I went to use my D2x today and everything seemed normal except there are no images recorded to the memory card. I checked everything, there are no error messages. After waiting for Nikon support for 20min, twice, I decided to reload the 2.00 firmware. That went ok but, still no images. Anyone have a suggestion?

Bummer. I guess the first obvious thing you've probably already tried is using a different, fresh formatted card. And second might be double-checking your viewing software setup to make sure there really aren't any images.

Can you see anything in the LCD when you hit Playback?

Does the camera notice the card (give you a read on shots remaining) or does it think it is shooting empty?

Aside from the above types of fiddling and maybe a camera reset I can't think of any magic "please record images" setting that might be off.--David

Thanks David,

Images on the card before today are there and viewable.

The EXIF data for the images is recorded, but no image.

The camera recognizes the card and shows the current card info.

I forgot how to do a master reset and the D2x manual does not reference it.

Doesn't sound good. Might as well try the "2-button reset" (WB & ISO I think, the two green buttons? I don't have my D2X here to look at right now), but I'm not optimistic. Sounds like it could need some service help.

You can do the thing where you pull all the batteries, drain the capacitor & "re-boot" but I'm not seeing that being helpful here either.--David

What format image are you shooting? Change to jpg and try or change to nef and try.

Billy,

Had already tried the switch to jpg, tiff, and back to RAW...no joy.

David,
Thanks for the reset info. Silly me, I thought if you wanted to find info about reset, you should look in the index under RESET, but good ol' Nikon put it under TWO-BUTTON RESET. If you did not know it took two buttons, you're screwed.

Anyway, I'll contact Nikon tomorrow, when I hope the "A" team is on and see if they have any advise. Meanwhile, I always have the D3x that I decided not to use for this project to save shutter activations.

This is just an idea, but make sure to check all of the camera settings, including exposure mode, compensation, etc., dismount and re-mount the lens, and/or try other lenses. I've seen it happen, once or twice on other cameras, that something mis-set or malfunctioning will cause the lens to stop down completely and what you will get is a very dark, if not black, frame. You said there were no images on the card but there are files being created which give you exif data - have you checked the exif data to see what shutter speed/aperture/metering mode is being recorded? You might find some answers there? Other than that, and what has previously been suggested, it sounds like a trip to nikon service is in order.

I have never owned a D2x, but my old D70 sometimes played crazy and i found just taking out the battery for a few minutes often solved the problem.


Since it's so easy, i thought it might be worth a try

Achim--I sure remember that with my D1 & D1X/H too, especially in the wind--we figured it was static electricity funking them out.

Weldon--Great point about the dark images. It does seem like the lens can get "stuck" closed (scared me when it happened when I unboxed my D700, but cleared up right away in my case). I've had the meter get wonky the other way on various cameras also, where everything was over-exposed until re-mounting the lens or whatever. Let's hope it's something simple like that, although it sounds like John has gone through most of the possible home remedies--David

I even pulled the lens and exposed the sensor directly on bulb and still had a black image.

Thanks to all for the suggestions.

John--That sounds pretty grim. Out of curiousity are the image files the full size (e.g. it's writing data but it is all 0/black) or are they runt files? Not that it will make any difference to whether it has to be serviced, but like I said, I am curious.--David

Files are a full 18mb for a RAW image. No histogram, not even a flat line. I'm guessing a buffer issue or a bad sensor.

Let's hope it is something as "simple" as a loose connection or maybe the buffer, as replacing the sensor might cost you nearly as much as the aftermarket value of the camera.--David

Well if it's a sensor, I would be very disappointed as the camera has less than 7k activations.

John--For good or bad, I'm not sure the sensor really is that affected by activation count. The shutter sure is since it is a moving part, but I tend to think of the sensor as more like RAM or a flash card. So newer is better, but I don't think they ever "have to" fail or wear out. If anyone does have data on sensor life I'd be curious.--David

You're probably right, David. Like most solid state devices, the either fail soon after activation or run. I'll contact Nikon soon, and if they have no suggestions, it will be of for repair today.

Received and estimate from Nikon today for $387.50. The problen is that it does not tell me what the failure is, only a repair ranking of B2. When I called Nikon Customer Service, I was told that the estimate is based on the information I provided and that the camera is not "touched" until I approve the estimate. When I offered the hypothesis that I might be the dumbest person in the world and gave them the wrong information, what would they do when they found something else was wrong? He offered no response.

As a former owner of a electronics service company, I was shocked by this shotgun approach of Nikons'.

Am I expecting too much in today's world?

John,

I am at Nikon Service often. It seems that I always have something that is in service or needs service. Finally I have accepted the "flat rate" repair policy they cling to. The big advantage of using Nikon is that they do stand behind their repairs for 6 months. If something else goes wrong they have historically fixed the additional problem without charge if it is sent in within the 6 month period.

Nikon has screwed up on occasion and it takes multiple times at the service desk to have things rectified. The bottom line here is that Nikon has always rectified the problem at no additional charge to me.

I agree with you that the flat rate appears pricey a lot of the time. A yearly clean and auto focus adjust is a B2 repair and pushes near $400. In the last year alone I have spent over $3,200 repairing my Nikon gear.

I suppose that what we must remember is that the service center is a profit center for Nikon. Nikon's corporate base cost is just higher than we would like it to be.

Good luck with your camera. It will come back better than new.

Thanks Rick,

I'm simply trying to understand what went wrong with this camera that has less than 7k of exposures. I guess, based on your comments, that it must be minor...but how minor? I have this fundamental belief that when it's my money, I have a right to know!

John--I can see why Nikon does things this way and actually I think it often tends to work in the customers favor. One reason is what Rick mentioned where they stand behind their work.

Another reason is that in my experience once they have stuck an estimate on the service order they stick with it even if the gear needs a more serious repair.

For example I've had a "B" category repair turn out to need a new shutter (typically a more expensive "C" repair). But they replaced the shutter as part of the repair at no additional cost to me. This has happened a few times.

The first "clue" is often on the completed service order where they aill list in a great deal more detail what they actually did to the camera (at that time is probably also the best time to try and call in and talk to the tech about what they found).

FWIW, unless it was something you could fix yourself the price you got is about as low as they go for any real repair on a D-SLR, so aside from not satisfying your curiousity you may be getting a great deal (if it needs a new shutter or sensor) and a "not bad" deal if it needs anything less.

Sometimes I think they do this when they "feel bad" about something like having to replace the shutter after not that many activations. They might not say under warranty or do it for free but it seems like they soemtimes lowball the repair.

CAVEAT: I have read stories (perhaps even posts here) where I think I recall people getting a changed estimate after the camera is actually opened. That has never happened to me, but I wanted to point out that it's not like they guarantee the estimate in writing. It just seems to be their policy to stick with it once they make it.

In any case if you do get it fixed I'll be curious what winds up on the final repair order & whether you find any more specifics from calling them at that point.--David

Thank you, David, for your thoughts. I'm just mind blocked on the whole process of providing a repair estimate without ever touching the camera; relying solely on my description of the failure. That is, at least, my understanding based on my conversation with a Nikon CSR.

Having owned a consumer electronics repair company that functioned on the belief that each customer problem/product is unique, I believe that the Nikon policy serves the best interest of neither.

John--I'm not sure the CSR's description of the process is entirely accurate. I think they do a little more than that (like actually verify that it doesn't record images). What they don't do is actually open stuff up (the expensive part) until the repair is a go. But I guess that's just always been my assumption based on experience--where in many cases the estimate indicates that they have done their homework. For example I've sent in a body saying "AF issues" and gotten back "Impact Damage, bent lens mount, ..." with the estimate.--David

One thing that I've not seen mentioned in this thread (though maybe I missed it) is what I've always sort of assumed - There is probably not a lot that the Nikon tech's haven't seen and I'd bet they usually have a pretty good idea of what the problem is based on the customers description and a quick look at the item. Also, I've always understood that the initial estimate is just that - an estimate. While most of the work I've had them do has been under warranty, I did have them revise their initial estimate on at least one occasion after they got further into the lens(in this case) I submitted for repair.

What the initial estimate does, I suppose, is get a commitment for a minimum expected payment before they invest too much tech time. More often than not, the charges do not exceed the initial estimate. Where parts are not involved or perhaps are minimal, I'd expect the much of the estimate is probably based on a per hour rate billed in minimum units (per hour or half-hour, for instance) - which may explain why a lot of different type of repairs seem to cost about the same. But this is just my own speculation based on the way I've seen other businesses charge for similar types of services.

It is sometimes frustrating that Nikon isn't more forthcoming with regard to the precise nature of most repairs and adjustments, but I can sort of understand their wanting to keep some things under wraps.

FWIW estimates seem to come in a small number of possible sizes. B1, B2 and C are the ones I remember seeing the most often. I presume these do equate roughly to some number of hours or hours plus parts (C is a major repair like a shutter, B2 tends to include impact damage, lens mount warps, etc., and B1 is most stuff that is less than that). They don't ever seem to try to itemize the actual exact parts replaced or time spent exactly.--David

In the past I had dealt with the head of Melville service, who has since retired. I spoke today with his replacement's assistant who seemed to understand my position and is going to have the camera looked at and call me back with any additional info that may provide. Progress!

I received a call from Nikon today. I was told they disassembled the camera and determined that the CCD had failed. They also told me that this was a level 3 repair, but they would repair the camera for the original level 2 repair cost. As the technician was told to leave the camera open, I was told, that if approved, the repair would be completed in 1 to 2 days. I agreed and provided Nikon with payment information.
This worked out great. I am satisfied that I made an informed decision and Nikon proved that they still are a first class company that does respond to individual concerns.

John--Awesome that it worked out well. I do wonder what would have happened if you hadn't called & talked to several people. Would they still have stuck with the original estimate or sent you a new one for the $1400 that a CCD can cost on a D2X (or at least that is what it used to).--David

I received the camera, from Nikon, today.

The repair invoice notes:
- Repl image sensor
- repl memory compression
- Chkd Auto Focus Operation
- Chkd Meter accuracy
General Check and Clean

A few quick shots confirmed operation. I shoot some color/focus patterns over the next couple of days.

I'm not clear on what "memory compression" means.

A note of appreciation to all who posted their thoughts/suggestions.