D750 Shutter or Mirror Error

Hi All!

I just got to Italy on vacation... and my D750 is malfunctioning. Its either the shutter or mirror (I think). Can anyone tell what the problem is and have any troubleshooting ideas? I took the battery out, set the mirror up, reset all the settings, tried different lenses, different battery. None of that helped. It just started all of a sudden.

Hmmm. I don't think a mirror problem would increase the exposure in the middle of a frame like that. However, the mirror lift and shutter mechanism are quite closely linked.

 

Does the camera show any error number on the top LCD? My D7200 reported 'Err 43' IIRC when the first sample I bought had a shutter timing error.

 

All that is pretty irrelevant to your question. I suspect there's no quick or temporary fix, and a trip to the repair shop is what's needed, unfortunately.

Is that the same on every photo?

Try switching to Live View, and see if this abberation is also vissible.

Possibly the secondary mirror does not lift properly, and this will show in live view if so...

Hi guys! Thanks for the replies!

-No error message

-The same on every image (since it started) sometimes the black slant at the bottom is there and sometimes not. (Makes me think its a combo of mirror and shutter).

-Great question about live view, I hadn't thought to try it. Here's what happens in live view: the view on the screen look normal, but the recorded image has the same problem.

The shutter moves vertically. Therefore, usually a shutter problem will result in a horizontal line across the image, and the entire area below (or above) the line is dark.

 

Also, please test with a few different shutter speeds and see what the effect is: 1/1000 sec, 1/125 sec, 1/30 sec. And if you have a tripod, also try 1/8 and 1/2 sec.

 

The mirror still moves down and then up during a live view capture. Could the OP capture some video and see whether this problem appears in the video? If the video is fine, maybe you can capture some still frames from the video. I know that is not ideal.

I am totally guessing. There could be some issues with the secondary mirror behind the (main) mirror. Please keep in mind that the center of the mirror is semi-transparent. There is a small mirror behind the main mirror, and that secondary mirror reflects light that passes through the main mirror downward towards the bottom of the camera, where the AF module is. Perhaps that secondary mirror is not flipping all the way up or somehow its motion is slightly delayed.

How about shooting in "mirror up" mode? You could also double check the action of the mirror by taking the lens off, shooting with mirror up, and just looking at what happens. Normally, you'll see the mirror snap up crisply, the shutter open and close (if it's set slow enough), and the mirror will come down again. A malfunctioning shutter might not be visible, as the shutter opens and closes very fast, but a malfunctioning mirror should be pretty visible, I think.

Can you record video and capture frames whilst filming?

Can you

- put the camera in "B" mode

- Take the lens of

-Activate the shutter

-Look into the lens mouth

-See if anything is in the light path

?

But anything obscuring the frame would cast a dark shadow on the sensor, not lighten the image.

Unless it's somehow a reflection from something in the mirror box. Then where would the reflected light come from?

 

My guess is it's a displaced or broken blade in the shutter. The shutter is completely open in LiveView, and only transits the frame during the exposure proper. In which case video mode should be fine as well, since it uses electronic shuttering.

Looks like a bad shutter. Send it to Nikon and have them confirm. If the camera is on one of the recall lists they will replace no charge. If it is not on the recall list they will probably (they did for me) they may also replace no charge but may bill you for some cleaning and other things that need fixing. My camera came back looking brand new and I beat the heck out of it for three years. A Nikon user did a world wide survey on the D750 shutter problem and found that the average shutter actuations when the shutter had to be replaced was 98,000 (mine failed at 97,000. Not how long the shutter is supposed to last but it seems that Nikon does a decent job of taking care of the problem. It reminds me of my Nikon D70 that I sent back to Nikon after using it for three years and then the sensor failed. BGOD (blinking green light of death) was a major problem but Nikon replaced the sensor no charge years after the warranty expired. They should do the same thing for the D750's shutter problem in my opinion. I sent my D750 to the NY repair facility and the above is my experience only.

There does not seem to be a quick fix to this problem. In you position, I would not try to fix a problem with the mirror myself; it is far to easy to damage it, That can be an expensive repair.

 

I know you are on vacation in Italy, a foreign country for you. I suggest you look up an authorized Nikon Repair facility and take it to them. If it is a quick fix, fix it. Otherwise put it away until you return home and use your cell phone for images.

Guys thanks again for the replies. I need to read them carefully and check out what you wrote. I did try to put it in video and I got an error. Sorry for a slow reply, connection here is tough and when I get the replies, my kids are sleeping.

 

Maybe I its time for a D850 :) :) I had considered renting one since its fun to have two bodies and not to have to switch lenses. I hadn't considered that I would NEED a backup rather than just enjoy one for fun.

Can you

- put the camera in "B" mode

- Take the lens of

-Activate the shutter

-Look into the lens mouth

-See if anything is in the light path

?

 

I can indeed see part of the shutter blocking the path.

I can indeed see part of the shutter blocking the path.

Ok, at least we have an answer. I wouldn't have expected the shutter blocking the sensor would produce a couple of rectangular (or parallelogram), lighter areas.

 

Unfortunately, the shutter has to be replaced by professionals. That is why I usually travel with multiple bodies.

Ok, though luck then.

Also glad this simple diagnostic shows where the problem seems to be.

Odd that LV is OK but it won't let you take video?

Odd that LV is OK but it won't let you take video?

As i understand it, the OP cannot upload the video, but i may misunderstand this?

I now have a far worse problem.

I left my camera in the bag for the duration of the trip. It mostly sat in bedrooms, since I did not need to carry a camera bag around. At airport security I took it out for the scanner and found this (see attached pictures). It look like the lens has sheared off the body with much damage to each. Not sure if its worth sending in to Nikon, they will likely charge just to check it out or to try to sell it as is and look for a new body and new 24-70.

 

 

 

 

That is painful to look at.

You're telling me!

Did someone slam your bag, with the D750 inside, against some wall? That is a pretty serious damage.

 

In any case, if the shutter on the D750 is damaged, and now the lens mount is seriously damaged, I would assume it is no longer economical to repair it. For that kind of impact, the frame is probably no longer straight.

 

Just for comparison, B&H is now selling a new D750 for $1500, refurb for $1100: Nikon D750 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Refurbished by Nikon USA)

 

Maybe this is an opportunity for you to upgrade.

Did someone slam your bag, with the D750 inside, against some wall? That is a pretty serious damage.

 

In any case, if the shutter on the D750 is damaged, and now the lens mount is seriously damaged, I would assume it is no longer economical to repair it. For that kind of impact, the frame is probably no longer straight.

 

Just for comparison, B&H is now selling a new D750 for $1500, refurb for $1100: Nikon D750 DSLR Camera (Body Only, Refurbished by Nikon USA)

 

Maybe this is an opportunity for you to upgrade.

 

Well there was an 8 year old boy and a 7 year old boy so that scenario is quite possible, but it doesn't matter, its done and I don't think either of them did it.

So if repair is not likely is it worth anything to anyone? A seller like KEH or BH or some school?

Are you in the US? Nikon USA does not charge to inspect your camera damage and make a repair estimate. I could be wrong, of course, but I wonder whether it is worth the shipping cost, as I am a firm believer not to throw good money after bad money. You can always e-mail them some images showing the damage and let them give you guidance.

 

You can always sell the camera for parts, but since the shutter is damaged and so is the mount, not sure what they can salvage, maybe the sensor.