Nikon D70 - shutter problems - now in the sick bay

Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 2 Location: UK

Bought my D70 last May - occasionally sometimes got a situation where the shutter button is pressed but no photo taken.There is only the sound of the shutter opening and closing without stopping.Just as if the mirror is not going up/down properly.

In the past, I have simply changed the programme mode (A to M for example) or turned it off and it is fine.

But last weekend it did not stop - even when I turned the camera off - I had to take the battery out to stop it!

It showed an error message.

I have left it at Nikon HQ for repairs - anyone found a similar issue with their D70?

Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 129 Location: Stratford Canada

Just out of curiosity, please don't take offence, was it possibly on self timer mode? Cheers!

Joined: 10 Sep 2004 Posts: 67 Location: SCOTLAND.

Hi
I had the same problem and it was the shutter, sent mine back to nikon got it back and its been great.
Hope you dont have to wait long its murder without it.

ricardo.

Joined: 12 Mar 2005 Posts: 2 Location: UK

I collected the camera this afternoon from the Nikon HO.

Took home to test out and does not seem to be an issue with shutter problem,BUT.....the ccd is absolutely filthy,and I mean FILTHY!

I have taken a number of photos against the sky and compared with photos taken just before the shutter breaking issue 5 weeks ago (took them 4.5 weeks to do the repair).

The difference is incredible - I have phoned Nikon back and they are very apologetic....and have asked me take back in to their HO for cleaning,which they say had been done when I collected it.

Incidentally,two guys waiting in the collection room were moaning about Nikon's service levels.

It does seem that they are not treating the consumer as the person who has spent £1,000 plus on their product,but rather as a visitor to a McDonalds - "yeah,okay,we'll have a look at it,don't know when"...

I would recommend a re-appraisal of their whole customer experience.Instead of being handed back the camera in a plastic bag,perhaps a Nikon branded box or at the least wrapped in bubble wrap and perhaps a written description of what work has been done (like a car service).

PLUS a low cost,high value present to make up for the fact the camera broke down and was out of use for 5 weeks - a nikon book or tokens for equipment?

Or am I being too demanding and expecting too much?I don't think so.

Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 6 Location: ohio

i began using my d70 at the beginning of april. yesterday i began getting the shutter problem. in the past few months i have talked with two other people from my area who have had the same trouble, and a month ago i had a conversation about this with a news photographer who came into our gallery with a camera to die for (it belonged to his newspaper). he told me that a number of professional photographers are abandoning nikon and going with canon because of shutter reliability issues.

i am fairly well ticked off. i got one year of good service (>20k high quality shots) from my coolpix 5400 and it still works like a champ. my d70 should have lasted longer than a lousy twp months before shelling out.

Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 19 Location: Yokosuka, Japan

I've had my D70 since April and in mid July the shutter froze. Needless to say I paniced. I contacted Nikon and got a quick response to first pull the battery for several minutes and if that didn't work to do a soft reset from the bottom of the camera. I had previously pulled the battery but not for an extended time. That did the trick.

Nikon did say it would have to be sent for servicing if that didn't work. From reading on forums this is an all too common problem and I worry about it going out a. period and b. at the opportunity for a great photo.

I believe Nikon is too reputable to not deal with this. I'm hoping the firmware upgrade helps.

All that said, after agonizing over Canon vs. Nikon I don't regret my decision. My friend has the 20D and the D70 is for more user friendly with the shutter and apperture dials and the menu is much brighter and more user friendly. That exact review pushed me to Nikon and I haven't regretted it.

Posted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 6:03 am

While my D70 is only 7 months old I have over 20,000 exposures with zero shutter issues. I hope that remains the case.

The issue with receiving the dirty CCD back from Nikon is a sad story, hopefully poor quality control and an isolated incident.

Joined: 03 Aug 2005 Posts: 19 Location: Yokosuka, Japan

I have about 2500 exposures total. Probably 500 since the freeze up. I have used the camera in continuous mode frequently so that could be a factor. Hopefully mine was one isolated incident.

Also sorry to hear about poor Nikon service. They promptly replied to my email for tech support. Since I live in Japan, I have few other options than email.[/quote]

Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 1

Hi,

I bought my camera 1 year and 10 months ago. My shutter problem just started, after just 4000 exposures. After contacting Nikon in Holland (Inco Import) they tell me that this in not a known problem and that the repair must be paid for as the warranty is only one year.
%*$#!

I will try to make it clear to them that a camera of 1400 euro is suppose to last more than one year (e.a. 5 year) and repairs must be paid in the same extent. (e.a. 3/5 by them, 2/5 by me).
This is the LAW !

Conclusion: repair and sell, never a Nikon again.

Rob