Nikon D50 dead battery

[Dapph2]

Is there a button cell powered memory inside your camera that holds the basic programming .. it's likely it has died if there is

 

[reb78]

What does the battery state indicator in the LCD show?

If you put an SD card in it, will it take photos?



I've got an old D50 that I haven't used for years. My memory is a bit hazy, but IIRC, the rear display might only used for image playback - I don't *think* you can get a 'live' view on it.

I've got it on charge as I type to see whether the battery / camera still work. Happy to lend you battery and/or charger if they're still OK.

So, both the battery and the word clock flash when you turn the camera on. The manual says the flashing battery icon means the battery is exhausted and needs replacing. Flashing clock means the clock isn't set. So I bought a new battery but that hasn't changed things. It could be a faulty new battery (I did go for a brand though and bought duracell).

If you leave the camera on, eventually the flashing stops. But press any button and it starts again. It won't take photos, focus automatically or anything. When the battery isn't flashing if you press the menu button on the back there's the briefest flicker of an egg timer on the screen and then it's dead and the flashing starts again.

If you do have a known good battery, a try with that would be brilliant. I'd pay post etc of course! It would at least pin point the issue then!

 

[reb78]

Is there a button cell powered memory inside your camera that holds the basic programming .. it's likely it has died if there is

It does. And I suspect this may be the issue. It's a pretty involved strip down to get to it though and whilst I could probably take it apart I am not sure I'd succeed in not breaking it more!

 

[Misterg]

So, both the battery and the word clock flash when you turn the camera on. The manual says the flashing battery icon means the battery is exhausted and needs replacing. Flashing clock means the clock isn't set. So I bought a new battery but that hasn't changed things. It could be a faulty new battery (I did go for a brand though and bought duracell).

If you leave the camera on, eventually the flashing stops. But press any button and it starts again. It won't take photos, focus automatically or anything. When the battery isn't flashing if you press the menu button on the back there's the briefest flicker of an egg timer on the screen and then it's dead and the flashing starts again.

That behaviour sounds a lot like dirty / corroded battery contacts (the ones in the camera, probably) - might be worth giving them a scrape with a scalpel, or similar (they're tucked way up inside the battery compartment).

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