Update on bent pins in Nikon D810 (Page 2): That is something I didn't even know about. I will do some research on this option, thanks.

grandpaw

olemikey wrote:

My solution for the "card holder" concerns, and downloading without removing the card or plugging in to other port: I keep a micro SD card adapter in the slots full-time (never remove), only the micro SD card is removed from the adapter (which remains in the camera card slot all the time). My plan is that if anything wears out, it will be the adapter, and that could be easily replaced once a year, or whenever it eventualy starts to have cantact problems, between adapter and micro card, or adapter and camera card contacts.

I download from one of my cameras daily, so I think I've lowered the damage potential greatly, only WiFi would lessen the chance, but not all are WiFi (and wifi is slow), so this method wins for me.

If the adapter is only inserted one time, this drops the chance of bending a pin, getting dirt in, or some other card slot damage to near zero. All of my cameras now employ this method, and since the micro cards are just as capable as regular SD cards, it is; just as fast, holds same amount of data, doesn't cost anymore, offers a great level of protection to camera card reader mechanism. As a bonus, I've seen plenty of high quality Micro SD cards with adapters on sale for very reasonable prices. It did cost me <$75 for a number of good brand name, fast cards 32GB/64GB (bought on sale from reputable supliers, UHS-1, hi speed, yada yada)....but I am happy that I actually did something DIY that reduces the potential for issue "long term" or life of camera and costs so little. I equiped all of my Nikon and Sony bodies - DSLR/MILC/SLT, and my Canon/Fuji P&S and superrzoom models (the little cameras got 16gb micros, like $4-5 apiece sale wise).

I think this method is Win-Win, at least it seems that way to me.....I no longer worry about pulling card/replacing card, as the only wear or damage potential is to the SD Micro Card Adapter.

This may be a viable solution for any who worry about, or have experienced a card slot pin bend/failure, or even a dirt issue, and want some measure of protection against same. And. it is easy to implement, card slides in and out of adapter easily, w/o removal of adapter from camera card slot.
My $02

My solution for the "card holder" concer... (show quote)

That is something I didn't even know about. I will do some research on this option, thanks.

polyman

Gene51 wrote:

I suggest you stop using CF cards, move to SD card... (show quote)

The life expectancy of a mini USB socket is a minimum of 5000 cycles and much more if used carefully.

saxman71 Loc: Wenatchee

grandpaw wrote:

I sent my camera off to Nikon on January 11th and ... (show quote)

I'm guessing, without any data, that the majority of us do not have camera insurance. So that's interesting to me. Do you mind telling us what you paid for camera insurance and if it was a one time payment or some type of yearly subscription? Thanks for the info and I'm glad your D810 is working again. I've been very happy with mine. BTW - I have no fear of using the cable to download photos from camera to computer. I've been doing that quite successfully for over 20 years with no issues.

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

grandpaw wrote:

That is something I didn't even know about. I will do some research on this option, thanks.

From one "Grampy" to another, I stumbled into it after reading stories like yours.....if there is a downside (other than the replacement of perfectly good regular SD cards, which for now are archived), I haven't hit it yet! I have a D7100 with a bad primary slot that I couldn't rectify w/o some cost or home teardown, so when thinking about how to lessen impact of downloading and keep that lone slot in good condition(or plugging something in to camera port), without great effort, this light bulb went off....... once in a while I think some of the dead/old/tired brain cells spring back into action!!!

Fast camera wifi download would work well too, but mine is not so quick, esp if a few hundred shots, so.......

Have fun!!

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Money well spent, I'd say.

The only thing that caught my attention as "hmmm, that's odd is "RPL rewind side rubber". Rewind???

I'm glad your back to photographing again.
--Bob

grandpaw wrote:

I sent my camera off to Nikon on January 11th and ... (show quote)

olemikey Loc: 6 mile creek, Spacecoast Florida

polyman wrote:

The life expectancy of a mini USB socket is a minimum of 5000 cycles and much more if used carefully.

Used carefully is the key...and even then, the simplest goof, or a piece of something get's in the way, could render it useless. Most of the stories like this - the camera owner doesn't know how or why, but it strikes and "woe is me" !!

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I am happy your camera was repaired properly and the price does not seem to be outrageous. Glad too the insurance company will reimburse you. Can you tell us who the insurance company is. I doubt I have much home insurance for my belongings and it is time I looked into that.

Dennis

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

dennis2146 wrote:

I am happy your camera was repaired properly and the price does not seem to be outrageous. Glad too the insurance company will reimburse you. Can you tell us who the insurance company is. I doubt I have much home insurance for my belongings and it is time I looked into that.

Dennis

Agree. I am totally interested in camera and component insurance. If all my stuff were stolen or destroyed it would be the equivalent of a new muscle car. UGH. That was caused by time and GAS!

ronpier Loc: Poland Ohio

grandpaw wrote:

I sent my camera off to Nikon on January 11th and ... (show quote)

So glad for you that it all worked out for you Grandpaw. Those darn pins have been why I have always purchased DSLRs that use SD cards since my D50 in 2005. Best wishes. Ron

grandpaw

dennis2146 wrote:

I am happy your camera was repaired properly and the price does not seem to be outrageous. Glad too the insurance company will reimburse you. Can you tell us who the insurance company is. I doubt I have much home insurance for my belongings and it is time I looked into that.

Dennis

I have $12,263 of insurance and it cost me $196 a year with State Farm. It is a fix or replace policy with no deductible

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

grandpaw wrote:

I have $12,263 of insurance and it cost me $196 a year with State Farm. It is a fix or replace policy with no deductible

Well darn. I already have State Farm. Looks like I need to call my insurance broker and see what she says. I have that much easily in camera equipment but many times that in firearms and related items. This could be pricey but with no deductible and everything locked in safes I might be OK. Thank you.

Dennis

chrissybabe Loc: New Zealand

polyman wrote:

The life expectancy of a mini USB socket is a minimum of 5000 cycles and much more if used carefully.

Yes but here is the thing. Life expectancy, half life etc means that half ie 50% fail before the time and the other half fail after the time. This also happens to shutter life expectancy. If it is 200,000 then half will have failed before then. Those figures are not set in stone. In most cases they aren't even quoted as a result of testing. They are best guess's based on adding up the various likelihoods of the components to fail. I have seen the mini USB sockets fail after 300 insertions, 3 in a row, all different cables. This is the socket not the plug or the 'the connection'. The cure is to hot melt glue in a sacrificial socket because replacing the socket end of a connection is usually the most expensive end. Bit hard to do this inside a camera. Easy if on the end of a cable so the cable (with the socket) can be swapped out when it fails. Wireless is the solution but unfortunately this was usually the last thing on the designers mind so it was never implemented with any degree of reliability or speed.
And I can assure you that even the most careful and delicate of people are as ham-fisted as the rest of us. Longevity is a crap shoot. However knowing this it is possible to tilt things in your favor as long as you understand the mechanics of it all.

Sycamore Hank Loc: Northern CA

olemikey wrote:

My solution for the "card holder" concerns, and downloading without removing the card or plugging in to other port: I keep a micro SD card adapter in the slots full-time (never remove), only the micro SD card is removed from the adapter (which remains in the camera card slot all the time). My plan is that if anything wears out, it will be the adapter, and that could be easily replaced once a year, or whenever it eventualy starts to have cantact problems, between adapter and micro card, or adapter and camera card contacts.

I download from one of my cameras daily, so I think I've lowered the damage potential greatly, only WiFi would lessen the chance, but not all are WiFi (and wifi is slow), so this method wins for me.

If the adapter is only inserted one time, this drops the chance of bending a pin, getting dirt in, or some other card slot damage to near zero. All of my cameras now employ this method, and since the micro cards are just as capable as regular SD cards, it is; just as fast, holds same amount of data, doesn't cost anymore, offers a great level of protection to camera card reader mechanism. As a bonus, I've seen plenty of high quality Micro SD cards with adapters on sale for very reasonable prices. It did cost me <$75 for a number of good brand name, fast cards 32GB/64GB (bought on sale from reputable supliers, UHS-1, hi speed, yada yada)....but I am happy that I actually did something DIY that reduces the potential for issue "long term" or life of camera and costs so little. I equiped all of my Nikon and Sony bodies - DSLR/MILC/SLT, and my Canon/Fuji P&S and superrzoom models (the little cameras got 16gb micros, like $4-5 apiece sale wise).

I think this method is Win-Win, at least it seems that way to me.....I no longer worry about pulling card/replacing card, as the only wear or damage potential is to the SD Micro Card Adapter.

This may be a viable solution for any who worry about, or have experienced a card slot pin bend/failure, or even a dirt issue, and want some measure of protection against same. And. it is easy to implement, card slides in and out of adapter easily, w/o removal of adapter from camera card slot.
My $02

My solution for the "card holder" concer... (show quote)

Olemikey,
What brand of adapter did you purchase?

tcthome Loc: NJ

Longshadow wrote:

Invoice says they replaced (RPL) the card holder. I'd call that a replacement of an internal part.
Not simply cleaning out "dirt".
Besides, I thought it went in for a bent pin.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Could always use a usb cable that came with the camera for uploading to your computer to avoid it again. I was lucky enough to only bend a pin on my cf card when inserting it into my card reader. The brand name etc. has to face down & after using it once & then not for a long time, I forgot. No problems since then & after owning the camera for almost 5 years , I just tried uploading via usb from camera the other day. while trying to connect the camera to my ipad for a larger live monitor.
Glad you are happy with the service & consider what you paid for the camera & lens, you are still at a discount. Happy shooting.