Nikon Coolpix A dead after using Speedlight sb400

garry71

garry71

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Garry
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As above, I was trying out my wife's Speedlight with my Coolpix A. After a few shots, the camera went dead and is now sitting there with the lens sticking out.
Is there a button combination that might wake up a service mode, or similar? I've searched the internet, but can't any anywhere that mentions a dead Coolpix A.

Looked on Nikon support, but drew a blank there as well, and they only seem to cater for repairs to in warranty cameras.

Any help is much appreciated.
Thanks
 
Check the battery contacts, they may need a wipe with a q tip to freshen them up with a bit of alcohol.
 
I've cleaned the contacts with Servisol, but I really don't think it's anything to do with the batteries. It's too much of a coincidence that after 7 years it suddenly dies within 5 minutes of having an external flash connected to it for the very first time.
 
garry71 said:
I've cleaned the contacts with Servisol, but I really don't think it's anything to do with the batteries. It's too much of a coincidence that after 7 years it suddenly dies within 5 minutes of having an external flash connected to it for the very first time.
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I would have expected any Nikon flash to be OK on a Coolpix A. I've used an SB-900 (bigger than the camera :LOL: ) on mine in the past and (touch wood) it still works.
 
A long shot, but it might be worth removing the battery and leaving it out overnight to remove all residual charge in the camera's components.

This may be enough to force a reset when you reconnect the battery.

I've never done this with a camera, but as an electronics engineer I've known it fix problems in many other devices.
 
Have a go at removing the battery and then trying to switch the camera on a few times, press a few other buttons as well and then replace the battery to see if anything has changed.
It doesn't always work but occasionally you can be lucky. :)
 
Thanks for the replies.
I've tried all the suggestions now, and still no change.
I'll contact Nikon and see if they'll take a look at it for me.
 
trevorbray said:
Any news ?
Click to expand...
Nothing much to report yet.
I left the camera without batteries for a few days and then tried it again, but no luck.
I sent Alan Marlow an email tonight, and will see if he thinks it's worth him having a look. If not, I'll try Nikon themselves.
Cheers.
 
Just had a very quick reply:
Hi Garry,
I agree. It sounds very likely that the flash has killed it.
I doubt I could get a circuit board for it. Nikon don't supply parts that need special calibration.
Click to expand...

I'll try Nikon themselves, now.
 
Al1944 said:
Any luck with this?
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It's on its way to Nikon at the moment, only sent it this afternoon. Got a couple of weeks off, so only just now had the chance to sort something out properly.
I'll post an update when I have some definite news about it.
Cheers for asking.
 
Not much of an update, I'm afraid.
I took the parcel to the local UPS drop off point, and it was still sitting there five days later. The bloke in the shop scanned it again to see why it hadn't been picked up. The computer told him it wasn't in his inventory, then it told him the label wasn't valid. Got in touch with UPS who said the label is ok, but they haven't answered my question about whether the camera will actually get there given that thier system is giving contradictory stories about it, so it's back home with me now.
Then I found out this morning that Amex have cancelled Nikon's pre-authorisation to take a payment when they get the camera, so I could have had problems with that if it had gotten there.
Might give it another try in a couple of weeks time.
Cheers.
 
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