michaelmarcus Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 I used the new D70s once about a week and a half ago. Today when I attempted to take pictures the viewfinder showed either: a dark exposure, a 3/4 dark exposure, a poor exposure or, in one out of every 4 or 5 cases, a proper exposure. The battery indicator was solid black. I pressed the DOF button several times. No change. I pressed the reset button. No change. Now I am charging the battery anyway, and hoping that's the source of the problem. But the battery indicator was solid black! Anyone know what gives? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_ Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 The "viewfinder" or the "LCD screen" that allows you to review what image you just recorded? ...you did have a memory card in the camera, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmarcus Posted February 4, 2006 Author Share Posted February 4, 2006 the LCD screen, sorry. Yes, memory card was in. Upon review the pictures were only semi-exposed (as if shutter malfunctioning). Battery is still charging after one full hour, so maybe that's the problem after all. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmarcus Posted February 4, 2006 Author Share Posted February 4, 2006 It is not the battery. It has been fully recharged and the problem persists. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivek iyer Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 The name of your memory card is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmarcus Posted February 4, 2006 Author Share Posted February 4, 2006 both PNY and SANDISK. worked fine last week! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivek iyer Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 Hmm.. is that a kit lens (18-70) you are using or other lenses? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmarcus Posted February 4, 2006 Author Share Posted February 4, 2006 the kit lens--what do you think? i am going crazy here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vivek iyer Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 Michael, I am just trying to figure out if I can diagnose anything. If you happen to mount non compatible (older) lenses, the mirror will not be allowed go up all the way (I have done it) and you get half frames. Sorry, I give up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrengold Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 Have you viewed the pictures on the card on a computer. Is it the exposure that's off or the LCD screen? Regards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelging Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 Michael , do your re-format the cards everytime you put them in the camera? The partial photos sound like a low battery as I have had that problem only after running the battery too low. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmarcus Posted February 4, 2006 Author Share Posted February 4, 2006 OK --- new data. The camera seems to work properly only when I press down on the shutter very hard. I am going to keep fiddling now for a while. The viewfinder is fine and the card is formatted and the battery is fully charged. But something is definitely screwy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gstarene Posted February 4, 2006 Share Posted February 4, 2006 Michael, are you using the on board camera flash to get these poor results? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmarcus Posted February 4, 2006 Author Share Posted February 4, 2006 Yes, but the same results occurred outdoors in daylight a few hours ago. Now the camera seems to work fine, but only if I am pressing hard (or harder than I remember having to press last week) on the shutter. Thanks all for your responses! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 It sounds like something might be interfering with the shutter release mechanism. Possibly debris, oxidation or loose contacts. A drop of sweat in the area around the shutter release button might do this. It could go completely unnoticed for a while. I once had to disassemble and clean a Canonet GIII QL17 after a little bit of Coke dribbled off my lips onto the shutter release button. You might try using a squeeze bulb blower around the shutter release button. Or *carefully* vacuuming with a low power vacuum (not an Oreck bowling ball lifter) - don't wanna suck parts right off the camera. And don't squirt any kind of electronics contact cleaner in there - it might lead to worse problems and more expensive repairs. I wouldn't continue to mash buttons too hard. It might cause further damage. Might be best to send it in for servicing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmarcus Posted February 5, 2006 Author Share Posted February 5, 2006 I have been routinely picking the camera up every once a while and firing off a few random shots to see if it works properly, and out of a dozen or so times only one, the first exposure, was poor. Maybe it is a shutter issue, thank you Lex. And actually, I don't really have to press on the release button all that hard. Is there perhaps something about the AE-L AF-L functions or shutter speed settings that I don't know how or what to do yet? I was very very impressed with Nikon Tech --- the phone was answered on the first ring, but the person I spoke with was utterly clueless about the problem I was reporting! Thanks again all, if this persists I certainly will send the camera in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lex_jenkins Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 I can't think of any other explanations for the exposure problems. However one other possible explanation for the camera occasionally seeming reluctant to take a photo could be the focus mode. If it's set to focus priority it won't take a photo until it's satisfied that the subject is in focus. I often have to change my D2H from focus priority to release priority in AF-S mode because I usually recompose a little after focusing on the main subject. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoff_cheshire Posted February 5, 2006 Share Posted February 5, 2006 Sounds like you should call Nikon and send it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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