dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

No matter where I search online, or who I ask at Nikon, I can't get a straight answer about why the shutter stays closed over the sensor on the D750 when you lock the mirror up for cleaning. None of my previous Nikon DSLR's have had the sensor blocked by the shutter. One reason this matters so much to me is that I am used to cleaning my own sensors and am finding it too costly to send this camera off each time it needs cleaned. After just getting it back from Nikon for cleaning, and after only 12 shots, there is already a spot on the sensor. Secondly, I have yet to find a video tutorial on cleaning the D750 that starts with the shutter down--they all begin with the sensor exposed. I need help and answers. Another thing that bugs me about researching this issue is that I cannot find out which other Nikon DSLR's are now built this way. (My previous D610, closest relative of the D750 was not built this way.) I would never buy another Nikon if this is the new design on all the DSLR's, but it sure isn't public knowledge.
P.S. When I have questioned whether this could be oil, I am told the problem doesn't exist with this camera. So why is the sensor getting so dirty so fast when I don't change lenses and have not used it in any adverse weather conditions? (There's only about 2400 shutter actuations total.)

Sorry if this sounds like a rant, but I really am frustrated trying to get answers and am hoping some of you Nikon D750 shooters out there who clean you own sensors can walk me through this.

Dan R Loc: Way Way Way Upstate NY

On the D750, with a fully charged battery go to menu, setup menu, lock mirror up for cleaning, press Ok, press ok to start, press shutter release to lock mirror up, remove lens cap and clean. When finished, turn power off to lower mirror.

As far as why your sensor is getting dirty, I'm not sure. I try not to change my lenses outside, when possible. However, when I must, I always cover the camera and keep it pointed down or away from the wind.

I hope this helps.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Thanks, Dan, for your effort to help me work this out; however, the problem is that, while the mirror lifts out of the way, the shutter does not move out of the way of the sensor. That is what's so perplexing.

Sharing your concerns, I don't change lenses in the field, only in a hard surface rooms like the bath or kitchen and I make sure the camera opening is facing downward. What's even more suspect is that this last time, when I took only a dozen shots before finding another spot, I was using a prime lens...as I know zooms can draw air in.

Dan R Loc: Way Way Way Upstate NY

I pulled out my D750, when I wrote these. When I said to remove the cap and clean, my sensor was fully exposed and ready to be swabbed...Dan

Bill_de Loc: US

How about a long time exposure?

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DTran

I have to put my Nikon D1X in B to clean the sensor as it would not allow sensor cleaning without the AC adapter. Back in that time Nikon was afraid of the battery may run out and close the shutter on you. However, in the case of the OP, he should have the camera serviced as it's not working as designed.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

So maybe the shutter isn't down by design, but by defect. Well, Nikon just had my camera--you'd think they would have noticed something wrong.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

When I was in touch with the company that I purchased through about this issue, the rep said essentially the same thing--use the remote cable and hold the shutter open. That starts to make me feel like an octopus. From what Dan R shared, I'm wondering if the shutter being down is a defect in the shutter operation since he says his sensor is exposed with the mirror up. Sure hope to hear from some more D750 owners who do their own cleaning.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Sure is looking that way, DTran.

rayr

I do the same as DanR to clean my D750 sensor, you must have a fully charged battery.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

The battery is always fully charged when I start a cleaning, so I don't think that is the problem. Since you, too, have a D750--do you have unobstructed access to the sensor when you do the mirror lock-up?

rayr

Yes mirror is up and shutter is open and sensor is visible.

Gort55 Loc: Northern Colorado

I havent done my own cleaning on my D750 (yet), but tried to lock the mirror up just for drill. Didnt check the battery, but in manual mode, I went thru the menu routine as described by Dan R, and it worked. The sensor was exposed.

Hope this info is useful — a lot of hoggers have helped me.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Thanks, Gort! I am going to go through the steps shortly and see if I can find out what I might be doing wrong. This is my first full frame and the controls/menu are quite different from the DX's. If I can solve the issue with getting access to the sensor, I will have half the battle won, as I will be able to clean the sensor as needed. As to why the sensor gets some pretty noticeable spots without cause remains to be solved.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

"THANK YOU!", especially you, Dan, and also to the others who seconded your advice for helping me work through my problem. Finally, I have figured out what I was doing wrong that caused me to see the shutter over the sensor. But I have to start from a year ago when I received my camera. In Dec. 2016 I did the long process of getting familiar with the menu and all of the dials on the D750 and doing test shots as I went along. I do not recall ever seeing 'mirror lock up' as an option in the menu. But, of course, I did find the very convenient 'mirror up' on the external dial (which I never had on the DX models I owned). In hindsight, after studying the instructions closely this second time around, I can only surmise that the battery level was depleted and that is why I didn't see the 'mirror lock up' in the menu first go round. Fast forward a year and I fell back on my original assumption that the mirror up on the dial was also used for cleaning. My bad. But how relieved I am to know that the camera works and I can keep the sensor clean.

As to the noticeable spots, that is an unaccounted for mystery I still have to deal with.