I went to use my D2x today and everything seemed normal except there are no images recorded to the memory card. I checked everything, there are no error messages. After waiting for Nikon support for 20min, twice, I decided to reload the 2.00 firmware. That went ok but, still no images. Anyone have a suggestion?

Bummer. I guess the first obvious thing you've probably already tried is using a different, fresh formatted card. And second might be double-checking your viewing software setup to make sure there really aren't any images.

Can you see anything in the LCD when you hit Playback?

Does the camera notice the card (give you a read on shots remaining) or does it think it is shooting empty?

Aside from the above types of fiddling and maybe a camera reset I can't think of any magic "please record images" setting that might be off.--David

Thanks David,

Images on the card before today are there and viewable.

The EXIF data for the images is recorded, but no image.

The camera recognizes the card and shows the current card info.

I forgot how to do a master reset and the D2x manual does not reference it.

Doesn't sound good. Might as well try the "2-button reset" (WB & ISO I think, the two green buttons? I don't have my D2X here to look at right now), but I'm not optimistic. Sounds like it could need some service help.

You can do the thing where you pull all the batteries, drain the capacitor & "re-boot" but I'm not seeing that being helpful here either.--David

What format image are you shooting? Change to jpg and try or change to nef and try.

Billy,

Had already tried the switch to jpg, tiff, and back to RAW...no joy.

David,
Thanks for the reset info. Silly me, I thought if you wanted to find info about reset, you should look in the index under RESET, but good ol' Nikon put it under TWO-BUTTON RESET. If you did not know it took two buttons, you're screwed.

Anyway, I'll contact Nikon tomorrow, when I hope the "A" team is on and see if they have any advise. Meanwhile, I always have the D3x that I decided not to use for this project to save shutter activations.

This is just an idea, but make sure to check all of the camera settings, including exposure mode, compensation, etc., dismount and re-mount the lens, and/or try other lenses. I've seen it happen, once or twice on other cameras, that something mis-set or malfunctioning will cause the lens to stop down completely and what you will get is a very dark, if not black, frame. You said there were no images on the card but there are files being created which give you exif data - have you checked the exif data to see what shutter speed/aperture/metering mode is being recorded? You might find some answers there? Other than that, and what has previously been suggested, it sounds like a trip to nikon service is in order.

I have never owned a D2x, but my old D70 sometimes played crazy and i found just taking out the battery for a few minutes often solved the problem.


Since it's so easy, i thought it might be worth a try

Achim--I sure remember that with my D1 & D1X/H too, especially in the wind--we figured it was static electricity funking them out.

Weldon--Great point about the dark images. It does seem like the lens can get "stuck" closed (scared me when it happened when I unboxed my D700, but cleared up right away in my case). I've had the meter get wonky the other way on various cameras also, where everything was over-exposed until re-mounting the lens or whatever. Let's hope it's something simple like that, although it sounds like John has gone through most of the possible home remedies--David

I even pulled the lens and exposed the sensor directly on bulb and still had a black image.

Thanks to all for the suggestions.