Camera Talk

The replacement for one of my D80’s which has the dreaded flashing ERR syndrome.


Nikon D300s by P F McFarland, on Flickr

A big improvement over the D80, it only recently has been surpassed in the Nikon line-up by the D500. Here are a few test samples I took to make sure everything was functioning as should be.

I picked a challenging place with plenty of light and shadow to get an idea of how the metering system works. This first shot in Program mode came out just fine, while picking up the green hue as the light filters through the heavy foliage.

Mason's Creek by P F McFarland, on Flickr


I had Live View turned on just for this test, and I noticed in this shot that it showed clipping in the areas indicated by the arrows I added to the original.

Clipping by P F McFarland, on Flickr


I tried all the meter modes while in Center Weighted setting (just like the good old days), and I liked the Manual setting best. Nothing that a little post work couldn’t help in the others, though the Shutter Priority shots were darker in the shadows.

Manual by P F McFarland, on Flickr


Good control in the extremes here. I did a version where I adjusted the light on the brightest leaf, but decided the original looked better.

DSC_7010_2 by P F McFarland, on Flickr


Just messing around with the manual focus, and seeing what I can get with the DX AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm 1:3.5-5.6 G VR zoom lens.

Pick A Patch Of Bokeh by P F McFarland, on Flickr

For all the test samples with explanations, go to https://flic.kr/s/aHskY8LE1W

PF

What does the flashing "ERR" message indicate? I mean, obviously, nothing good. But is it a fatal error?

That is a nice instrument, PF. Congratulations!

The flashing ERR, Mike, is an indicator of one of about a half dozen things that can be wrong, and can't be fixed by something that the owner can do like resetting the camera. One problem is a failure in the AF module (which I think is the problem here). Main PC flex board failures are fairly common too. They are not cheap to get repaired, and fixing the problem you have today does not mean nothing else will fail shortly, so it could just be one thing after another.

I was given a link to how to fix the AF module problem, but it's mostly just photos with no explanation as to what is being done. Here's the site if you want to see what the inside of a D80 looks like http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1072407

Thanks, Julio, I think I'm going to like it a lot. It's more robust than the D80, and even has some weather sealing.

PF

It seems like you found a new host for those 5 lenses you mentioned in the earlier post and still a good backup in the other D80. With those 2 VR zooms (first in your list), too, you have a lot of territory covered. Happy shooting and I look forward to seeing some Virginia scenes done with the new outfit.
Bill

Thanks, Bill. I wish I had brought it with me on my latest journey up north, but I had a film camera loaded to use, and didn't want to put that off any longer.

PF

That's one of Nikon's best models historically, congratulations on picking one up. I'm sure you'll be very happy with it.

Robert

I think I will, Robert. It had a six-and-a-half year run as their top APS-C model.

PF

Bravo, Phil. That's a superb camera - in a league above the D90. Enjoy.

Thanks, Graham. It had a low shutter count (<17,250) so I should get a lot of mileage out of it. And I didn't have to buy any new batteries!

PF