pelha Loc: middlle of nowhere NY

I would like to understand the mechanism before handing the camera (& $200) over to repair. The sleep function has ceased working. I discovered this when I grabbed the camera to take a group pic at a trailhead last week, and found the battery deader than dead. All worked fine the previous week in the Tetons & Badlands. I also discovered yesterday that the (single) focus is frozen in the center. Trying to move it (with the dial directions) doesn't budge it. None of my menu settings were touched .... the camera was not used between the Badlands hike July 5th & the trailhead last week and I flew pre-check so the camera stayed in my carry-on the entire trip home. Does anyone have any suggestions on what could be wrong & whether it's something I could tweak to make live-able? The sleep malfunction I could work around by turning off the camera, but I'm wondering if the focus issue indicates a bump, or the Badlands heat, changed a setting or damaged a component.

Bill_de Loc: US

Since it is a computer, and sometimes computers do funky things, try a reset. Two of the buttons on your camera should have green dots next to them. With the camera on hold them down for around five seconds.

It will change some settings to factory defaults.

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Kozan Loc: Trenton Tennessee

" I also discovered yesterday that the (single) focus is frozen in the center. "

Sounds like the Lock knob is on L. That will lock the focus point.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Are we also to assume a fresh battery did anything?

pelha Loc: middlle of nowhere NY

ok, so I wasn't as completely detailed... yes, a fresh battery allowed me to take, pix, but didn't fix the sleep/focus problems.

pelha Loc: middlle of nowhere NY

thanks for the reminder.... but sadly a reboot didn't help.

pelha Loc: middlle of nowhere NY

ah, yes, thanks, Kozan! At least this problem is user error/ random bumps, etc. I keep hoping the sleep issue is also, but so far it is looking like a real malfunction. But the lack of sleep I can work around, if it doesn't indicate a wider problem.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

So you are having a continuous drain or an occasional flashing light that runs the battery down?

The lock lever should hopefully resolve your focus point issue. Tried that yet?

pelha Loc: middlle of nowhere NY

Hi DaveO, yes the focus lock is taken care of. I'm assuming with no sleep, the battery just drains over time, since it was so dead when I tried to use the camera last week -- after having been left in it's bag for the 2 weeks between the Badlands hike & the local one. I keep wondering why the sleep function has died & what else may be affected.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

The D7100 allows you to Save/Load Settings to a memory card... First thing I do once the camera is configured.
As suggested a "Cold Reset" is typically done if things go south... (Red & Green Buttons on back/top)
It is oft noted that third party batteries are not to be trusted... experience is a brutal teacher...
In the interim simply remove the battery after each use... and store separately...
btw, there are third party lens that eat batteries quickly like the Sigma 17-50mm's IS which draws a juice continuously when the IS is turned on. Sigma mentions this in the Lens' manual

Ok, the operating environment (Nikon Manual) for the D7100 is 32 degree F to 104 degrees F
I have shot the D7100 at 100 degrees no problem but please realize that the D7100 is not of Pro-Build quality.
Working commercially? get a pro body, k? seriously

bottom line? Now you may better understand why commercial shooters ALWAYS have a back body when on assignment.
btw, I have two of each body I use commercially... if I have to do a "Factory Reset" I simply "Save/Load Settings" from it's mate...

and the good news Nikon will likely repair your D7100 for a reasonable fee...

All the best on your journey pelha

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

So does it continue to drain is what I am asking. One incident is not enough to diagnose causes in my opinion. Could be a battery issue or a capacitor.

pelha Loc: middlle of nowhere NY

Thanks, Thomas, the battery does seem to be fine if I turn off the camera rather than depending on the sleep function. I'll try another reset & probably do the call to Nikon to see if I can get more info out of that than I did from email contact. But it is looking like a trip to repair.

I'm not (yet) pro, being the world's worst at marketing. But I am eyeing the 750's prices. The 500 might be interesting. But I do need to be careful with the cash. And I guess I may have exposed my 7100 to more heat than it liked. That Badlands canyon was hot! So I guess I'm exposing the camera to pro-like conditions (including 9F this past winter.)

again, thanks for your insight!
charlotte/pelha

dubblenn

I have the same issue with my D7100. Why do you think it should have a sleep function? Did you ever have it go to sleep? Mine never did. No mention of a sleep function in the user manual. I turn my camera off to prevent battery drain.

pelha Loc: middlle of nowhere NY

welcome, dubblenn! the camera, when working properly, is very clever & goes into sleep/standby after 6s (according to my setting in c2.) i had gotten used to not worrying about turning off the camera after every use, which is a pain when you need to grab it to take a quick shot. I also have had various levers flicked to another position when sticking the camera into its bag, or pulling it out (like the above mentioned lock focus lever.) So not having to worry about the on-off switch was a pleasure. (and I now have to decide if that pleasure is worth $200+ to fix.)

z2889

possibly when in the bag one of the buttons was continuously being pressed and drained the battery. Happened to me once also.