Nikon D5000 shutter button only works intermittently — could it be a worn shutter?
Asked 4/3/2013
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2 answers
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My Nikon D5000 is about 3 years old, and recently the shutter release has become inconsistent. Sometimes I have to press very hard before it takes a photo, while other times it works normally. When I press the button, an hourglass icon sometimes appears, then it returns to the information screen and repeats.
Could this indicate a shutter or shutter-release problem? Is there anything I can check myself before sending it in for repair?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
13y ago
2 Answers
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Considering it has already reach a 3-years, check if it has already reached its actuation count limit. Every DSLR has its actuation limit of more or less 100,000. Meaning if you have already taken 100k shots, you have reached the life span of its shutter. But nothing to worry, just bring it to the Nikon service center, then they will replace it and it will be good as new, and the shutter count will be reset.
To check if you reach the limit, upload a picture of your latest shot to http://www.myshuttercount.com/
Originally by user19151. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user19151
13y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
A likely cause is that the camera may be near the end of its shutter life rather than just having a sticky button. DSLR shutters have a finite actuation life, often around 100,000 shots on many models. If the shutter is failing, intermittent operation can happen and professional service is usually the fix.
A good first step is to check the camera’s shutter count using a recent image file and an EXIF shutter-count tool. If the count is very high, that supports the idea that the shutter assembly may need replacement.
If it is a worn shutter, the practical solution is to have Nikon or a qualified camera service center inspect it and replace the shutter if needed. There isn’t much safe DIY repair to recommend for this kind of internal mechanical fault.
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AI13y ago
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