Has anybody had this problem with the Nikon d300?

<p>I would really appreciate any advice about a couple of questions I have of the Nikon d300.<br>

I bought a Nikon d300 last year, April to be exact and everything have been good until November 2008. I was hired to shoot for 8 hrs. at a wedding and I came across a problem. I have been shooting for about 5 hrs. or so we were at the point where everyone was just dancing and I was taking a couple of pics when my d300 did not respond! What I mean is, it was reading that I did not have any lenses hooked, it would not shoot and all the info that usually appears on the top right corner now appear on the LCD. I freaked out so I turned it off and a couple of seconds later turned it back on and it was fine, thank god I had a back up camera with me. Now, honestly I did not make much of it, don't know why and I did not have it check because after that I was mainly doing 2 hr. wedding and it did not act up again.<br>

However, this past May I had a 5 1/2 hr. wedding and the same happened again, but on top of that and way before that I was taking a little brake after the ceremony, so I was checking my battery life and it showed that I had only used one bar, then 5 minutes later I was shooting their first dance and I got a warning that my batery was dying!!! So I replaced it and it was fine but I was curious and so I used that dying battery on the d80 and it showed that I had only used one bar and the d80 was fine the rest of the night, I even used a couple of days later on the d80 and it was still fine!<br>

So what do you guys think its wrong with my Nikon d300?<br>

Now, I bought it at Circuit city and that store closed months ago, so where do I take it back?<br>

Or do I call Nikon and get a replacement, can I even get a replacement or would they just want to fix it, can they even fix this?<br>

Please any advice would be great!</p>

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<p>I think this is Dead Batter Syndrome, or DBS for short, I think theres a firmware update for this problem, have you updated lately?</p>

<p>I agree with Don. This problem was often seen with the use of the 70-200, but a firmware upgrade should take care of it.</p>

<p>What Don and Per said.</p>

<p>I think the firmware upgrade fixes it.</p>

<p>On another note, one of my D300's acts up every now and then. It shoots a black frame where the MM of the lens is missing along with the aperture. I pegged this to the lens contacts and using third party lenses on them. Periodically, I clean the contacts on both the lens and body with some eclipse solution and a pec pad. Then I pay attention not to "tug" at the lens while shooting. Just thought I would mention this in case it comes up for you.</p>

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<p>I do not mean to sound ignorant but I am and so can anyone explain what a firmware upgrade is and how can I do it? Please!!!!</p>

<p>go to the nikon website and do a search for d300 firmware update. you'll find instructions there.</p>

<p>http://support.nikontech.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/16149/session/L2F2LzEvc2lkL1JGblBJbUFq<br>

I think this answers your question.</p>

<p>Fast explained: Firmware is the cameras internal software, that is: how the camera functions, what it can do, how it does it, and how the menus are displayed. As with other computer software, this has to be updated from time to time, either because the software is not good enough (it is faulty or not efficient) or the camera maker wants to include more functions, for example to compete with other brands or to complement other products from the same manufacturer.</p>

<p>To upgrade: Follow the link in Heather Rene' 's post, and follow the instructions closely. That is: Read the instructions at least three times before you do anything, and when you start upgrading, follow the instructions to the letter. No shortcuts!</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

<p>and make sure to have a fully charged battery that you know works properly in the camera before you start!</p>

<p>Thank you so much guys for all your help, I will follow the instructions very closely!<br>

Let me ask you this, what would happen if something does not go right?<br>

and has anybody ever done this before?, is there any advice you guys have as far as the process goes? Thanks.</p>

<p>Patty, I've upgraded the firmware on both my D300's and on my D200 without any problems. Just do as was stated above and follow the instructions to the letter. I'm not sure what would happen if you had problems but it might require sending the body back to Nikon. It really isn't that difficult.</p>

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<p>It shoots a black frame where the MM of the lens is missing along with the aperture.</p>

 

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<p>Every once in a great while my D40 does the same thing, but with the kit lens.</p>