Need help w Nikon D850: I was out shooting with my Nikon D850, which performed as usual. I was in manual mode, shooting a lot in live view. Suddenly, the shutter release stopped...

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

I was out shooting with my Nikon D850, which performed as usual. I was in manual mode, shooting a lot in live view. Suddenly, the shutter release stopped operating the shutter, and the rear screen remained dark, not going into live view, nor showing previews of exposures made. I turned it off and back on, and the shutter released and took a picture, as I discovered upon downloading the images from the card; the preview of the new shots would not appear on the rear screen, and the menus will not appear either. I tried removing the battery for about ten minutes to no avail. Any ideas would certainly be appreciated.

fredpnm Loc: Corrales, NM

Mine did something similar - I cleaned the lens contact - and the camera side too - made sure the lens was locked in place and everything worked fine.

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

fredpnm wrote:

Mine did something similar - I cleaned the lens contact - and the camera side too - made sure the lens was locked in place and everything worked fine.

Thanks for the suggestion, Fred. Do you imagine the contacts could be the issue if the camera went from working normally to bizarrely without my having changed the lens?

fredpnm Loc: Corrales, NM

That's how mine started...

ClarkJohnson Loc: Fort Myers, FL and Cohasset, MA

Sounds like a trip to Nikon service is in your future. What is your shutter count? Earlier this year, my D500 was doing something similar, and I ended up with new shutter mechanism. Good luck!

BTW, I hear that they are now making some sort of new-fangled cameras that don’t use mirrors :-).

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

cbtsam wrote:

I was out shooting with my Nikon D850, which perfo... (show quote)

Funny things start happening when we accidentally bump the bracketing button as well. I might start there.

leftj Loc: Texas

cbtsam wrote:

I was out shooting with my Nikon D850, which perfo... (show quote)

What’s your shutter count?

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

leftj wrote:

What’s your shutter count?

I don't know how to get the shutter count.

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

Thanks to all who tried to offer assistance, particularly Fred.

I "fixed it" just now by (1) removing the 105mm f/2.8 micro VR lens, and (2) attaching a 70-200mm f/4.0; then, everything seemed to be working as usual.

Then, I switched back to the 105, having ever so slightly "cleaned" the lens contacts by wiping my finger over them once, though I didn't perceive any change, and again everything seems to be working as it has for years.

Perhaps the magic solution was that finger swipe that seemed to remove nothing.

Thanks again to all who tried to help, particularly Fred, who urged me to "clean" the contacts. I'll get back to you if the problem recurs and "cleaning" the contacts doesn't work!

Addendum: I just noticed I'd changed the focus to manual; setting back to AF doesn't seem to have ruined anything.

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

Cleaning the contacts on both the camera as well as the lens. There is a specific cleaner for the electronic points...Do not use rubbing alcohol....30% of it is water. I periodically (about once every 6 months) grab a electronic points cleaner (purchased from B&H) and clean the points on the lens as well as the camera bodies. It is called Deoxit (D-Series)

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

GLSmith wrote:

Cleaning the contacts on both the camera as well as the lens. There is a specific cleaner for the electronic points...Do not use rubbing alcohol....30% of it is water. I periodically (about once every 6 months) grab a electronic points cleaner (purchased from B&H) and clean the points on the lens as well as the camera bodies. It is called Deoxit (D-Series)

B&H list a few Deoxit products, some called "lubricant," some "deoxidizer," but no "D-Series" that I can find. Can you help me, Mr. Smith, find the one you have in mind?

GLSmith Loc: Tampa, Fl

cbtsam wrote:

B&H list a few Deoxit products, some called "lubricant," some "deoxidizer," but no "D-Series" that I can find. Can you help me, Mr. Smith, find the one you have in mind?

Deoxidizer Part # is D1W...Any further assistance call B&H, explain specifically that you need to clean the contact points, They'll make sure you get the right one...These packets are also great for cleaning electronic contacts on anything...provided the power is unplugged.

cbtsam Loc: Monkton, MD

GLSmith wrote:

Deoxidizer Part # is D1W...Any further assistance call B&H, explain specifically that you need to clean the contact points, They'll make sure you get the right one...These packets are also great for cleaning electronic contacts on anything...provided the power is unplugged.

Thanks. I'll talk to them.

johnlutz Loc: florida

I purchased a D850 on Nov 21. When to shoot and the digital display indicated Doa and shutter would not work. Thought it was the discs. Replaced both disks and same problem. Went to format disk and they wouldn't work. Talked to Nikon support and they said the card reader is not functioning.
The camera has a 145 shutter count. Sent it back Thursday.
Will keep you updated.

kmielen Loc: Eastern NC

cbtsam wrote:

Thanks. I'll talk to them.

It looks like this is what he is talking about...
https://caig.com/product/deoxit-k-d1w-25/
Wipes are a great idea vs. a spray can.

Not on the B&H site any longer.
Walmart.com has a great price but also out of stock.
Amazon has a 50-pack for big money. Maybe you can be a re-seller at your camera club!!
Cheers...