Bill_de Loc: US

That had nothing to do with the OP's issue. If you read page one of this thread you will find the confirmed solution.

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mak02645

Mark, when I saw your question when I logged on this morning, I knew exactly what the issue was and I commend Bill for his quick inspired guess. I use a Z7 and also shoot in the "M" mode. I encountered the issue when I first got the camera last fall and it took me a lot of studying of the manual before I got the right setting for my needs (custom setting D8 to of "off"). But it turns out that had done nothing wrong. Nikon actually sets D8 (mirror settings in live view) to "on" by default and many people like it that way. Having the viewfinder/LCD displays mirror what you set is seen as an advantage by many shooters and by Nikon. So if you have set the shutter speed or f/stop wrong---or even white balance in Auto WB---you'll see that immediately reflected in what the screens show. Some people actually set their cameras according to what they see, that is, they change the settings until the picture "looks right." Many people see this as an advantage of using "live view." But there are many times where you don't want D8 set to "on." One is when you are using a flash in a less than bright indoor environment. In this case, you'll see a dark (or black) screen and viewfinder and basically have to guess where you're shooting! By turning D8 to "off," the camera sets the viewfinder/screen so that it is bright all the time, although it uses battery power faster than with the "off" setting. As for me personally, I like seeing the viewfinder bright at all times and I also use flash, so I simply turn D8 to "off" and leave it that way. The extra battery drain isn't that bad in my experience. As a general statement, the Z6 and the Z7 have some unfamiliar settings to those of us accustomed to DSLRs and it is worth getting a good guide to the camera. I particularly like Thom Hogan's electronic guide to Z cameras. It's full of insights and I recommend it highly. His discussion of the D8 setting (starting on p. 751) is quite helpful. To show that you are hardly alone, Hogan starts the section with the statement "This is a tricky function."

Retina Loc: Near Charleston,SC

Your helpful answer got me interested in Nikon's on-line manual. Surveying the menu before buying can help prevent getting stuck from an obscure setting. I can't imagine spending time reading a tiny thick printed manual before grabbing some lenses and heading out the moment a new camera arrives.
https://onlinemanual.nikonimglib.com/z7_z6/en/09_menu_guide_05_d08.html

WOOF Loc: Minneapolis, MN

I have a Z6 I purchased about two months ago. I do not know if this is a more recent model than yours or not. I have not had a problem with a black screen when in manual mode. Maybe it is a software problem, do you have the latest update?

Brian Toren

WOOF Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Yup it is the live mode problem. I had set my Z6 to non live when I first used it. I just set it to live and the screen went black when I set shooting mode to manual.

Brian

cwp3420

Why are you calling him a troll?

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Hi Bill I suggested opening up the aperture and f-stop and Mark7S said he tried and that did not work. See posts 2 and 3 of this thread.

Anyway, I am glad you were able to resolve the problem for him.