D800E rattle

D900E

Hopefully I don't open an opened door, my apologies if so, didn't see any thread on rattling.

Just got a new D800E, after over a year waiting for the AF issue to be solved. I haven't took a single picture yet as I found that the camera makes a loud rattle noise when shaken. It has a sound of glass and metal and apparently it comes from the inside or from the viewfinder. For sure it doesn't come from the flash (the noise is there even when popped up) or from the strap triangles.

Does yours rattle? Neither Nikon nor B&H said it is normal, so I don't know if I should start testing the AF or return it for an exchange before it is too late.

Any advice? Thanks.

JakesGT

This may sound silly, but when I received my f100, the focus screen wasn't in place and made a rattle too. I would take off the body cap and check that first

D900E

I should have used the search rather than just visually looking at the threads as there are some on rattle :-)

What I found is only related to flash, anyway. Part of the noise comes from there too, the rest from inside.
I had an F2 and on that one I could remove the top of the camera, can't do that on the D800E, or are you talking of the front cap when there is no lens mounted? I did remove the lens and no change with the rattle. Can't see anything moving in the mirror area; with no lens I am also concerned for dust entering inside.
Maybe if I start shooting will discover that all photos are blue or red or black :-)

JakesGT

The cap when no lens is mounted. Open it up, look up above the mirror and make sure there isn't a clearish plastic plate dislodged. And I wouldn't worry about dust, taking the cap off to look inside is no different than changing lenses

flx11e

I don't have a D800E, but my D300 rattles, a little less when the flash is popped up, and I understand it is the pendulum in the orientation sensor. Perhaps the same with the D800E?

Fred_B

My D800 does rattle a little (It's the flash on mine). The flash can rattle quite loudly and it does have a rather metallic high pitch "tink" sound to it. If the focus screen is loose it would probably fall down and effect the images. The catch that holds the screen up is sprung to keep it from moving around.

Unless it's really bad Nikon is likely to give the Mercedes response "Yup, It'll do that."

cowleystjames

Look here: http://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/comment/32462#Comment_32462
I had the same problem and fixed it myself after Nikon weren't interested...

D900E

I checked and rechecked: there is nothing loose, the focusing screen is in place and doesn't seem to move.
The flash of my D300s doesn't make any noise. If it really comes from there on mine up or down makes no difference. Yes, Nikon suggested to send it in "for an evaluation" - at my expenses of course, and if the problem is the flash they won't do a thing.
I have had the camera for a week now with mounted a 24 mm f/1.4 and even tried to take a shot, I have only 3 weeks to perform the AF test (which actually concerns me more than the rattle) and eventually return it to B&H, can't send it to Nikon even if they "fixed" it in a day.

Thanks to all.

D900E

Hi Cowleystjames, I did see your notes and can only congratulate you for the job done. It is a very delicate work and I don't want to risk doing it because if I break something and the AF doesn't work then I can't return it.

cowleystjames

It's very frustrating having this rattle, my dealer tried other cameras and they all exhibited the same or worse rattle. Didn't feel Nikon would do anything as it seems to be a common issue with the D800 and E.
So I had the choice of putting up with it or trying to resolve it myself, well you know the way I went and it was such a simple fix.
Don't understand why Nikon couldn't resolve this problem Didn't have it on the D7100 and my friends D600 doesn't do it.
My D4 doesn't either! There's a simple answer why that doesn't do it though )

spraynpray

Why do you say you 'even tried' to take a shot'? Doesn't it work? You also say neither Nikon or B&H say it is normal so why don't you return it for exchange?

JakesGT

Glue the flash in place. Problem solved

D900E

You guys were all right: IT WAS THE FLASH, I couldn't believe it!
It would have cost me time and money to ship it to Nikon, they were willing to evaluate it but said that if the noise came from the flash they wouldn't have done anything. B&H instead was not accepting it for an exchange just for the noise.
I haven't taken a picture yet as I must prepare the target, the tripod and Focal to do the AF test, which I would have skipped it there was anything wrong to justify an immediate return. Hopefully will do the test tomorrow.
JakesGT: I almost did what you said. Here is my solution for the flash arms:
I didn't want to bend them so I first tried to build two microscopic plastic washers to put under the screws and when I was done, popping up the flash the screws where unscrewing, then the idea: NYOGEL !
Nyogel is a special thick grease (similar to petroleum jelly but much thicker, almost like a glue) to soften and slow down motion, used in potentiometers shafts, tripod heads etc.. With a toothpick I applied a pin head amount under the screws, then cleaned up completely with a cotton swab and the rattle has gone. It will never dry up; it doesn't affect the lifting speed of the flash and it can always be removed if needed.

I am happier now and hope to be still happy after the AF tests. Thanks again..

Cheers,
lorenzo

Photobug

Great solution, thanks for sharing.

Fred_B

You should share the fix with Nikon Service.