Sad D200 owner

K

KJProX

Senior Member
Since my last post here about getting this camera in December I have bought several more lenses and thoroughly enjoyed the camera.

Now the sad part. A month ago I took it out in the wild so to speak for the first time, went to a large car show event. After walking around all day with it on a Rapid type strap and getting home, took it out of the camera bag to download the pictures. To my shock the Multi Selector button on the back was snapped off and gone. Apparently when I was walking out to leave with it bouncing around near my hip the edge of the button caught on something on my pants and broke off.

Now I can't use any of the menu functions or review back and forth through pics I shot. I can use a small pointed object to access the tiny switch buttons that are now exposed, but that is not convenient at all. Short of replacing the back with a used one off ebay or replacing the camera I don't see any solution. All I need is the button part and they want 2/3'ds the cost of what I payed for the camera just for the back panel.

Lesson learned, not using the Rapid strap and back to the Nikon neck strap.
 
K

KJProX

Senior Member
Thank you for the reply. Those are the rubber switch contacts below the plastic button that you thumb uses for the menu navigation. The plastic button is what snapped off the center pivot stud, and if I had found it I could glue it back on the center stud that's still in the pivot point.

Thank you again.
 
K

KJProX

Senior Member
Wow thanks! That could come in real handy. The part is labeled #467 on the 10th page or D5 page.

I did find one for a D300 but they want $50 for just a used small plastic button, forget it way too much! I'm wondering if any older camera's button would work, found some D50 and D70 cameras untested for parts cheap.
 
K

KJProX

Senior Member
So here is where I'm at now. Thanks for the link STM, I had seen those before, but I'm not going to pay $60 just to get the button.

So I have used the camera since this happened and of course it works fine unless I need to access the menu and if I do I need to use something like a toothpick to press the switches. So last Friday a D200 popped up on a used camera dealer site, "As Is" body only not tested for $35. I bought it and it came today.

Button missing one on left and the new one on right.
28754095427_327ceab890_c.jpg

Its missing the rubber eye cup and some nicks above the LCD, also the mirror and assuming the sensor are dirty/dusty. Other then that I haven't found anything wrong with it yet and is in overall nice condition, the front and rear dials feel a lot better then on mine. It has 16,343 shutter clicks on it. I was expecting a parts camera with something wrong with it, now what do I do. Guess I have two D200's, at least I have options.
 
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K

KJProX

Senior Member
I guess I should have updated this. I started to use the second camera and after downloading the files I think I know why it was "As Is". Every pic has a green'ish tint and under exposed 1.5 to 2 stops, I can correct it for the most part in post but still as not as good. The Raw files and Jpegs look the same, so my guess is there is a internal processing problem. It maybe fixable by a service technician with alignment software but don't feel it's worth it at this point.

So it's back to being a donor camera for the button. A project I'll tackle sometime in the near future.
 
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hark

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
KJProX said:
I guess I should have updated this. I started to use the second camera and after downloading the files I think I know why it was "As Is". Every pic has a green'ish tint and under exposed 1.5 to 2 stops, I can correct it for the most part in post but still as not as good. The Raw files and Jpegs look the same, so my guess is there is a internal processing problem. It maybe fixable by a service technician with alignment software but don't feel it's worth it at this point.

So it's back to being a donor camera for the button. A project I'll tackle sometime in the near future.
Click to expand...

You might be able to go in and adjust the color--possibly through the same area where the Kelvin temperature is set. I'm wondering if the tint can be adjusted there. If there is a +/- button on the top, you can set it to overexpose by 1.5 to 2 stops. See if those changes can be made and see how it performs.
 
K

KJProX

Senior Member
Thanks Cindy and Fred for the reply's. I've been down that road hoping it was something I could adjust in a menu, but couldn't find anything. The RAW files look the same and I don't think any of those menu settings affect the RAW files, so it's a deeper problem unfortunately I think.
 
K

KJProX

Senior Member
I'm going to replace the broken off menu control on my good D200 from the parts camera then sell it. Reason being, I just bought a used D700!!


I'll probably keep the D200 parts camera because it basically works and I only have $35 into it.
 
Danno_RIP

Danno_RIP

Senior Member
KJProX said:
I'm going to replace the broken off menu control on my good D200 from the parts camera then sell it. Reason being, I just bought a used D700!!


I'll probably keep the D200 parts camera because it basically works and I only have $35 into it.
Click to expand...

That was quite a tail... I have to say that I do love my D700 it has been great. I also am not a fan of sling straps except in very specific applications where I am keeping a grip on the camera and have the strap for safety. I have gone to a Cotton harness. I have to say it has proved to be the best carry method.

I got it for my birthday and I use it every time I go out for anything. I can carry two cameras, but I have not needed too yet. I either have the 700 or 7200 and my shoulders do not suffer and neither do my arms. It is amazingly secure. A 90-degree turn and the camera is locked in place or unlocked. Just thought I would pass that on as well.

Hope you enjoy the D700.
 
K

KJProX

Senior Member
Time to finish up this story. I took the back panel off the parts camera to get at the button.
IMG_2516.jpg

I decided to try and replicate the original button by plastic resin casting it. First attempt at making a mold of the original button.
IMG_2522.jpg

After many castings they just were not good enough, so I made a new mold using the correct silicone mold material. My old stuff had gone bad so had to buy new casting silicone. Spent most of the winter when ever I had time to make a new castings. This ended up to be a challenge to get one to come out and not have one of the posts being too short or air bubbles.
IMG_2772.jpg

After many castings I got a couple to come out nearly perfect and good enough to put in the parts camera.
IMG_2771.jpg

I have now installed the good original button in the good D200 and my cast button in the parts D200, had an issue with getting the paint to stick to the cast button but it works fine. Going to sell the good D200 and keep the parts camera, it works and with enough post processing the pics look good.
IMG_2770.jpg
 
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Needa

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
KJProX said:
Time to finish up this story. I took the back panel off the parts camera to get at the button.
View attachment 312540

I decided to try and replicate the original button by plastic resin casting it. First attempt at making a mold of the original button.
View attachment 312541

After many castings they just were not good enough, so I made a new mold using the correct silicone mold material. My old stuff had gone bad so had to buy new casting silicone. Spent most of the winter when ever I had time to make a new castings. This ended up to be a challenge to get one to come out and not have one of the posts being too short or air bubbles.
View attachment 312542

After many castings I got a couple to come out nearly perfect and good enough to put in the parts camera.
View attachment 312546

I have now installed the good original button in the good D200 and my cast button in the parts D200, had an issue with getting the paint to stick to the cast button but it works fine. Going to sell the good D200 and keep the parts camera, it works and with enough post processing the pics look good.
View attachment 312549
Click to expand...

That was some project. :encouragement:
 
K

KJProX

Senior Member
Continuing the D200 story. I sold the good D200 back in Sept. and got nearly what I payed for it.

Now the parts camera, decided to finally clean the filthy coated mirror and blow out the sensor area. After doing this (The sensor really wasn't that dirty just the mirror) I put one of my good lenses on it and shot a couple of test shots in the house. Downloaded them and to my surprise they don't look like they have the greenish tint and under exposure that my original shots did from this parts camera. Shot some outdoor pics yesterday and they still look good, confused as to what the problem was and what I did to change it.

So guess I have a functioning D200 DX camera now too to go with the D700.
 
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D

desmobob

Senior Member
Great story and great effort to get the D200 running!

I picked up a very cheap used D200 that was reported to have a command dial issue. I bought it, and it did. Instead of taking it apart, I made a small cut in the rubber body coating under the dial, then used the opening to spray the command dial contacts with Deoxit. Good as new. A tiny bit of superglue repaired the rubber. I picked up a nice used 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX and was good to go!

I use the D200 in places, conditions or situations where I don't want to put my D750 in harm's way.
 
K

KJProX

Senior Member
desmobob said:
Great story and great effort to get the D200 running!

I picked up a very cheap used D200 that was reported to have a command dial issue. I bought it, and it did. Instead of taking it apart, I made a small cut in the rubber body coating under the dial, then used the opening to spray the command dial contacts with Deoxit. Good as new. A tiny bit of superglue repaired the rubber. I picked up a nice used 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED IF AF-S DX and was good to go!

I use the D200 in places, conditions or situations where I don't want to put my D750 in harm's way.
Click to expand...
That's awesome and good information to know.

Looking at various online sites the D200's are getting really cheap now, under $100 for ones in very good shape. Right now I'm using mine with extension tubes and an adapted Pentax 50mm lens for macro photography.
 
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