Request for advice - Nikon 801s mirror locks

Martin Borsje

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Aug 28, 2003, 5:52:49 AM8/28/03

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If have a strange problem with my 801s. After some time not using, after
taking the first picture, the mirror stays in the open position.

When I release the camera again, the mirror falls back in its normal
position, without, as a matter of good luck, making an unexposed picture.

The second picture and on is ok, however, the problem repeats after some
time, which period is getter shorter and shorter to my opinion, and starts
to annoy me.

I did some research on the web some time ago and read some suggestions as:

. it is a software problem and the camera needs to be resetted. Strange
enough the problem was not there when it was new and how to reset it anyhow?
Disconnecting the batteries for a day did not solve the problem.
. you need to insert new fresh batteries. This did not solve the problem as
well
. the grease used in the mirror gears is dried out and needs to be replaced.
Sounds reasonable, but this should not be normal for a Nikon...
. as vibration absorbant a rubber strip is used that catches the mirror when
it falls in the upper position; this material should have developed a kind
of 'stickyness' and sort of glues to the mirror. It felt however quite
normal without being sticky.

Having it checked by the Dutch Nikon importer costs roughly ?/$ 200 some
say, which I consider too high for this nearly vintage camera.

Any ideas or, better, THE solution?

Please reply to my e-mail address (as well), which is, after removing
NOPSPAM, mfNOSPA...@planet.nl

T.I.A.

Martin Borsje
Netherlands.

Jim Nason

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Aug 29, 2003, 9:26:50 PM8/29/03

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On Thu, 28 Aug 2003 10:52:49 +0100, "Martin Borsje"
<geen...@planeet.nl> wrote:

>If have a strange problem with my 801s. After some time not using, after
>taking the first picture, the mirror stays in the open position.
>
>When I release the camera again, the mirror falls back in its normal
>position, without, as a matter of good luck, making an unexposed picture.
>
>

>Martin Borsje
>Netherlands.
>

I think it is batteries or at least a voltage problem.... Batteries
sitting for a while loose energy. I use my F90x with sufficient
regularity that it doesn't suffer from non-use. But it does suffer
from weak battery syndrom. That is if batteries can't deliver
sufficient amperage, the camera does odd things... like lock up after
an exposure, return the mirror, but shut off the meter etc...

I make a practice of replacing the batteries long before the indicator
goes off and before any critical shoot. A small expense for
reliability.

Jim
>

Bushy

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Sep 1, 2003, 7:47:02 AM9/1/03

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I've had the same thing with my old 801s when it runs out of battery. Maybe
you need to clean the battery contacts with a cotton bud and some alcohol.

Are you storing it at a steady temperture? Are the batteries warm if you
live in a cold climate?

Peter

Martin Borsje

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Sep 4, 2003, 4:45:32 PM9/4/03

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i changed batteries and cleaned the contacts but it did not work.

i phoned the dutch nikon service centre and they told me, that if it were
not the batteries the shutter must be replaced at about 150$!!
i wonder how they diagnose that by telephone!

keep on trying!

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