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Nikon D3100 Image problems

Grayham44

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Hoping i can have some help?

On video mode i have no problems, however when taking single shots in any mode the image is shadowed at the top or completely blank on top. I have tried all obvious menu settings and resets, however cannot find reason - sometimes fine - mainly problems though.
Be helpful if i could have some of your thoughts!
I have uploaded three continuous images showing faults ocurring
 

Attachments

  • DSC_0036.webp
    DSC_0036.webp
    644.2 KB · Views: 239
  • DSC_0042.webp
    DSC_0042.webp
    536.2 KB · Views: 225
  • DSC_0043.webp
    DSC_0043.webp
    524.3 KB · Views: 238
if you're not using flash, then it seems your shutter curtain is failing.
 
This looks like a flash synchronization issue to me; you have shadowing, and then a black bar. I looked at the EXIF information, but I am on my old computer, and I am getting unusual data in sub-seconds, 60,70,90 for the three shots, so the exposure is three different ones. Slowing the shutter down will eliminate the shadowing, and the black banding.
 
that last shot with the banding is 1/100sec. the second shot is shot at the same settings and has the same bar, just not fully blocking the exposure.
 
One of the shots, the first one of DSC_0036.JPG was done at 0.01666667 second or 1/60 second and looks fine, with good illumination. Frame 0042 and 0043 are just four seconds apart...seems weird, but it seems like the flash synchronization is good at 1/60 second, but NOT at 1/100 second.
 
Shadowed at the top means it's happening at the bottom of the sensor, since the image is inverted. Your first curtain is not clearing the sensor, either it's being delayed (shadow appears) or it's actually stopping while still over the frame (black area.) I suspect the last blade of the first curtain is bent.

I had a similar (but opposite) issue years and years ago with a Canon AE-1, I had a bright vertical band about a quarter of the way across the frame, where the second curtain was delayed by an instant for some reason and then caught up. Not every time, just seemingly on the pictures I really wanted it not to happen.....
 
On the D3100 flash sync is good for 1/200 sec so it's possible that the shutter curtain travel time is not correct or the shutter speed is too fast (it's 250 instead of 100). Either case it needs adjustment.
 
Your camera shutter is broken and needs to be repaired.
The shutter is not used for video. Instead they just open the shutter, cycle the image sensor power on and off at the proper video frame rate, and close the shutter when done shooting video.
 
Last edited:
I tool image 0042 and pulled it into PS, and tweaked the curves to show the fault on the "not so bad" shot...that shutter might conk out on you...
 

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  • DSC_0042_shadowing_curves.webp
    DSC_0042_shadowing_curves.webp
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