2. Z 50 Online Manual
  3. Troubleshooting
  4. Problems and Solutions

Problems and Solutions

Solutions to some common issues are listed below.

Battery/Display

  • The camera is on but does not respond: Wait for recording to end. If the problem persists, turn the camera off. If the camera does not turn off, remove and reinsert the battery. Note that although any data currently being recorded will be lost, data that have already been recorded will not be affected by removing the battery.
  • The camera takes time to turn off: The camera is performing an image sensor check. Do not remove the battery until the camera has turned off.

  • The viewfinder or monitor does not turn on:

    • Choose a different monitor mode using the monitor mode button.
    • Dust, lint, or other foreign matter on the eye sensor may prevent it functioning normally. Clean the eye sensor with a blower.
  • The viewfinder is out of focus: Rotate the diopter adjustment control to focus the viewfinder. If this does not correct the problem, select AF-S, single-point AF, and the center focus point, and then frame a high-contrast subject in the center focus point and press the shutter-release button halfway to focus the camera. With the camera in focus, use the diopter adjustment control to bring the subject into clear focus in the viewfinder.
  • The displays turn off without warning: Choose longer delays for Custom Setting c3 (Power off delay).

Shooting

  • The camera takes time to turn on: Delete files or folders.

  • The shutter-release is disabled:

    • The memory card is full.
    • The memory card is write-protected (“locked”).
    • Mode S selected after Bulb or Time is chosen for shutter speed in mode M.
    • Release locked is selected for Slot empty release lock in the setup menu and no memory card is inserted.
  • The camera is slow to respond to the shutter-release button: Select Off for Custom Setting d3 (Exposure delay mode).

  • Only one shot is taken each time the shutter-release button is pressed in continuous release modes:

    • Turn HDR off.
    • If the built-in flash is used with continuous low-speed or continuous high-speed selected for release mode, only one picture will be taken each time the shutter-release button is pressed. Selecting continuous high-speed (extended) enables burst photography and disables the built-in flash.
  • Photos are out of focus: To focus using autofocus, select AF-A, AF-S, AF-C, or AF-F for focus mode. If the camera is unable to focus using autofocus (0 Autofocus), use manual focus or focus lock.

  • Beeps do not sound if:

    • Off is selected for Beep options > Beep on/off in the setup menu.
    • AF-C is selected for focus mode or AF-A is selected and the camera is shooting using AF-C.
    • On is selected for Silent photography in the photo shooting menu.
    • The camera is in movie mode.
  • The full range of shutter speeds is not available: A flash in use. Flash sync speed can be selected using Custom Setting e1 (Flash sync speed); when using compatible flash units, choose 1/200 s (Auto FP) to access the full range of shutter speeds.
  • Focus does not lock when the shutter-release button is pressed halfway: When AF-C is selected for focus mode or AF-A is selected and the camera is shooting using AF-C, focus can be locked by pressing the A (L) button.
  • The focus point cannot be changed: Focus-point selection is unavailable in auto-area AF; choose another AF-area mode.
  • The camera is slow to record photos: Turn long exposure noise reduction off.
  • Photographs and movies do not appear to have the same exposure as the preview shown in the display: To preview the effects of changes to settings that affect exposure and color, select On for Custom Setting d7 (Apply settings to live view). Note that changes to Monitor brightness and Viewfinder brightness have no effect on images recorded with the camera.
  • Flicker or banding appears in movie mode: Select Flicker reduction in the movie shooting menu and choose an option that matches the frequency of the local AC power supply.
  • Bright regions or bands appear in the view through the lens: The shot is being framed under flashing sign, flash, or other light source with brief duration.
  • Smudges appear in photographs: Clean the front and rear lens elements. If the problem persists, clean the image sensor as described in “Cleaning the Image Sensor” (0 Cleaning the Image Sensor) or consult a Nikon-authorized service representative.
  • Bokeh is irregular: With fast shutter speeds and/or fast lenses, you may notice irregularities in how bokeh is shaped. The effect can be mitigated by choosing slower shutter speeds and/or higher f-numbers.
  • Pictures are affected by noticeable ghosting or flare: You may notice ghosting or flare in shots that include the sun or other bright light sources. These effects can be mitigated by attaching a lens hood or by composing shots with bright light sources well out of the frame. You can also try such techniques as removing lens filters, choosing a different shutter speed, or using silent photography.
  • Shooting ends unexpectedly or does not start: Shooting may end automatically to prevent damage to the camera’s internal circuits if the ambient temperature is high or the camera has been used extensively for burst shooting, movie recording, or the like. If you are unable to shoot because the camera has overheated, wait for the internal circuits to cool and then try again. Note that the camera may feel warm to the touch, but this does not indicate a malfunction.
  • Image artifacts appear in the display during shooting: “Noise” (randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or lines) and unexpected colors may appear if you zoom in on the view through the lens. Randomly-spaced bright pixels, fog, or bright spots may also arise as a result of increases in the temperature of the camera’s internal circuits during shooting; turn the camera off when it is not in use. At high ISO sensitivities, noise may become more noticeable in long exposures or in pictures recorded when the camera temperature is elevated. Note that the distribution of noise in the display may differ from that in the final picture. To reduce noise, adjust settings such as ISO sensitivity, shutter speed, or Active D-Lighting.
  • The camera cannot measure white balance: The subject is too dark or too bright.
  • Images cannot be selected as source for preset white balance: The images in question were created with a different model of camera.

  • White balance bracketing is unavailable:

    • An NEF (RAW) or NEF+JPEG image quality option is selected for image quality.
    • Multiple exposure or HDR (high dynamic range) photography is on.
  • The effects of Picture Controls differ from image to image: Auto is selected for Set Picture Control, a Picture Control based on Auto is selected, or A (auto) is selected for Quick sharp, contrast, or saturation. For consistent results over a series of photographs, choose another setting.
  • Metering cannot be changed: Autoexposure lock is in effect.
  • Exposure compensation cannot be used: In mode M, exposure compensation affects only the display in the exposure indicator; shutter speed and aperture are not affected.
  • Noise (colored splotches or other artifacts) appears in long time-exposures: Enable long exposure noise reduction.

  • The AF-assist illuminator does not light:

    • Select On for Custom Setting a8 (Built-in AF-assist illuminator).
    • The illuminator does not light in movie mode.
    • The illuminator does not light in the following focus modes: AF-C (including when AF-A is selected and the camera is shooting using AF-C) and MF.

  • Sound is not recorded with movies:

    • Microphone off is selected for Microphone sensitivity in the movie shooting menu.
    • Manual is selected for Microphone sensitivity in the movie shooting menu and a low value is selected.

Playback

  • NEF (RAW) images are not played back: The pictures were taken at image qualities of NEF + JPEG.
  • The camera does not display pictures recorded with other cameras: Pictures recorded with other makes of camera may not be displayed correctly.
  • Some photos are not displayed during playback: Select All for Playback folder.

  • “Tall” (portrait) orientation photos are displayed in “wide” (landscape) orientation:

    • Select On for Rotate tall in the playback menu.
    • The photos are displayed in image review.
    • The camera was pointed up or down when photo was taken.

  • Pictures cannot be deleted:

    • The memory card is write-protected (“locked”).
    • The pictures are protected.
  • Pictures cannot be retouched: The picture cannot be edited with this camera.
  • The camera displays a message stating that the folder contains no images: Select All for Playback folder.
  • Pictures cannot be printed: NEF (RAW) photos cannot be printed by direct USB connection. Transfer the photos to a computer and print them using NX Studio. NEF (RAW) photos can be saved in JPEG format using the NEF (RAW) processing option in the retouch menu.
  • Pictures are not displayed on HDMI devices: Confirm that an HDMI cable (available separately) is connected.

  • Output to HDMI devices does not function as expected:

    • Check that the HDMI cable is correctly connected.
    • Check again after selecting Reset all settings in the setup menu.
  • Computers do not display NEF (RAW) images the same way as the camera does: Third-party software does not display effects of Picture Controls, Active D-Lighting, vignette control, or the like. Use NX Studio.
  • Pictures cannot be transferred to a computer: The computer operating system is not compatible with the camera or image transfer software. Use a card reader or card slot to copy the pictures to a computer.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (Wireless Networks)

  • Smart devices do not display the camera SSID (network name):

    • Confirm that Disable is selected for Airplane mode in the camera setup menu.
    • Confirm that Enable is selected for Connect to smart device > Pairing (Bluetooth) > Bluetooth connection in the camera setup menu.
    • Confirm that Wi-Fi has been enabled using the Connect to smart device > Wi-Fi connection option in the setup menu.
    • Try turning the smart device Wi-Fi off and then on again.
  • The camera cannot connect to wireless printers and other wireless devices: This camera can connect only to computers and smart devices.

Miscellaneous

  • The date of recording is not correct: The camera clock is less accurate than most watches and household clocks. Check the clock regularly against more accurate timepieces and reset as necessary.
  • Some menu items cannot be selected: Some options are not available at certain combinations of settings or when no memory card is inserted.

  • The camera does not respond to the ML-L7 remote control:

    • The optional ML-L7 remote control has not established a connection to the camera. Press the power button on the remote control. If L does not appear in the camera shooting display, pair the camera with the remote control again.
    • Confirm that Enable is selected for Wireless remote (ML-L7) options > Wireless remote connection in the setup menu.
    • In the setup menu, confirm that: Disable is selected for Airplane mode, Disable is selected for Connect to smart device > Pairing (Bluetooth) > Bluetooth connection, and Disable is selected for Connect to PC > Wi-Fi connection.
  • The camera cannot be paired with the ML-L7 remote control: Confirm that Disable is selected for Airplane mode in the setup menu.