Nikon F5 Mirror Lockup Lever Not Functioning.

Dimitri13 · Apr 5, 2015

Aloha. My 4-month old F5 has a mirror lockup lever that doesn't function. The lever rotates, but the mirror does not flip up.

Anyone have any experience with this? Are there any common causes, and is it a purely mechanical connection from the lever to the mirror? Is it fixable by a reputable repairman?

I've already emailed the seller, as they have a warranty, but I really like this camera and everything seems to be functioning otherwise, and would prefer to keep it and just have it repaired, and CLAd at the same time.

gone · Apr 5, 2015

I cribbed this off the web

"You should be in manual mode. Set the focus and exposure to the desired settings. Rotate the lever down until it catches. Release the shutter using a cable release. Rotate the lever back up and you're ready to compose the next shot".

Apparently you need to have a cable release. Makes sense, as the only time you would use this feature is w/ one. That is a complicated camera. Butkus has a website where you can download a manual for a tiny $ donation. Personally, I have used that feature so seldom it would be no big deal to me. If it's otherwise working properly, a CLA would be a waste of good money.

Chan Tran · Apr 5, 2015

momus said:
I cribbed this off the web

"You should be in manual mode. Set the focus and exposure to the desired settings. Rotate the lever down until it catches. Release the shutter using a cable release. Rotate the lever back up and you're ready to compose the next shot".

Apparently you need to have a cable release. Makes sense, as the only time you would use this feature is w/ one. That is a complicated camera. Butkus has a website where you can download a manual for a tiny $ donation. Personally, I have used that feature so seldom it would be no big deal to me. If it's otherwise working properly, a CLA would be a waste of good money.

I don't think you have to do all these like you say or having a cable release. I put mine away I have to take mine out to check. To the OP really you could get a brand new F5 only 4 months ago?
The manual says that all you have to do is to turn the level. I am not sure but you may have to turn the camera on. The DOF preview function does require power on so I don't know if MLU also requires power on or not.

Chris G · Apr 5, 2015

It is fully mechanical. Yours is broken. At 4 months old it should still be under warranty.

Dimitri13 · Apr 5, 2015

Sorry, a 4-month new-to-me body. Purchased used from a reputable dealer with a 6-month warranty. I think a brand new F5 would cost more than all of my gear combined. Can you even get them factory new anymore? I know you can get NIB old stock.

MartinCrabtree · Apr 5, 2015

Just drug mine out of (the closet) storage. Any excuse to handle the camera works for me.

Mine works whether it's on or not. Purely mechanical. Although to make it lock a little extra pressure is needed. Does your lever have any resistance at all? Mine requires a firm push.

StephenT · Apr 5, 2015

Ditto the "firm push." Don't use anything other than your thumb, but you do need to be firm with it to get it to lock into place. REALLY firm.

Dimitri13 · Apr 6, 2015

No resistance to move it to the "locked up" position. To get it out of the locked up position, it requires an effort and "snaps" out of the position, then no resistance.

Looking at it more closely, it seems my lever goes past where it's supposed to:

As opposed to this:

Since it's a mechanical connection, should it be a reasonable repair for a reputable technician?

MartinCrabtree · Apr 6, 2015

Appears like something broke or has become disconnected. Yeah a good tech should be able to fix it. Parts (if needed) may be the only issue since Nikon has gotten selfish and the age of the camera. But should it be beyond reasonable repair (doubtful) the camera is still a usable piece.

John Koehrer · Apr 6, 2015

Reasonable is pretty doubtful. You have a warrantee, take advantage of it and let the seller absorb the $$.

Chris G · Apr 6, 2015

I had an F5 serviced at Nikon Canada last year. The costs should be reasonable, unless it is a gray market camera, then maybe not so much. I am quite sure it is repairable.

Dimitri13 · Apr 7, 2015

Good news, seller is warrantying the body, exchanging it for one in the condition I paid for (no broken features). And they're also warrantying (manufacturer repair) another body where the hotshoe doesn't have proper connection with the external flash (TTL doesn't adjust flash power).

Not gonna mention the seller because I love em and this kind of stuff is rare, but nobody can be 100% perfect.

spacer · Apr 7, 2015

I agree with getting everything in as-advertised working order, but this camera seems to be pretty awesome at damping any shutter related movement.

fotch · Apr 7, 2015

Dimitri13 said:
Good news, seller is warrantying the body, exchanging it for one in the condition I paid for (no broken features). And they're also warrantying (manufacturer repair) another body where the hotshoe doesn't have proper connection with the external flash (TTL doesn't adjust flash power).

Not gonna mention the seller because I love em and this kind of stuff is rare, but nobody can be 100% perfect.

Are you saying the seller has several of these with assorted problems? Seems odd.

Nikon F5 Mirror Lockup Lever Not Functioning.

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