Question about taking a shot

[LA-AL]

While taking some photos my camera will not fire, now while taking a shot recently I was taking it near alot of heat & close up, I thought maybe it was the heat. Then again sometimes I am outside & it may be dark which is rectified by changing the mode I am in.

I was looking looking for reason why this happens? Possible the following: too close, heat, too dark? I know there could be a few reasons but since I am new to the SLRs, could these be reasons?

 

[Borats Baby]

Is the camera focusing ? If it cant then it wont fire ( I think )

 

[minesamojito]

it sounds to me like the camera can't focus, i get this sometimes when i'm too close/it's too dark etc, maybe try moving a little further away, or try manual focussing, that's what i'd do, but i'm still new to my dslr

 

[andrewc]

Depends how the camera is set up. In some modes the camera won't fire until the AF has achieved good focus lock.

 

[SimonTALM]

There are definately modes on the D80 where the shutter will not fire if you don't have focus lock most of the pic modes and the dreadful green box. IIRC you can also program it not to fire in P/A/S/M modes, but I may be confused with my D200.

 

[LA-AL]

Thanks, I am reading up on this thing thoroughly, so between your answers & the book I am making adjustments. Thanx!

 

[LA-AL]

Is the camera focusing ? If it cant then it wont fire ( I think )

I realized that I can make it auto focus it by clicking down halfway on the shutter release button.