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vertigoPT · Sep 15, 2009, 4:18 AM

Hi!

I have an old D70 that recently developed an anoying problem. First the aperture dial stoped working. A few months after it was the shutter dial that gave up on me. They turn as usual but nothing happens. Anyone had the same problem? Thanks!

JimC · Sep 15, 2009, 5:11 AM

It could be oxidation on the dial contacts causing it. Usually, turning the dials helps to clean them.

Note that the D70 has a history of failing with what has been referred to by users as BGLOD (Blinking Green Light of Death).

http://www.steves-digicams.com/news/...5-users-3.html

But, I don't recall anyone having dial issues before their camera failed that way.

vertigoPT · Sep 15, 2009, 6:10 AM

Thanks for your input Jim. I thought of that the other day and spent a couple of minutes turning the dials but nothing happened.

It probably isn't a good idea to try to open the camera by myself and check the contacts out, right? The camera works alright in Auto but I'm afraid that the problem could be more serious than oxidation. Even after a full reset, the LCD reads BULB when a set the camera to Shutter Priority. I wonder why that happens...

Regarding the BGLOD, I'm familiar with that problem. It never happened to me though. What did happen was a really bad Err message caused by a broken "mirror movement mechanism" (not sure how it's called). But then again it's an old, beat up camera that travelled all around the world.

Regards

JimC · Sep 15, 2009, 6:13 AM

The dial contacts may just be worn out, too. I haven't seen what they look like. But, I suspect they're non-serviceable (i.e., encased in plastic) and would need to be replaced if they're not working correctly.

JimC · Sep 15, 2009, 6:24 AM

If you really like the camera, you can find them starting at around $250 used in EX Condition, including a short term warranty (60 days from invoice date) from a reputable vendor of used gear like keh.com. That may be a better bet compared to repairing a camera that's been well used (since you may have other components that are close to failing, too). Here are some examples:

http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/Produ...BCL=&GBC=&GCC=

The D70s has a better reputation for reliability (no BGLOD issue). They're a bit more.

http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/Produ...BCL=&GBC=&GCC=

vertigoPT · Sep 15, 2009, 8:17 AM

Great tip Jim. I had no idea I could still buy a D70. I really like this camera. I used it a lot on the past 5 years. I would really like to get this problem fixed if it was a cheap fix. I’m waiting for a price drop on the D90 and expect to buy one in the beginning of next year but if I could get my D70 repaired, I could use it at least as a backup body.

JimC · Sep 15, 2009, 8:26 AM

You can probably find them listed at a number of vendors that handle both new and used gear. Here are a couple with great reputations (and I've purchased used gear from both of these vendors before). keh.com usually has the best selection of used gear.

http://www.keh.com

http://www.bhphotovideo.com

Again, the D70 does have a reputation for early failure with what's called BGLOD (Blinking Green Light of Death) by users. So, I'd probably lean towards a newer body if buying used (and I'd make sure to buy from a reputable vendor that carefully inspects used gear and grades it fairly, and offers a short term warranty on used gear).

Sep 15, 2009, 4:18 AM	#1
vertigoPT Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lisbon, Portugal Posts: 38	D70 problem: Stuck Dials Hi! I have an old D70 that recently developed an anoying problem. First the aperture dial stoped working. A few months after it was the shutter dial that gave up on me. They turn as usual but nothing happens. Anyone had the same problem? Thanks!

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Sep 15, 2009, 5:11 AM	#2
JimC Administrator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Savannah, GA (USA) Posts: 22,378	It could be oxidation on the dial contacts causing it. Usually, turning the dials helps to clean them. Note that the D70 has a history of failing with what has been referred to by users as BGLOD (Blinking Green Light of Death). http://www.steves-digicams.com/news/...5-users-3.html But, I don't recall anyone having dial issues before their camera failed that way.

Sep 15, 2009, 6:10 AM	#3
vertigoPT Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lisbon, Portugal Posts: 38	Thanks for your input Jim. I thought of that the other day and spent a couple of minutes turning the dials but nothing happened. It probably isn't a good idea to try to open the camera by myself and check the contacts out, right? The camera works alright in Auto but I'm afraid that the problem could be more serious than oxidation. Even after a full reset, the LCD reads BULB when a set the camera to Shutter Priority. I wonder why that happens... Regarding the BGLOD, I'm familiar with that problem. It never happened to me though. What did happen was a really bad Err message caused by a broken "mirror movement mechanism" (not sure how it's called). But then again it's an old, beat up camera that travelled all around the world. Regards

Sep 15, 2009, 6:13 AM	#4
JimC Administrator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Savannah, GA (USA) Posts: 22,378	The dial contacts may just be worn out, too. I haven't seen what they look like. But, I suspect they're non-serviceable (i.e., encased in plastic) and would need to be replaced if they're not working correctly.

Sep 15, 2009, 6:24 AM	#5
JimC Administrator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Savannah, GA (USA) Posts: 22,378	If you really like the camera, you can find them starting at around $250 used in EX Condition, including a short term warranty (60 days from invoice date) from a reputable vendor of used gear like keh.com. That may be a better bet compared to repairing a camera that's been well used (since you may have other components that are close to failing, too). Here are some examples: http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/Produ...BCL=&GBC=&GCC= The D70s has a better reputation for reliability (no BGLOD issue). They're a bit more. http://www.keh.com/OnLineStore/Produ...BCL=&GBC=&GCC=

Sep 15, 2009, 8:17 AM	#6
vertigoPT Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lisbon, Portugal Posts: 38	Great tip Jim. I had no idea I could still buy a D70. I really like this camera. I used it a lot on the past 5 years. I would really like to get this problem fixed if it was a cheap fix. I’m waiting for a price drop on the D90 and expect to buy one in the beginning of next year but if I could get my D70 repaired, I could use it at least as a backup body.

Sep 15, 2009, 8:26 AM	#7
JimC Administrator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Savannah, GA (USA) Posts: 22,378	You can probably find them listed at a number of vendors that handle both new and used gear. Here are a couple with great reputations (and I've purchased used gear from both of these vendors before). keh.com usually has the best selection of used gear. http://www.keh.com http://www.bhphotovideo.com Again, the D70 does have a reputation for early failure with what's called BGLOD (Blinking Green Light of Death) by users. So, I'd probably lean towards a newer body if buying used (and I'd make sure to buy from a reputable vendor that carefully inspects used gear and grades it fairly, and offers a short term warranty on used gear).