AE-L Problem with D7000

[jtg]

Has anyone ever had their camera show "AE-L" in the viewfinder and make a click noise and then the shutter freeze up. Then in a second or two make another click sound and the "AE-L" goes away. This just started happening recently and I have had my camera for almost a year. Nikon suggested I use only specific brands of SD cards. I had a Promaster in yesterday when this happened but I also have Sandisk brands. Thanks for input.

[Manfred M]

Have you accidentally activated the mirror lockup? It almost sounds like this is happening. The memory cards should not affect this; they either work or do not work.

[GrahamS]

Janet, you are not giving us sufficient information to work with. Does the "AE-L" show up in the viewfinder info bar, below the screen, as well as in the top LCD screen? Are you sure that the indication is not actually "EEE"? Do you have the same type of memory card in both slots? Does the "Busy" indicator on the back of the camera come on when this happens? What are the exposure settings you are using when this happens?

Just a guess, but to me it sounds like your camera is processing a "dark frame" for noise reduction purposes after you have taken a long exposure shot. When the exposure is of a couple of seconds or more, after the primary exposure the camera exposes a second "dark" frame which it uses to calculate noise reduction, and while it does so, the shutter will be disabled. Read your manual under "Long exposure noise reduction".

[jtg]

The "AE-L" shows up in the viewfinder on the left side by the shutter speed. The AE-L shows up when I have depressed the shutter half way but not taken a picture. The click noise happens at that point and then pressing the shutter does nothing. It is hung up. But this only last for a second or two then I hear another click and all goes back to normal. I usually have only one card in the camera.

And sometimes it is when the camera is pointed down when I hear the click sound. I wish I could be more specific but I have not figured out what is causing this to happen since it is so sporadic.

[GrahamS]

Custom function c1: If set to "On" the metered exposure will lock when the shutter button is pressed half way, and "AE-L" will appear in the viewfinder. If "Off" is selected, exposure will only lock if you press the AE-L button. You obviously have this set to "On".

Does this click noise, and consequent lock-up of the shutter button, hap[pen when the mode is set to "M" (Manual)?

I suggest that you try a reset by holding down the "Qual" and the +/_ buttons for more than two seconds. This will restore all the menu settings to factory default. You can also reset all of the custom functions to default by going to the "Custom Settings" menu and selecting "Restore custom settings".

I also advise you to always populate both card slots with the same type and make of card. If you don't do so, the camera will more than likely show an error message at some stage.

I have no idea what is causing the shutter to lock up if it is not because of some menu setting that you have inadvertantly set. Maybe someone else here has an idea.

[jtg]

Thanks so much. I will check into all your suggestions this evening.

I do shoot in manual mode often but I also use aperture as well. I am going to start by making notes on everything when it happens again.

[Hero]

Been touching the camera in places you shouldn't have? Shame on you!! You should steer clear of the dof-preview button (When you look at the front of the camera, the button that's in military terms at eight o clock right next to the lens).

[pnodrog]

Maybe you have set it to MUP - mirror up mode.

From page 83 of the manual - Note the D7000 manual is better formatted with little diagrams

Mirror up Mode
Choose this mode to minimize blurring caused by camera movement when the
mirror is raised. Use of a tripod is recommended.

1 Select mirror up mode.

Press the release mode dial lock release and
rotate the release mode dial to
MUP


2 Raise the mirror.

Frame the picture, focus, and then press the
shutter-release button the rest of the way down
to raise the mirror.


3 Take a picture
.
Press the shutter-release button all the way
down again to take a picture. To prevent
blurring caused by camera movement, press the
shutter-release button smoothly, or use an optional remote cord The
mirror lowers when shooting ends.

[jtg]

That is exactly what I was doing !!! Last night was sitting on couch just holding camera while searching internet for my problem when it happened again and guess what.... I had my ring finger on the DOF button and did not realize that is how I have been holding the camera. Felt really dumb but now I know !!!! Thanks !

[Stagecoach]

Janet,

Be assured you are not the only one that has done something such as this

[pnodrog]

Maybe you can blame the superb ergonomic design. In the good old days it was almost impossible to press the buttons even if you had to.