24 replies to this topic

[ArekL]

Hello,

 

I've just bough D7500 (replacement for my old D5000).
Since beginning it has an issue... camera freeze almost completely after second raise of the built-in flash and this last till camera restart (off and back on) or till the energy safer function activation.
For me this looks like a software issue, some conditions must occur to happen - firmware?
Therefore I would like to ask other owners of D7500 if they face it too... so now some details how to trigger it...

1. Turn on the camera
2. Raise up the builtin flash
3. Take a photo with the flash (one is sufficient; without taking the photo with flash, you can close-raise the flash as many times as you want - no issue)
4. Close the built-in flash
5. Again try to raise the built-in flash - in my case it will not, something like button doesn't work
6. Try to take the photo, it will not and the camera is almost frozen - the LCD turns off, just blinks when pressing any button on the front panel (these by shutter, Fx works, results you can see on the small LCD).
Issue will last till...
* energy safer system activation (everything will be fine till trying to again raise the builtin flash
* turn off/on the camera (then procedure would have to be repeated since beginning to trigger the problem again)

Is this problem of my camera only or more/all of D7500?

Firmware 1.00 (there isn't any update available)
 

[RJD]

+1. Any others with the same issue?

[RJD]

My d7500 behaves in exactly the same way if I follow these steps. It also freezes at other times, always related to use of the inbuilt flash.

I’m using the 18-200VR DX v1 lens.

I contacted Nikon who were quite unhelpful and recommended technician review.

This has to be a software/firmware issue.

[ArekL]

> I contacted Nikon who were quite unhelpful and recommended technician review.

 

I've had exactly the same experience with Nikon support...

When asking for the firmware update, maybe any not official yet patch they could have already they sent me a link to the distortion control date update...

They suggested me also to send the brand new camera to them when I asked if they don't want to receive a video demonstrating the issue...

Thank you for your feedback, confirmation.

 

Anyone more with this problem? Or maybe without...

[Merco_61]

Just a question —How do you expect Nikon to find where the fault lies if nobody sends in their problematic camera for service? A video showing the issue is no help unless the problem is already known from other samples.

[ArekL]

This camera is brand new.. just came from the shop..

If issue is software related as looks like, common hopefully.. I believe they have one, few 7500 where they could check by themselves if only wanted, if really unknown yet..

I was trying to describe the problem in a way as descriptive as possible but instead were just suggesting having the long exposure. I know, first contact HelpDesk, but...

[BillGebhardt]

I skipped step 2, (not sure to to "raise" the flash independently) moved to AUTO and shot one pic. Closed the flash and shot another pic. In both cases because of inadequate available light the flash went up and all was well. No freeze. I bought my 7500 3 months ago

Bill

[TBonz]

You say in the original post that it appears to be a button sticking and today you are suggesting it is software related.  Software should not impact your ability to push a button and open the flash...

 

If it is a new camera, send it in to Nikon to get repaired or replaced.  As long as it hasn't been damaged, any fix should be covered by your warranty...The sooner you get it to them, the sooner you can have your camera back and healthy...

[Ron]

Whether it's hardware or software, unless they have the camera on the bench, there's no way for them to make an exact determination.

 

If the camera is brand new, then I would take it back to the retailer. If they won't exchange it for another new camera, your only recourse is to send it to Nikon.

 

--Ron

[ArekL]

You say in the original post that it appears to be a button sticking and today you are suggesting it is software related.  Software should not impact your ability to push a button and open the flash...

 

Is not sticky (physically) button.

BTW. I don't use Auto mode, but today for the test purpose I did.. and first time flash automatically was raised (photo with flash), I closed it, immediately the second attempt...hung...

Whether it's hardware or software, unless they have the camera on the bench, there's no way for them to make an exact determination.

 

If the camera is brand new, then I would take it back to the retailer. If they won't exchange it for another new camera, your only recourse is to send it to Nikon.

 

--Ron

 

Bought on Amazon, with a nice discount.. and honestly I like it, good change for my old D5000.

One year of warranty.. if no firmware released in the meantime to correct this, one day I will send it if had to.

I use flash rather very rarely so this is not painful, rather bothers... as anyway wasn't cheap...

I skipped step 2, (not sure to to "raise" the flash independently) moved to AUTO and shot one pic. Closed the flash and shot another pic. In both cases because of inadequate available light the flash went up and all was well. No freeze. I bought my 7500 3 months ago

Bill

 

Button on the left with the 'lightning' icon, but not in the 'auto' mode, but e.g. aperture ('A')..

Anyway mine in auto mode also face the issue as I've just checked, so looks not all of D7500.

Thanks for your feedback!

[RJD]

To clarify, I simply expected more from Nikon Support than a blanket “return the camera to Nikon” response. Nobody who has bought a brand new camera wants to send the unit away if the problem can be addressed remotely.

I naively expected that I might actually engage in a dialogue with them - for instance whether this was a recognized issue or whether they could reproduce the same behavior on other d7500s. If this is simply a software/firmware issue then everybody is wasting their time returning d7500s for technician review. Nikon can take one of their own d7500s to put on the bench to test. If they can reproduce the same problem on their own camera then they can sort it out without recourse to being inundated with everybody’s returned cameras. If it is not a consistent problem across all d7500s then I’m obviously happier to submit my camera for individual assessment.

The fact that this is a reproducible issue following a series of specific steps, that it seems to occur in the same way across different d7500 bodies and that the flash (and, more specifically the flash button) works correctly at other times all points to this being a software/firmware issue.

I’m currently overseas with my camera and I only have one lens with me (VR 18-200 DX v1) and so I haven’t had a chance to test whether the problem is reproducible using a different lens. Have anybody tested whether the problem is lens specific?

Thanks for the feedback and thanks to the originator of this thread. So far it has proved more useful (and reassuring) than Nikon Support.

[RJD]

This problem seems to be lens specific.

 

I cannot reproduce the problem with my 50mm f1.8 but it recurs when I swap back to my 18-200 VR DX v1.

 

Surely it has to be a firmware issue.

[Merco_61]

How do you expect a phone monkey to start troubleshooting? You don't get to talk directly to a technician as they are busy servicing sent-in cameras. Send it in and give Nikon a chance to solve the mystery.

[Ron]

I agree with Peter. Everyone is flying blind here. The only way it can be sorted out is for a tech to have the camera on the bench.

 

It would be nice if everything could be fixed remotely. Unfortunately, it looks like we're not at that point yet.

 

--Ron

[newhcel]

Hello, everyone!

I have the same exact issue with my 90 days old 7500 with both lenses - AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED and AF-P 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR Lens. 

I did send the camera to Nikon. And.... nothing happened. They basically called me stupid =)

Nikon response

• Your equipment was fully tested and is operating within factory specifications.
• Must wait for the Flash - Ready Light to display before each shot. Please remember when shooting flash uses a lot of battery power very fast.

I thought I missed something but checked again and the camera still has this issue. When you pop it the first time and focus, you can see this ready light in the viewfinder, but for the second shot with flash folded or in up position this light is never on again.

Worst $50 I spend for shipping.

[RJD]

Frustrating issue.

 

Clearly it seems to be a systematic problem.

 

I haven't bothered taking my camera in to the dealer. All of the indications above suggest that it is a firmware issue that will not be fixable at the repair shop.

 

The problem needs to be fed back to Nikon.

[TBonz]

It sure sounds to me like the problem boils down to a lack of patience waiting for the flash to charge rather than an issue with the camera.  That was actually the first thought I had but multiple people having the issue, etc. made me think there really was an issue.  As I recall, you can disable the automatic pop-up of the built-in flash.  Then you shouldn't have a problem and you can always attach a separate flash if needed...or operate it manually if you must use the built-in.  

[newhcel]

It sure sounds to me like the problem boils down to a lack of patience waiting for the flash to charge rather than an issue with the camera.  That was actually the first thought I had but multiple people having the issue, etc. made me think there really was an issue.  As I recall, you can disable the automatic pop-up of the built-in flash.  Then you shouldn't have a problem and you can always attach a separate flash if needed...or operate it manually if you must use the built-in.  

That's the point, you can't even manually operate it. It just dies...

Last time, just now, I checked again, and after the second attempt to use a flash, I can't even access the screen, it is pitch black and blinking when I press any button.

 

Maybe we can compare the firmware version and confirm that one of the versions is bugged?

Mine is

C - 1.01

LD - 2.017

[ArekL]

Here there is nothing to check considering that firmware 1.01 is fresh, the newest one and the only change from 1.0 according to the provided information is.. time zone presentation

 

Anyway:

1.0

2.016 (previously I had any older too, but shouldn't be related with this kind of software at all; I don't have Nikon lenses)

are affected too. No difference after upgrade to 1.01/2.017.

 

In my case I don't use automatic settings, almost don't use the built-in flash, so I can live with this issue. Definitely less problematic than sending body, lens to the Nikon support and counting that they will do something...

[JohFstop]

I have the exact same issue. The only workaround I've found is to release/change lens.