Currently on vacation with brand new malfunctioned Nikon D90 - please help

[kdky1975]

Hi. I am on vacation in the Indian Ocean islands at this moment with a brand new Nikon D90 + Nikkor 18-105. Was taking photos this morning. From one shot to another, the camera suddenly stopped working. When I press the shutter button, it still focuses and when I click through, I can hear the shutter clicking (tried this with different shutter speeds). However, no photo is captured/stored. Also, the Lv button no longer works. When I press it, the camera is unable to switch from viewfinder to LCD live view mode -- you hear the mirror flip momentarily but it flips back and the LCD screen stays dark. However, I can still view old photos on the LCD screen and go into menus, so it doesn't appear to be a problem with the LCD itself. I tried cleaning the lens metal contacts, remounting the lens, removing and reinserting the battery, but no luck. Could I be another unlucky customer? From web posts it appears many have had problems with brand new D90s. It is a huge disappointment to be missing out on photos on this rare trip. All advice appreciated.

[zona5101]

hi and darn it! what a time for an issue.
have you swapped memory cards?
make sure the write protect tab is not on on the card
batteries are charged
will it capture an image if in manual

jeepers that's all i can think of that you haven't already tried...

[Aegea]

Oh, that's painful. It doesn't sound like a user issue, but have you tried a reset from the custom settings menu?

[sk66]

I agree, try the 2 button reset...
You didn't happen to put it into an advanced mode accidentally did you ? (i.e. remote)

[pjgoswami]

Originally Posted by sk66

2 button reset

Sir SK66, I have D5000, but I could not understand 2 button reset. Please explain it. Is it available in D5000. Once I reset my camera the little access over memory card. Is there any difference between 2 button reset and what I did.

Thanking you, Sorry for disturbing.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by pjgoswami

Sir SK66, I have D5000, but I could not understand 2 button reset. Please explain it. Is it available in D5000. Once I reset my camera the little access over memory card. Is there any difference between 2 button reset and what I did.

Thanking you, Sorry for disturbing.

There should be two buttons with green dots next to them..they are for reset...They only reset most commonly changed user settings...
I *think* the reset button next to the memory card is a "hard reset" of everything to factory defaults.

[pjgoswami]

Thank you sir for the details of the 2 button reset.

[mikescalco]

Originally Posted by kdky1975

Hi. I am on vacation in the Indian Ocean islands at this moment with a brand new Nikon D90 + Nikkor 18-105. Was taking photos this morning. From one shot to another, the camera suddenly stopped working. When I press the shutter button, it still focuses and when I click through, I can hear the shutter clicking (tried this with different shutter speeds). However, no photo is captured/stored. Also, the Lv button no longer works. When I press it, the camera is unable to switch from viewfinder to LCD live view mode -- you hear the mirror flip momentarily but it flips back and the LCD screen stays dark. However, I can still view old photos on the LCD screen and go into menus, so it doesn't appear to be a problem with the LCD itself. I tried cleaning the lens metal contacts, remounting the lens, removing and reinserting the battery, but no luck. Could I be another unlucky customer? From web posts it appears many have had problems with brand new D90s. It is a huge disappointment to be missing out on photos on this rare trip. All advice appreciated.

I have EXACTLY the same issues, the only difference is I am in Shnaghai, China and I am heading to Beijing to visit the Great Wall amoung other sites and this is a really bad time for what has been a reliable camera to go tempermental on me! I have verified the SD Card is good, I have reset in both normal and 2 button modes, cleaned all contacts and otherwise inspected every square inch for something out of the ordinary! I am seriously thinking of trying to purchase something here just to salvage the trip. Any help would also be greatly appreciated!

[ptremb3043]

I had this happen to me on my d3000. remove the lens. go into the menu and find the mirror up or sensor clean option (make sure you have a fair charge on the battery first). once you make the selection than follow the prompt to press the shutter button. You than look inside to see the mirror lifted and you "should see" the sensor. If you see what looks like slats than that means the curtain is stuck and won't lift, hence the reason why you can't use live mode or record only black pics but can look at taken pics. if this is the case than you have a few options. 1) send back to nikon when you get home for repair (not what you wanted to hear I know) 2) set the camera for hi speed continuous shots with a fast shutter speed, say 1/1000 or faster, blast off about 15-20 than go back to sensor clean and see if the curtain is now operating (I did just this with mine and hasn't bothered for 1k shots since)

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by ptremb3043

If you see what looks like slats than that means the curtain is stuck and won't lift, hence the reason why you can't use live mode or record only black pics but can look at taken pics. if this is the case than you have a few options. 1) send back to nikon when you get home for repair (not what you wanted to hear I know) 2) set the camera for hi speed continuous shots with a fast shutter speed, say 1/1000 or faster, blast off...

that's solid advice. It certainly sounds like a curtain thing.

Originally Posted by sk66

I *think* the reset button next to the memory card is a "hard reset" of everything to factory defaults.

this is correct.