Nikon d5000 - flash doesn't pop up?

[patchen]

Hi - first time Digital SLR owner here - bought a D5000, and have noticed that off and on, the flash will NOT pop up, even though I hear the click of the release switch "trying" to release the flash as I press the shutter button.

Sometimes it sticks, and sometimes it works just fine. Any ideas for a fix? Other than that issue, the camera is great so far!

Thanks!!!!!

Pat

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by patchen

Hi - first time Digital SLR owner here - bought a D5000, and have noticed that off and on, the flash will NOT pop up, even though I hear the click of the release switch "trying" to release the flash as I press the shutter button.

Sometimes it sticks, and sometimes it works just fine. Any ideas for a fix? Other than that issue, the camera is great so far!

Thanks!!!!!

Pat

In some of the modes the flash is not meant to fire, and you have to control it manually. An example would be while shooting in P (Program)mode and the other creative modes. If you are shooting in the full auto mode, the flash should fire when called for. Check the manual to see how and when the flash is programmed to fire. I am not ruling out a faulty working camera, however. There are small micro switches mounted beneath the hot shoe that will tell the on camera flash not to lift when you have a shoe flash mounted...these can sometimes malfunction, but not likely when cameras are new such as yours.

Vince

[wulf]

Are there modes where the flash pops up automatically? I spend most of my time in manual mode and I'm using a D40; if I want the on camera flash, I pop it up with the button on the side of the camera and then take the picture rather than expecting to pop up on its own. Does that work for you?

Wulf

[OsmosisStudios]

Almost all of the presets on the top dial: AUto, portrait, night portrait, kids/pets, etc.

[patchen]

Hi all -thanks for the responses. The flash is supposed to pop up automatically in several settings - even when I use the Auto setting - and I'm thinking something must be wrong when I can hear a clicking sound as I press the shutter button halfway, but no flash pops up. I'll even test it by going to a dark location that would need a flash, and the camera will try, but it won't release the flash (i hear the "click"). Sometimes for periods, it works just fine, which is odd. I may have to follow up with my warranty....

[Raoul Isidro]

You might have a defective release mechanism for the pop up flash. It may work on you manually pressing the release, but it may not be working on automatic (by camera) release. The best bet is to bring it to the shop and have the camera salesman run through it. If defective, ask for an on the spot swap to a brand new same model. Best regards.

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by Raoul Isidro

You might have a defective release mechanism for the pop up flash. It may work on you manually pressing the release, but it may not be working on automatic (by camera) release. The best bet is to bring it to the shop and have the camera salesman run through it. If defective, ask for an on the spot swap to a brand new same model. Best regards.

I've had the same problem with my Canon, however, only after it got a lot older than your camera. Mine would click three times, not pop up, and then give me an error message. I found it to be those little micro switches sticking under the hot shoe...you will want to have it serviced...too bad

[rco@lowell.edu]

I was about to post my own query but decided to dig through previous threads first. I am in essentially the same boat as this OP. My goal is to figure out how to force the flash "on" for some fill light. The manual tells me to use the "food" program mode and it seemed to work at first, but it is not consistent. One of the comments in this thread talks about a button on the side to deploy the flash, but he uses a D-40. Is there something similar on the D-5000? I have not found it in the manual. How can I get the flash to work when the camera doesn't think I need it?

[four3one]

might be a little late on this but...
when im out and about, i take a D60 with me and i also noticed this
turns out (for me at least) that because im used to a much bigger camera, my left thumb was touching the join between the flash and main part of the body. since the spring has very little power (guess it doenst need much), i was inadvertantly stopping it pop up.

the little actuator pulls back to release the pop up and then flicks back into place instantly. this meant that i'd get the click but because i didnt move my thumb in time, the flash stayed down!

[jsherp]

Originally Posted by rco@lowell.edu

I was about to post my own query but decided to dig through previous threads first. I am in essentially the same boat as this OP. My goal is to figure out how to force the flash "on" for some fill light. The manual tells me to use the "food" program mode and it seemed to work at first, but it is not consistent. One of the comments in this thread talks about a button on the side to deploy the flash, but he uses a D-40. Is there something similar on the D-5000? I have not found it in the manual. How can I get the flash to work when the camera doesn't think I need it?

I've had my D5000 about a month now. To answer your questions, go to page 3 of the manual and find item 12. That's the flash mode button. Pages 70 and 71 have a discussion about it, but the picture on page 3 is better for locating it.