Might be the popup flash mechanism. My D800e (along with all others I have seen) make a rattle when the flash is closed, as the flash retention arms are not under pressure. If you pop up the flash, the rattle goes away since the arms come under spring pressure. . Completely normal.

I just did this with my D90 which has a lot of use. Sounds like a huge piece is loose inside. But, the fact is many of these cameras and lenses have parts which move and if jolted will make sounds. If the camera works, I certainly would not send it to Nikon and spend a service charge..maybe $75-$100 to find out nothing is wrong. I think if one sends in a camera even under warranty and no problem exists, there will be a charge. But, I cannot say for certain what any one service center will do.

Shoot images, let us see what you do... post on PAD

Hi jtcaraig, welcome to the NR forum.

I have to ask you - have you noticed anything wrong with the function of the camera or any problems with the images that the camera takes, and do you have any previous experience with DSLR's of the D7000's complexity? I'm just trying to get a feel for the detail behind Newbie with that last question.

TaoTeJared said:
That is the mirror flapping.

Hi. I am a newbie. I am also having exactly the same problem. And I also did what he did actually. My question is: Is the 'mirror flapping' normal? Shall I bring my D7000 to service center?

jazzokh1 said:
Im experiencing the same problem. I put on a non-VR AF-S 50mm 1.4, point the camera upwards and shake it back n forth. I hear something like a loose shutter.

That is the mirror flapping.

jazzokh1 said:
Im experiencing the same problem. I put on a non-VR AF-S 50mm 1.4, point the camera upwards and shake it back n forth. I hear something like a loose shutter.

why would you do that to the camera?

Im experiencing the same problem. I put on a non-VR AF-S 50mm 1.4, point the camera upwards and shake it back n forth. I hear something like a loose shutter.

R8R said:
That's most likely the accelerometer you're hearing. (the device that reads the orientation of the camera from landscape to profile)

The accelerometer in the D7000 is a solid-state device. Here's (an overspec) one I've used in the past. They are totally quiet as (the the name implies) there are no moving parts.

http://www.directindustry.com/prod/columbia-research-laboratories/mems-accelerometers-37510-426145.html

I'd assume the one in the D7000 is significantly smaller (and less accurate)

I think Monty's got it. Hopefully the OP is still around.

Perhaps you are inadvertently pressing the DoF preview button? I find myself doing it quite often on my D7000, it is quite easy to brush against it. Try pressing the button and listen if the sound is what you are hearing.

In case you don't know where the button is then it is at the lower left side of the lens when you are looking at the front of the camera.

That's most likely the accelerometer you're hearing. (the device that reads the orientation of the camera from landscape to profile)

Welcome, estelle. Does your viewfinder ever black out when this happens? It would also be interesting to know if the autofocus stops working when this happens.

If the entire mirror is loose, the image in the viewfinder should change noticeably with the sound. There's a smaller mirror off the back of the main one that bounces the image down to your autofocus sensor. The other suspect piece that I can think of is the focus screen, which is above your mirror just under the prism. Have you checked to see that it isn't loose?

Did you look at the camera with the lens off?

My D7000 randomly makes these weird sounds when I physically move the camera from side to side. It actually sounds like I am pressing the shutter release when I'm not. It doesn't sound like there's something floating around inside, it sounds more like the actual mirror or shutter is moving without being told to. It doesn't happen all the time (which makes it hard for me to demonstrate to the guys at camera store), just randomly.
I thought it may have something to do with my lens, but it has done the same thing with both my VR zoom lens as well as my 50mm prime. I have no idea what this is..anyone have a clue?

I just bought the camera at the beginning of August.