D700 - Replacement of Eyepiece, DK-17

[erik_christensen3]

<p >I have on 2 occasions not been able to close the VF curtain on the eyepiece, and now that I have purchase an Angle Viewer, I have to replace it now and then. According to the local Service Center, the eyepiece in not interchangeable on my model of the D700 - s/n 2056xxx!! I thought only one model exists.</p>

<p >We looked at another D700 and the eyepiece was easy interchangeable.</p>

<p >I cannot find any 'item No.' on the eyepiece, as I understand Nikon has a few variants.<br />I am now the "happy" owner of an Angle Viewer, which I cannot use - grrr!</p>

<p >Anyone who has had the same experience and knows the spare part No. for a replacement, then I will order it from US, as obviously it does not exist in Vietnam.</p>

<p > </p>

<p > </p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>There is only one version of the D700, and its DK-17 eye piece is the same as the one on the D2 series and D3 series DSLRs. I happen to have all three with me and the one from the D700 can go onto the other two cameras without any problem. (Yes, I tried it.)<br>

<br /><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=nikon+DK-17&N=0&InitialSearch=yes">http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=nikon+DK-17&N=0&InitialSearch=yes</a><a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=nikon+D700+eye+piece&N=0&InitialSearch=yes"></a></p>

[erik_christensen3]

<p>Thanks Shun - then I am puzzled, as it is impossible to get the DK-17 out. I can turn it about 1/5 anticlock-wise and no more, and I am assuming it is a full thread, same as on the Angle Viewer, and therefore need say 2 rounds anticlock-wise.<br>

According to the local Service Center it is not the DK-17 which is different, but the 'metal box in which you screw the DK-17' - it has a small tiny screw on the top to get it off the camera.</p>

[cojacal]

<p>Eric - The viewfinder curtain locks the eypiece in place when open. Close the viewfinder curtain and the eypiece unscrews anti-clockwise. HTH Colin.</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>I have the impression that Erik is aware that you need to close the viewfinder shutter before you can fully remove the DK-17 by rotating it counter-clockwise. We discussed that in great detail earlier this month: <a href="http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00VQV1">http://www.photo.net/nikon-camera-forum/00VQV1</a></p>

<p>Actually it took me a little while to remove the DK-17 from my D700 too. I hadn't removed it for a while and it was a bit stuck. After you close the shutter, maybe put you palm against the entire eye piece to maximize the contact.</p>

[erik_christensen3]

<p>Yes I have closed the viewfinder shutter prior to turning the eye piece anticlock-wise - and showed it to Nikon staff too, as they were not aware of it.<br>

Shun I have also tried what you suggest, but it seems to 'hit something' and stop. When turning it the 1/5 anti-clockwise, it feels that it could fall out. Unfortunately I cannot/date not use a wrench due to the rubber on the eye piece.<br>

It seems I have to wait until I go to Europe before I can get it fixed!<br>

Thanks for your comments.</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>On those viewfinders, there is a little latch that blocks the DK-17 from falling off. When you close the viewfinder shutter, that latch retracts. In case that little mechanism is broken, your DK-17 would be trapped.</p>

[erik_christensen3]

<p>Shun that sounds like it has happened, when first the shopowner and then the staff of the Service Center tried to unscrew the eye piece without closing the viewfinder shutter - then I told them what was stated in the manual.<br>

Is it possible to see the latch when detaching the 'metal box' in which the eye piece is placed?</p>

[prettygeeky]

<p>A little off-topic but since you are replacing eyepieces. I swapped my D700 stock eyepiece for the <a href="http://www.hoodmanusa.com/products.asp?dept=1061">Hoodman Eyecup</a> . I definitely prefer it over the normal one.</p>

<p>As the above posts have stated, you may have a broken latch, as mine was an easy twist off.</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>I finally took pictures of the back side of the D3S viewfinder, with the DK-17 removed.</p>

<p>When the viewfinder shutter is open (left), there is a little latch, silver in color, at about the 5 o'clock position to lock the DK-17 in place. When you close the shutter (right), that piece retracts and you can remove the DG-17 by rotating it counterclockwise.</p>

<p>The viewfinder on the D2 series and on the D700 work the same way.</p><div></div>

[erik_christensen3]

<p>Good news- Nikon has got a new distributor/service center in HCMC recently, which I happen to see on Friday, so I went in and asked if the could fix the problem with the Eyepiece.<br>

5 minutes later I left their shop with a fixed D700 for which I did not have to pay anything!<br>

I am now saving and will revisit them again when the NAS is getting a pain for me!</p>