An idiot with a Nikon D90 'ERR' code...

[Dominic H]

Morning all.
I'm on holiday and have taken my Nikon D90 (with kit 18-105mm lens). It has just starting displaying a flashing 'ERR' code on the display panel. The resultant images are massively over lit, like this.



Google suggests a problem with the lens/body interface. A quick inspection and shutter actuation with the lens off, and this 2cm piece of plastic of plastice was spat out of the camera.



This has broken off the lens bayonet fitting by the aperture lever, so I'm guessing that the camera/lens cannot adjust the aperture and is letting too much light in, right?

Can I very carefully glue the broken piece of plastic back in place, and will this correct what looks to be a physical problem. Or do I need to have the camera returned to Nikon.

I'm on holiday, other that a couple of iphones this is our only camera. Help will be greatly accepted....

D

[Simpo Two]

Looks like the lens is stuck at max aperture. I've never heard of a bit of plastic falling off before though. Is it one of the three flanges that hold the lens on? - If so it's unlikely to glue back on well enough.

If the lens is under warranty get it fixed; if not you have nothing to lose by trying yourself, or it may be worth sending it to somewhere like Fixation for a quote - maybe the whole rear section can be replaced fairly easily.

[Dominic H]

Simpo Two said:

Looks like the lens is stuck at max aperture. I've never heard of a bit of plastic falling off before though. Is it one of the three flanges that hold the lens on? - If so it's unlikely to glue back on well enough.

If the lens is under warranty get it fixed; if not you have nothing to lose by trying yourself, or it may be worth sending it to somewhere like Fixation for a quote - maybe the whole rear section can be replaced fairly easily.

Thanks John, yes it is one of the three plastic flanges. The camera is 2 yrs old, so I can stomach a service bill. Can the rear section of the lens be replaced?

I'm stuck here with a camera at full aperture. So my options are to work around this and take potluck with my shots, or glue the piece back into place and hope the repair holds until I get back.

Any tips as to how I can work around max aperture, or am I screwed?

Thanks for your advice!

D

[Simpo Two]

Dominic H said:

Thanks John, yes it is one of the three plastic flanges. The camera is 2 yrs old, so I can stomach a service bill. Can the rear section of the lens be replaced?

I'm not familiar with that lens so can't say. See if you can spot any tiny screws around the base area, which might hint at a removeable mount section.

Look through the lens and work the little lever - does it stop down?

Dominic H said:

I'm stuck here with a camera at full aperture. So my options are to work around this and take potluck with my shots, or glue the piece back into place and hope the repair holds until I get back.

I'm not sure why, even with a section of the bayonet missing, the camera isn't operating the lever that controls the iris. Does the lens seem fully attached? If it's 'hanging off' a bit at one side maybe if you hold it in place with a spare hand it will work the lever? Dunno!

Failing that all you can do is lower ISO as much as possible/shoot manual and select a fast shutter speed.

[jt racing]

I know from my experience in the shop over here in ireland, it's fierce easy to break those plastic bits on the bayonette. I've seen a few. Over here it's about €100 to get nikon uk to fix it, after sterling, post each way.

[ian in lancs]

Having broken off, probably due to a side impact, the flange will not go back on. A new mount can be bought as a spare but its quite difficult to fit. I know I tried with a 18-105mm. The error code is the contacts on the lens / body not contacting.

The camera will be OK, the lens is repairable but as its a kit lens not economical. In short buy a new lens. You could see if MBP will send out a s/h lens to you direct. ETA they have 3 for £149. New they're £180+

It might be possible to hold the lens tightly against the body/lens flange and still use it until you get another lens.

Edited by ian in lancs on Sunday 22 July 17:16

[Simpo Two]

If a new lens is on the cards then choose one with a metal mount

[Dominic H]

Simpo Two said:

If a new lens is on the cards then choose one with a metal mount

You could well be right, which series of lenses should I be looking at?

ian in lancs said:

Having broken off, probably due to a side impact, the flange will not go back on. A new mount can be bought as a spare but its quite difficult to fit. I know I tried with a 18-105mm. The error code is the contacts on the lens / body not contacting.

The camera will be OK, the lens is repairable but as its a kit lens not economical. In short buy a new lens. You could see if MBP will send out a s/h lens to you direct. ETA they have 3 for £149. New they're £180+

It might be possible to hold the lens tightly against the body/lens flange and still use it until you get another lens.

Got the lens and wedged in with a good contact, just treating the whole thing with kid gloves until I get it repaired or replaced. It's about time I started using the camera properly and buy some decent lenses.

Could be the kick up the ass I need...

Thanks for your help everyone...

[ian in lancs]

I dropped my 300s and 18-105 in the ice and snapped the lens off as you have. For the rest of the trip I could still take pics as long as I held it in place.

As for another lens I ended up replacing it - for the price / range its the best walkabout lens.

[Simpo Two]

Dominic H said:

You could well be right, which series of lenses should I be looking at?

I don't think it goes by 'series', but plastic mounts will be the preserve of the budget end so you just need to dig deeper