BGLOD

[Onyx]

Thanks for the offer Paul, the event has passed (it was on Wed night) - luckily there was a camera man from a local community TV station present at the function that my friend spoke at, and he's kindly agree to send footage to him at cost. So even without stills, all is not lost. What a night it was too...

Anyway, let's keep this thread back to BGLOD. Maxwell promised a 10-14 day turnaround. I'm realistically expecting it back in 2006.

[wendellt]

Thanks for the offer Paul, the event has passed (it was on Wed night) - luckily there was a camera man from a local community TV station present at the function that my friend spoke at, and he's kindly agree to send footage to him at cost. So even without stills, all is not lost. What a night it was too...

Anyway, let's keep this thread back to BGLOD. Maxwell promised a 10-14 day turnaround. I'm realistically expecting it back in 2006.

sorry to hear about your camera dying, if i had the time i would of shot your event for you, ,otherwise you could of borrowed my camera under my supervision.

[birddog114]

,otherwise you could of borrowed my camera under my supervision.

No one does this way Wendellt

[johndec]

,otherwise you could of borrowed my camera under my supervision.

No one does this way Wendellt

I couldn't have put it any better myself ...

[birddog114]

The spirit of this small community never had or will ever never have some actions like that. The generosity is always flowing with full steam to support our fellow member, when someone needs a hand.

[MCWB]

With all due respect, it's Wendell's camera and it's his choice what he does with it, not ours. Whatever anyone else thinks (and I do have my own thoughts on it) it is irrelevant and inappropriate for them to be aired in public IMO. Just a thought.

[big pix]

now reported on a D70s......... but is it the same fault??????......

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readf ... d=16082791

[wendellt]

The spirit of this small community never had or will ever never have some actions like that. The generosity is always flowing with full steam to support our fellow member, when someone needs a hand.

I was just being cheeky, if chi needs my D2X i will give it to him to problem that night he rang me but i was engaged at another event, I will make it up to him somehow

ah taken out of context yet again, so goes the life of the dslrusers.net whipping boy...

[Onyx]

/me does a little dance.

Yay I got my D70 back! And just like the last time I sent my D70 into Maxwell, it's mysteriously fixed and ready for collection 1 day following a phone call to them.

Fixed at no charge - this was a Malaysian purchased one, with 700xxx serial number, I thought they'd kick up a fuss about not servicing grey market cameras (like they warned me beforehand), but I was wrong.

Excellent work done by the technicians, sensor cleaned as a bonus... but I gained an extra dust particle on the inside window of the top LCD. Ferk, I guess I'll have to live with it. I don't wanna be without a camera again if I can help it...

There's been so many missed opportunities already in these past weeks, especially yesterday at the FBI School of Design's fashion shoot. Wardrobe malfunction at its finest and nobody captured it!

[avkomp]

onyx:
glad you got your baby back. I dont take that many images but knowing I can when I choose is important.
I can imagine being without mine.
hope I avoid the bglod. I didnt avoid the battery issue, but maxwell did a great job of getting me a replacement.

steve

[harlequin]

New member Harlequin - South Africa : The Blinking Green Light of Death experienced 2 months ago - big fright. Nikon SA repaired without waranty - within 24 hours !! According to tech team it is well known issue - and repair is automatic. No more issues after Nikon visit.

The Blinking Green Light Of Death has been reported by a few members with a D70 here, as well as a number of people on DPR.

Maxwells seem to be of the attitude that they'll fix this issue under warranty if it's a known issue. This is good, and I think we need to be prepared to help them if necessary.

What I would like to have in this thread is for members who have been affected by this issue - and only those affected members - to just note that they were affected by it, and how the issue was addressed.

No other comments are necessary - indeed, I'll probably delete them. I just want to build up a sampling of affected users that might be able to be used to demonstrate - if required - the extent of the problem.

For the record, my D70 has not (as yet) been affected by this issue.

Thanx y'all.

[Manta]

Welcome Harlequin!

Pleased you had what looks like an extremely favourable outcome to a situation that has caused some of our members many sleepless nights.

[sirhc55]

Welcome harlequin - it would seem that SA has a better service than AU

[Nnnnsic]

Welcome harlequin - it would seem that SA has a better service than AU

Would that surprise you?

[rdv]

Hi everybody

I have just stumbled across the forum and happily registered. I came across this BGLoD post and I must admit this is the first time I have ever heard of it, even if it is by the sounds of it rather common. So please excuse my ignorance but what is it, what does it mean? I have a nikon D70 that I bought in Madrid, Spain while travelling Europe in October 04 and it has worked like a dream. Now I am worried that maybe there should be something I should be worrying about

[Nnnnsic]

Doubtful.

This problem affects the really early models, and yours, fortunately, isn't that early.

Had you bought it 5 or 6 months prior, I'd have said otherwise.

[genji]

doh....

cursed BGLoD has affected my D70.

camera clinic in melb estimate 4 weeks for parts to become available. appearantly part is in 'shortage'.

nothing to do but sit and twiddle my thumb!

[avkomp]

I would have thought 4 weeks to be unreasonable considering that this is a well known issue.
maybe they should loan you a d2x whilst you wait.

[Ben]

I think I have been stung with the BGLOD and timing could not have been more perfect. Not only do I have to photograph the installation of a whole lot of new stuff into my car for our big trip in 5 days but we leave on said trip in 8 days. And to top it off it is a Sunday so noone wants to answer there phone. 10 months around Australia with at least 6-9 months planning and this happens 1 week before we leave....

Ben

[radar]

Bugger

If you need to borrow a camera for a few days, you are welcome to come and get mine for a day or two, if that would help, just PM me.

André

[rdv]

I think I jinxed myself by reading this post. Everything was fine until then. I THINK I have the dreaded thing now. There are times when I turn the camera on and the green light just sits there blinking at me. Sometimes the number of remaining shots shows up on the top lcd, others it doesn't. I find that if I take the battery out and leave it for a few minutes then put it back in that it only fixes the problem sometimes. The thing is that if you leave it long enough that it works again. I also noticed that with the SB800, if you turn the flash on before the camera that the camera will not work and I get the green blinking light. Is this normal or just coincidence? Is this the dreaded GBLOD? If so can anyone tell me where the best place to take it for repairs in Brisbane? Should I be charged for this because by the look Nikon has fixed a lot of instances out of warranty at no cost.

Thanks in advance and anticipation

[big pix]

Andersons......... 14 Merritt Street Capalaba Ph:0732456444

[Onyx]

rdv, the faults you reported sounds similiar to what I experienced a few days before mine fell into a full blown coma. In my case, I had the remaining shot counter displaying a number when the CF card was pulled out, random blinks that were apparently 'fixed' by battery removal and re-insertion, but it wasn't long before it was completely dead.

I would be very surprised if you were charged for repairs, as it's well documented via an international service advisory by Nikon.

[belle]

Argh, the dreaded BGLOD has also appeared on my old faithful D70, I think it's trying to tell me something because I was about to give it to my father in exchange for a D200 (quite a nice deal I might add, I don't even believe it myself but he offered)!

I've had my D70 since June 2004 and it has withstood around 15000 shots and a life of abuse but why oh why did it decide to fail now? I guess it's just Murphy doing his job with me after he finished with Onyx.

Guess it's time for a fix, I was going to get a service anyway before I made the trade but now i have a valid reason.

[Ben]

Just a follow up to my earlier post. I experienced the problem and rang Maxwell two days later ( a Monday) and was put through to Simon the service manager. I explain to him that I am about to head off around
Oz for 12 months and needed the camera repaired ASAP. He offered to do a same day repair if I got it down to him. Two days later I took it to Sydney (from Newcastle) and after three hours had my camera back minus the blinking light and after a general grease and oil ready to hit the road. No complaints from me.

Ben

[Matt. K]

Ben
It,s good to hear a positive tale involving Maxwells. I had a similar experience. They can be very good sometimes. By the way, I just checked your avatar...your moisturiser is letting you down.

[TimH]

Tim Hatu, Sydney.

Bought camera in March 2004. No probs till this morning when the BGLOD problem occured.

After some searching, I learned that it is a known problem then I found this site and what a relief it was to learn that Maxwell repairs this problem free of charge.

Will conact Maxwell on Monday and hopefully get it repaired ASAP as I am heading to Bahrain for the F1 in a bit over 2 weeks and I MUST have my D70. I hope they have the needed spare parts

Will report back.

Great site BTW, I shall have a browse

[avkomp]

welcome to the site Tim, will be interesting to see how you get on.

Steve

[TimH]

Contacted Maxwell yesterday (Monday) and was told to drop the camera in for repair "as warranty" work.

Got to Maxwell in the afternoon, explained the problem which they immediately knew about. Told it would take 4 weeks, asked that if it could be done any quicker as I am heading overseas in 2 weeks, they checked a few things and told me yep it should be ready in a week.

I must say that Maxwell have great customer service, not just because they try to help their customers but they seem to be friendly and cheerful too.

I'll report back when I hear from them.

Cheers

[fozzie]

Well I am the latest victim

I delivered the D70 to Nikon's Agent in Adelaide this morning, and status confirmed. Hopefully left for Maxwell's today, and to be repaired at no charge. Estimated time for repair 4-6 weeks:

Adelaide Technical Camera Service
Level 1
Unit 2
163 Halifax Street
Adelaide

Contact: Hajime Hiijima
Tel: 8224 0321
Mob: 0400 289 879

Just for a bit of history, I purchased the camera on the 9th May 2004.

For the benefit of other D70 users in SA, I will edit this post when any information is received ie. return date or delay due to something.

Fortunately I have another digital body to use in the meantime.

[shaunus]

fozzie,

i just got my D70 back yesterday after 8 weeks with the same problem, i also had the bottom case replaced after a little tumble i had on a road.

works fine now, fully cleaned and firmware upgrade and its good to have back.

[TimH]

Got an SMS from Maxwell that my camera was ready and I picked it up yesterday. Totally satisfied with the service and the 3 day turnaround

Work was under warranty and they replaced the light measuring fpc unit. They also cleaned it.

Happy again!

Thanks again for this forum

[Killakoala]

Funny thing happened to me.

I had the 'other' warranty issue, the CHA or FOR error when i turn the camera on so i planned to take the D70 to Maxwells this morning. SOOooOO, i chucked a CF card in it this morning to see if it would emulate the problem when i got to the shop and guess what????? the BGLOD..... So my D70 has BOTH warranty problems...bugger!!!!

Also told it will take FOUR BLOODY WEEKS to fix. Damnit.. Lucky it's only my backup.

Now all i need is for my D2H to suffer it's potential exposure issue and i'll be screwed. Irony sucks.

[birddog114]

Killakoala,
Tell them you earn for your living from the D70 and they will do it quick.

[birddog114]

My D2h was picked up by me this morning due to my previously guessing:
"meter failure" at Cataract Dam meet.
But it's not, see the following lines:

- VBA10301-1C998-448 Grip Rubber
- VBA10301-1C998-574 Pentaprism FPC
Comment:
Dismantled camera and replaced listed part.
Reassembled and calibrated AE and Metering functions
Check and test.

So it's not the metering issues but the Pentaprism FPC.

Surprised me alot.

[Killakoala]

That is surprising. Makes me wonder how a pentaprism could become faulty. At least you've got it back now. That's the main thing.

[huynhie]

That is surprising. Makes me wonder how a pentaprism could become faulty. At least you've got it back now. That's the main thing.

Suprised me as well, as the camera was always exposing 5 stops over at Cateract dam.

[birddog114]

That is surprising. Makes me wonder how a pentaprism could become faulty. At least you've got it back now. That's the main thing.

Suprised me as well, as the camera was always exposing 5 stops over at Cateract dam.

Yeah! I was sure, it's the meter, but I asked they said, nothing wrong with the meter and only the pentaprism.
I'll make it working hard this week end or asking Wendell do me a favour.

[digitor]

Well I am the latest victim

Oh no, I'm just waiting for mine to pop its clogs now - as far as I know fozzie, our D70s came from the same batch, I got mine in the last week of April 2004. Knowing Murphy, it'll probably cark it just as we leave for HK in about 3 weeks

Cheers

[fozzie]

digitor - I will keep my fingers crossed for you. Sincerely hope you and Vicki have a great holiday in HK

Well I am the latest victim

Oh no, I'm just waiting for mine to pop its clogs now - as far as I know fozzie, our D70s came from the same batch, I got mine in the last week of April 2004. Knowing Murphy, it'll probably cark it just as we leave for HK in about 3 weeks

Cheers

[Killakoala]

I bought mine in April 2004 as well.

[birddog114]

We should call it: " The bloody April 04"

[curly]

 AAAAaaahhhhh... BGLOD has struck half way through a concert tonight. Wildly erratic metering (1/5000 at f22) in a darkened room with a black backdrop then it flicked all over the place and locked up. Had to pop the battery to turn it off. Have been getting some pretty odd metering at times lately but put it down to a failure in the nut behind the viewfinder.

Bought it off a friend of my daughter so don't know when she bought it originally but that doesn't really matter as it's stuffed anyway.

Hello... Maxwells? Guess what!

[marcotrov]

Sorry to hear it Curly. It worked bloody fine when you were up here
I'm starting to touch every piece of wood I can lay my hands on with all these D70's gonig down with the dreaded BGLOD. Wonder if there is a pattern to how they were used before the BGLOD attack.
Hope it works out for you
cheers
marco

[birddog114]

AAAAaaahhhhh... BGLOD has struck half way through a concert tonight. Wildly erratic metering (1/5000 at f22) in a darkened room with a black backdrop then it flicked all over the place and locked up. Had to pop the battery to turn it off. Have been getting some pretty odd metering at times lately but put it down to a failure in the nut behind the viewfinder.

Bought it off a friend of my daughter so don't know when she bought it originally but that doesn't really matter as it's stuffed anyway.

Hello... Maxwells? Guess what!

Sorry to hear that curly!
Will talk to you today at BH about fixing it for you.
Bring your D70 along and give it to me, I'll take care of it.

[curly]

Thanks Marco, you read about all the others and start to wonder when will it be my turn. Still it's happened to a lot of people and all seem to have been resolved satisfactorily if sometimes a bit slowly.

[gstark]

Curly,

That's exactly the problem I had with mine. Crazy metering, but Maxwell's fixed it pronot. Right on two weeks, IIRC.

[marcotrov]

That's interesting Gary as just recently I have noticed, only has happened 1 or 2 times but whilst metering all of a sudden i have noticed a small, not big say between 2 thirds and a full stop, spike in exposure and only momentarily before taking the shot. Is the metering error a prelude to the dreaded BGLOD I won't panic as the camera still returns exposures as I have metered. If it does strike I hope it does so after I get my D200 Thank god (or whomever ) that Nikon are committed to the fix free of charge, well I suppose freight in mt case will be my charge.
cheers
marco

[gstark]

Marco,

Keep a close eye on the exposure readings that you're getting. You'll see that (if it's BGLOD) they're wildly erratic. I was seeing readings that were quite obviously nowehere near the mark: 1/4000 @ f/11 for indoors shots under available light, for instance.

[curly]

Marco & Gary. That's exactly what was happening to me & then last night KAPOW.

You get virtually no warning when it's going to total itself but all the warning signs are there Marco... sorry