Nikon dSLR Battery Issues

[Prospero]

I was looking on the Nikon Support website, when I happened to come across this (http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/nikoneurope_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=16079&p_created=1130863130&p_sid=7PSA9K1i&p_accessibility=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPSZwX3NvcnRfYnk9JnBfZ3JpZHNvcnQ9JnBfc m93X2NudD01NDQmcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PSZwX2N 2PSZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX25sJnBfc GFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1) article. Perhaps this is old news for you all, but I didn't know it yet.

As can be read in the article, the EN-EL3 batteries which are used in D50, D70, and D100 cameras can become defective and may as a result get overheated when recharging. Therefore Nikon is recalling the EN-EL3 with the serial numbers mentioned in the article.

The serial number on my battery is also mentioned in the article. However, as the problem is very rare, is it really worth going through all the trouble of sending the battery back and waiting for a new one?

[Jason25]

It is old news, but it's worthwhile. The replacement batteries have more juice (1500mAH vs 1400mAh), and last longer.

[Prospero]

Thanks for your reply, Jason. I'll send in my battery as soon as I know I won't be using my camera for quite a while (probably in a week or two).

[George Riehm]

You should always have a spare battery.. so this would be a great time to buy one.;)

[Bullitt]

When I had my D70 I had to replace one of my batteries on recall and I believe Nikon will still email you a postage paid UPS sticker to send back the battery. I sent off the battery and I'm sure the minute the UPS label was activated, the new battery was shipped, and had to be before the old one was received by them, think I had it within 2 days in Montana.

[Prospero]

You should always have a spare battery.. so this would be a great time to buy one.;)

You're quite right about a spare battery, George. So far, though, I haven't really needed an extra one. In comparison to my old point and shoot the battery life is simply amazing, even at cold temperatures (-12 degrees Celcius). However, I haven't really had the opportunity to shoot for a very long time yet, like I often do in the summer holidays, so I should get an extra one anyway.

Thanks for your reply, Bullit. I read that they do a similar thing here in the Netherlands. Don't know if it will go as fast here, though.

[Bullitt]

Good luck Pros, I was told once that Nikon was slow for service or help but I was pleasantly surprised with the fast turnaround on the battery so I dont mind vouching for Nikon service...