Noise when clicking d-pad on Nikon Z6

[soch]

Hi! First time camera-buyer/poster here. I just got a Nikon Z6, and I noticed that the multiselector (or d-pad) makes a strange noise most of the time when I click it. It's a squishy sound, kind of like something being unglued or maybe crunched beneath the pad. It's loud enough to be kind of annoying when I'm in a silent space. Has anyone else had this issue? Should I expect it to go away?

Thanks!

 

[Twitchly]

Hi! First time camera-buyer/poster here. I just got a Nikon Z6, and I noticed that the multiselector (or d-pad) makes a strange noise most of the time when I click it. It's a squishy sound, kind of like something being unglued or maybe crunched beneath the pad. It's loud enough to be kind of annoying when I'm in a silent space. Has anyone else had this issue? Should I expect it to go away?

Thanks!

That doesn’t sound good. Mine is pretty much silent.

 

[jefenniejr]

Yes, doesn’t seem right. My Z6 makes zero noise when being touched.

 

[jthomas39]

My Z6 joystick "Sub-selector" is much louder than the "OK" "multi-selector".

I was going to post that the multi-selector was essentially silent. I've never noticed a sound from it.

But, holding it up to my ear, there's a very quiet "squishy" noise from the directional dial buttons. Weird. Now that I've noticed, I can just barely hear it when looking through the EVF.

 

[Horshack]

It's hard to determine if your body has an issue since expectations might be different from one person to the next. To help in this regard I just recorded myself pushing one of the multi-selector buttons. Have a listen and see how this compares to what you hear on yours:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12y6IAWjDvmNbSaLXQ0SylbRSIwhNnoa-/view

This was recorded with my Z6 and iPhone sitting on the table, with the iPhone's microphone about two inches away from the multi-selector. I assume the iPhone uses some type of AGC for the microphone so I wouldn't rely on the absolute volume level to compare to what you hear on yours.

 

[soch]

Thanks for the reply! Yours sounds basically like I would expect a button to sound. Mine has more of a squish.

Eh, my noise is kind of annoying, but probably not worth making a stink over.

 

[krmarf]

Mine is doing a squishy sound as well! Probably some rubber weather sealing gasket under the button..

/K

 

[Dave Stromberger]

My Z 7 does this. So did my D610, but much louder... It had 48k clicks on it.

 

[Idaho_X]

Thanks for the reply! Yours sounds basically like I would expect a button to sound. Mine has more of a squish.

Eh, my noise is kind of annoying, but probably not worth making a stink over.

Do you still have that "crunchy noise" when pressing the multiselektor or OK button on your Z6? Did you solve that?
I got my Z6 a few days ago and also have that noise.
Talked to Nikon support, they said that shouldn't be normal but sending the camera in and looking at it will take weeks. (and I suspect I will get it back in the same condition)

It sounds like some sand grains or very thin noisy plastic foil under it ...

edit: I uploaded an audio file here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JMGuRxJMo5bXsJDgqpu1fuZ3aiK8l0cu/view

 

[sirhawkeye64]

Hi! First time camera-buyer/poster here. I just got a Nikon Z6, and I noticed that the multiselector (or d-pad) makes a strange noise most of the time when I click it. It's a squishy sound, kind of like something being unglued or maybe crunched beneath the pad. It's loud enough to be kind of annoying when I'm in a silent space. Has anyone else had this issue? Should I expect it to go away?

Thanks!

I think a little bit of "squish" noise is normal (both in feel and sound). A click or cracking noise is probably not. I know my D-pad is rather stiff, so I get a little bit of the "squish" noise from time to time and sometimes have to push the button twice for it to register.

I'd say if you just bought it, use it for a few months, see if it wears in and goes away and then if it still persists after decent usage over a few months, then send it in (or if the button gets noticeably more squishy).

 

[Diesel02]

Did you ever get this looked at in the end? My d-pad makes the exact same noise and it has been annoying me ever since I've noticed it. I'm more curious to know if it's normal or not.

 

[Pugilares]

I have that on my Z6II. It was more lika AF-ON and DISP buttons, but also a joystick too. Pushing the camera body between those buttons made this part of the body do "drop-in" and a kind of a click or squish. Brought this to Nikon service and just within three weeks of servicing they returned my camera after the repair. This problem was solved! BUT the EVF (electronic viewfinder) was black - it was not working at all. So I came back do Nikon service and they did another reparation within 20 minutes on the spot. They told me that "connection tape did drop off". So the EVF works again BUT this clicking/squishing came back also only to much smaller extent than initially. Still annoying.

Another story is the creaking of the back grip under the thumb - this part is also a memory card door. I was also 3 times with this at Nikon service and they do something and it helps for a day or a half and then it is as it was. Pretty much annoying at this level of a camera.

 

[SidewinderZ6]

My D-pad does the same. Honestly it doesn't seem that uncommon, so I have decided to just leave it. It's not the end of the world.

 

[jcalchi_f9]

I just bought my second Z camera, the Z6 II. My first Z camera was the awesome little Z50. Right off the bat, the fit and finish of this Z6 II is outstanding. And I'm picky. My standard for high fit and finish is set by my SP, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, D850, Leica CL, Leica Q2 and Leica M6. This Z6 II feels like a brick covered in rubber, the perfect heft, perfect balance for the lens, on and on. An ergonomic rock star. I just can't put it down. It is a fraction of a second behind the F6 and Q2 in the race for being the 100% perfect feel good brick in your hand.

But, this thread came up when I was searching out one fault I found. My Z6 II is making a slight crackle sound under the D-Pad, and also a much more pronounced squeaky / crackle sound on the left side under the ports. Even the slightest graze of pressure makes the crackle sound. And it is most certainly not the rubber port covers. I've moved them out of the way, and the sound still is present with any touch what so ever on the left side of the camera.

This is disappointing, as I can really hear it when the camera is up to my eye and my left hand is cradling the camera. Once you hear it, you can't help but hear it every time! I suspect it has something to do with the water resistance measures, at least I hope that's what it is. Surely there's lots of little membranes, gaskets, and so forth underneath it all. And maybe this is how Nikon does it with this camera. However, my F6 and Q2 don't make any such noise, and they're drip resistant. I don't notice anything like this on the D850. The D850 is a marvel of a camera, but in terms of that rubber covered brick feel, it aint it. This Z6 II is though!

I am so torn whether to take it back to my camera shop or not. If the consensus on the internet is that it's indeed just the way things are because of the weather sealing, so be it. I just don't want it to be due to poor workmanship. Since the rest of the camera is so awesome, that would be a bummer.

Other than this annoying noise, I am so thrilled with the Z6 II. It has been superb on every level. And if you think the autofocus doesn't work very well, my advise to you is to go and carefully re-read the instruction manual If you lost the Nikon manual, go buy Thom Hogan's manual.

Thanks for any advice anyone can offer

J

 

[LiteRider]

…… also a much more pronounced squeaky / crackle sound on the left side under the ports. Even the slightest graze of pressure makes the crackle sound. And it is most certainly not the rubber port covers. I've moved them out of the way, and the sound still is present with any touch what so ever on the left side of the camera.

…….

Thanks for any advice anyone can offer

J

Any updates on this? Did you get it fixed?

 

[Pugilares]

I just bought my second Z camera, the Z6 II. My first Z camera was the awesome little Z50. Right off the bat, the fit and finish of this Z6 II is outstanding. And I'm picky. My standard for high fit and finish is set by my SP, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, D850, Leica CL, Leica Q2 and Leica M6. This Z6 II feels like a brick covered in rubber, the perfect heft, perfect balance for the lens, on and on. An ergonomic rock star. I just can't put it down. It is a fraction of a second behind the F6 and Q2 in the race for being the 100% perfect feel good brick in your hand.

But, this thread came up when I was searching out one fault I found. My Z6 II is making a slight crackle sound under the D-Pad, and also a much more pronounced squeaky / crackle sound on the left side under the ports. Even the slightest graze of pressure makes the crackle sound. And it is most certainly not the rubber port covers. I've moved them out of the way, and the sound still is present with any touch what so ever on the left side of the camera.

This is disappointing, as I can really hear it when the camera is up to my eye and my left hand is cradling the camera. Once you hear it, you can't help but hear it every time! I suspect it has something to do with the water resistance measures, at least I hope that's what it is. Surely there's lots of little membranes, gaskets, and so forth underneath it all. And maybe this is how Nikon does it with this camera. However, my F6 and Q2 don't make any such noise, and they're drip resistant. I don't notice anything like this on the D850. The D850 is a marvel of a camera, but in terms of that rubber covered brick feel, it aint it. This Z6 II is though!

I am so torn whether to take it back to my camera shop or not. If the consensus on the internet is that it's indeed just the way things are because of the weather sealing, so be it. I just don't want it to be due to poor workmanship. Since the rest of the camera is so awesome, that would be a bummer.

Other than this annoying noise, I am so thrilled with the Z6 II. It has been superb on every level. And if you think the autofocus doesn't work very well, my advise to you is to go and carefully re-read the instruction manual If you lost the Nikon manual, go buy Thom Hogan's manual.

Thanks for any advice anyone can offer

J

I can tell you that this doesn't need to be like this.

It took me 10 visits to the Nikon service (I live in the city where there is an authorized Nikon service centre). It was not easy to get to this point but after I was really stubborn they finally dismantled the camera body once and it was somehow better after that but still not how it should be so they dismantled the camera body again to the deeper level and put it back together again and now I can say its OK. No cracking. It cost me nerves with Nikon believe me.

 

[jcalchi_f9]

I just bought my second Z camera, the Z6 II. My first Z camera was the awesome little Z50. Right off the bat, the fit and finish of this Z6 II is outstanding. And I'm picky. My standard for high fit and finish is set by my SP, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, D850, Leica CL, Leica Q2 and Leica M6. This Z6 II feels like a brick covered in rubber, the perfect heft, perfect balance for the lens, on and on. An ergonomic rock star. I just can't put it down. It is a fraction of a second behind the F6 and Q2 in the race for being the 100% perfect feel good brick in your hand.

But, this thread came up when I was searching out one fault I found. My Z6 II is making a slight crackle sound under the D-Pad, and also a much more pronounced squeaky / crackle sound on the left side under the ports. Even the slightest graze of pressure makes the crackle sound. And it is most certainly not the rubber port covers. I've moved them out of the way, and the sound still is present with any touch what so ever on the left side of the camera.

This is disappointing, as I can really hear it when the camera is up to my eye and my left hand is cradling the camera. Once you hear it, you can't help but hear it every time! I suspect it has something to do with the water resistance measures, at least I hope that's what it is. Surely there's lots of little membranes, gaskets, and so forth underneath it all. And maybe this is how Nikon does it with this camera. However, my F6 and Q2 don't make any such noise, and they're drip resistant. I don't notice anything like this on the D850. The D850 is a marvel of a camera, but in terms of that rubber covered brick feel, it aint it. This Z6 II is though!

I am so torn whether to take it back to my camera shop or not. If the consensus on the internet is that it's indeed just the way things are because of the weather sealing, so be it. I just don't want it to be due to poor workmanship. Since the rest of the camera is so awesome, that would be a bummer.

Other than this annoying noise, I am so thrilled with the Z6 II. It has been superb on every level. And if you think the autofocus doesn't work very well, my advise to you is to go and carefully re-read the instruction manual If you lost the Nikon manual, go buy Thom Hogan's manual.

Thanks for any advice anyone can offer

J

I can tell you that this doesn't need to be like this.

It took me 10 visits to the Nikon service (I live in the city where there is an authorized Nikon service centre). It was not easy to get to this point but after I was really stubborn they finally dismantled the camera body once and it was somehow better after that but still not how it should be so they dismantled the camera body again to the deeper level and put it back together again and now I can say its OK. No cracking. It cost me nerves with Nikon believe me.

I was afraid that something like this might involve lots of physical work on the camera to fully fix it...

I'll chalk it up to being related to the weather sealing system and installation technique (or sloppiness,) and not an indication of a failure, defect or risk.

It seems to have gotten a little less noticeable as the camera's been broken in, but it's still there on the left side at the ports; the buttons on the right side are quiet now.

Still bugs me, but I'll let it go and be happy with this wonderful camera I'm fortunate enough to have!

Other than this little nit-picky thing, the Z6II performs beautifully and never skips a beat. I'd of course buy it again, even if I had read about this dumb issue before hand. So if you came across this thread as a potential buyer, shrug me off and don't let this be a reason you decide to buy something else.