Nikon battery recall hits D100, D70, D50
posted Nov 9th 2005 11:10AM
If you own a Nikon D50, D70 or D100, run, don't walk, to, um,
Nikon's web site and find out if you're eligible for a replacement battery under the company's recall program.
According to Nikon, some EN-EL3 Li-ion batteries can "experience a short circuit causing it to overheat and possibly
melt, posing a potential hazard to consumers" (which leads us to wonder whether the scare over exploding Nikon
batteries from a couple of months back is really just due
to cheap knockoffs, as was reported at the time). Nikon, of course, is quick to point out that only four incidents have
been reported worldwide, and nobody has been injured, but it looks like the company is trying to get out in front of
this one. Another word of warning: the defective battery packs are still being sold (nice going, Nikon), so make sure
to check out the info on Nikon's web site and take it with you if you're in the market for a new Nikon digicam or spare
battery.
[Via AnandTech]
And it's so nice of Nikon to essentially ensure that everyone has to buy another spare battery before they can get their defective battery replaced. The return process will take, and I'm paraphrasing here, 5 to 10 days from receipt and verification (with no notice of how long that takes) but may take considerably longer if they're busy. So if you're like me and need to have two batteries around at all times, you have to buy another spare, send in the first one, wait however long to get the replacement, then rinse and repeat.
And possibly do it a third time with your spare since they haven't pulled them all from the distribution chain.
It's possible that there's no other way for them to accomplish it, but in my mind its a better bet not to bother. They could have at least set up a network of Nikon retailers in the states who could do the exchange at a POS rather than a nebulous time frame of 5 - 10 days (plus the shipping to and from Europe).
Crap! I have a D100 with 2 batteries and I just came back from a short trip in which I took many pictures (1 sample below). Guess I should check out both batteries ASAP!
http://www.eternal-champions.com/images/MarriotResort_StKitts.jpg
this is pretty unbelievable. I have a d70 and two batteries, but find that unless I am shooting long exposure timelapse, the performance of just one battery is amazing.
I bought the EH-5 AC adapter (70 bucks!!!!) for the D70 so I could do long exposure stuff, but last week it got really hot and started blinking (internal meltdown?). after contacting nikon about it I sent it in for replacement. so- look for a recall on those in the future as well.
my confidence in Nikon's power source electronics is waning. are they cheaping out on manufacturing or something?
AND I think they should institute an advance swap program- many companies do this. it probably involves a lot more paperwork, but would prevent buying more [possibly] defective stuff while you wait for replacements.
(and I wish I were on St Kitts right now)
I'll have to check my D50 battery serial when I get home. It's most likely in that group though. It seems to me that Nikon could just send the battery replacement with the prepaid envelope. Not only would it save the consumers a ton of hassle but it would cut their freight costs in half. I suppose they might have their reasons.
Also, that place is beautiful Frankenstein Black! I hope you don't mind if I use that photograph for my desktop for a little while.
Update: I checked the battery that came with the D50 I purchased in September and it does not fall into the recalled batteries. For whatever reason, Nikon printed the batch number in black on a black battery.
I'm with Jase, TWO WEEKS with no batteries!?!? What am I supposed to shoot with in the meantime? I sure ain't buying another battery so I can exchange it, too!
Man, this Nikon D70 has pissed me off already by not working with the rest of my Nikon gear (That my Fuji S2 doesn't complain about) and now they're not even doing an advance replacement?
I am not pleased with Nikon right now.
You DO NOT have to return yours before getting a new battery. I checked my D70 battery and its on the list. You have the option of sending yours first, but they will send you one first pending a credit card number, which will only be used if you don't return the old one.
As Kamen said you can receive the replacement battery before returning the defective battery if you provide a CC number. The card will be charged if you don't return the battery within 30 days of receipt. So you get a spare for 30days, plus the replacement battery is the newer, better, EN-EL3a or even newer, even better EN-EL3e.
Actually they said the replacement could be one of EN-EL3, EN-EL3a or EN-EL3e.
My D50 that was bought back in September had a 44ac, so its going back.
Ok I'm safe. The 2 batteries that I have are made in Japan. Here is a quote from Nikon's web site; "EN-EL3 battery packs marked "made in Japan" are not affected by this recall." Hey Frank Black nice picture. I was in St. Kitts not to long ago and the beaches there are awesome! Can’t wait to go back!