Coolpix 5700 - a mystery

[Ghislaine]

I have a Coolpix 5700, which has gone weird, suddenly. When I turn it on, the display on the top of the camera displays all the normal stuff - shutter speed, aperture, image quality and what have you - but then, after two seconds or so, this disappears and is replaced by just the battery symbol, figures in the top right-hand corner that read 0.0 and the little diagonal +/- box. And then it won't take pictures at all, because the shutter won't work. I am at a loss here. Does anyone know why this is happening to me, other than the sad fact that bad stuff can happen to good people? I throw myself upon your mercy.

[D70FAN]

I have a Coolpix 5700, which has gone weird, suddenly. When I turn it on, the display on the top of the camera displays all the normal stuff - shutter speed, aperture, image quality and what have you - but then, after two seconds or so, this disappears and is replaced by just the battery symbol, figures in the top right-hand corner that read 0.0 and the little diagonal +/- box. And then it won't take pictures at all, because the shutter won't work. I am at a loss here. Does anyone know why this is happening to me, other than the sad fact that bad stuff can happen to good people? I throw myself upon your mercy.

Well it does sound like a problem for the repair group at Nikon. But before tou pack it up and send it home, you might want to try a full reset as follows:

Remove the battery for 24 hours (might as well charge it as well)
Replace the battery. If this works, all variables like date and time should be at zero and need resetting, and the camera should be good as new.

If it didn't work then send it off to "Nikon repair camp". Yes, electronics can still go on the blink. This even happens with film cameras. If this is the worse that ever happens to you, then count your blessings. :)

[Ghislaine]

Thanks for your reply. I have taken the battery out as you suggest, so we'll see tomorrow if that's had the desired effect. I must say that I do hope it will, for obvious reasons as well as the fact that the Nikon UK helpline was quite heroically unhelpful on the phone the other day ("dunno about that, love, you could post it us back" was more or less the sum of it). Anyway, I'll let you know if your cunning ruse (Starve it out! Show it who's boss!) does the business. Thanks again.

[angelomb3]

a similar thing happened to my 2 yr old 5700..when i turned it on it just showed a murky washed out display on the viewfinder and i cant take pictures! but when i place it on preview mode i can view my previous pics..

i brought it to a nikon repair shop here in the philippines and they say its a problem with the sensor and they have to replace it. Cost? Php20,000.00 or about $375..thats about 40% of what the camera costs! and moreover the repairman said its a recurring problem with 5700's they fix..its disheartening for a loyal customer who trusts the brand for its durability and comes up with a problem like this.. Hope nikon corrects this on its future models..

[Ghislaine]

Taking out and replacing the battery didn't make any difference, I'm sorry to report. However, I've found that I can still take pictures if I turn the menu on, so the whole thing, if less than ideal, is not absolutely dead in the water.

I must say I agree with you about Nikon's disheartening customer service. I've been using Nikon cameras now for 26 years, but I feel my loyalty has been severely tested lately. I emailed Nikon UK technical help on 31 January, and despite their claim to respond within one business day, I have yet to receive a reply. My experience of speaking to them on the phone is already on record.

Demoralising, isn't it?

[angelomb3]

Good for you it still works, now im stuck with an expensive CF card viewer! I dont wana have it repaired when i can buy a new one with the repair price..was thinking of switching to Canon but what about my lenses and flash investment..
will give it a long thought first before i purchase a new one..