Nikon D850 slow to engage when taking photo: I have a Nikon D850. When I push the button to take a photo it hesitates before engaging. This is new. If I try and use off camera flash...

Beaubeau

I have a Nikon D850. When I push the button to take a photo it hesitates before engaging. This is new. If I try and use off camera flash for any kind of fast shutter photography it won't engage fast enough and taking multiple shots is impossible. If I use a strobe it seems okay. I'm wondering if this is a repair issue or if anyone else has experienced this with the D850. Thanks

Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio

Your AF sensors may have a bit of dust on them. I had a similar thing happen to me in Florida with a D500. Slow to engage, wouldn't hold a lock. I blew off the AF sensors (actually saw something fall out) and it worked fine ever since.

Admin doesn't like me posting links to my materials here, but if you google "steve perry autofocus problems video" you should find a video that has instructions for doing it. It's tip #2 I believe.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Beaubeau wrote:

I have a Nikon D850. When I push the button to take a photo it hesitates before engaging. This is new. If I try and use off camera flash for any kind of fast shutter photography it won't engage fast enough and taking multiple shots is impossible. If I use a strobe it seems okay. I'm wondering if this is a repair issue or if anyone else has experienced this with the D850. Thanks

This is excellent advice from Steve. If it happens not to correct the problem, it could be a repair issue. About a year ago, I had a very similar experience with a D500. Started misbehaving with flash, then the flash quit working altogether. In that case, it was an internal electronic failure requiring replacement of the main circuit board and the flash circuit board, along with some interconnecting cables. (I think they are one-time use cables that have to be replaced once they are disconnected.) Everything has worked just fine since then.

We'll hope for the simple fix, though.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Depending on how long the "hesitation" is, you may have inadvertently set the 850 for shutter delay. Happened to me once. Check your manual.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Beaubeau wrote:

I have a Nikon D850. When I push the button to take a photo it hesitates before engaging. This is new. If I try and use off camera flash for any kind of fast shutter photography it won't engage fast enough and taking multiple shots is impossible. If I use a strobe it seems okay. I'm wondering if this is a repair issue or if anyone else has experienced this with the D850. Thanks

If Steve's idea does not work, call Nikon at 1-800-645-6687.

WJB Loc: Salisbury, MD

Good thing to remember-thanks.

michealj Loc: West Virginia

Especially if your a Nikon shooter, or if you just want to be a better photographer, you really need to check out Steve's website! Tons of quality information.

robertperry Loc: Sacramento, Ca.

The hesitation might be from the camera set to exposure delay mode. I use it all the time when on a tripod. I always forget to turn it off when hand holding. See page 264 in the manual. Page 264 isn't much help, so here is what you do. Looking at the screen on the back of your camera, scroll down to the pencil > press to the right > scroll down to shooting/display > press to the right > d5 exposure delay mode, make sure it says off.

autofocus Loc: North Central Connecticut

just a thought, the self timer set?

tcthome Loc: NJ

autofocus wrote:

just a thought, the self timer set?

tcthome Loc: NJ

robertperry wrote:

The hesitation might be from the camera set to exposure delay mode. I use it all the time when on a tripod. I always forget to turn it off when hand holding. See page 264 in the manual. Page 264 isn't much help, so here is what you do. Looking at the screen on the back of your camera, scroll down to the pencil > press to the right > scroll down to shooting/display > press to the right > d5 exposure delay mode, make sure it says off.

R.G. Loc: Scotland

Can we assume that the problem doesn't coincide with you changing over to a new filter? Even a relatively neutral filter like a UV filter can mess with autofocus.

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Testing! Testing! Have you solved the issue? The airwaves are silent. What was the problem? Come in! Come in!

DaveyDitzer Loc: Western PA

Steve Perry wrote:

Your AF sensors may have a bit of dust on them. I had a similar thing happen to me in Florida with a D500. Slow to engage, wouldn't hold a lock. I blew off the AF sensors (actually saw something fall out) and it worked fine ever since.

Admin doesn't like me posting links to my materials here, but if you google "steve perry autofocus problems video" you should find a video that has instructions for doing it. It's tip #2 I believe.

I hope Admin realizes that you, Steve Perry, are an excellent resource and I am glad you are on this site offering help which others would want to be paid for.