Dark Images nikon D300 (1 Viewer)

[AndrewA]

I seem to have a problem with my Nikon D300 or lens not sure which. A couple of weeks ago the camera began to display an F0 reading and wouldnt focus. I cleaned the lens and camera contacts (sigma 50-500) and all seemed Ok. Yesterday I used it again and although no f0 reading a lot of the images taken were coming out so dark it was as if I'd shot a black piece of card. My guess is that either the camera is setting an incorrect aperture for the lens or the lens is not opening the aperture up to the correct value. has anybody else seen or heard of these black image issues with the D300?

Thanks
Andrew

 

[Peter Withers]

I too have a very similar problem but it only happens when I take shots on continuous setting. I get every third image very dark. I tried different lenses on my camera body and one in the shop and they both perfomed the same. Jessops advised me that it was hard for the camera to adjust to the correct exposure as different levels of light were entering the camera when the shutter is moving up and down so rapidly. This is no explanation so far as I am concerned but I have just learned to live with it.

I notice it doesn't happen when I use my 35-135mm or also when I use my 105 macro!

If you find out any more info please keep us updated as it ocassionally bugs me also.

Ta, pete

 

[Duke Leto]

Andrew does it occur with another lens? Peter what lens did it occur with with yourself?

 

[AndrewA]

Steve

I havent tried with another lens but guess I should. I have a 70-300 VR so will try that out over the next few days to see how the camera behaves.

Rgds
Andrew

 

[Peter Withers]

On mine it was the Sigma 170-500mm and I tried another one from jessops and it performed the same.

 

[rdspalm]

By the way, Great photos Peter!

 

[NicoleB]

I got that message yesterday for the first time and was a bit flustered.
It simply didn't focus at all (with the 18-200mm).

I turned the cam off for a second, turned it back on, focused on the same spot and it worked.

Hope this isn't another bug in the camera.
The battery bug was already scary enough

 

[Peter Withers]

Thanks Richard:t:

 

[AndrewA]

Nicole

Is that the Nikon 18-200 or a third party lens? Mine is still throwing up the f0 warning and refusing to focus.
Andrew

 

[NicoleB]

Yepp, the Nikon 18-200

Can't believe there's nothing much on the Internet about this.

Found the solution for the battery problem pretty much right away.
Can't be a new problem, I think.

 

[AndrewA]

Hi Nicole

I checked the internet and couldnt find much. I upgraded to the enw firmware but that hasnt helped. The problem started about two weks ago and seems to be getting more frequent now. I either get and F0 reading and the camera refuses to focus or It appears to take pictures Ok but when reviewed they are all totaly under exposed to the point of being black. The camera is about 18 months old but to be honest has been used very little as I mainly shoot with Canon cameras. I will have to try it with one of my Nikon lenses and see if it still ahs problems.
Andrew

 

[NicoleB]

Gosh that sucks and is darn scary

Do you have a Nikon dealer close by?

I'm doomed if ever anything like that happens to me. I would have to fly to Cairo, try to find the dealer there and hope that I'll ever get my camera back

On the net I only found one thread that discusses the problem and those guys weren't overly helpful.

Hope you find a solution !

 

[Duke Leto]

I doubt its the body, if this was a bug with the D300 it would be more wide spread and all over the internet, it sounds more like a sticking iris in the lens. Have you checked the aperture lock on the lenses that have an aperture ring to make sure its correctly locked in position?

 

[AndrewA]

I found this on the web
http://www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=890801&page=1#5430414

Quite a few posts / issues with this F0 error and no AF. Seems tio be a lens to camera contact issue and doesnt seem to be related to any particular lens. i wonder if the D300 mount isnt at fault?
Andrew

 

[Duke Leto]

Ahh we live and learn, seems that an antioxidisation cleaners was needed, if you have some sensor cleaner ethanol I'd be tempted to try it on all contacts either that or get some electrical contact cleaner.

 

[Ian Hardy]

Hi Nicole,

What was the battery bug that you mentioned. My D300 AND 400mm f2.8 VR Lens will not work together, it seems that the Shutter Release and AF/ON Buttons will not work. I have a meeting on Friday at Nikon UK and as the Lens is only 8 months old and the D300 is only 7 months old. I dont think i will have them repaired i will ask to have them replaced.

I am going to Lesvos in May and do not want my kit not working.

Ian

 

[NicoleB]

Hi Ian,
I don't know exactly what fixed it, the firmware update or cleaning the contacts between lens and body.
I guess it was the latter.
I had the issue popping up before a tournament three weeks ago, after switching from my short to my longer lens, cleaned the contacts, put the battery in the charger for a minute, put the battery in and it worked.

I'm just trying to ignore it, sigh.
The next Nikon dealer is simply too far away and probably couldn't do anything about it anyway (we are in Egypt after all *coughcough*)


Yours is a prob I haven't heard of before.
Hope you get it replaced!!
Shit like this shouldn't happen with equipment that expensive

Best wishes,
Nicole

 

[Ian Hardy]

Ho Nicole,
Thanks for your reply, I also hope i get it replaced i dont think it unreasonable to ask for that anyway. I am off to Lesbos in May dont want to take my gear if its not working.

Ian