Why does my Nikon DSLR randomly refuse to shoot? Any suggestions on this annoying problem? My D3100, on auto focus, randomly will not shoot. I assume it is because it is not focussing;...

Joechalmers Loc: Washington, DC

Any suggestions on this annoying problem?
My D3100, on auto focus, randomly will not shoot. I assume it is because it is not focussing; if I switch to manual focus it shoots fine.
Same behavior with 2 different lenses. Sometimes if I zoom in and out, it will then focus and shoot fine. I can't find any other setting that correlates with the problem.
Does this sound like a camera malfunction?
Thanks for all ideas
Joe

RVDigitalBoy Loc: Clermont, Florida

I've had similar situations with my D3100. Usually, it was because the ISO was too low for the aperture and shutter speed selected.

I can't remember if it ever happened on AUTO mode. But, if it did it was because the camera had not finished writing the file to the SD card.

billybaseball Loc: Bel Air MD

This does happen occasionally with certain settings. Usually under adverse(low light conditions) the camera cannot focus or cannot find exceptable exposure conditions with the settings you are trying to use. The sport mode will always take a picture whether or not the image is in focus. Read your manual thoroughly, learn the different focusing modes and how and when to use them correctly, learn what settings work under low light conditions. One of the most discussed issues on this forum are people having trouble focusing and getting sharp shots. It is the first thing people need to understand about their cameras. These new dslr's can do wonderful things but only if one knows how to use them. I read my manual when I first got my camera but didn't understand a lot. This forum has really helped me and then I reread my manual and things became so much clearer. The shots I take today are so much better then when I first got my camera.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

I assume it is because it is not focussing; if I switch to manual focus it shoots fine.

Yes, this is exactly why.

Nick K Loc: Long Beach CA

This happens because the camera has not focused yet, Try changing the auto focus mode ( you should have spot, area and one other mode.) once you have the green light in the view finder it will take the picture. This is a operator vs. camera function issue. It took me some time to learn what the camera wanted to take the picture.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

I forgot to mention - no it is not a camera malfunction. It is just one of the properties of certain autofocus settings.
Low light can cause it.
Low contrast can cause it.
One of the ways to combat it is manual focusing like you have done.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

does it keep trying to focus.. low iso

Nikon_DonB Loc: Chicago

You have to change the setting from focus priority to shooting priority. I'm sure I didn't word it correctly, but that is EXACTLY your issue. It is not a problem or malfunction.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Do you have a battery grip, they do come lose

Joyfullee Loc: South FL

Joechalmers wrote:

Any suggestions on this annoying problem?
My D3100, on auto focus, randomly will not shoot. I assume it is because it is not focussing; if I switch to manual focus it shoots fine.
Same behavior with 2 different lenses. Sometimes if I zoom in and out, it will then focus and shoot fine. I can't find any other setting that correlates with the problem.
Does this sound like a camera malfunction?
Thanks for all ideas
Joe

I have the same camera and it has happened to me and at first I thought the camera was broken.

If you just turn the camera off for a few seconds and then on again it will be fine.

Hope this helps.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Joyfullee wrote:

I have the same camera and it has happened to me and at first I thought the camera was broken.

If you just turn the camera off for a few seconds and then on again it will be fine.

Hope this helps.

But you shouldn't have to,

BboH Loc: s of 2/21, Ellicott City, MD

There may not be enough contrast at what your focus point is on to make the focus. Try moving the camera a hair or so to encompass two contrast points.

Had the same issue when I was new to the D3 - spend money to go to a Glamour workshop and couldn't get the damn thing to focus. The "smart guys" also in the workshop couldn't figure it out either. The next day I was in the store (still under warranty) explaining the problem and I was shown the answer. Moving the camera a hair works every time

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

I do not know the D3100 specifically, but the full frame new cameras have a setting for the release button. One of the settings will not allow exposure without focus.

Joyfullee Loc: South FL

JR1 wrote:

But you shouldn't have to,

With this camera, if it can't focus, it won't shoot. Other cameras are made to shoot even if the focus is off.

I have found that the easiest way to deal with it is to just turn the camera off, then on again, all is well.

I've had this camera for about a year and a half, it has happened twice.

Roger D Salls Loc: Stratford, CT

Joe,
The Nikon autofocus works on a contrast basis. If you're trying to shoot a subject that is very plain with little textural contrast, example a plain flat wall, your camera doesn't fire because it can't focus. Either shift your sensing area, reaim the camera or turnoff the autofocus. When I'm shooting an event and this occurs, I reframe the image press the shutter release enough that the autofocus locks on then return to my original image framing and shoot. You just need to push the shutter release half way for it to lock. You all know that you can move your focus sensor around the frame don't you?

Joechalmers wrote:

Any suggestions on this annoying problem?
My D3100, on auto focus, randomly will not shoot. I assume it is because it is not focussing; if I switch to manual focus it shoots fine.
Same behavior with 2 different lenses. Sometimes if I zoom in and out, it will then focus and shoot fine. I can't find any other setting that correlates with the problem.
Does this sound like a camera malfunction?
Thanks for all ideas
Joe