Fix it or keep for parts?

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fotojack

Senior Member
OK, here's the situation. Today I picked up a used D40 body, including genuine Nikon battery and the charger. The lady I got it from said it wasn't working and just decided to get rid of it. She had bought a new D5100 for herself instead. OK...on to the problem I'm having. I charged the battery it came with....great, no problems. Installed the battery in this D40 and this is what shows up in the view screen:

DSC_0797.jpg

I repeatedly press the shutter button as instructed, but to no avail. However, I can still access the shooting menu and everything else in the camera. It won't take any pictures at all. I put a lens on it and inserted a good memory card.
So what do you guys think. Get it fixed or just keep it for spare parts for my good D40 which works great?

Oh...I forgot to mention...I got all this for $40. :) Up here, the battery alone, new, goes for $90.!
 
M

Mike150

Senior Member
Hey Jack. You probably already know this, but F - - is a lens communication error. I would probably open it up and check the contacts on the camera. At least you got a good battery out of it.
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Have you tried different settings ? (aperture priority, shutter priority), Did you try cleaning the lens contacts?

I would probably send this screen shot to Nikon and ask their opinion. If they say it's gone, then you got yourself an extra battery.
 
F

fotojack

Senior Member
Marcel said:
Have you tried different settings ? (aperture priority, shutter priority), Did you try cleaning the lens contacts?

I would probably send this screen shot to Nikon and ask their opinion. If they say it's gone, then you got yourself an extra battery.
Click to expand...

I went through all the modes, Marcel....same message. And no, I haven't cleaned the contacts yet. That's my next step. Good idea to send the pic to Nikon and see what they think.

Yeah, the battery works great. So if nothing comes of this, at least I got another battery! lol :)

Mike150 said:
Hey Jack. You probably already know this, but F - - is a lens communication error. I would probably open it up and check the contacts on the camera. At least you got a good battery out of it.
Click to expand...

Yeah, as soon as I saw the F--- I knew it was a contact problem, but they looked OK. I might just have to clean them up myself and see if that changed anything. And yes, the battery is a genuine Nikon EN-EL9, and an extra charger for it. :)
 
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E

Eye-level

Banned
Well it is a D40 so you don't have to worry about someone having broke it by mounting a non Ai lens. Have you tried slapping it like a step child yet? lol Maybe the shutter is stuck...I would look at the mirror and the shutter and see if something is amiss...

And if you can get it working then you got one heck of a deal!
 
F

fotojack

Senior Member
Eye-level said:
Well it is a D40 so you don't have to worry about someone having broke it by mounting a non Ai lens. Have you tried slapping it like a step child yet? lol Maybe the shutter is stuck...I would look at the mirror and the shutter and see if something is amiss...

And if you can get it working then you got one heck of a deal!
Click to expand...

LOL...yeah, I slapped it silly! :) Still not working like it should. And I checked the mirror and shutter...all working properly...nothing stuck or out of alignment. I'm hoping to get it working, because yes, it WILL be a hell of a deal! :)

I'll keep you up to date as I progress with this. :)
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Well Jack, it seems you'll owe Jeff a beer after this D40 lifesaving link. Great research Jeff.

Sometimes it pays to take chances.
 
F

fotojack

Senior Member
Update: I tried everything suggested..........no go. :( It's not working. So now it's just gonna sit on my shelf and collect dust. At least I got an extra battery out of the deal, and a charger. :) I'm still a happy guy. Oh...and I can use the aforesaid camera for spare parts for my good D40. :)
 
V

VBurton

New member
Did this work??? Having the same problem with my D40. Thinking of upgrading to 5100 or 7000, maybe 90??? Any suggestions?? I read several links on fixing the D40 and some said DO NOT WD40... as it can cause more problems. But I guess if I'm gonna upgrade I might as well try it on mine???
 
F

fotojack

Senior Member
VBurton said:
Did this work??? Having the same problem with my D40. Thinking of upgrading to 5100 or 7000, maybe 90??? Any suggestions?? I read several links on fixing the D40 and some said DO NOT WD40... as it can cause more problems. But I guess if I'm gonna upgrade I might as well try it on mine???
Click to expand...

No, it didn't work for me. No big deal though. I'm just going to keep it for spare parts should anything happen to my other D40. :)
 
AC016

AC016

Senior Member
fotojack said:
No, it didn't work for me. No big deal though. I'm just going to keep it for spare parts should anything happen to my other D40. :)
Click to expand...

I was going to suggest durability tests. But since you can not get it to work in the first place, the tests would not prove much, lol
 
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