Nikon discovers Coolpix 5000 firmware bug! (UPDATED)
By
Mike Tomkins
(Friday, December 14, 2001 - 15:36 EST)
Problem can render camera inoperable; new firmware on the way to correct it...
We just received an email from the PR people at Nikon USA, regarding a problem with the Coolpix 5000 camera. In brief, the camera can be damaged under certain circumstances if it is switched on with the lens cap still in place.
A firmware update will be released to correct the problem on December 21st, and cameras shipping from the factory after then will already have the upgrade. All cameras that have already shipped will require the upgrade, and in the meantime we'd recommend users double-check they have removed the lens cap before powering the camera on.
If your Coolpix 5000 has experienced this problem, you will not be able to correct it with the firmware upgrade. Instead, the camera must be returned to Nikon for service and firmware updating. You can call the company at 1-800-NIKON-SV (1-800-645-6678) for a pre-paid shipping tag (this offer is no longer available, see note below), and to receive instructions on where to ship the camera...
Nikon's email to us follows: "Nikon wanted to share with you information just received related to the Coolpix 5000 digital camera.
Under certain circumstances, if the lens cap is left on the Coolpix 5000 when it is turned on, it is possible for the camera to experience a system error and be rendered inoperable. If you experience this error, it needs to be sent back to Nikon for service and a firmware upgrade. We caution you not to try and duplicate this error.
All Coolpix 5000 cameras that have already been shipped will require this firmware update -- this problem will not be inherent in any cameras that have not shipped from the factory. A new version of firmware, which will correct this issue, will be posted at http://www.nikonusa.com/cp5000download/ by December 21.
The firmware upgrade will not fix the camera if the problem has already occurred, so those cameras must be sent back to Nikon for service -- consumers can call 1-800-NIKON-SV (1-800-645-6678) for a pre-paid shipping tag (this offer is no longer available - see note below) and instructions on where to ship their camera."
UPDATED 2003-12-04 15:41ET: Nikon USA has contacted us to advise us that they no longer offer free shipping for cameras with this problem. It appears that after some research, Nikon determined that fewer than 500 cameras were affected by the problem, the serial numbers of which are now known. They offered free shipping to the owners of the affected units, but since it appears that all of the defective units have been repaired at this point, they are no longer offering free shipping for returned cameras.
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