Problem wih my D3100? Photo's not straight

Hi,

I have noticed a problem with my camera in the past couple of days. Whenever I take a photo it's as if the camera was tilted but what I'm seeing in the viewfinder is straight. I've only had the camera for a few months as well.













I'm not sure if it's just a viewfinder problem cause when done in live view the photo's seem ok.

I've been using square objects to test against where I get everything as straight as I can and lined up but as you can see in the picture with he cat there is an tilt in the photo.

Has anybody seen this before or could it be a setting in the camera?

Thanks

The only way you're going to know for sure is to mount the camera to something that you can level (like a tripod or a table) and take some test photos.

Each of your examples is tilted the same way and at a fairly low shutter speed, so I'd guess you are pulling the camera out of level when you depress the shutter button.

Certainly do some tests with a tripod (and a spirit level). But the cause of the tilt is probably your shooting grip: you're not holding the camera quite level. I do the same thing, so I very carefully watch my horizon line in framing.

You can also correct this slight tilt in post processing, by the way.

It is possible that either the focusing screen or the viewfinder itself is out of adjustment.

This is the most likely cause since you said that the images are straight when using liveview.

If your camera is still under warranty send it in (also send a couple of prints along showing the problem).

• One question:

Have you dropped or banged the camera against something?

If this has happened then the camera may not be covered under warranty.

--
J. D.
Colorado

• "If your insurance company tells you that you don't need a lawyer . . . hire a lawyer!"

If you haven't a tripod, place the camera on a sturdy table, compose a photo that you absolutely know is level, then use your self-timer to take the photo.
(This eliminates you mashing-down on the shutter causing a tilt)

If the photo is straight, it is your technique.
If it is crooked, it is your camera (contact Nikon Support)

Also just of note: is this always seeming like a problem at 18mm? What are you using in the viewfinder to line up when you frame...a thirds gridline, the side of the viewfinder chamber, the vertical or horizontal?

I ask because if you are using your kit lens (which I assume), at 18mm you're seeing a fair bit of distortion too...notice how the vertical lines aren't straight, but curved or bowed. In some cases, one of the sides looks much closer to straight, and the other side worse. I'm wondering if you might be lining up one side to look straight when you shoot, but the distortion of the lens causes you to be tilting slightly because of the curvature...and the opposite side will look even worse since it is distorted in the opposite direction.

As noted above, you can correct for tilt, and also for lens distortion, in processing.

Along with the other tests above to check your viewfinder's alignment, I'd also recommend doing some test shots at 24mm, 35mm or 45mm with that same lens - and see if you find it easier to keep straight. If so, it could be that distortion throwing you off a bit and what you're seeing when you look at the photo.

--
Justin
galleries: http://www.pbase.com/zackiedawg

The whole point of a DSLR camera is that what you see is what you get. The image goes through the lens, to the mirror then to the viewfinder. Shooting at 18mm with your kit lens as some one has suggested, can be tricky. Also as another has suggested, you are probably moving the camera when you press the shutter.

Even if something was out of whack, you would see it reflected in the image in the viewfinder.

--
An excellent lens lasts a lifetime, an excellent DSLR, not so long.

rsn48 said:

The whole point of a DSLR camera is that what you see is what you get. The image goes through the lens, to the mirror then to the viewfinder. Shooting at 18mm with your kit lens as some one has suggested, can be tricky. Also as another has suggested, you are probably moving the camera when you press the shutter.

Even if something was out of whack, you would see it reflected in the image in the viewfinder.

Click to expand...

Wrong . . .

The viewfinder can show a straight image, yet the image can actually come out crooked, which I think is the case here.

It could be the focus screen is knocked out of alignment, or something else in the viewfinder.

The viewfinder on my Pentax K10D was out of whack exactly as I just desrcibed . . .

Straight, level horizon in the viewfinder . . . crooked final image.

After one of it's trips to the repair shop, it was fixed!

However, as the OP said, his images were crooked when using the viewfinder, but straight/level when using liveview!

Which is also a good indication that his viewfinder is off, since liveview will be showing exactly what is coming from the imaging sensor.

--
J. D.
Colorado

• "If your insurance company tells you that you don't need a lawyer . . . hire a lawyer!"

MusicDoctorDJ said:

However, as the OP said, his images were crooked when using the viewfinder, but straight/level when using liveview!

Which is also a good indication that his viewfinder is off, since liveview will be showing exactly what is coming from the imaging sensor.

Click to expand...

So it could also be the sensor, being mounted not quite level ...

Hard to find out. I guess a spirit level (held against the bottom of the camera on tripod) is your best option. The viewfinder can be checked by eye now and when the recorded image is tilted, it's the sensor.

BTW, it can also be your glasses if you have any. I have a cylinder correction, which is not aligned perfectly. Since I have these glasses, my pictures are 1 degree off to the right when I'm not careful.

Best, Boyd

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. Sorry for the late reply but I was on holiday last week and didn't get chance to get on the internet.

To answer some of the questions:

Tino27 said:

The only way you're going to know for sure is to mount the camera to something that you can level (like a tripod or a table) and take some test photos.

Click to expand...

I have a tripod here at home so tomorrow I'll try this method to rule out it being me.

Virginia Bill said:

Certainly do some tests with a tripod (and a spirit level). But the cause of the tilt is probably your shooting grip: you're not holding the camera quite level. I do the same thing, so I very carefully watch my horizon line in framing.

You can also correct this slight tilt in post processing, by the way

Click to expand...

I don't think it's me pulling the camera though. When I look through the viewfinder I grip it and have just concentrated on myself looking for movement and couldn't see any yet still get the tilted image.

When using live view I whole it in front of me so this is not as secure yet I get a perfect straight image so I'm hoping this rules out me.

Thanks for the tip about correcting the images, least I can save the shots I like.

MusicDoctorDJ said:

It is possible that either the focusing screen or the viewfinder itself is out of adjustment.

This is the most likely cause since you said that the images are straight when using liveview.

If your camera is still under warranty send it in (also send a couple of prints along showing the problem).

• One question:

Have you dropped or banged the camera against something?

If this has happened then the camera may not be covered under warranty.

Click to expand...

I haven't banged the camera to my knowledge and when not in use it's always in my padded lowepro bag.

zackiedawg said:

Also just of note: is this always seeming like a problem at 18mm? What are you using in the viewfinder to line up when you frame...a thirds gridline, the side of the viewfinder chamber, the vertical or horizontal?

Click to expand...

These images where taken with a 18-55mm lens but one was taken at 55mm and still shows a tilted image. I have a 55-300mm lens so I'll try to use that as well and see if it makes a difference.

To line up I use these points...



Sorry I don't know their names but I line the three vertical points and the central horizontal points.

When using in the past it seems to have worked fine and I've just looked at the previous photos taken with it on flickr and they seem ok.

Thanks again for the replies and I'll let you know what I find tomorrow.

Thanks

Tel

I took my D3100 out for it's first real shoot on the weekend, and mine also has the same issue.

I took a couple of hundred shots, and when I uploaded I could see that they were all tilted to the right like yours.

I also had a second issue where the camera would sometimes refuse to focus, white objects in lowish light (f5.3, 1/15, ISO 140) seem to be the worse?

Yesterday I set it on my tripod and used the shutter timer to take a few more at different focal lengths, same problem with all images tilted to the right...
I emailed Nikon, we'll see what they have to say.

Paul

Effytwo said:

I took my D3100 out for it's first real shoot on the weekend, and mine also has the same issue.

I took a couple of hundred shots, and when I uploaded I could see that they were all tilted to the right like yours.

I also had a second issue where the camera would sometimes refuse to focus, white objects in lowish light (f5.3, 1/15, ISO 140) seem to be the worse?

Yesterday I set it on my tripod and used the shutter timer to take a few more at different focal lengths, same problem with all images tilted to the right...
I emailed Nikon, we'll see what they have to say.

Paul

Click to expand...

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the reply and your the first I've heard with the same problem so least I'm not alone!

I think I may of had that focus issue as well. At times it will not autofocus to take a photo and it's as if the battery has ran out of charge and won't let me take a photo yet if I switch the lens to Manual it will take the photo.

I tried some shots on my tripod but it's a cheap one and not the best to get perfectly straight. I took some shots of kitchen tiles and used the grout as a datum and the problem was show when using the viewfinder yet ok with the viewfinder.

I was going to send my camera back to Nikon at the weekend with some detail but I'll wait till you get a reply first.

Cheers

caused by cows, aircraft and digital cameras, has affected the alignment of the planets via the creation of excess marsh gas, and gravity is now out of synch.

Or maybe you haven't screwed the lens on tight enough.

More likely though, either one of the mirrors in the pentaprism housing is out of whack, the focussing screen is off-kilter or the sensor needs re-adjustment. Send it to Nikon, get it fixed.

(PS - I'm joking about the lens.)

--
Rob.

Free advice, freely given. If you don't like it, I'll refund you twice the amount you paid me.

RobG67 said:

More likely though, either one of the mirrors in the pentaprism housing is out of whack, the focussing screen is off-kilter or the sensor needs re-adjustment. Send it to Nikon, get it fixed.

Click to expand...

I was wondering how a DSLR's viewing system could get out of line, but the D3100 has a penta mirror rather than a prism, so one of the mirrors could have moved.

--
Leonard Migliore

Leonard Migliore said:

RobG67 said:

More likely though, either one of the mirrors in the pentaprism housing is out of whack, the focussing screen is off-kilter or the sensor needs re-adjustment. Send it to Nikon, get it fixed.

Click to expand...

I was wondering how a DSLR's viewing system could get out of line, but the D3100 has a penta mirror rather than a prism, so one of the mirrors could have moved.

Click to expand...

As long as the OP does not do the tests, all remains speculation. I would not like to send my camera in when I have no clue about the cause myself ...

Best, Boyd

Definately try using one of the frame edges as well. And align it with another sharp edge such as a wall edge. let the actual line created by the wall edge lie slightly inside the frame. Try this with all four frame edges. I can't remember if the 3100 has grid lines available in the viewfinder, but I would test using those as well.

bigtel said:

To line up I use these points...



Sorry I don't know their names but I line the three vertical points and the central horizontal points.

Click to expand...

bigtel said:

Thanks

Tel

Click to expand...

Interesting that I suggested the same thing earlier on in this topic and got dismissed by all the 'experts' of the beginners forum.

boyd2 said:

Leonard Migliore said:

RobG67 said:

More likely though, either one of the mirrors in the pentaprism housing is out of whack, the focussing screen is off-kilter or the sensor needs re-adjustment. Send it to Nikon, get it fixed.

Click to expand...

I was wondering how a DSLR's viewing system could get out of line, but the D3100 has a penta mirror rather than a prism, so one of the mirrors could have moved.

Click to expand...

As long as the OP does not do the tests, all remains speculation. I would not like to send my camera in when I have no clue about the cause myself ...

Click to expand...

What the heck difference does it make whether you know why your camera is broken before you send it in for warranty repair?

The fact remains that the OP's camera is defective and the OP needs to send it in to get it fixed!

And he is wasting precious warranty time screwing around with 'testing' when he could just send it in to get it fixed under warranty.

End of story.

No matter how much testing the OP does . . . chances are that he still wouldn't know exactly why his camera is doing what it is doing.

And I'm sure the Nikon repair facility will tell him WHY his camera is doing what it is doing.

That is if he ever quits 'testing' it and just sends it in to get it fixed.

--
J. D.
Colorado

• "If your insurance company tells you that you don't need a lawyer . . . hire a lawyer!"

MusicDoctorDJ said:

MusicDoctorDJ said:

As long as the OP does not do the tests, all remains speculation. I would not like to send my camera in when I have no clue about the cause myself ...

Click to expand...

What the heck difference does it make whether you know why your camera is broken before you send it in for warranty repair?

The fact remains that the OP's camera is defective and the OP needs to send it in to get it fixed!

And he is wasting precious warranty time screwing around with 'testing' when he could just send it in to get it fixed under warranty.

Click to expand...

Right, sending in a entry level body with the vague complaint "Photo's not straight". Very likely it will come back with "could not reproduce the problem" or something like that and all weeks (months) without camera and the money spend to send it in are for nothing.

As mentioned above in several messages, it's not that hard to find out exactly what's going on, so you can present the facts to the repair facility.

Alas QC is sub zero these days and you'll need do do some testing yourself to make sure you have a decent camera. Finding out the hard way by spoiled opportunities is also an option, but a lot more frustrating.

Best, Boyd

boyd2 said:

As long as the OP does not do the tests, all remains speculation. I would not like to send my camera in when I have no clue about the cause myself ...

boyd2 said:

MusicDoctorDJ wrote:

What the heck difference does it make whether you know why your camera is broken before you send it in for warranty repair?

The fact remains that the OP's camera is defective and the OP needs to send it in to get it fixed!

And he is wasting precious warranty time screwing around with 'testing' when he could just send it in to get it fixed under warranty.

Click to expand...

Right, sending in a entry level body with the vague complaint "Photo's not straight". Very likely it will come back with "could not reproduce the problem" or something like that and all weeks (months) without camera and the money spend to send it in are for nothing.

Click to expand...

So now you are just calling the OP, and everyone else here (including yourself) an idiot . . .

I'm sure that almost anyone else sending in a camera for repair could explain the problem much better than you seem to be able to do!

Or at the very least, he could take the camera to a camera store and they could fill out the repair form and explain the problem if the OP is not capable of doing so himself.

The OP actually did explain the problem pretty well in his original post so I'm sure he could do the same to the Nikon repair center.

boyd2 said:

As mentioned above in several messages, it's not that hard to find out exactly what's going on, so you can present the facts to the repair facility.

Alas QC is sub zero these days and you'll need do do some testing yourself to make sure you have a decent camera. Finding out the hard way by spoiled opportunities is also an option, but a lot more frustrating.

Click to expand...

What is it that doctors will tell us about self diagnosing?

The OP has absolutely no clue what the actual problem is with his camera, and none of the rest of us do, either.

We can only speculate on several different things that could cause the problem.

But I'm absolutely sure that the Nikon repair facility will be able to get to the root of the problem without your 'professional' explaination and all of the 'testing' that the OP will do to try and figure this out.

• TO THE OP:

Quit screwing around with your camera and send it in for warranty repair . . . before you might possibly do something to your camera while self-diagnosing and possibly void the manufacturers warranty.

The sooner you send it in . . . the sooner you'll have it back . . . and it will be all fixed!

The longer you wait . . . the more crooked pictures you'll have . . . and the closer to the end of the warranty you will be!

And no matter how many 'tests' you do to try and figure out what is wrong with the camera, you'll be no closer to having it fixed.

So just send it in and get it over and done with!

End of story . . .

--
J. D.
Colorado

• "If your insurance company tells you that you don't need a lawyer . . . hire a lawyer!"