Nikon D7100 mirror or shutter problem: I was using my camera yesterday when I decided to video my subject. Instantly the screen, in addition to the view finder, became black. On...

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

I was using my camera yesterday when I decided to video my subject. Instantly the screen, in addition to the view finder, became black. On examination it appears that the mirror is not behaving as it should and only returns half way. I need to press the shutter a second time for the mirror to return to its position. The message I get after pressing the shutter for the second time is a flashing err. I have looked into the camera (without a lens) as I press the shutter on a longish exposure and I cannot see the shutter open either. I have contacted Nikon and intend sending it to them for repair but before doing so I wondered if anyone here has had a similar experience and has any easy answers which would be appreciated. Thanks.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Brenda I have never had anything out of the ordinary happen with any Nikon product I owned so I can't offer any suggestions. I hope it is minor. Hopefully man of our knowledgeable members can share some light on what is happening. I was going to JOKINGLY suggest spraying the inside of the lens opening with WD40 to lubricate the shutter but I know somebody either would do it OR I would get hundreds of replies of how foolish I am to use WD40 and to use 3 in 1 oil instead.

Seriously, are you able to use the camera for normal photographs or is everything gone?

Dennis

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I am sorry to hear about that! Here is a link that may help the problem: http://camerarepair.blogspot.com/2009/05/simple-fix-for-stuck-shutter.html and another:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/knowledge-center/how-tos/troubleshooting-repair/quick-shutter-repair-how-to-fix-a-stuck-shutter-for-digital-cameras.html#b
Seems a known problem with digital cameras, and so these are probably just a sample of advice out there.
Be aware that the mention of the potiential repair cost, if needed, seems based on the camera being a little point-and-shoot model. But the procedure may apply to yours as well.
Good luck!

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Thank you Dennis, I cannot use it at all, the mirror just sticks and stops light entering. I still have my faithful D7000 which, I think, is sharper anyway so I am very lucky. Time to bite the bullet and trust Nikon to be fair. I always look after my kit very carefully so I think it is something inherent in the camera and nothing I have done.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Mark Sturtevant wrote:

I am sorry to hear about that! Here is a link that... (show quote)

Thanks for that Mark. I have followed your 2 links and I have already done all those things. I have watched lots of youtube videos to source more ideas but besides taking it apart myself - eek - I think Nikon are the best answer. At least I still have a camera to play with. Thanks for the effort you have taken.

naturepics43 Loc: Hocking Co. Ohio - USA

Have you tried the "Two button factory reset"?

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

naturepics43 wrote:

Have you tried the "Two button factory reset"?

Yes I have naturepics43 but I appreciate the suggestion, many heads are better than mine

tinusbum Loc: east texas

sorry about your camera trouble brenda, but i'm glad you have a backup.good luck!

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Final resolution?

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Nikonian72 wrote:

Final resolution?

I sent it back to Nikon in Surrey, it has arrived there and is awaiting technical examination. I can't believe I did anything wrong with it as the problem occurred immediately on switching to video. I hadn't ever used video on this camera before although I had used it on my D7000 a few times without problem. It is a waiting game now.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

EnglishBrenda wrote:

I sent it back to Nikon in Surrey, it has arrived there and is awaiting technical examination. I can't believe I did anything wrong with it as the problem occurred immediately on switching to video. I hadn't ever used video on this camera before although I had used it on my D7000 a few times without problem. It is a waiting game now.

I can't believe you did anything wrong either. I never use video in any of my cameras. On a whim the other day I thought I would try it for something my granddaughter was doing. Since I hadn't used it ever I pushed the video button on my D800 and of course nothing happened. If I want to ever use video I had better read the instructions first.
Good luck with your Nikon. Hopefully it won't cost you many more ounces than a Pound.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Thanks Dennis, I have just received the estimate of £292 for 3 spare parts relating to mirror, aperture and shutter, that is 376 US dollars. This is annoying bearing in mind I have taken such care with it and had no accidents. C'est la vie.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

EnglishBrenda wrote:

Thanks Dennis, I have just received the estimate of £292 for 3 spare parts relating to mirror, aperture and shutter, that is 376 US dollars. This is annoying bearing in mind I have taken such care with it and had no accidents. C'est la vie.

Wow!!! That is a lot of money. I wonder how that could happen especially since you do not use video.

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

dennis2146 wrote:

Wow!!! That is a lot of money. I wonder how that could happen especially since you do not use video.

After the problem occurred it became impossible to take any photo, just darkness where the mirror stuck halfway.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

EnglishBrenda wrote:

After the problem occurred it became impossible to take any photo, just darkness where the mirror stuck halfway.

Maybe you should have taken my suggestion to spray WD40 all around the insides of the camera through the lens opening. What could happen?
JUST KIDDING!!! DON'T DO THAT.
Brenda I know you would never really do that but I am always surprised at people who might do it and then say, Some guy on the Internet said it would work.