Help! I can’t believe that my camera is broken. It displayed an error message yesterday during my photo shooting of the snow. When I tried to turn off the camera, the display was still showing until I removed the battery. When I got home, I later took off the lens to see that the mirror was in lock up. I can’t even turn on the camera. I get no response.
I have to search for a repair location now. Not sure if Nikon takes camera repairs directly. The camera is most likely out of warranty. What will this cost? Gee, how long will that take?
Be careful what you wished for you might just get it? I secretly looked at the newest cameras, but only to dream, I don’t have the money for it now. The new one won’t make me a better photographer. Besides I loved my Nikon D300s, I planned to keep it for at least a few more years, it is only about a year and a half old. It hasn’t paid for itself yet.
When one door closes another door opens, doesn’t it? Maybe, there is a hidden reason here for this? Maybe I can start my opinionated blog. I need to stay connected to my followers somehow. Maybe I can shift to my focus more towards my reading and writing in more depth.
Perhaps I can start a fund-raising event for “my camera fix fund.” I can locally hit businesses with the idea of hanging up my work on their walls. I can stand on the street asking for money, I can wait outside the grocery stores with a brochure or business card. (the ones I’ve been meaning to make, well now I have the time). 
Photography has always been the constant in my life. When interests and ideas come and go, my camera always brings a smile to my face. I am always happy to be picking it up at any time to capture the world around me at any moment in time.
My camera is my canvas. My camera is my medium to deliver the messages I enjoy sharing.
It is a part of me, it became me, it became my message.
For now, I take a moment of silence as I mourn an inanimate object.
“Lost Without You”
It was my tool.
It was my passion.
It was my focus.
It was part of me.
It was part of my life.
It helped me reach out to you.
It connected.
It communicated.
It spoke no language.
It delivered what your eyes interpreted.
It cared the same way I did.
It has vision.
It had a life of its own.
It had compassion.
It had a heart to help.
It gave me words to speak.
It was me in all creativity.
My camera gave vision to my photographic journeys.
Boo-hoo!
I’m sorry for you and your camera, Martina! I even name my cameras, so you can imagine I sympathize with your (momentary – let’s hope) loss. When my old P&S died last year (back when it was all I had), my heart broke and I felt lost. And now I have a D90, so yes, I believe a new opportunity could come from this. They’ll probably be able to fix it, and it won’t cost you as much as a new camera, so get in touch with Nikon’s tech service ASAP, and then you’ll just have to be patient. I know it can feel like the end of the world, but it isn’t!
Thanks Belen for helping me feel better, time heals all wounds. Let’s hope it can be repaired and I agree it probably won’t cost as much.
Sorry to hear this too..I am sure you will come up with a solution.You are very creative!
Thanks Roberta, I have a solution of being the viewer and not the poster.
Sorry to hear about your camera, Martina, I have been enjoying your autumn/winter shots as we are sweltering in hot sun, blue sky and the glare of too white surf. We have just arrived back home and I have regained broadband and my link to the rest of the world. I think you should seek your nearest Nikon dealer (interent is great for that), I have certainly found them helpful and reasonably priced here in this back end of the world. In the meantime get out the old standby P&S (their must be one in your family, or try the one in your phone/iPod) and get on with it.
Best regards
Rick
RIck, thanks so much for your comments. I realize there are great cameras out there to capture the moments and they have their purpose. I guess I compromise with giving up the controls and my lens options. I recently got my older Nikon back from a friend, and it’s still a great product. I will use that one. Cheers. I recently saw some New Zealand Kiwis’ in the supermarket and took a photo with my iphone, thought of you.
That’s really sad. Sorry to hear this.
I really liked the last photo. Though it not the last of all. You will soon be clicking from a new one, hopefully. Good wishes!
Thanks Nandini. I really appreciate your support. I guess I was crying a bit loud to spread the news. I hope you saw the humor in this too as I wrote a poem/song about it.
Martina, your art in your blog will continue shining even without the photographies. But even with your blackberry or telephone you can shoot some photographies. We wait for you always¡¡¡¡
This way a few letters were born after shooting a photography with my blackberry…
http://1cruzdelsur.wordpress.com/2011/06/29/cuando-pinta-el-viento%E2%80%A6/
Translate:
The wind turns into hand, the water into painting, the crystal into linen, when the water throbs on the crystal there are born capricious, strange figures. The one who will be the painter? Seconds happen and the painting transforms in nothing, only she remains caught in the photography, the time already I happen and it drained what was an instant, the figures faded away, they only stayed in my memory and this photography. It notices: On having increased the size of the photography capricious figures painted by the wind will be able to observe …
Cruz
So much appreciated Carlos, I’m listening to your music as I type here, trying to forget it for now. I’ve recently received my older Nikon back, so I can use my lens and shoot like I was. Yes, those little camera take great photos, I agree. I’m just upset that these products are rugged on the outside but the mechanics and electronics are designed to fail too quickly. Thank you, I Love the inspirational music to take me away.
I’m crying with you Marina. Hope there really is a silver lining to your loss.
Yes Pat Thanks, my tears have been dried by a dear friend who returned an older Nikon that she borrowed and I actually forgot about as I wrote this post. The silver lining is the inspiration I see when I visit your blog posts.
Run, don’t walk, to the phone and get in touch with Nikon. They can repair and get it back to you pronto in better shape than you sent it. With your passion for photography, you must do that, or replace with a new one. I know from experience that I would be utterly lost without mine. Good luck, Martina.
Bob, I love that “run, don’t walk” I never knew how I would feel about missing this camera. Sure other cameras take pictures, but to me I can’t attach my macro or zoom lenses, or have the creative freedom. I really don’t feel the same way about taking pictures when this one was attached to my hip. It was sent in for repair. Thanks for being so encouraging.
Hi Martina, I’m sorry to hear about your camera. I thought I posted this last night, but I guess it didn’t make it through. I did a google search and found the following that might be helpful:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1039&message=37148278&changemode=1
It seems that someone else has had the same problem and was able to fix it by leaving the camera switch turned on, removing the battery and waiting for a bit then replacing the battery while the camera switch is still on. That caused the internal capacitors to reset and the camera to reset.
I hope this helps and the last images is great!
Jonathon
Jonathon,
Thank you so much for taking your time to post this link. I looked into this and tried your trick. At least others have had this happen, so there is hope. Unfortunately, I had to send it in for repair. Let’s hope they do a good job. Meanwhile I have your great images to keep me inspired.
I’m so sorry! I hope you can repair it inexpensively and get back to taking pictures!
Do you have a good point and shoot? Maybe it can be an opportunity to see how creative you can be with something simple? For a long time, before I ever got a DSLR, I was taking pictures on my point and shoot camera and on my camera phone. I got a lot of really good shots during that time (although certainly there are limitations).
Jolene, I agree. Thanks so much. Technology has sure come a long way in a short time. The feeling of holding my camera isn’t the same, but the little camera do the job. I have my older Nikon back from a friend so I can use that one in the interim. BTW – I have seen some of your older images with P&S and they are amazing.
All of what you said here helps….Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback and valuable suggestions and web information. I suppose you never realize what you have until it is gone.
Excuse the tears as I type.
It looks like I will send my Nikon in for repair and then use whatever camera (slim pickings these days) I have for new images or post what I have in the archives. Although the brilliant stories may be harder to write with past photos. I shall return, to see your work and perhaps find something worthy to post.
Sometimes I feel like switching brands and starting a new collection… this would require selling the camera, all lenses and maybe even the kitchen sink to begin again…it’s a thought!
Thanks again for such great support my friends. 
So sorry to read about Your camera. I have older version from that camera, Nikon D300. I love it and it has been worked great even in extreme cold weather during winters. I hope that all will be arranged.
Thanks so much for your kind words Sartenada. I like the “built to last” on the outside, not so true when you add all the electronics.
Bummer about the camera. This is why I always advise having a backup. You know, you can get a good used one inexpensively on someplace like eBay or keh.com. Good luck because I know that lost feeling a photographer gets when their camera is on the fritz.
Thanks Rebecca to taking time to stop and comment on this. I do have an older Nikon which a friend just returned to me after seeing my tears. I totally forgot that one since I didn’t miss it and was still upset about how such a new (to me) camera can do this. I will have to come by your blog soon.
Martina, Sad news but that is something that can happen to any of us at any time and sooner or later it is inevitable. I agree again with Bob. Contact Nikon. Their US service page is at: http://www.nikonusa.com/Service-And-Support/Service-And-Repair.page
Or you can call: 1-800-Nikon US (1-800-645-6687). Telephone representatives are available from 8am EST until 2am EST, 7 days a week.
From what I’ve read, a locked up mirror is an issue where most would recommend sending in to Nikon for repair rather than bringing to a certified Nikon repair agent. However, you can find these also listed at the link above. You’ve got a great camera and it’s worth repairing or at least checking in to the estimated cost. Nikon will provide an estimate on cost and turn around once you send it in. Best to you Martina,
Jim
Jim,
I read everyone’s advice here, but didn’t pay attention to finding an actual dealer vs. an authorized agent. Bob did mention Nikon (I know he meant Nikon), but in the heat of my frantic frustrations, I searched online and found a Nikon repair location. I found one in my state, I just shipped it out today. They have been in business for 12 years and have an A+ BBB rating.
Perhaps just looking for a place that repairs Nikon is not the same as Nikon dealer itself. Miracles have been know to happen, maybe once for me?
Thanks for taking the time to send me the links. This is my first experience with a repair.
Glad to hear you are sticking with the 300s. You’ve invested in lenses and getting to know your camera. The one thing about Nikon that others can’t say, lenses that were used in the 70′ can still be used on your camera today; and there have been some pretty fine lenses down the line. Hope it all works out. In the mean time, looks like you had a D70 in the closet
.
Sorry for that broken camara. Maybe you should consider a Canon next time?
I love my new Canon EOS 60D.
Thanks Truels , I thought of maybe Leica, Hasselblad or Mamiya ! You never can dream too small right ?
Sorry to hear about your camera trouble. Not sure what kind of battery you have but I had the same issue with my camera reading error and I couldn’t turn it off and yet nothing works. I took the battery out and put it back in but it did the same. I took it out again and this time I put the original Nikon battery that came with my camera. Wouldn’t you know… that was the problem. Thinking I was being smart and money conscious, I had bought a back up but none Nikon brand battery. When I compared the two and even though the salesman had assured me that the off brand battery was exactly the same and works well. I noticed there was a difference between the two. Since I’ve been using the Nikon brand, I haven’t had the error problem since. Well… I learned that there are somethings that buying generic just isn’t a good idea. Hope you are able to get it fix soon.
Thanks emily, The fix will come in time, if the second quote doensn’t cost more than a replacement. Or it gets added to my shelf of broken cameras which I now collect.
this is why a good name brand will always be associate with a certain quality, right? We hope.
Oh no! I hope the repair is quick, easy, and relatively inexpensive. *keeping my fingers crossed for you*
Thanks so much Robin, I’m resorting to my tried and trusty first digital camera which never needed a repair – the Nikon d70.
Ah sorry to hear about your camera woes..I am late one to show up here..sorry again.
Have you checked the Flickr D300s discussion group? They may have an interim solution. But my best suggestion is to call Nikon unless you have taken an extended warranty.
On a related topic, I heard Nikon is discontinuing their D300s and D700 camera – meaning they have newer version coming out soon.
Good luck with your camera Martina.
Thanks Sasi, I have not ventured into the Flickr world for lack of time on my end. I’m sure there is a whole set of resources there. Thanks for that. Also LinkedIn has a few forums too that I like. I will resort to the best working camera I have – the D70, still works great, almost forget I lent it to a friend. I got so used to the new one, I carried it everywhere, even in public places..he he that is always fun to try. You would be amazed at what they charge to fix these things, I’m in no hurry now. I don’t plan to buy a new camera every time a new model is introduced or is obsolete. I rather invest in the lenses. My first repair quote could be used to buy a nice new lens.
D70 – that’s what I have. Have been using it for 7+ years now and still works great.
I like your idea of investing on a nice lens.