Everytime I change the batteries in my Nikon Coolpix 950 I have to set the date and time stamp all over again. Is this normal or am I missing something? Can anyone help? Thanks!

-- Jameson Wong (thunderpic@lanset.com), November 18, 1999

Answers

Right out front, I do not know anything about the Nikon CP950 What I do know is that MOST cameras these days that use a time stamp use a pancake lithium battery(3 or 3.5V). All its other functions (zoom, save to memory, etc) are taken care of thru the AA batteries. I looked at the specs for the 950, but I did not see anything refering to the pancake battery. The battery is supposed to last anywhere from 1 to 3 years I believe, and sometimes longer.

If I am right, then it is abnormal for your camera to be losing the time and date so quickly. YOu would want to look into replacing that battery to see if that takes care of the problem

I could be wrong, in which case, perhaps someone with a 950 will respond.

-- David Erskine (davide@netquest.com), November 19, 1999.

The CP950 strays from convention in this area. It does not use a separate battery as David refers to. It requires that a good set of batteries be left in the camera for some time. I don't know the exact spec, but it is several hours. The internal circuitry will then be charged enough to keep the clock running when the batteries are removed. I have not experimented with how long it will run without batteries, but it appears to be at least several hours. It may be much longer.

Leave a fresh set of batteries in the camera at least overnight. If the clock does not maintain correct time after that, the camera will need factory service to correct the problem.

-- Steve (milwaukeechrome@aol.com), November 19, 1999.

I have not found any info on the way the 950 accomplishes its magic, but you do NOT have to reset the date/time etc after replacing batteries. If you can not get your Nikon to function then talk to the service reps.

I thought the instructions said that it would also keep the sequence number when you deleted all of the images but mine did not the one time I did this. Now I always leave the last pic on the card to ensure the sequence number does not reset.

-- Dave Clark (daveclark@mail.com), November 19, 1999.

this happend to me. it should be a bad chargable battery caused this. I just want to know where is it and how to replace this battery by myself. go to service is too expensive.

anybody have service manual? please email me if you can help. I do not come here often.

-- kuchi (kuchi@shmobile.com), February 07, 2004.

Nikon have some info, 'If the Date and Time won't stay set' at http://www.nikon-euro.com/nikoneuro_en/hit/dc/dce900/en/HIT_dce900_en_9.htm 'Charging ends automatically after ten hours, with the result that if the camera is left unused for a long period, the clock-calendar will be reset even when the main batteries are left in the camera. Charging will begin again when the main batteries are reinserted or the AC adapter unplugged and then reconnected. After charging the battery by leaving the main batteries in place or the AC adapter connected for ten hours, reinsert the main batteries or unplug and reconnect the AC adapter and charge the battery again. If the clock-calendar is still reset after this procedure, this may indicate a camera malfunction.' Good luck

-- Tony Hall (tony@tonyhallphotography.com), April 08, 2004.