The saga of a D300s that stinks!

George Mann · Jul 13, 2020

As I have stated previously in the 35mm thread, I bought a camera which stinks heavily of the last owners cologne (mainly the faux leather of the front grip).

I am in the process of finding someone that can send me a new grip set to a p.o. box where I am presently camped.

Note that this is a camera that appears 100% functional despite a shutter count of 165k (bought for a very good price, but didn't notice the smell at the time).

Since I am primarily a film shooter, and only use a digital camera for casual snapshooting (and to find things that I want to shoot on film), I have a question for you.

If I were you, would you want to fix this camera, or would you want to sell or trade it for one with less issues?

George Mann · Jul 14, 2020

I guess no one reads this forum any more. Are traditional digital camera's dead in the water?

MattKing · Jul 14, 2020

George Mann said:
I guess no one reads this forum any more. Are traditional digital camera's dead in the water?

No - we just haven't had to deal with a smelly one.
And it is difficult to advise you on how well that camera might meet your needs.

shutterfinger · Jul 14, 2020

George Mann said:
If I were you, would you want to fix this camera, or would you want to sell or trade it for one with less issues?

Nikon guaranteed their advanced amateur and Pro digital camera shutter for 200,000 cycles. Film camera shutters were guaranteed for 50,000 shutter fires for consumer models and 100,000 for pro models. I would not worry about the shutter failing until you have racked up 250,000 to 300,000 shutter fires/cycles.
As for the smell sit the camera in a well ventilated place (small fan on it if necessary) when not in use until the offensive order is gone. Spraying it with Lysol may help.
I have a D300 shutter count 23657, MB-D 10, 2 batteries, AA holder sitting idle since I got a D800 shutter count 24030.

ced · Jul 15, 2020

If it were mine I would remove the offending leatherette & replace with real leather...

George Mann · Jul 15, 2020

shutterfinger said:
Nikon guaranteed their advanced amateur and Pro digital camera shutter for 200,000 cycles.

As for the smell sit the camera in a well ventilated place (small fan on it if necessary) when not in use until the offensive order is gone. Spraying it with Lysol may help.

The D300 was tested to 150k actuations. Some have gone much further.

Unfortunately, the faux leather cannot be safely deloused once it has absorbed the offending agent.

George Mann · Jul 15, 2020

ced said:
If it were mine I would remove the offending leatherette & replace with real leather...

If only real leather was available here.

ced · Jul 15, 2020

Buy an old leather jacket or ladies handbag, common man be adventurous have some imagination...

George Mann · Jul 15, 2020

I found out that I can ship the new grips to a photography store near me.

They also have a used Canon 5D that doesn't smell! So I might be purchasing it.

George Mann · Jul 21, 2020

Well, I received the new grips, which I will be installing with craft glue since I failed to find suitable double-sided tape here locally.

But first I need to remove the old material, clean and air it out.

The only question remains is what is safe to clean it with? Alcohol?

shutterfinger · Jul 22, 2020

90% Isopropyl Alcohol should be safe on the body.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Pliobond-2...178582?hash=item1a9d896b96:g:A5YAAOSwI-5fFDCY applied to one surface and assembled while wet will be better than the craft glue.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lift-Off-2...364251&hash=item2d0facd46c:g:avwAAOSw3Rxe9R5t is the best for removing old, dried glue and residue.

RalphLambrecht · Jul 22, 2020

shutterfinger said:
Nikon guaranteed their advanced amateur and Pro digital camera shutter for 200,000 cycles. Film camera shutters were guaranteed for 50,000 shutter fires for consumer models and 100,000 for pro models. I would not worry about the shutter failing until you have racked up 250,000 to 300,000 shutter fires/cycles.
As for the smell sit the camera in a well ventilated place (small fan on it if necessary) when not in use until the offensive order is gone. Spraying it with Lysol may help.
I have a D300 shutter count 23657, MB-D 10, 2 batteries, AA holder sitting idle since I got a D800 shutter count 24030.

40 years ago, I bought 3 Nikon FMs from a pro catalog photographer who sold them after 1 Million shots! all three are still working fine.

RalphLambrecht · Jul 22, 2020

shutterfinger said:
Nikon guaranteed their advanced amateur and Pro digital camera shutter for 200,000 cycles. Film camera shutters were guaranteed for 50,000 shutter fires for consumer models and 100,000 for pro models. I would not worry about the shutter failing until you have racked up 250,000 to 300,000 shutter fires/cycles.
As for the smell sit the camera in a well ventilated place (small fan on it if necessary) when not in use until the offensive order is gone. Spraying it with Lysol may help.
I have a D300 shutter count 23657, MB-D 10, 2 batteries, AA holder sitting idle since I got a D800 shutter count 24030.

40 years ago, I bought 3 Nikon FMs from a pro catalog photographer who sold them after 1 Million shots! all three are still working fine.

railwayman3 · Jul 22, 2020

About 20 years ago (well before small digital cams or smartphones) I bought a mint Minox sub-min kit, with a view to "having a camera with me all the time". Most of the items looked as though they had never been taken out of their original boxes, but I didn't immediately realise that they all stank of the foulest tobacco smoke !

So I never fancied using them, or even putting them in a display case of collectables, and they are still packed away, other than being occasionally checked. Hopefully they are fresher by now.......I must have a sniff, and, if necessary de-odorise them of any remaining smell, and sell them on to someone who can enjoy them,

George Mann · Jul 22, 2020

shutterfinger said:
Pliobond assembled while wet will be better than the craft glue.

I have used Aleenes Tacky Glue to successfully repair the leather and seals of many camera's.

Will Pliobond really work any better.

shutterfinger · Jul 22, 2020

I don't know as I have never heard of or used Aleenes Tacky Glue.
The Pliobond can be separated once dry if needed and any excess will rub off when dry.

George Mann · Jul 22, 2020

Well, the left hand grip cannot be reliably installed with any type of glue that I am aware of.

I am going to have to find the appropriate double-sided tape someday, or be forced to dump this piece of junk altogether!

George Mann · Jul 22, 2020

I found a glue at Home Depot called DAP Rapid Set that sets in 30 seconds, is repositionable for 3 minutes, and cures in 30 minutes.

It just may work.

George Mann · Aug 6, 2020

Well, I have finally completed the regripping. Two of them were cut poorly, and therefore fit the camera poorly.

The worst part is, I have failed to purge the camera of its smell. As soon as it sits in a bag for a few hours it returns!

I will have to get rid of it, and don't really need this digital monstrosity anyhow.

shutterfinger · Aug 6, 2020

I would remove the battery, lens, install the battery cap, then saturate it with Lysol Disinfectant spray and immediately seal in a plastic bag and leave for at least 2 days.
I would repeat until the offensive smell is gone, usually not more than 3 treatments for the worst offenders. I've only used this method for mildew smell on bellows cameras but it should work on that electronic gadget.

MFstooges · Aug 21, 2020

If I were you I will put the camera inside a bag with pouch of baking soda for a week and then another week inside a bag with pouches of coffee before going through all that adhesive mess

mgb74 · Aug 22, 2020

Ozone generators are often used to remove cigarette odors from the interiors of vehicles. Does "something" to break down the odor causing molecules. Whether that would work in your case, I don't know. They are a few hundred $s, so not so expensive that you wouldn't find them at many auto detailers or used car lots. Not sure if it would effect anything else of the camera, but maybe give it a try.

jeffreyg · Aug 22, 2020

Why not try a high quality leather cleaner followed by a leather conditioner

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotogtaphy.com/

George Mann · Aug 22, 2020

jeffreyg said:
Why not try a high quality leather cleaner followed by a leather conditioner

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

http://www.sculptureandphotogtaphy.com/

The actual material is some kind of rubber.

DonW · Aug 24, 2020

Take it to a used car dealership and ask them what they do to take the smell out of used cars. Some ion thing I believe.

The saga of a D300s that stinks!

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