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CP995 case entirely plastic

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blulegend

blulegend

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I just examined my CP995 more closely and it is indeed all plastic. Open the battery cover and look at the edge of the plastic. Also look under the CF card cover. It's molded. The LCD side does indeed look different from the lens side, but I think that's because they were made in different places perhaps. I have yet to unscrew my camera to confirm this but I definitely think that my camera is all plastic. I bought it at Best Buy with a US warranty and it works perfectly and came with all accessories so I know its not a grey camera. Also I had 3 of these pass through my hands as I searched for a hot-pixel-free camera.

I don't really care if it's plastic or not but I just wanted to know if maybe Nikon had changed the production camera down the line after release since many of you definitely think half of its is magnesium. It doesn't even feel like the 990 metal to me, that's why I began to suspect.

-Jack--===========
Curr: Coolpix 995
Ex: Coolpix 880, S10, S20, Olympus D-340R
 
The 995's LCD side is magnesium. You can tell by how cold it is when you pick up the camera on a cold day (compared to the lens side). To my fingertips the two sides have different textures, but it's really only noticable when I first pick it up. After I've been holding it for a couple of seconds I don't give it a second thought.

I never understood why it's such a big issue for 990 owners; I've never felt that having one side of the camera plastic suddenly means it's going to fall apart on me or something. Then again, I'm not in the habit of dropping my cameras either, so I wouldn't know how well it handles the impact test...

DaShiv
blulegend said:
I just examined my CP995 more closely and it is indeed all plastic.
Open the battery cover and look at the edge of the plastic. Also
look under the CF card cover. It's molded. The LCD side does
indeed look different from the lens side, but I think that's
because they were made in different places perhaps. I have yet to
unscrew my camera to confirm this but I definitely think that my
camera is all plastic. I bought it at Best Buy with a US warranty
and it works perfectly and came with all accessories so I know its
not a grey camera. Also I had 3 of these pass through my hands as
I searched for a hot-pixel-free camera.

I don't really care if it's plastic or not but I just wanted to
know if maybe Nikon had changed the production camera down the line
after release since many of you definitely think half of its is
magnesium. It doesn't even feel like the 990 metal to me, that's
why I began to suspect.

-Jack
--
===========
Curr: Coolpix 995
Ex: Coolpix 880, S10, S20, Olympus D-340R
Click to expand...
 
Do you have a US model? Mine is definitely plastic. On both sides.

-Jack
DaShiv said:
I never understood why it's such a big issue for 990 owners; I've
never felt that having one side of the camera plastic suddenly
means it's going to fall apart on me or something. Then again, I'm
not in the habit of dropping my cameras either, so I wouldn't know
how well it handles the impact test...

DaShiv
blulegend said:
I just examined my CP995 more closely and it is indeed all plastic.
Open the battery cover and look at the edge of the plastic. Also
look under the CF card cover. It's molded. The LCD side does
indeed look different from the lens side, but I think that's
because they were made in different places perhaps. I have yet to
unscrew my camera to confirm this but I definitely think that my
camera is all plastic. I bought it at Best Buy with a US warranty
and it works perfectly and came with all accessories so I know its
not a grey camera. Also I had 3 of these pass through my hands as
I searched for a hot-pixel-free camera.

I don't really care if it's plastic or not but I just wanted to
know if maybe Nikon had changed the production camera down the line
after release since many of you definitely think half of its is
magnesium. It doesn't even feel like the 990 metal to me, that's
why I began to suspect.

-Jack
--
===========
Curr: Coolpix 995
Ex: Coolpix 880, S10, S20, Olympus D-340R
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Mine is half plastic (lens portion), and half metal (LCD portion) --- hand grip is RED (firmware v1.6), brought in Hong Kong.

In well air conditioned environment, you can actually feel the metal half is MUCH COOLER than the plastic part --- but on the outlook, they look no difference to my eyes !

Anyway, I found the built quality is VERY GOOD, and is still happy with my 995 !
 
I thought the same thing but I was out on a hot day and the lcd side got very hot in the sun the lens side stayed cool. Heat is not good for the ccd so I think I'm glad the lens side is plastic.

Alan
 
US model, purple grip, serial number beginning with 3. The plastic moulding of the battery compartment does suggest that the interior of the camera is held together by a plastic frame inside, but the exterior shell of the LCD half is definitely metal on mine. I'd bet that most consumer cameras with metal exteriors use plastic inside the case.

DaShiv
blulegend said:
-Jack
DaShiv said:
I never understood why it's such a big issue for 990 owners; I've
never felt that having one side of the camera plastic suddenly
means it's going to fall apart on me or something. Then again, I'm
not in the habit of dropping my cameras either, so I wouldn't know
how well it handles the impact test...

DaShiv
blulegend said:
I just examined my CP995 more closely and it is indeed all plastic.
Open the battery cover and look at the edge of the plastic. Also
look under the CF card cover. It's molded. The LCD side does
indeed look different from the lens side, but I think that's
because they were made in different places perhaps. I have yet to
unscrew my camera to confirm this but I definitely think that my
camera is all plastic. I bought it at Best Buy with a US warranty
and it works perfectly and came with all accessories so I know its
not a grey camera. Also I had 3 of these pass through my hands as
I searched for a hot-pixel-free camera.

I don't really care if it's plastic or not but I just wanted to
know if maybe Nikon had changed the production camera down the line
after release since many of you definitely think half of its is
magnesium. It doesn't even feel like the 990 metal to me, that's
why I began to suspect.

-Jack
--
===========
Curr: Coolpix 995
Ex: Coolpix 880, S10, S20, Olympus D-340R
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
This is one of the reason why they kept the LCD side as metal --- it will displace heat generated by the camera (e.g. from LCD, CF card access, battery ...etc.) at the fastest rate !
 
Here's a simple test (if you can't tell by temperature). Get a multimeter, and do a resistance test. On the metal half you will find that the current flows, whereas on the plastic half it doesn't.

You may need to scrape away a little paint to get to the metal, as the paint won't conduct electricity. Of course, if you don't feel like scraping the bodywork, then you can use the two screws on the base of the camera (either side of the tripod connector).

Sure as my mutlimeter beeps, mines metal!

Thomas.
 
Mine is definately one side metal and one side plastic..
blulegend said:
I just examined my CP995 more closely and it is indeed all plastic.
Open the battery cover and look at the edge of the plastic. Also
look under the CF card cover. It's molded. The LCD side does
indeed look different from the lens side, but I think that's
because they were made in different places perhaps. I have yet to
unscrew my camera to confirm this but I definitely think that my
camera is all plastic. I bought it at Best Buy with a US warranty
and it works perfectly and came with all accessories so I know its
not a grey camera. Also I had 3 of these pass through my hands as
I searched for a hot-pixel-free camera.

I don't really care if it's plastic or not but I just wanted to
know if maybe Nikon had changed the production camera down the line
after release since many of you definitely think half of its is
magnesium. It doesn't even feel like the 990 metal to me, that's
why I began to suspect.

-Jack
--
===========
Curr: Coolpix 995
Ex: Coolpix 880, S10, S20, Olympus D-340R
Click to expand...
 
While I'm sure that the LCD side is metal, your second test is not conclusive because the screws could be screwed into something metal inside the case that would conduct between the screws even if the case were plastic.

John
ThomasS said:
Of course, if you don't feel
like scraping the bodywork, then you can use the two screws on the
base of the camera (either side of the tripod connector).

Sure as my mutlimeter beeps, mines metal!

Thomas.
Click to expand...
 
It is half metal and half plastic like I said. Can feel the cold from the metal when I put it on my cheek. Plastic side not cold... This is inside.....and the plastic side doesn't bother me! I love the 995.. Getting great results all the time. Can't believe some people can't tell metal from plastic?
John Fritz said:
John
John Fritz said:
Of course, if you don't feel
like scraping the bodywork, then you can use the two screws on the
base of the camera (either side of the tripod connector).

Sure as my mutlimeter beeps, mines metal!

Thomas.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Please do not offend me like that. I can certainly tell metal from plastic and that is why I opened this discussion.

The LCD side of my camera is definitely NOT metal. It does not have anything close to the texture and feel of a CP990. I am wondering if Nikon has changed the camera's build as production went along. They never say anywhere, or at least anywhere I can find, that half is metal. Even the CP995 that I tested at the store had a plastic case on both sides. This was at BestBuy. My Serial number begins with 350 and is the US model. Perhaps if this is a more recently produced camera maybe they changed the case as production increased. I just got my camera 1 month ago.

I don't really care whether it is plastic or metal, because I just want it to do what I want. But I think it would be interesting to know if some cameras have half metal, half plastic, and others all plastic.

-Jack
Jerry said:
John Fritz said:
John
Jerry57537 said:
Of course, if you don't feel
like scraping the bodywork, then you can use the two screws on the
base of the camera (either side of the tripod connector).

Sure as my mutlimeter beeps, mines metal!

Thomas.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Jack, Wasn't trying to offend you sorry. My serial number is later than yours 351 so that late theory is out. You might want to call Nikon tech if you are sure it is plastic. You might have got some kind of fluke.. I would call them and find out or take it to a camera dealer in town and let him look at it. I touched my camera to my cheek. The metal side was cold(definately metal) and the plastic side wasn't, and I can tell it is plastic.. Jerry
blulegend said:
The LCD side of my camera is definitely NOT metal. It does not
have anything close to the texture and feel of a CP990. I am
wondering if Nikon has changed the camera's build as production
went along. They never say anywhere, or at least anywhere I can
find, that half is metal. Even the CP995 that I tested at the
store had a plastic case on both sides. This was at BestBuy. My
Serial number begins with 350 and is the US model. Perhaps if this
is a more recently produced camera maybe they changed the case as
production increased. I just got my camera 1 month ago.

I don't really care whether it is plastic or metal, because I just
want it to do what I want. But I think it would be interesting to
know if some cameras have half metal, half plastic, and others all
plastic.

-Jack
Jerry said:
John Fritz said:
John
blulegend said:
Of course, if you don't feel
like scraping the bodywork, then you can use the two screws on the
base of the camera (either side of the tripod connector).

Sure as my mutlimeter beeps, mines metal!

Thomas.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
The official word from Nikon is that the LCD portion is magnesium alloy, not plastic. Leave the camera switched off for at least 5 minutes. Hold the camera in your hand, touch your top lip with the back of the camera (above the LCD), then the piece above the lens... One is cold, one not.

The interior moulding of the front of the CF comparment and hinge portion does appear to be plastic, that's probably because it would be very difficult to mould the magnesium alloy into this shape (one of the reasons the lens portion is now made of plastic).

If you REALLY want to prove it (this will damage your camera) open the CF compartment door, get a screwdriver and scratch the portion of body to the left of the bottom left hand screw. Metal.
blulegend said:
The LCD side of my camera is definitely NOT metal. It does not
have anything close to the texture and feel of a CP990. I am
wondering if Nikon has changed the camera's build as production
went along. They never say anywhere, or at least anywhere I can
find, that half is metal. Even the CP995 that I tested at the
store had a plastic case on both sides. This was at BestBuy. My
Serial number begins with 350 and is the US model. Perhaps if this
is a more recently produced camera maybe they changed the case as
production increased. I just got my camera 1 month ago.

I don't really care whether it is plastic or metal, because I just
want it to do what I want. But I think it would be interesting to
know if some cameras have half metal, half plastic, and others all
plastic.

-Jack
Jerry said:
John Fritz said:
John
blulegend said:
Of course, if you don't feel
like scraping the bodywork, then you can use the two screws on the
base of the camera (either side of the tripod connector).

Sure as my mutlimeter beeps, mines metal!

Thomas.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
You guys are right. I am wrong. Here's what I did.

I began taking screws off to check because if it were plastic there would be no metallic showing from under the screws. The first two screws I removed showed nothing. The thrid screw I removed did. Then I went back to the first two screw holes and purposely scratched the coating off under where the screw head would be. And yes, it became metallic. So you guys are right and my suspicion was wrong.

However the metal on the CP995 is totally different from the CP990's I have held. The CP990's metal looked like what it did on my Canon S10 at the seams. Looked like real pressed metal. But the CP995 looks like it has some sort of molded metal that makes it look like molded plastic at the seams.

I still don't care whether it's plastic or metal though. I still like what I can do, or try to do with it.

-Jack
blulegend said:
The LCD side of my camera is definitely NOT metal. It does not
have anything close to the texture and feel of a CP990. I am
wondering if Nikon has changed the camera's build as production
went along. They never say anywhere, or at least anywhere I can
find, that half is metal. Even the CP995 that I tested at the
store had a plastic case on both sides. This was at BestBuy. My
Serial number begins with 350 and is the US model. Perhaps if this
is a more recently produced camera maybe they changed the case as
production increased. I just got my camera 1 month ago.

I don't really care whether it is plastic or metal, because I just
want it to do what I want. But I think it would be interesting to
know if some cameras have half metal, half plastic, and others all
plastic.

-Jack
Jerry said:
John Fritz said:
John
blulegend said:
Of course, if you don't feel
like scraping the bodywork, then you can use the two screws on the
base of the camera (either side of the tripod connector).

Sure as my mutlimeter beeps, mines metal!

Thomas.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hehheh just did that. Thanks.

-Jack
Phil Askey said:
The interior moulding of the front of the CF comparment and hinge
portion does appear to be plastic, that's probably because it would
be very difficult to mould the magnesium alloy into this shape (one
of the reasons the lens portion is now made of plastic).

If you REALLY want to prove it (this will damage your camera)
open the CF compartment door, get a screwdriver and scratch the
portion of body to the left of the bottom left hand screw. Metal.
blulegend said:
The LCD side of my camera is definitely NOT metal. It does not
have anything close to the texture and feel of a CP990. I am
wondering if Nikon has changed the camera's build as production
went along. They never say anywhere, or at least anywhere I can
find, that half is metal. Even the CP995 that I tested at the
store had a plastic case on both sides. This was at BestBuy. My
Serial number begins with 350 and is the US model. Perhaps if this
is a more recently produced camera maybe they changed the case as
production increased. I just got my camera 1 month ago.

I don't really care whether it is plastic or metal, because I just
want it to do what I want. But I think it would be interesting to
know if some cameras have half metal, half plastic, and others all
plastic.

-Jack
Jerry said:
John Fritz said:
John
Member said:
Of course, if you don't feel
like scraping the bodywork, then you can use the two screws on the
base of the camera (either side of the tripod connector).

Sure as my mutlimeter beeps, mines metal!

Thomas.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Great Jack! And I love my 995 too. Getting fantastic results.. Jerry
blulegend said:
I began taking screws off to check because if it were plastic there
would be no metallic showing from under the screws. The first two
screws I removed showed nothing. The thrid screw I removed did.
Then I went back to the first two screw holes and purposely
scratched the coating off under where the screw head would be. And
yes, it became metallic. So you guys are right and my suspicion
was wrong.

However the metal on the CP995 is totally different from the
CP990's I have held. The CP990's metal looked like what it did on
my Canon S10 at the seams. Looked like real pressed metal. But
the CP995 looks like it has some sort of molded metal that makes it
look like molded plastic at the seams.

I still don't care whether it's plastic or metal though. I still
like what I can do, or try to do with it.

-Jack
blulegend said:
The LCD side of my camera is definitely NOT metal. It does not
have anything close to the texture and feel of a CP990. I am
wondering if Nikon has changed the camera's build as production
went along. They never say anywhere, or at least anywhere I can
find, that half is metal. Even the CP995 that I tested at the
store had a plastic case on both sides. This was at BestBuy. My
Serial number begins with 350 and is the US model. Perhaps if this
is a more recently produced camera maybe they changed the case as
production increased. I just got my camera 1 month ago.

I don't really care whether it is plastic or metal, because I just
want it to do what I want. But I think it would be interesting to
know if some cameras have half metal, half plastic, and others all
plastic.

-Jack
Jerry said:
John Fritz said:
John
blulegend said:
Of course, if you don't feel
like scraping the bodywork, then you can use the two screws on the
base of the camera (either side of the tripod connector).

Sure as my mutlimeter beeps, mines metal!

Thomas.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Phil,

Just to let you know that I really appreciate your site. I used your site to help me buy 3 different cameras. Now I'm on the CP995.

I also like the fact that you personally review the forums and help people like me, who might be a little "dumb" when it comes to things like this. :)

To show my appreciation for your site, I even purchases a bunch of stuff from your merchandise section. Keep it up. Waiting on an exceptional review of the CP5000.

Regardless of what some people might say about your reviews, we must keep in mind that you are just one person, or maybe your wife (if that's who I think it is), that has built this great community. I feel your reviews are great tools in learning about all these toys and that no one can be omniscient in the field. However, I trust yours the most.

Though I have never seen you thank a member for a compliment yet, I know they must help counteract some of the occasional flames here. :) You should have a donation page where members can join and at the same time support your work here. I would probably become a member.

-Jack
Phil Askey said:
The interior moulding of the front of the CF comparment and hinge
portion does appear to be plastic, that's probably because it would
be very difficult to mould the magnesium alloy into this shape (one
of the reasons the lens portion is now made of plastic).

If you REALLY want to prove it (this will damage your camera)
open the CF compartment door, get a screwdriver and scratch the
portion of body to the left of the bottom left hand screw. Metal.
blulegend said:
The LCD side of my camera is definitely NOT metal. It does not
have anything close to the texture and feel of a CP990. I am
wondering if Nikon has changed the camera's build as production
went along. They never say anywhere, or at least anywhere I can
find, that half is metal. Even the CP995 that I tested at the
store had a plastic case on both sides. This was at BestBuy. My
Serial number begins with 350 and is the US model. Perhaps if this
is a more recently produced camera maybe they changed the case as
production increased. I just got my camera 1 month ago.

I don't really care whether it is plastic or metal, because I just
want it to do what I want. But I think it would be interesting to
know if some cameras have half metal, half plastic, and others all
plastic.

-Jack
Jerry said:
John Fritz said:
John
Member said:
Of course, if you don't feel
like scraping the bodywork, then you can use the two screws on the
base of the camera (either side of the tripod connector).

Sure as my mutlimeter beeps, mines metal!

Thomas.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I think this whole thread was started by the misconception that metal can be molded.

Go into your battery compartment with a metal toothpick. Scratch off some of the finish. What IS that gray stuff under the paint? More plastic? Sorry. Metal. Probably CAST to have all those contours built into it.

Nobody said these things were STAMPED metal, did they? (sharp edges, no formed, 3D details...)

Touch the camera to your upper lip. Notice how the two sides feel room-temperature and cooler? That cool effect can ONLY be created by a material that pulls body heat out of your lip and your nerves will detect it right away.

No plastic on earth can suck that much heat out of you so quickly. Some ceramics or other high tech materials might but a ceramic or super composite this strong would be VERY expensive.

My 995 has a chipped finish next to one of the tripod screws and the material under there is unambiguously metal.

If Nikon started furnishing all-plastic 995s then you should NOT be able to scratch yours and see a different material underneath. That plastic finish on the lens side is NOT a paint job.

-iNova
blulegend said:
I just examined my CP995 more closely and it is indeed all plastic.
Open the battery cover and look at the edge of the plastic. Also
look under the CF card cover. It's molded. The LCD side does
indeed look different from the lens side, but I think that's
because they were made in different places perhaps. I have yet to
unscrew my camera to confirm this but I definitely think that my
camera is all plastic. I bought it at Best Buy with a US warranty
and it works perfectly and came with all accessories so I know its
not a grey camera. Also I had 3 of these pass through my hands as
I searched for a hot-pixel-free camera.

I don't really care if it's plastic or not but I just wanted to
know if maybe Nikon had changed the production camera down the line
after release since many of you definitely think half of its is
magnesium. It doesn't even feel like the 990 metal to me, that's
why I began to suspect.

-Jack
--
===========
Curr: Coolpix 995
Ex: Coolpix 880, S10, S20, Olympus D-340R
Click to expand...
 
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