Nikon D40

[philsim]

Pictures coming out black or nearly black. Can be rescued to some extent in Photoshop but very grainy. Any ideas on the problem anyone?

[jwmunro]

Not a lot information to work with. How about some details and experiences.

John

[philsim]

Pictures taken in RAW, in daylight, program mode. Instead of bright colourful images on the screen I get a very dark or even black image. When I download to computer they remain black. If I go into photoshop I can lighten them up but they remain grainy, with some black spots like dirt on a lens.

[jwmunro]

Hello Phil -

1. Make sure your lens is mounted correctly.
2. Unmount the lens and check the contacts on both the body and lens and then remount the lens. Remember to turn the camera off.
3. Go into "A" (aperture priority) mode, set the the camera at f/5.6, and shoot some bright scenes and see what happens. Then try "M" and set the aperture at f/5.6 and match the corresponding shutter speed and see what you get.
4. In both cases meter on something neutral toned like green grass.
5. If it acts up in the daylight program mode only then something is a miss with the programming.
6. If you still have overly dark images I would suspect that the meter is acting up and it should be taken to an authorized service center. If it is still under warranty it should be repaired for little or no cost.

Hope this helps.

John

[philsim]

John
Thanks for taking the time to answer this. I tried all your suggestions. Think I need a service centre.

[ryo]

Have you by any chance set an exposure compensation? Press the +/- button near the shutter button, and look at your screen or in your viewfinder.

If there is a line going in the direction of the - sign, move the control dial until it's set to zero again. Try to take a picture... should be all right!

If not, service center!
Olivier R

[philsim]

Dear Olivier
That seems to have fixed it. Thankyou so much - you have saved me much time, hassle and money.
Phil

[ryo]

A pleasure! This is a useful tool, but sometimes annoying if activated by mistake. I refuse to count the photos I've tried to take with the bracketing on...

Olivier