I am using a Nikon D-5100 with a shutter count of 27,795 clicks and yesterday it was working perfectly but today it is taking images like the one I posted. Can someone give me an educated guess what the problem may be? Thanks for any and all helpful comments.
SonyA580
Loc: FL in the winter & MN in the summer
By any chance did the camera strap get in the way?
Thank you for the quick reply.
No. The strap is always around my neck. I've taken several shots with the same results. I changed the memory card, took the battery out for a half hour and still the black stripe is there. I took the camera back to factory settings, with no change. It looks to me like the shutter is slow; maybe the curtain isn't fully retracting fast enough. I had the mirror to lock up once, but the stripe across the bottom was perfectly level, not at a angle like it is now.
My film camera did that years ago, shutter was not functioning correctly. Did you use a flash? If no, I would have the camera checked for shutter problems. If using an external flash, maybe it was on second curtain sync?
roxiemarty wrote:
My film camera did that years ago, shutter was not functioning correctly. Did you use a flash? If no, I would have the camera checked for shutter problems. If using an external flash, maybe it was on second curtain sync?
I was thinking that: shutter speed above 1/200 w flash on.
No to the flash-bright sunshine, middle of the day. I have to admit I had to look up "second curtain sync" before I understood what you were saying, but no, that's not it either. I think I am at the advanced beginner stage so I only understand a little about cameras and photography, but I love it! Well, not so much today...but normally.
There are several YouTube videos that tell how to fix shutter problems. If it were you, would you follow their advice? One looked like a relatively simple fix. Remove the back and use silicone to lubricate a small gear. The camera is well out of warranty and a service bill may be as much as the camera is worth.
MtnMan wrote:
I was thinking that: shutter speed above 1/200 w flash on.
Hi MtnMan, thanks for the reply. When I noticed the problem I was trying to take a gold finch sitting on a rock trying to get a drink from a small puddle. I didn't use the flash but the shutter speed was probably set at 1/1250 becasue I had just been taking dragonflies.
egslone wrote:
I am using a Nikon D-5100 with a shutter count of 27,795 clicks and yesterday it was working perfectly but today it is taking images like the one I posted. Can someone give me an educated guess what the problem may be? Thanks for any and all helpful comments.
A shutter creates a straight line, note V shaped shadow.
The trouble lies somewhere else. My suggestion is to remove the lens, take a picture of a white board (filling the whole frame) and see what comes out.
Rongnongno wrote:
A shutter creates a straight line, note V shaped shadow.
The trouble lies somewhere else. My suggestion is to remove the lens, take a picture of a white board (filling the whole frame) and see what comes out.
Hi Rongnongno,
Thanks for the response. I followed your suggestion and will add as an attachment. I hope you have a suggestion as to what is causing the issue.
GSCRS
Loc: The Great Northwest
Are you using the same lens? If you have another lens do you have the same problem. It looks like to me you have a stuck aperture blade. You can put your camera on manual and set a long exposer like 1 sec. a f 5.6. Look at the front of the lens and watch the blades close. Does one or two open slower than the others? Are they symmetrical when closed? Anyway that's my best guess.
BHC
Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA
Based on your response to Rons excellent suggestion, I would suggest, as a further step, that you remove the lens, set the camera to manual ang the longest exposure available (or bulb), and, while looking into the lens mount opening, trip the shutter. You can then see the sensor; you may have some sort or debris blocking the sensor. Also watch carefully as the shutter opens and closes that the curtains of the shutter are not loose, torn or stuck in place.
since the lens wasn't fitted on the 2nd shot it has to be either something with the shutter or possibly the mirror or perhaps a seal thats come loose. with the lens off you should be able to see on a multi second exposure where the item is or use the mirror up sensor clean function. It should be obvious if there is something blocking the sensor. If not maybe there is some kind of oil on the sensor. Maybe it needs a new shutter mechanism, see if you can get a price and check if it is worth repairing, sometimes you can find a broken model on ebay that could be a source for parts if you can figure out how to change it or find a service manual.
Beyond that you could sell of the body and look for a working replacement.
blackest wrote:
since the lens wasn't fitted on the 2nd shot it has to be either something with the shutter or possibly the mirror or perhaps a seal thats come loose. with the lens off you should be able to see on a multi second exposure where the item is or use the mirror up sensor clean function. It should be obvious if there is something blocking the sensor. If not maybe there is some kind of oil on the sensor. Maybe it needs a new shutter mechanism, see if you can get a price and check if it is worth repairing, sometimes you can find a broken model on ebay that could be a source for parts if you can figure out how to change it or find a service manual.
Beyond that you could sell of the body and look for a working replacement.
since the lens wasn't fitted on the 2nd shot it h... (
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I second this motion. Looks like a seal has come loose and is hanging down. Remember that the bottom of the picture is the top of the sensor. Set the camera to sensor cleaning mode and take a look inside.
The "Exposure Difference" is -8.8. That is not good. Checking inside of the camera is definitely good advice.
phlash46
Loc: Westchester County, New York
Looks like a baulky shutter.
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