New Nikon 3200 normal or defective? Hi I'm new to DSLRs specifically the Nikon 3200 I'm experiencing two odd things 1. When there is 1/3 battery left I get an error Shutter release...

Photopatrol

Hi

I'm new to DSLRs specifically the Nikon 3200
I'm experiencing two odd things

1. When there is 1/3 battery left I get an error
Shutter release turned off. If I recharge the
battery, everything works.

2. The continuous mode won't work if I have to have
the flash on.

Plz let me know I only have about 1wk left to return.
(I bought online)

Thanks

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Photopatrol wrote:

Hi

I'm new to DSLRs specifically the Nikon 3200
I'm experiencing two odd things

1. When there is 1/3 battery left I get an error
Shutter release turned off. If I recharge the
battery, everything works.

2. The continuous mode won't work if I have to have
the flash on.

Plz let me know I only have about 1 wk left to return.
(I bought online)

Thanks

Welcome to our forum!

Well, I can tell you about the D3100. Page 29 of the Owner's Manual says, "The built-in flash and AF-assist illuminator turn off" (when Continuous is engaged).

That sounds like a battery problem - maybe. The manual says that when the battery is too low, the shutter release will be disable. Makes you wonder if the battery is not good, or if the camera is being overly sensitive.

I'd both call and email Nikon, since your return time is fast approaching. That's not normal, so you want to get it straightened out before the return time expires.

Photopatrol

jerryc41 wrote:

Welcome to our forum! br br Well, I can tell you ... (show quote)

Thank You!

At least with respect to the flash, the camera doesn't seem defective.

I think maybe the camera is too sensitive, like you said, because it charges fine. I will call Nikon and see what they have to say.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

The flash will not work on the D3200 or most cameras on continuous, or when trying to shoot rapidly due to the cycle time of the flash prevents this. Your asking it to recharge it's self four times a second which it can't do.

Your other problem, just might be the AHU of the battery. If you have smaller rated battery they do come in different ratings depending on how much you paid, it is most likely natural for the camera not to shoot in a low battery condition. I have never had this happen on my D3200. But I never go below Half. I carry several back up batteries since I use the lower rated batteries. Just My Two Cents Bill

bronxglenn Loc: Scotland

I also never let my battery go less than half way down. I've generally found with Nikon batteries that when going down to 1/3 or 1/4 the battery always accelerates n draining it's charge.
Glad you have got the flash issue explained.
This is a good site to ask for advice.

Photopatrol

Thank you. I'm just concerned that the camera
may not be working right so I've been trying to put
it through its paces.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Photopatrol wrote:

Thank you. I'm just concerned that the camera
may not be working right so I've been trying to put
it through its paces.

I have a spare battery or two for everything. Before your return time expires, I'd try another battery and get a definitive answer about this 1/3 situation.

bronxglenn Loc: Scotland

Yes, Jerry, a spare is a must. Having concentrated on wedding for a long time, the kit that never came out of my camera case during a shoot was every bit as important as the kit I was using on the day.

Denisedoan3 Loc: Michigan

I also have the D3200...I learned the hard way that once battery shows there's only 1/3 left, I don't have much battery life left! Went to a car show and got 2 pics on 1/3 battery! And it does the same thing on my spare battery too! But the 2/3 that is useful of the battery lasts a LONG time! Lesons learned.... :)

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

There are things you can do to extend what battery you have. Like the less you use your LCD screen the more clicks you get. Live View will eat up any battery in short order. In the old days, about two years ago. Every thing was done through the view finder. To save battery life. I know I can get 500 or more shots off without using the LCD for previews or settings. If I'm going to be out for awhile. I use the LCD screen as little as possible. For what it's worth Bill

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Denisedoan3 wrote:

I also have the D3200...I learned the hard way that once battery shows there's only 1/3 left, I don't have much battery life left! Went to a car show and got 2 pics on 1/3 battery! And it does the same thing on my spare battery too! But the 2/3 that is useful of the battery lasts a LONG time! Lesons learned.... :)

Good to know! My son's D3100 doesn't do that 1/3 thing, but it might take a different battery.

EDIT: Nope. They take the same battery.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

jerryc41 wrote:

Good to know! My son's D3100 doesn't do that 1/3 thing, but it might take a different battery.

EDIT: Nope. They take the same battery.

It's in the battery triangle, LOL... if you have a 1200 AH battery then at 1/4 battery you would have 300 AH left. at 600 Ah on that battery Your volts would start to drop. At 300 AH when the camera draws on it (none static), the voltage drop would be considerable because simply put there are less Amp Hours pushing it. A 1600 Ah batter at 1/4 would have 400 Ah left. Just that little bite more of Ah will make a difference if the camera will function or not. Manufacturers as a rule will put in there devices a low voltage protection. So the camera by default will not function to save it's circuit boards from premature failure.

Photopatrol

I just thought when the battery level went too low the indicator would
be red or something. Green usually means good to go. I guess because
other people haven't experienced the problem I'm still a little concerned.
The Nikon person was no help. She said I have a transcend SD card so
I needed to change memory cards.

I didn't ask her about the continuous shoot. Can a memory card effect battery? It doesn't make sense to me.

Nice to have a forum like this.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Photopatrol wrote:

I just thought when the battery level went too low the indicator would
be red or something. Green usually means good to go. I guess because
other people haven't experienced the problem I'm still a little concerned.
The Nikon person was no help. She said I have a transcend SD card so I needed to change memory cards.

I didn't ask her about the continuous shoot. Can a memory card effect battery? It doesn't make sense to me.

Nice to have a forum like this.

It sounds like she was just reaching for any answer to get you off the phone. Transcend is a good brand of card. I've used them.

Bill Houghton Loc: New York area

As Jerry said. There is also an internal memory in the camera, which for the most part acts as a data buffer between shots. The speed of the card would come into play only after that buffer is full. When you take a burst of shots the first 6 or so will be in the camera buffer, and will down load them to the SD card. Also remember you have a lower end Nikon. You can't expect top shelf performance. There will be short comings. Not to down grade the camera, I use the 3100 and DX40 both entry level and awaiting a 5100 and very pleased with the results. I'm also not shooting 3,000 clicks nor going to Africa. For back yard and an occasional walk about there a fantastic camera in an affordable range.