Nikon F5 sporadic command dials

[razocaine_07]

I was wondering if anyone can help me with an issue i've been having with my F5. Recently when I use the command dials to select a shutter speed or aperture, the command dials/wheels seem to feel ok but the settings jump backwards and forwards often skipping shutter speeds. Whether I turn the wheel backwards or forwards, the settings are sporadic and takes a while to eventually get to the desired speed or aperture.

Logically, I am thinking that the contacts have become dirty and need a clean but I was wondering if anyone has had similar issues in the past and what they did to resolve it

 

[StephenT]

Yes, that is not unusual. Just work the dials back and forth until they stabilize. I think that problem manifests itself more from lack of use of the dials than overuse, or so it seems with my F5's! A little disconcerting when it first happens, but the more you use it, the more the self-cleaning action seems to ameliorate the problem.

 

[markbarendt]

Another problem that can cause this is if the camera was allowed to get too warm, say by sitting in a hot car. The grips can permanently change shape and start pushing against the control wheels.

This is from personal repeated experiences.

 

[destroya]

I have the same issue with my dads old F5. it sat unused for about 10 years. I have used it off and on for the last 6 and still the shutter speed dial works off and on. i have yet to be able to get it to work properly even when exercising it. that keeps me from using it though, so the problem kinda feeds on itself. sad as its a nice, but very large, camera.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Nothing a CLA won't cure. Why not spend the $$ on it?

 

[razocaine_07]

I've no idea where to send it near me for a CLA in north east England

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Liverpool.

Stoke-on Trent

And not to mention Glascow.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Had one a while ago that did the same. If you spun the dial quickly, it'd go backward in adjusting the shutter speed. Wasn't really a lack of use issue or a bad grip issue. Camera had some wear, but grips were fine. I've had a couple minty looking bodies that were used sporadically. Those always worked properly.

-J

 

[Chan Tran]

Those wheels on the cameras are actually incremental encoder or a quadrature pulse generator. It would generate 2 pulses with every click and if one of the pulse is missing the direction changes. I don't know how Nikon made the wheels but most of the wheels of similar design use optical disk so if they are dirty they won't work right.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

^Yes, just like the volume knob on modern car stereos.

-J

 

[razocaine_07]

Ah thanks for the help people, I'll give the tips with spinning the wheels to see if it can shift any dirt. If not I'll send it off for a service

 

[dagist]

Here's an easy fix for those experiencing the problem of erratic readings when switching the aperture and shutter speed control rings on a Nikon F5. I own four F5's that had sat unused for around 10 years and all four of them were experiencing the problem with either one or both of their control rings giving erratic readings. I tried rectifying the problem by simply spinning the control rings in both directions but that didn't work on any of my four bodies.

What did work, and doesn't require any disassembly of the camera, was the application of a small amount (a few drops) of naphtha (lighter fluid) on each side of the control ring and then working the control ring back and forth rapidly to loosen up whatever film has built-up on the internal contacts. I also used a couple puffs of compressed air to force the naphtha farther inside so that it would get to all the areas needed. After you get the control rings working, the canned air can also be used to blow out and evaporate any remaining naphtha.

All four of my bodies are now working fine with no issues.

I know this is an old thread but there are still lots of seldom used Nikons sitting on shelves with this problem so I hope this helps someone in the future who needs a simple solution to getting their camera up and running again.

Cheers,

Rob McElroy
Buffalo, NY
idag@pce.net

 

[Huss]

That is good info because I have seen quite a few like that, and it dissuaded me from purchasing them.

 

[LuukS]

For anyone having similar issues:

In my case dripping lighter fluid into the command dials unfortunately didn't work. But it is relatively doable to open the camera and reach the dials. On page 97 and 99 of the service manual you can find how to open the right compartment. You can reach the shutter speed dial right away, for the aperture dial in front you have to undo 4 more screws. Then I used lighter fluid and paper to clean behind the pins and cotton swabs to clean the dials.
Just be very careful not to damage any wires.
It took me about 45 minutes.