service twice before over a period of 3 years, for the same issue and was either told there was no issue detected or that they fixed it and no explanation was given. Has anyone else had this problem?
I was shooting a bald eagle in my yard (a really rare event!) the other day and I had the camera on a portrait setting (I had been taking pics of the grand-kids and was in a rush...) which has an auto ISO etc. and I had on my 55-300 mm lens at 300 mm. When I tried to shoot in auto-focus it shot a few frames then died - I quickly switched to manual and was able to shoot again. It was getting ready to take off and I figured I'd try auto again so it would focus continuously as it flew over - I couldn't get off a single shot. I have had this problem with the kit lens (18-55 mm) that came with the camera as well so it is not the lens and as I said it is intermittent. I have used the camera a lot with focus stacking in manual mode and it works just fine, for hundreds of shots sometimes, so I think the contacts must be o.k. as well. Before I try to send it out, yet again, at my expense this time, I wanted to know if anyone has had this problem and if you know of a cause/cure (other than working in manual mode all the time). Thanks!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Is the camera set to shoot when the shutter button is pressed or when focus is achieved? The first thing I do with a new camera is set it to shoot when I push the button, regardless of focus. An intermittent problem can be impossible to solve. When Nikon gets it, they'll check it, find it works, and return it.

rdubreuil Loc: Dummer, NH USA

Having come from the tele-com sector of industry I've got to ask a prefacing question. Being as it's an intermittent issue; does it tend to occur when the camera is cold (i.e. when you first start shooting) or after the camera has had a chance to warm up from shooting? If it's when you camera is cold it may indicate a connection either on the surface or within the layers of the electronics board/s in the camera, meaning the connection separates as the copper contracts during cooling and is re-established when things warm up due to expansion.

Or, if it happens when things have had a chance to warm up a thermistor/heat sensor may be to blame causing areas of the system to shut down if the camera thinks things are exceeding it's heat tolerance settings. If your lens to camera contacts do look good and clean, it points to an electronics issue in the system somewhere. It might also be as simple as a little dirt or crud inside that you may be able to blow out with a rocket blaster and or small electronics hand vac. Have you already cleaned the accessible areas inside the camera with mirror lock up and all that?

rdubreuil Loc: Dummer, NH USA

Another very good point Jerry, process of elimination and that was an obvious one I skipped right over. Good catch.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I had an intermittent problem with my car, and of course, the dealer said he had to see the problem in action. Even then, he failed to fix it. After 2 1/2 years, he fixed it, although it was not malfunctioning when I brought it in. I suspect his "have to see it malfunctioning" was a stalling tactic.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I also set the camera so it won't activate the shutter if there is no SD card inserted.

fjwallace

Thanks for the quick replies. First, the problem does not seem to be temperature related - I have been in the house (where the camera was stored as well so it was at the same temp.) and started shooting and it worked for a few frames then died - sometimes when I switch to manual and shoot a few, then I can go back and it works again.
I am afraid I don't know how to switch my camera to shoot when I press the button despite focus. I have it set to 'single shot' - there is also a continuous low and high burst shooting and then a few self timer and remote settings - I don't see a setting for this.
The camera will not shoot if there is no SD card (I've done that one a few times!)
Thanks again!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Hmm! I looked through the manual and couldn't find this option. I have a D5300, and I always set my cameras to shoot when I push the button. Maybe that isn't an option on that series.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

The D5200 does have that option - page 157 of the manual

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

See page 157 of your manual. I have this camera and have it set to focus priority.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Thanks! Page 184 in my manual. They certainly don't make it easy to find things.

MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City

They sure as heck don''t. Took me forever to find it and I have the camera!! Wonder what they call it and what page it's on for my D7200.

CO

Your D7200 should have menu options a1: AF-C priority selection and a2: AF-S priority selection. My D7000 and D500 have it. Those are in the Custom Settings section.

MikieLBS Loc: "Southeast of Disorder"

When you say you have to switch it to manual do you mean manual mode (M) or switch the lens auto focus to manual?
When this happens does it still search for a focus or does it appear to be dead?

I never use Auto mode (Auto) for wildlife because the camera chooses the focus point and it usually either chooses the wrong one or gets confused because of the small size of the critter.

My usual settings are 1 single focus point, AF-C, then I hold the shutter down and blast away. Many leave the focus priority to 'release' but I always leave focus priority set to 'Focus'. When the priority is set to 'focus' my camera will not fire when pointing it into a clear sky unless I move the point onto something with contrast like a bird.

StanRP Loc: Ontario Canada

Hi,

Just a thought - depending on the settings, when taking a picture the button is pressed half way to focus then the rest of the way to expose. Are you pushing the button down without waiting at the half position long enough to focus???