[Ashley beolens]

After having one of the best weekends with the camera (managed some good photos of Ring necked parrakeet), I was reviewing my latest pics, an almost completely lucistic blackbird, I switched my camera off, and was supprised to hear an awful clicking an whirring sound, when I tried to switch it back on, all I got was the same terrible noise (presumably the zoom breaking) and a system error message come up on the screen. I have contacted the shop I purchased it from and am sending it off to be fixed, bt has anyone eles had this problem? (coolpix 4500).

Most gutting of all, I haven't down loaded any of the pix from it yet, and as I don't have a flash reader, I am stuck till my fixed camera arrives back, felt sure I had a pic worthy of winning this months comp as well.

[robinm]

Ashley: Did you try taking the batteries out long enough for all the system settings (e.g. date) to be lost - takes 12 hours+. When I had my 885 I had a similar problem but taking the batteries out sorted it.

If not I hope you get it fixed soon.

[IanF]

That's the first mechanical problem I've heard of with the 4500. I wonder how long Nikon take to repair their cameras ?

[Ashley beolens]

I shall try that Robin, before I send it off to the shop. Thanks for the tip.

[digi-birder]

Originally posted by IanF
I wonder how long Nikon take to repair their cameras ?

I sent my 995 for the focus to be checked and was told that they have a four-week turnround. Not sure if that applies to repairs. I suppose it would depend on the complexity of the job.

It came back four weeks to the day of sending it. Although it came back with a problem that it didn't go with! Not a serious one though.

[robinm]

Four weeks is about par for the course for repairs. It took Nikon 4 weeks to tell me that the repair to my 885 would cost £230. As this is not much less that the cost of a new one I decided not to bother - and bought a 4500.

[Richard Ford]

Gutted Ashley, I know how you feel.
I had to send my 995 back soon after I got it; it was like loosing an Arm.
I am afraid it took around a month for me to get it back, but it was fine from then on.

If you are interested in buying a card reader BTW, I have one which does not seen to work with Win XP, if you are running 98 or ME its fine, it reads compact Flash cards and the other smaller ones (?) and is USB.
Reader/Writer and Driver Disk £20.


Rich

[Ashley beolens]

I was contemplating it, but I can't justify spending anymore cash, I'll just have to be patient, or see if I have any friends who have a reader. But thanks for the offer.

[Andrew]

The amount of errors with the Nikons reported here worries me greatly. (I have a 4500, touch wood!)

[Ashley beolens]

My camera is back, expect some new shots as soon as is humanly possible :o)