SLR prob & hols next week :(

missmatty

Hi, i hope someone can help!

I am having a problem with my Nikon F55 SLR and I hope to try and get it sorted as I'm going to Lisbon next Monday and I'd be so upset to miss the amazing photo ops there.

Does anyone know which camera shops in town would look at it for me? It may not need fixing just a tweak or something but i am afraid to mess with it myself. Don't mind paying a bit if they can sort it. I usually get my films developed in the Camera Exchange so if i get no advice here, i'll go into them this evening. Unfortunately I bought it in Argos so can't go back there obviously.

What happened was, it was grand until i put a new film into it for a wedding. When you press to focus it focuses, but when you go to press to take the picture, it just keeps focusing in and out and won't let you depress the button. So taking no pics at all. Maybe a techie here might know what that is.

Thanks in advance, I'd be very grateful for any advice.

dubtom

If it's only started happening since you put in a new roll I would take that roll out and see if that solves it. There is usually a mid roll rewind button on the underside.

City-Exile

Do you have the same problem, if you use manual focus?
Have you tried using a different lens?

Have you tried using a Canon?

magicbastarder

they'll probably look at it in the camera exchange for you, and may know of common faults/fixes. but if it needs to be fixed, they'd send it up to portobello. who aren't known for their blisteringly quick turnaround times.

sineadw

They aren't known for their opening times either...

Yep I'd say Camera Exchange. Personally I think the guys in the little one off Suffolk Street are nicer than the ones in the bigger one. I've brought a few SLRs in there that haven't been bought there and they've helped me out. But yeah - try changing the roll first, could it be stuck?

robh71

Try Gunns on wexford street opp solas. Best around and if they cant fix they will be able to advise

missmatty

Thanks everyone,

I'll try Camera Exchange or maybe Gunn's (haven't been there before), depending on opening hours. It may be the film alright although i looked and it seemed in properly.
Don't ask me about manual focus etc as i'm afraid I'm no expert yet and still using the settings for dummies (sad i know). If all else fails, I've been meaning to get a digital camera for a while so rather than go with no SLR or a disposable camera I'll get a digital one. Although I don't know how to use one of those either! :rolleyes:

City-Exile

missmatty wrote:

Don't ask me about manual focus etc as i'm afraid I'm no expert yet and still using the settings for dummies (sad i know).

Is there a switch on the lens, that says "AF/MF"?
Switch that to "MF" and try again.
Might be no harm to read the manual either.

missmatty

I've read the manual AND done a photography course (wasn't very technical) but i seem to be camera-dyslexic.
There is AF/M so i just switched to M and could actually take a picture but i don't know how to manually focus it?
When i went back to AF i still can't take a pic.
The film seems to be going through ok though.

City-Exile

missmatty wrote:

... but i don't know how to manually focus it?

Oh dear!
There should be a part of the lens that has a grip?
You should be able to turn that, either direction, until the image is sharp?

missmatty wrote:

When i went back to AF i still can't take a pic.
The film seems to be going through ok though.

Seems to be a problem with the auto-focus.
Could have something to do with the sensor.
It decides when an image is in focus.
If there's dirt on it or it's damaged, it can't hold a focus.

Have you tried removing the lens, looking inside the camera, & fitting the lens again, properly?

missmatty

Sorry, yeah of course I know how to turn the lens to focus. I just thought there may have been another button/function for it, so many buttons!

Yeah i've already removed the lens and tried that, no joy.
Thanks anyway.

DaireQuinlan

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0509/05092801nikonadvisory.asp

Scroll down to the F55 bit. It's from 2005, might be applicable though. How long have you had the F55 ?

missmatty

Having probs posting here today! Last post vanished.

Thanks for that, i've had the SLR nearly three years i think, never had any problems before.