What causes the dark border? (Page 2): Camera going into Nikon to be checked. Will post results at a later time. Thanks for all the suggestions. Dave...

relie Loc: Western Massachusetts

Camera going into Nikon to be checked. Will post results at a later time. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Dave

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

relie wrote:

Hi guys, another question. This is bugging the heck out of me. What is causing the black marks at the top of these photos? Also, the difference in the blue skyline half way down the photo (bottom left picture). All taken with Nikon d5100 on auto. Help.
Thanks,
Dave

Looks like a sticky mirror to me. If the mirror is slow to move, it can shade a portion of the sensor, causing the shadow. The shutter is moving before the mirror fully gets out of the way. I am interested in hearing what Nikon has to say about it. You might want to check it with live view, where the mirror is not a factor.

tomcat

As a quick test for the shutter issue, put your camera in manual and take a couple of shots without the flash with the shutter speed at 1/30 and at 1/500. This will let you know if the shutter sticking is the problem or if it was shutter lag from the shutter speed being too fast with the flash on. The shutter speed should not exceed the sync speed for the flash (typically 1/250) and if you had it set too high, then the sensor will catch one of the shutter curtains as it passes by.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

tomcat wrote:

As a quick test for the shutter issue, put your camera in manual and take a couple of shots without the flash with the shutter speed at 1/30 and at 1/500. This will let you know if the shutter sticking is the problem or if it was shutter lag from the shutter speed being too fast with the flash on. The shutter speed should not exceed the sync speed for the flash (typically 1/250) and if you had it set too high, then the sensor will catch one of the shutter curtains as it passes by.

I don't see any evidence a flash was used in the sample images.

tomcat

Gene51 wrote:

I don't see any evidence a flash was used in the sample images.

Me either, but I'm not ruling out that effect because I've seen it so many times.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Gene51 wrote:

Looks like a sticky mirror to me. If the mirror is slow to move, it can shade a portion of the sensor, causing the shadow. The shutter is moving before the mirror fully gets out of the way. I am interested in hearing what Nikon has to say about it. You might want to check it with live view, where the mirror is not a factor.

If it were the mirror, the shadow would be at the bottom of the photograph, as the image is inverted at the focal plane.

TheShoe Loc: Lacey, WA

If the camera has a "Silent Shutter" function try that mode. It is usually an electronic shutter instead of mechanical. No black band would indicate that the mechanical shutter is at fault.

cambriaman Loc: Central CA Coast

Looks like a shutter malfunction to me. Needs professional help. Don't spray the inside of you camera with WD-40 as did one person I read about recently....that cost $600 more of cleaning!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

GoofyNewfie wrote:

If it were the mirror, the shadow would be at the bottom of the photograph, as the image is inverted at the focal plane.

You're probably right. But the live view shot should be pretty telling. Or it could be a combination of sticky mirror and shutter. Who knew that using CocaCola would not be great for cleaning mirrors and sensors in cameras?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Gene51 wrote:

......Who knew that using CocaCola would not be great for cleaning mirrors and sensors in cameras?

Diet or regular?

agillot

you also get this when you use a too fast speed for flash use .

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

agillot wrote:

you also get this when you use a too fast speed for flash use .

Not like this.
Even if the OP were using flash, the sky should still be seen where the shutter would cause a shadow from the flash.
It’s not a flash sync issue in this case. Something is wrong with the shutter.

sloscheider Loc: Minnesota

donrosshill wrote:

This appears to be a group of images in Box frames. If that is the case then the light is casting a shadow at the top of each picture. If they are TV screens, then they were out of sync with your shutter speed.
More info required and please use the "Download" feature to allow us to see more detail.
Don

I think you may be on to something - like this is a single image of a wall display made up of 4 digital frames? In which case it's the refresh rate of the digital frames not in sync with the shutter speed. Or is it just 4 prints sitting on a table?

relie Loc: Western Massachusetts

sloscheider wrote:

I think you may be on to something - like this is a single image of a wall display made up of 4 digital frames? In which case it's the refresh rate of the digital frames not in sync with the shutter speed. Or is it just 4 prints sitting on a table?

This is a picture of four separate photos. Done this way to show the problem, as I didn't have the memory stick at the time, only the prints. No flash was used. I'm sending the d5100 to Nikon for repair. Thanks guys for all the ideas.
I'll will definately post the results.

Dave

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

This looks like a shutter blade caught in the frame at the time of exposure. It can be caused by a number of reasons but is usually caused by an obstruction in the shutter mechanism, usually from broken plastic on the lens.Check the lens mounts for any breakage.

Hi. My name is Rick. I’m the owner and lead technician at Discount Camera Repair and a member in good standing here at the UHH. I’ve been doing repairs for other members here at greatly discounted rates and would be glad to help.

I'd be more than happy to repair your camera for you and keep the cost as low as possible. If you’re interested, please respond by private message.

relie wrote:

Hi guys, another question. This is bugging the heck out of me. What is causing the black marks at the top of these photos? Also, the difference in the blue skyline half way down the photo (bottom left picture). All taken with Nikon d5100 on auto. Help.
Thanks,
Dave