Nikon F-801s (N8008) - is it faulty?

[greyred]

Hi

I've just acquired a cosmetically very nice Nikon 801s body which appears to be working perfectly (although the viewfinder illumination button does not do anything when pressed).

This is possibly a silly question - but can anyone tell me whether it's normal for the green lcd illumination window on the top of the camera to keep lighting up each time the shutter release is half depressed, and so keeps blinking with each exposure?

I understand that it is used to illuminate the viewfinder display panel, but to have a blinking green light on the top of camera each time you take a shot seems odd, or is just me!

 

[shutterfinger]

http://www.cameramanuals.org/nikon_pdf/nikon_f-801s_af.pdf
Manual page 14 (pdf15) states that if the camera stops working turn the power switch on and press the shutter button half way then if the LCD panel blinks turn the power switch off and replace the batteries.
The N8008 manual is different. http://www.cameramanuals.org/nikon_pdf/nikon_n8008_af.pdf
Study the manual that is for your camera with camera in hand. It should operate as described in the manual, if not it has a defect.
1.5 volt alkaline batteries should read 1.54V to 1.56V on a volt meter when new fresh out of the package. A battery that reads 1.5V is questionable and lower should be replaced.
Rechargeable batteries have a lower voltage and may not work in this camera. Cameras designed for rechargeable batteries usually have switch to select the type of battery in use.

 

[greyred]

Thanks for the response.

No prob with the batteries, it's a new set and voltage looks good. The LCD info panel next to the on/off switch is fine (i.e not fading or flashing) although it has no illumination under dark conditions.

What I'm referring to is the long narrow LCD illumination window on the top of the prism housing.

It lights up green for a few seconds when the camera is first switched on and again when the release is half depressed. Fire the shutter and it goes off momentarily as the exposure is made, then remains on for a few seconds.

Obviously if a rapid sequence of exposures is made then the green light will be blinking on/off each time the shutter is released.

Other than this the camera seems to be working just fine. It's just that the behaviour of the light on the top of the camera seems a bit odd to me and so I was hoping that any other 801s/n8008 users can say "yes that's correct" or otherwise.

In contrast, my F4 body has a similar illumination window on the top the prism but it only comes on if you choose to by way of a small lever on the body.

Thanks in advance
P.

 

[shutterfinger]

On page 11 it states the LCD and viewfinder display should come on when the shutter button is pressed part way and stay on for 8 seconds when released. If the shutter is operated they should come on for 2 seconds at the end of the shutter cycle.
Sounds normal from your description and operation as stated in the manual. If there is a malfunction you may experience short battery life.
I thought about buying a 8008 in 1991 but waited a few months and bought a F4, never looked back.

 

[ron917]

I have a N8008 that I purchased new in 1990. It still works perfectly.

What you describe is normal operation of the viewfinder display illumination in a dark environment. The green light turns on with a half shutter press and blinks off for the exposure, then on again after the exposure.

The viewfinder illumination push button doesn't do anything in a dark environment. However, if it's bright enough that the light does not turn on automatically with a half shutter press then the button will turn the light on. The meter must be on first - half shutter press to display the meter info then press the illumination button. I don't know the reasoning behind this, but that's the way it works. Take the camera outside or aim it out the window during daylight, half press the shutter and then the illumination button - it should turn on.

You can cover the window with black tape if it's annoying. But then you will need to use the illumination button in bright environments in order to see the viewfinder info.

 

[greyred]

Thanks, all the info provided has thrown some clarity on this now.

It would seem that my hard copy manual has some slight differences to the N8008 PDF version.

"What you describe is normal operation of the viewfinder display illumination in a dark environment."
Yes agreed, and from what I am seeing with the camera suggests that the electronics controlling this particular aspect are non-functioning - or rather the control seems to be permanently stuck in the "on" or low ambient environmental light condition and the illumination button does not do anything regardless of camera state or ambient light level.

It's probably not a big deal as in every other respect the camera is performing as required. A test roll shot under different lighting conditions/meter variations returned a set of negs all excellently exposed.

It's a 25+ year old electronic device, so I'll let it off this one minor discrepancy and just stick a bit of black gaffer tape over the illumination window.

Thanks everyone
P.