D70s CF Compartment Problem

Venomator · 27-10-2005, 20:55

My pride and joy has been relegated to a non-functioning pile of ... technology - Help & Advice please ?

Mine is a new (2 weeks old - but please don't suggest it should have been a Canon !) D70s and today, after changing CF cards it packed up functioning with 'FORM' showing in the top panel. After trying unsuccessfully to Format I eventually checked out the CF compartment.

Two of the pins appear to be folded over to 90 degrees - one right in the middle and another at one end and I am bemused as to how. As it is a new toy I have been extra ultra careful with everything as you might expect. As far as I can see it is not possible to put the card in at anything other than the right way round and at the correct alignment.

I really don't think I could be so stupid !

I believe this might be some sort of misalignment issue but Nikon say it is not a warranty matter - my cost to repair no idea how much or how long I have lost the toy for!

Please - has anyone ever come across such a problem with a quality end DSLR before ? :eyesup: I would seriously apprecaite any feedback ?

IanC_UK · 27-10-2005, 21:01

Like you i am a little bemused how these pins could have gotten bent with insertion of a CF card, after all thats what the damn socket is for !

Have never heard of anything like this, but it does sound like a quality control issue more than anything else ! Trouble is proving it !

(should have bought Canon

) LOL

Dont worry i dont subscribe to one is better than the other !

noah · 27-10-2005, 21:05

is it poss that a little stone (or other hard thing) was stuck on a CF card when it was inserted, that would do the trick?

RobertP · 27-10-2005, 21:12

I just had a google for d70 cf pins bent and looked at groups and web.

Didn't read enough to come to a conclusion but it seems the pins can be bent if you put the card in SIDEWAYS and push. You probably think that as unlikely as the posters in the groups results but it seems Nikon would not accept any other conclusion.

Saw mention of $281 for repair somewhere so that will be £281 ?

Try searching around a bit more - if it is a common fault and only on d70 maybe you can complain harder for a free fix.

Good luck.

Steep · 27-10-2005, 21:13

A search of the the nikon d70 forum on dpreview shows that this certainly has happened before. I'm certain it's not a nikon specific problem having seen canon users with similar woes and is probably caused by over excited insertion (ooer missus) of the cf card.

My guess is it's bullet biting time.

Steep · 27-10-2005, 21:14

Unless of course you feel brave and have a pair of very thin pliers or some such and are willing to attempt to straighten them yourself?

IanC_UK · 27-10-2005, 21:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertP

but it seems the pins can be bent if you put the card in SIDEWAYS and push. You probably think that as unlikely as the posters in the groups results but it seems Nikon would not accept any other conclusion.

Hmmm i just looked at my 20D and tried to put the card in any way other than the right way and there is absolutely no way it can be done that i can see ! sounds like Nikon spinning a yarn to me !

Warspite · 27-10-2005, 21:15

The only other way I could see this happening is if you have been pulling the cards out, instead of ejecting them, but it sounds more likely that these pins may have been weakened already.

Not much help I'm afraid. You could always return it to your store as faulty and see if they are any more sympathetic (worth a try unless you mail ordered it).
After all 2 weeks is all you have had, I believe the store is responsible for 28 or 30 days.

RobertP · 27-10-2005, 21:19

And.... if you are going to have to pay for it anyway.... why not just straighten the pins yourself? (or get a clever kid to do it).

Jewelers loupe and screwdrivers... maybe long thin tweezers. Worst case result is you snap the pins off and have to get it repaired anyway.

I have done it with a processor chip with a dozen flattened pins but the access was somewhat easier :eyesup:

IanC_UK · 27-10-2005, 21:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warspite

The only other way I could see this happening is if you have been pulling the cards out, instead of ejecting them, but it sounds more likely that these pins may have been weakened already.

Not much help I'm afraid. You could always return it to your store as faulty and see if they are any more sympathetic (worth a try unless you mail ordered it).
After all 2 weeks is all you have had, I believe the store is responsible for 28 or 30 days.

May be worth a go on sales of goods act, just double check that its not possible to get the card in anyway other than the right way first ! then tell the shop there is physically no way it could have been damaged by you !

RobertP · 27-10-2005, 21:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by IanC_UK

Hmmm i just looked at my 20D and tried to put the card in any way other than the right way and there is absolutely no way it can be done that i can see ! sounds like Nikon spinning a yarn to me !

And I tried it with my 20D and could have easily damaged the pins.

Note SIDEWAYS - not back to front or upside down. The card has a shorter edge on its side

IanC_UK · 27-10-2005, 21:22

LOL i didnt try that way ! Im too tired ! lol

27-10-2005, 21:23

Even still, pulling a CF card shouldn't bend the pin.

The only way it could have been caused, is by something pushing on the END of the pin, the resulting force pushing the pin to the side (ie bending it).
Edit : Just realised the sideways thing works, so I suppose that's possible in the head of the moment. But personally for reassurance, and subconcioulsy, I tend to rub my thumb on the little lip at the back of the CF card, to tell me it's the right way roung (that, and the label etc etc).

It's a puzzler, for sure.

Warspite · 27-10-2005, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcel

Even still, pulling a CF card shouldn't bend the pin.

The only way it could have been caused, is by something pushing on the END of the pin, the resulting force pushing the pin to the side (ie bending it).
Edit : Just realised the sideways thing works, so I suppose that's possible in the head of the moment. But personally for reassurance, and subconcioulsy, I tend to rub my thumb on the little lip at the back of the CF card, to tell me it's the right way roung (that, and the label etc etc).

It's a puzzler, for sure.

But pulling it out (

) enevenly could bend the pin slightly out of alignment so when you next insert a card it doesnt align any more and instead flattens the pin. Thats what I mean.

CT · 27-10-2005, 21:39

I had this happen with a compact years ago and it's still a mystery how it happened. After scratching my head for a while I fixed it myself as follows.

Take one paper clip, one of the heavier ones, and straighten it out. Using a pair of pliers, bend one end to 90 degs, then cut off any excess so you have a very short spur - perhaps 1/16 inch or less. This tool is all you need to raise the pins, and then something like a small electrical screwdriver to then tease them back into position. The pins are very pliable and there's little danger of them breaking off.

Even if the camera doesn't then work - as long as the pins are properly aligned and a card can be inserted they'd have a hard time refusing the warranty work. If anyone thinks this is less than honest, I hear you, but I'm also of the view that the pins weren't right to start with for this to happen.

I have since noticed that CF cards do vary in the apparent size of the little mating holes (ooer) with some seeming a little larger which possibly gives enough play for this to happen.

Good luck mate, I hope you get it sorted.

Venomator · 27-10-2005, 21:59

Thanks everybody - some great responses and helpful tips I really appreciate it !

Lets get to your ideas;

As for bending for any reason ... I suppose I could accept as an outside possibility a single one ... but really two at once and not even together ... that has got to be stretching the bounds of incompetent probability surely ?

I don't think I am brave enough to go for it myself and there really is so little room to play with - knowing my luck I would do more damage than good !

As for the suppliers - Jessops in Cambridge - "you should have taken out our accidental damage insurance and you would have been covered. This is not a guarantee matter accepted by Nikon" - effectively tough mate ! Great service from a great retailer ... not ! They were the only ones to come up with the goods at the time though.

Sorry - not sorted the quotes bit out yet but ... as for "pulling it out" - like putting it in any which way but the right one it just is not possible as Nikon seem to have addressed all the daft things consumers are likely to get up to ! You could, I suppose if you levered it our with a screwdriver or something but why would you when there is a perfectly sensible alternative ?

For now I need to see if Nikon can get it repaired in time for my holiday in two weeks ... fat chance I hear you say !?!

Again - thanks for the advice and suggestions ... I will take the advice about net-searching and, if I get anywhere let you know as and when.