Nikon D3 - 'Err' flashing on LCD?

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Just bought a 2nd hand D3 from eBay. Waiting for my 50mm to arrive tomorrow, but have given it a bit of a test with no lens.

Basically, it shoots completely fine at full speed...no problems in 'CH' mode.

However, when I shoot a burst in 'CL' mode, it will take a few shots, then stop and 'Err' will flash on the screen.

Did a bit of Googling...looks to be a shutter failure maybe? I dunno...thoughts?

It's got 6 months left on warrenty (although I have no recipt for it, will try and get one from the seller). Also 19,941 shutter actuations.

Anyone know how much a shutter replacement would be for a D3 if I can't use the warrenty (and if I can't return it)?
 
Could it not just be a faulty CF card?
I've had this before with an Ebay "fake" Extreme IV card on a D300; ended up taking about 40 shots, then it packed up!

Gary
 
No, I've tested it with 4 cards, all official SanDisk Extreme III's.

I get the same error when there's no memory card in the camera too.
 
D3 manual says ERR = camera malfunction - I'd get it checked over asap. :(
 
Just bought a 2nd hand D3 from eBay.

It's got 6 months left on warrenty (although I have no recipt for it, will try and get one from the seller).


No it doesn't, Nikon warranties aren't transferable.

If the shutter was failing I would have thought it would be even more likely to show up in CH mode than CL....

Best to wait until you actually have a lens on the camera and can try some real shots before jumping to conclusions ;)
 
Can this not be also linked to build up of static in the camera I had this a while ago on my D200 when I was changing batteries in the grip
 
Camera works great now, I was testing with no lens on before, put my new 50mm on it and it works great! Phew!

I assume it was becuase it was trying to focus...but with no lens had difficulty and gave an error? I dunno...

Flash In The Pan - Oh well...doesn't have the recipt anyway so it's useless. Gonna put it on my insurance so should be alright. Yeah I should have tested it with a lens before making the asumption that it was faulty...seller was a bit worried lol.
 
Oh...and how unbelivable is the D3? I've just been messing around taking stupid photos of stuff in my room and already i'm impressed.

Gonna take a bit of getting used to though, it's such a wierd setup, I don't understand why all the settings (like AF mode, metering, ISO etc) are spread across the camera in random places, makes no sense lol.

So nice having something that's fully weather sealed too. My old 5D's were water magnets, now I don't even have to worrry!
 
wait till you start shooting at high ISO - you'll be blown away.
 
Taking away the faster frame rate,is the D3 worth the extra money over the D700?

If so,could you say why please.

Thanks.
 
I think it is - it is a true pro body and feels great in your hands. Built to take whatever you throw at it day in day out. If you only shoot a few frames a week stay with the D700.
 
The difference is now something like £1300, or nearly another D700, so it'd have to do more than take pictures :naughty:

Thank you Stanley........:thumbs:

So why is the D3 so much more.I honestly am keen to understand why?

Thanks Andrew,is the image quality the same?
 
The sensor in the D700 is identical to that in the D3. No difference in image quality or ISO control.

It costs more becuase it's a professional body, the D700 is semi-professional.

The only reason to buy a D3 over a D700 is if you are:

- A professional sports photographer.
- A professional news / press photographer.
- Some kind of other 'action' photographer.

If you arn't any of those, the D700 is more suited to you (it's smaller, lighter, more managable and cheaper). No point in spending over £1,000 on the D3 if it's not going to benifit you...spend it on lenses instead.
 
Cheers.
 
The sensor in the D700 is identical to that in the D3. No difference in image quality or ISO control.

It costs more becuase it's a professional body, the D700 is semi-professional.

The only reason to buy a D3 over a D700 is if you are:

- A professional sports photographer.
- A professional news / press photographer.
- Some kind of other 'action' photographer.

Just playing devil's advocate here, but any of the above could, as you say, produce the same images from a D700, so there has to be more......;)
 
Just playing devil's advocate here, but any of the above could, as you say, produce the same images from a D700, so there has to be more......;)

true - when I looked AFAIK the differences were

100% viewfinder
Improved frame rate
Ninja Battery
Built in grip
High shutter life
Dual CF cardslots
Better weather sealing

If these are worth a grand to you and they will be for some, then the D3, for me, they weren't so I went for the d700

Hugh
 
true - when I looked AFAIK the differences were

100% viewfinder
Improved frame rate
Ninja Battery
Built in grip
High shutter life
Dual CF cardslots
Better weather sealing

If these are worth a grand to you and they will be for some, then the D3, for me, they weren't so I went for the d700

Hugh

I knew all that, just wanted to see if 8utters did :naughty: :exit:
 
The only reason to buy a D3 over a D700 is if you are:

- A professional sports photographer.
- A professional news / press photographer.
- Some kind of other 'action' photographer.


Professional sport photographer - Many of my colleagues use gripped D700's
Professional News/Press - Many prefer the D700, Dan Chung uses almost exclusively. PA provide D700's to their togs.

I have two D3's so I'm not one to talk but the D700 does 99% of what the D3 does and is just as likely to bounce when you drop it. The two downsides for me were the 95% viewfinder coverage (which is noticeably not as bright as the D3's) and a definite difference in AF speed when in continuous (although Nikon won't agree with that one!).

Both brilliant, brilliant camera's :D
 
Yeah of course you can use a D700 if you are a professional sports, action or news/press photographer, I never suggested you couldn't. It works just as well, it's just a personal decision if you want the extra features of the D3. One of my colegues also uses a D700.

When it comes down to it, you have to decide if you need to spend an extra grand on those features...my point was that only if you are a sports, action or news photographer does it really warrent the extra cash. Otherwise you are just wasting money that could be spend on more kit.
 
Decision made,thanks.
 
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