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Taking photographs on new DSLR can be difficult--what am I doing wrong?

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OrdinarilyInordinate

OrdinarilyInordinate

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I've been playing with my new Nikon D5200, and while it is obvious that the sensor and the potential are vastly better than my previous camera (a Panasonic bridge superzoom), there are issues I'm having with actual picture taking. This is with a kit lens.

So the new camera just plain refuses to take a photograph sometimes. Either it says image is too dark or sometimes maybe can't auto focus. I need quick reaction photos for animal photography, and I've missed a few moments today just trying to get the camera to take a picture--quickly.

Even in Intelligent Auto without flash it refused to do a photograph in my dim living room yesterday evening--that was just me testing the camera. I was walking through the apartment, taking photographs of various areas, and when I go to the living room, it was getting darker outside (early twilight), and the room was darker. To my eyes, there was sufficient light and perhaps a longer exposure would have been okay. Instead I kept pressing on the shutter button, and literally nothing was happening--just a notification on the screen in a tiny blinking question mark "the image is too dark". I stepped a foot to the side and tried taking the same photograph--that time it worked.

Now my previous camera would just take a photograph when I pressed the shutter button. It was up to me to decide later if the images need discarding or if there's still value in them. It might have required a steady hand and a longer exposure to get something reasonable out, but it at least tried. This camera actually doesn't allow me to take a picture sometimes, and I can't figure out if I can do something about it.

I've done a bit of searching, and some said it's an auto-focus issue--use manual focus. Problem is, I Need auto-focus for some of my photography that involves a moving object.

Is it a DSLR property or something about Nikon / D5200? Trying to decide if I can stick with this camera for the next 2-3 years or if it's just not for me, and I need a different one or a different brand. I want my camera to take a picture if I tell it to take a picture--not persistently blink a question mark at me in notifications.
 
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OrdinarilyInordinate said:
I've been playing with my new Nikon D5200, and while it is obvious that the sensor and the potential are vastly better than my previous camera (a Panasonic bridge superzoom), there are issues I'm having with actual picture taking. This is with a kit lens.

So the new camera just plain refuses to take a photograph sometimes. Either it says image is too dark or sometimes maybe can't auto focus. I need quick reaction photos for animal photography, and I've missed a few moments today just trying to get the camera to take a picture--quickly. Even in Intelligent Auto without flash it refused to do anything in my dim living room yesterday evening--that was just me testing the camera--it took more successful pictures on the same conditions just fine after I shifted perspective a foot to the side.

Now my previous camera would just take a photograph when I pressed the shutter button. It was up to me to decide later if the images need discarding or if there's still value in them. This camera actually doesn't allow me to take a picture sometimes, and I can't figure out if I can do something about it.

I've done a bit of searching, and some said it's an auto-focus issue--use manual focus. Problem is, I Need auto-focus for some of my photography that involves a moving object.

Is it a DSLR property or something about Nikon / D5200? Trying to decide if I can stick with this camera for the next 2-3 years or if it's just not for me, and I need a different one or a different brand. I want my camera to take a picture if I tell it to take a picture--not persistently blink a question mark at me in notifications.
Click to expand...
A "better camera" isn't automatically going to give you "better pictures". If all you want to do is leave the camera in full auto and press the button the Panny bridge might be the better camera for you. I'm not being a wise guy, for some people full auto is the way to go. Unfortunately, DSLRs really are not going to give you the best image in full auto. You really need to learn how to use the program modes (Program auto, aperture priority, shutter priority) and maybe even manual mode.

It's difficult for anyone to help troubleshoot w/o more specific information. I don't know anything about Nikon, but the first thing to try would be to take it out of the fully automatic mode. Is there a "Program" or "P" mode? That at least will let you make some decisions about the settings. You mention it won't AF - maybe the flash needs to be enabled to emit a beam for the AF to work.

That's about all I can suggest w/o seeing sample images and w/o knowing the Nikon system. You may also want to post in the Nikon forum that covers your camera model.


Mark
 
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Imho you should close this thread and post an identical in the Nikon forum.

These guys know the most about your gear and can help you the most regarding your subject.
 
Mark B. said:
OrdinarilyInordinate said:
I've been playing with my new Nikon D5200, and while it is obvious that the sensor and the potential are vastly better than my previous camera (a Panasonic bridge superzoom), there are issues I'm having with actual picture taking. This is with a kit lens.

So the new camera just plain refuses to take a photograph sometimes. Either it says image is too dark or sometimes maybe can't auto focus. I need quick reaction photos for animal photography, and I've missed a few moments today just trying to get the camera to take a picture--quickly. Even in Intelligent Auto without flash it refused to do anything in my dim living room yesterday evening--that was just me testing the camera--it took more successful pictures on the same conditions just fine after I shifted perspective a foot to the side.

Now my previous camera would just take a photograph when I pressed the shutter button. It was up to me to decide later if the images need discarding or if there's still value in them. This camera actually doesn't allow me to take a picture sometimes, and I can't figure out if I can do something about it.

I've done a bit of searching, and some said it's an auto-focus issue--use manual focus. Problem is, I Need auto-focus for some of my photography that involves a moving object.

Is it a DSLR property or something about Nikon / D5200? Trying to decide if I can stick with this camera for the next 2-3 years or if it's just not for me, and I need a different one or a different brand. I want my camera to take a picture if I tell it to take a picture--not persistently blink a question mark at me in notifications.
Click to expand...
A "better camera" isn't automatically going to give you "better pictures". If all you want to do is leave the camera in full auto and press the button the Panny bridge might be the better camera for you. I'm not being a wise guy, for some people full auto is the way to go. Unfortunately, DSLRs really are not going to give you the best image in full auto. You really need to learn how to use the program modes (Program auto, aperture priority, shutter priority) and maybe even manual mode.

It's difficult for anyone to help troubleshoot w/o more specific information. I don't know anything about Nikon, but the first thing to try would be to take it out of the fully automatic mode. Is there a "Program" or "P" mode? That at least will let you make some decisions about the settings. You mention it won't AF - maybe the flash needs to be enabled to emit a beam for the AF to work.

That's about all I can suggest w/o seeing sample images and w/o knowing the Nikon system. You may also want to post in the Nikon forum that covers your camera model.

Mark
Click to expand...
Did you even read my post? I don't leave my camera on intelligent auto, almost ever. That living room situation was an example of where it should have let a complete novice take a photograph, while in full auto mode, and yet it still didn't. Just because I am new to DSLR, it doesn't mean I'm new to cameras, and my previous camera had most of the general options this one does, including aperture mode, program mode, manual mode, white balance settings, etc., etc., etc. I used them all.

The point I was trying to make is that it simply won't allow me to close the shutter if certain conditions are not met. Someone else linked me to a part in the manual I overlooked, because it wasn't at all obvious, and I'd not encountered it before with my previous cameras, which did not have autofocus priority.

What does that have to do with your insulting reply? And for your reference, I've taken a LOT of photographs just about daily for the past 3 years on my two previous cameras--it's a hobby. I know those cameras in and out by now, and I was honestly expecting going to a "real" DSLR to be an overall improvement in all aspects. But in some ways, it feels like a convenience downgrade--such as slower menu navigation with this D5200 and quirks like the shutter not closing when I want it to. Maybe I want to take a bad dark out of focus photograph quickly? Why is it deciding for me to not allow me to do it? That's my question and my issue.

I will look at the Nikon section next time, thanks to others who have replied.
 
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smartwater said:
http://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/dslr/D5200RM_NT(11)01.pdf

Check out the autofocus priority selection, page 157 for AF-C

By default if you don't have confirmed focus it won't let you take a shot, you can switch this to whenever the button is pushed regardless of focus or not.

Guessing since the image is too dark you aren't getting focus confirmation which is not letting the shutter release.

Just a stab in the dark.

--
https://www.flickr.com/photos/djp2313/
Click to expand...
Thanks very much--can't believe I missed it :( I wasn't using AP-C, though, was using AP-A then, but still, this might help--I'll keep reading and testing.

edit: nope, that's not it :( Just changed that, and it's STILL refusing to take a photograph, even in auto without flash when in somewhat dim conditions. Only gives a ? notice sometimes. Most other times just trying to focus and doing nothing else :(
 
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Just a guess, and I don't know if the D5200 has it, bit some cameras will not fire if they are set to face detection but detect no face.

It sounds like an issue where it is too dark for it to attain focus. Do you have the AF Illuminator on?

So when you've seen the question mark, have you pressed the "?" contextual help button to see what the problem is? If so, exactly what does it say?
 
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This isn't unique to Nikon. My Canon 60D will not let me take an out of focus picture either when in af mode. I have yet to encounter an exposure issue that prevents me from taking a photo.
Is your iso set to auto?
 
Just in case, check your ISO settings. If you are in a manual ISO mode with a low ISO set, that could be the problem. Also, if you are in auto ISO, check to see what range is available.
 
It can't see anything in the focus spot (I assume point focus) to focus on. It was too dark. Therefore, it won't focus and won't take the shot. Go to all points focus or provide it enough light to focus on. All points focus might find something to focus on but I guess it didn't since "Auto" didn't work. Alternatively, going to wide angle (18mm) might give it enough focus area to see what it is focusing on.



In an unlit room, with a lit room behind it, my T5i couldn't focus even though I had an external flash to light the room during the shot. The focus assist beams didn't seem to have enough range. In truly dark scenes, you can light up the subject with a flashlight until the camera achieves focus then kill the light.
 
OrdinarilyInordinate said:
smartwater said:
http://cdn-10.nikon-cdn.com/pdf/manuals/dslr/D5200RM_NT(11)01.pdf

Check out the autofocus priority selection, page 157 for AF-C

By default if you don't have confirmed focus it won't let you take a shot, you can switch this to whenever the button is pushed regardless of focus or not.

Guessing since the image is too dark you aren't getting focus confirmation which is not letting the shutter release.

Just a stab in the dark.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
OrdinarilyInordinate said:
Mark B. said:
OrdinarilyInordinate said:
I've been playing with my new Nikon D5200, and while it is obvious that the sensor and the potential are vastly better than my previous camera (a Panasonic bridge superzoom), there are issues I'm having with actual picture taking. This is with a kit lens.

So the new camera just plain refuses to take a photograph sometimes. Either it says image is too dark or sometimes maybe can't auto focus. I need quick reaction photos for animal photography, and I've missed a few moments today just trying to get the camera to take a picture--quickly. Even in Intelligent Auto without flash it refused to do anything in my dim living room yesterday evening--that was just me testing the camera--it took more successful pictures on the same conditions just fine after I shifted perspective a foot to the side.

Now my previous camera would just take a photograph when I pressed the shutter button. It was up to me to decide later if the images need discarding or if there's still value in them. This camera actually doesn't allow me to take a picture sometimes, and I can't figure out if I can do something about it.

I've done a bit of searching, and some said it's an auto-focus issue--use manual focus. Problem is, I Need auto-focus for some of my photography that involves a moving object.

Is it a DSLR property or something about Nikon / D5200? Trying to decide if I can stick with this camera for the next 2-3 years or if it's just not for me, and I need a different one or a different brand. I want my camera to take a picture if I tell it to take a picture--not persistently blink a question mark at me in notifications.
Click to expand...
A "better camera" isn't automatically going to give you "better pictures". If all you want to do is leave the camera in full auto and press the button the Panny bridge might be the better camera for you. I'm not being a wise guy, for some people full auto is the way to go. Unfortunately, DSLRs really are not going to give you the best image in full auto. You really need to learn how to use the program modes (Program auto, aperture priority, shutter priority) and maybe even manual mode.

It's difficult for anyone to help troubleshoot w/o more specific information. I don't know anything about Nikon, but the first thing to try would be to take it out of the fully automatic mode. Is there a "Program" or "P" mode? That at least will let you make some decisions about the settings. You mention it won't AF - maybe the flash needs to be enabled to emit a beam for the AF to work.

That's about all I can suggest w/o seeing sample images and w/o knowing the Nikon system. You may also want to post in the Nikon forum that covers your camera model.

Mark
Click to expand...
Did you even read my post? I don't leave my camera on intelligent auto, almost ever. That living room situation was an example of where it should have let a complete novice take a photograph, while in full auto mode, and yet it still didn't. Just because I am new to DSLR, it doesn't mean I'm new to cameras, and my previous camera had most of the general options this one does, including aperture mode, program mode, manual mode, white balance settings, etc., etc., etc. I used them all.

The point I was trying to make is that it simply won't allow me to close the shutter if certain conditions are not met. Someone else linked me to a part in the manual I overlooked, because it wasn't at all obvious, and I'd not encountered it before with my previous cameras, which did not have autofocus priority.

What does that have to do with your insulting reply?
Click to expand...
Wow, certainly didn't mean it that way - sorry you took it as such. I went out of my way to state I wasn't being a wise guy. As I said, I don't know much about Nikon cameras thus my suggestion to re-post on the appropriate Nikon forum. I was trying to help. Don't be so sensitive :-)


Mark
 
Mark B. said:
OrdinarilyInordinate said:
Mark B. said:
OrdinarilyInordinate said:
I've been playing with my new Nikon D5200, and while it is obvious that the sensor and the potential are vastly better than my previous camera (a Panasonic bridge superzoom), there are issues I'm having with actual picture taking. This is with a kit lens.

So the new camera just plain refuses to take a photograph sometimes. Either it says image is too dark or sometimes maybe can't auto focus. I need quick reaction photos for animal photography, and I've missed a few moments today just trying to get the camera to take a picture--quickly. Even in Intelligent Auto without flash it refused to do anything in my dim living room yesterday evening--that was just me testing the camera--it took more successful pictures on the same conditions just fine after I shifted perspective a foot to the side.

Now my previous camera would just take a photograph when I pressed the shutter button. It was up to me to decide later if the images need discarding or if there's still value in them. This camera actually doesn't allow me to take a picture sometimes, and I can't figure out if I can do something about it.

I've done a bit of searching, and some said it's an auto-focus issue--use manual focus. Problem is, I Need auto-focus for some of my photography that involves a moving object.

Is it a DSLR property or something about Nikon / D5200? Trying to decide if I can stick with this camera for the next 2-3 years or if it's just not for me, and I need a different one or a different brand. I want my camera to take a picture if I tell it to take a picture--not persistently blink a question mark at me in notifications.
Click to expand...
A "better camera" isn't automatically going to give you "better pictures". If all you want to do is leave the camera in full auto and press the button the Panny bridge might be the better camera for you. I'm not being a wise guy, for some people full auto is the way to go. Unfortunately, DSLRs really are not going to give you the best image in full auto. You really need to learn how to use the program modes (Program auto, aperture priority, shutter priority) and maybe even manual mode.

It's difficult for anyone to help troubleshoot w/o more specific information. I don't know anything about Nikon, but the first thing to try would be to take it out of the fully automatic mode. Is there a "Program" or "P" mode? That at least will let you make some decisions about the settings. You mention it won't AF - maybe the flash needs to be enabled to emit a beam for the AF to work.

That's about all I can suggest w/o seeing sample images and w/o knowing the Nikon system. You may also want to post in the Nikon forum that covers your camera model.

Mark
Click to expand...
Did you even read my post? I don't leave my camera on intelligent auto, almost ever. That living room situation was an example of where it should have let a complete novice take a photograph, while in full auto mode, and yet it still didn't. Just because I am new to DSLR, it doesn't mean I'm new to cameras, and my previous camera had most of the general options this one does, including aperture mode, program mode, manual mode, white balance settings, etc., etc., etc. I used them all.

The point I was trying to make is that it simply won't allow me to close the shutter if certain conditions are not met. Someone else linked me to a part in the manual I overlooked, because it wasn't at all obvious, and I'd not encountered it before with my previous cameras, which did not have autofocus priority.

What does that have to do with your insulting reply?
Click to expand...
Wow, certainly didn't mean it that way - sorry you took it as such. I went out of my way to state I wasn't being a wise guy. As I said, I don't know much about Nikon cameras thus my suggestion to re-post on the appropriate Nikon forum. I was trying to help. Don't be so sensitive :-)

Mark
Click to expand...
You need to do a little reading up. Here's a couple websites which may help:


Loading…

www.wikihow.com
 
tend to agree, and for what it's worth, I don't think Mark was insulting. Seems a simple case of the af not being able to lock on in very low light conditions. Doesn't matter what iso, shutter speed, or mode is selected.....if the lens doesn't have a fast enough maximum aperture and the camera isn't emitting an af assist beam to a subject of sufficient contrast the shutter will not 'open'.

This is the beginners forum, so when a question is asked, the responders assume the poster is a beginner and answer accordingly. If the OP then reveals a level of knowledge greater than at first apparent, answers can be more detailed.
 
artistguy said:
tend to agree, and for what it's worth, I don't think Mark was insulting.
Click to expand...
Yep. Hence the 2nd link - it was aimed at improving the ignorance of the OP, who did not recognize or appreciate the attempt Mark had made to help.
 
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