Inert CoolPix 990

<p>I have a CP990 that I haven't used for a couple of years, having moved on to more potent gear, but it was always a great performer within its parameters. I finally decided it was time for it to go to a new home while it still has some value, so I got it out and took it to the studio to shoot some pictures. I'd done the basics and thought I'd see if I could show the menus and flipped it on. Nothing. Uh, right, batteries. I opened it up and discovered that there was a set of NiMH cells in there, checked to make sure there was no trace of leaks or corrosion, and put in another set. Nothing. And another. Still nothing. Pulled out a speedlight, fired it up to make sure the batteries were charged, put those in the 990. Still nothing.</p>

<p>This camera was about as solid a performer as you can ask for in anything beyond the complexity of a hammer, and it was working fine when I put it away. Is there anything that could happen to it in storage? Any odd thing related to having the batteries dissipate completely while in the camera? Any tricks that might wake it up?</p>

<p>Or should I just list it for parts and try to forget about it?</p>

<p>Van</p>

<p>Maybe the small parameter ram battery is completely dead? I know my Coolpix 990, 4 years after I began using it, was losing the date all the time. By then too the battery door had failed and I had to use a rubber band to keep it closed. Was a great camera in its day, but now when I go back and look at the digital files it made, they are pretty poor in comparison to my D200. It was a really fun camera to use though, the 990 cost more than my D200 did from BB. Amazing.</p>

<p>Yup, could be a dead backup battery. My 7 or 8 year old Olympus C-3040Z has recently gotten persnickety even with fully charged batteries. I need to check the specs and see if there's a user replaceable internal battery.</p>

<p>Ihad one of these. It was a good camera.</p>

<p>I don't mean to be rude, but with the fantastic advances in digtial camera technology in just the last few years you need to throw the 990 in the trash can.</p>

<p>Or keep it for nostalgia sake. But if you want to take pics, you should simply buy a new camera.</p>

<p>Lex, if you have a way to look that up, it would be great. If there's something relatively easy that can be tried, I've got all the tiny screwdrivers I could possibly need, but I obviously don't want to get too carried away over this one.</p>

<p>Paul, I hope it doesn't sound too rude, but read the message. I'm hoping to sell this, not use it. I switched to a CP5400 ages ago. Then I switched to a DSLR. It's Springtime. I'm cleaning house.</p>

<p>Van</p>

<p>The 990 battery is user replacable. If I recall correctly, it is behind a rubber cover on the side of the body, you pull out a plastic door which holds the battery. I actually just purchased a mint 990 in the box on ebay over the weekend (having sold my worn out 990 back in 2004). When I receive it, I can post a photo.</p>

<p>Well I just got my new Nikon 990 in the mail today. And it's for all intents and purposes a brand new Nikon Coolpix 990 camera, it has no signs of use at all. Amazing. And it works perfectly! There is no parameter ram battery in this camera that I can see. No port for one, and no mentioning of it in the owners manual. So I suspect that your 990 may have other issues. Check carefully for any battery leakage in the battery chamber and clean the contacts with a Q-tip with some vinegar on it. A pencil eraser can also work. Hope this helps.</p>