Z6 Rubber Cable Covers Won’t Stay Closed

[Jbyerly]

Does anyone have any tips to keeping these covers in place? I can get them closed then they’ll just pop back out like in the photo.

 

[RaindropDroptop]

Best bet is to buy replacements

 

[ahinesdesign]

Get Nikon to send/sell you replacements. There’s no way to “fix” them, not even gaffer tape will keep them secure for very long.

I replaced the covers on my Z6 last year. It’s easy to do, and the replacements seem to be made from a different material.

 

[Kirnbichler]

I'm kinda wary about these things on my Z7II. I really don't get the impression that these covers will endure heavy use. They're not from "rubber", but from some other much harder material, and they keep shut by some rather flimsy hooks on their sides, which I really doubt could withstand constant operation.

In my opinion, these flaps are the weakest point on the Z cameras. On the Z7/Z6 there are just two of these, with the large one covering HDMI, USB and remote ports. It were better if each of these ports had it's own cover.

Since the ports are acting as "blower holes" when operating zoom lenses*, I'm also not sure if you'd really want to operate your camera outside with these flaps opened - but when you use the remote port, you simply have to.

What might help when closing these flaps: Always close them from the top down, that is from the end where they're attached to the camera's body. Then the flimsy hooks on the flap's side (four on each on the longer flap) get aligned to the corresponding small holes in the recessed opening.

*) This is already noticeable when using the 24-70/4. Open the flap, move the lens around and you'll notice an airstream coming out around the HDMI and/or USB ports.

 

[Jbyerly]

Get Nikon to send/sell you replacements. There’s no way to “fix” them, not even gaffer tape will keep them secure for very long.

I replaced the covers on my Z6 last year. It’s easy to do, and the replacements seem to be made from a different material.

Would you happen to have a part #?

 

[Jbyerly]

I'm kinda wary about these things on my Z7II. I really don't get the impression that these covers will endure heavy use. They're not from "rubber", but from some other much harder material, and they keep shut by some rather flimsy hooks on their sides, which I really doubt could withstand constant operation.

In my opinion, these flaps are the weakest point on the Z cameras. On the Z7/Z6 there are just two of these, with the large one covering HDMI, USB and remote ports. It were better if each of these ports had it's own cover.

Since the ports are acting as "blower holes" when operating zoom lenses*, I'm also not sure if you'd really want to operate your camera outside with these flaps opened - but when you use the remote port, you simply have to.

What might help when closing these flaps: Always close them from the top down, that is from the end where they're attached to the camera's body. Then the flimsy hooks on the flap's side (four on each on the longer flap) get aligned to the corresponding small holes in the recessed opening.

*) This is already noticeable when using the 24-70/4. Open the flap, move the lens around and you'll notice an airstream coming out around the HDMI and/or USB ports.

Oh, I had no idea air was being pushed out through these opening! Now I can blame this on the dust that gets inside the body and not my mediocre lens swapping techniques /s

 

[jthomas39]

I'm kinda wary about these things on my Z7II. I really don't get the impression that these covers will endure heavy use. They're not from "rubber", but from some other much harder material, and they keep shut by some rather flimsy hooks on their sides, which I really doubt could withstand constant operation.

In my opinion, these flaps are the weakest point on the Z cameras. On the Z7/Z6 there are just two of these, with the large one covering HDMI, USB and remote ports. It were better if each of these ports had it's own cover.

Since the ports are acting as "blower holes" when operating zoom lenses*, I'm also not sure if you'd really want to operate your camera outside with these flaps opened - but when you use the remote port, you simply have to.

What might help when closing these flaps: Always close them from the top down, that is from the end where they're attached to the camera's body. Then the flimsy hooks on the flap's side (four on each on the longer flap) get aligned to the corresponding small holes in the recessed opening.

*) This is already noticeable when using the 24-70/4. Open the flap, move the lens around and you'll notice an airstream coming out around the HDMI and/or USB ports.

Oh, I had no idea air was being pushed out through these opening! Now I can blame this on the dust that gets inside the body and not my mediocre lens swapping techniques /s

Wow, I opened the HDMI flap, and zoomed my 24-200. It's quite a lot of air coming out -- just hold the Z6 up to your cheek, you'll easily feel the airflow.

This is a one-way air exhaust. The fluffy feather shows that no air gets sucked in at the ports or the battery. That's interesting.

The closed cover does block it -- no reaction from a tiny feather. But the air IS coming out of the battery door! There's no seals at the battery door either.

Since I never open these rubber covers, they are like new on my March 2019 Z6.

 

[Pinnacle Photo]

NikonUSA does not list the covers in their parts section. How did you order them?

 

[Jbyerly]

NikonUSA does not list the covers in their parts section. How did you order them?

That’s what I’m trying to figure out too. I found them on eBay from resellers in China. I called nikon support and the only option they could provide was to send the camera in for “repair”.

 

[Pinnacle Photo]

NikonUSA does not list the covers in their parts section. How did you order them?

That’s what I’m trying to figure out too. I found them on eBay from resellers in China. I called nikon support and the only option they could provide was to send the camera in for “repair”.

Many times the ones from China are made from the same company as the OEM purchases. Companies in China overbuild the OEM order and sell the extras on Fleabay.

I buy computer parts that way and save $$ for the same product. Some parts are 10% of the price for the same part the OEMs (Dell/HP) sell.

 

[Jerry Vacl]

Posted same question three months ago with no response:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65127690

Contacted Nikon Canada and found the 20 cent part was going to cost me $20. To replace it I’d have to take the whole side of the camera apart. To have Nikon do it would cost me $200 - $300!!

Next question: what if I rip out the old cover and just replace it with the new?

Answer: If you rip off the cover the small plastic end will stay inside the camera and could cause problems if it comes in contact with hot electronic parts and melts.

My (cheap) solution: Both covers have a thinner “joint” where the cover can bend easier. With a razor blade, I cut the cover (in two) at the joint and removed most of the joint material. The cover, which had been swelling longer and longer in length, now fits perfectly. The downside is that I now have a two-piece cover and have to be careful not to lose the bottom part, which is now not tethered. All I can say is that this solution has been working for me for over three months of actively using my Z6 without any problems.

 

[Richard B99]

Does anyone have any tips to keeping these covers in place? I can get them closed then they’ll just pop back out like in the photo.

I think you just haven’t pushed those covers fully home. I use them (the rear one particularly) a lot with an HDMI cable and occasionally the front one too. Putting them back in takes a bit of firm pressing to engage the hard plastic flanges into the body Once done they tend to pop into place and stay put very well. I’ve seen no sign of ware or damage on them.

I’ve not taken these off fully on a Z6 but I have done so on some of the DSLRs. Pull the tab steadily but firmly and the tab on those will come out without breaking the little ‘leash’. I think it will also be able to be reattached using a pencil like device to push the leash back in. I’d not recommend this step unless you are prepared for the consequences. Definitely an at your own risk step but I use D3300 for camera trapping and for a static overdesk video camera feed and the tabs were getting in the way.

 

[Jbyerly]

Does anyone have any tips to keeping these covers in place? I can get them closed then they’ll just pop back out like in the photo.

I think you just haven’t pushed those covers fully home. I use them (the rear one particularly) a lot with an HDMI cable and occasionally the front one too. Putting them back in takes a bit of firm pressing to engage the hard plastic flanges into the body Once done they tend to pop into place and stay put very well. I’ve seen no sign of ware or damage on them.

I’ve not taken these off fully on a Z6 but I have done so on some of the DSLRs. Pull the tab steadily but firmly and the tab on those will come out without breaking the little ‘leash’. I think it will also be able to be reattached using a pencil like device to push the leash back in. I’d not recommend this step unless you are prepared for the consequences. Definitely an at your own risk step but I use D3300 for camera trapping and for a static overdesk video camera feed and the tabs were getting in the way.

Hmm, we’ll I’ve definitely put some force into pushing the covers in and tried from different angles. I’d occasionally get one to stay in place only for it to slowly pop back out less than a minute later. I’m just going to keep playing with them since there doesn’t really seem to be a good solution.

 

[gnet158]

You covers don't appear to be damaged, my cover's don't always align properly and need to be reset.

 

[michaeladawson]

The downside is that I now have a two-piece cover and have to be careful not to lose the bottom part, which is now not tethered. All I can say is that this solution has been working for me for over three months of actively using my Z6 without any problems.

Also, you may no longer have a "technically" weather sealed area. Not that I would care. I don't use cameras in the rain.

 

[Jerry Vacl]

The downside is that I now have a two-piece cover and have to be careful not to lose the bottom part, which is now not tethered. All I can say is that this solution has been working for me for over three months of actively using my Z6 without any problems.

Also, you may no longer have a "technically" weather sealed area. Not that I would care. I don't use cameras in the rain.

In actual fact, the camera would stay sealed due to the small ridges that snap tightly into corresponding "moats" on the cam housing, Certainly infinitely better sealed than if the covers were popped out as shown in the original photo.

 

[Jerry Vacl]

I think you just haven’t pushed those covers fully home.

Unfortunately it doesn't matter how hard you push those covers home, they will pop back out again, because they have outgrown their "home".

It is the wrong material for use in those covers, and Nikon will likely not admit it.

This is not a new situation. Sony had the same problem with the camera covering on their R1 model (2005/2006). The vinyl-like material, which covered the hand-held part of the cam body, started to swell in some situations until it completely separated from the adhesive. Sony (under warranty) re-applied the same cover for me, which promptly came off again a year later. I removed that original covering and replaced it with a different kind of material.

 

[ahinesdesign]

Posted same question three months ago with no response:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65127690

Contacted Nikon Canada and found the 20 cent part was going to cost me $20. To replace it I’d have to take the whole side of the camera apart. To have Nikon do it would cost me $200 - $300!!

Next question: what if I rip out the old cover and just replace it with the new?

Answer: If you rip off the cover the small plastic end will stay inside the camera and could cause problems if it comes in contact with hot electronic parts and melts.

My (cheap) solution: Both covers have a thinner “joint” where the cover can bend easier. With a razor blade, I cut the cover (in two) at the joint and removed most of the joint material. The cover, which had been swelling longer and longer in length, now fits perfectly. The downside is that I now have a two-piece cover and have to be careful not to lose the bottom part, which is now not tethered. All I can say is that this solution has been working for me for over three months of actively using my Z6 without any problems.

I was able to replace the covers without the tether breaking off inside the camera.

I replaced both port covers last year, and I noticed they had both popped out again yesterday (after 7 days of heavy use in very hot weather).

Due to threat of rain today, my quick solution to “fix” them was to cut a sliver off the ends so that the covers were not too long for the openings. Works ok, looks a bit rough, but I need to send the camera in for service anyway, so I’ll let Nikon replace them this time. I considered cutting them in half, too, but trimming the ends keeps you from losing the bottom pieces…

I would love to find a solution that lasts longer than a year. We need a third-party vendor to make replacements that won’t swell after heavy use!

 

[michaeladawson]

The downside is that I now have a two-piece cover and have to be careful not to lose the bottom part, which is now not tethered. All I can say is that this solution has been working for me for over three months of actively using my Z6 without any problems.

Also, you may no longer have a "technically" weather sealed area. Not that I would care. I don't use cameras in the rain.

In actual fact, the camera would stay sealed due to the small ridges that snap tightly into corresponding "moats" on the cam housing, Certainly infinitely better sealed than if the covers were popped out as shown in the original photo.

I’m having a tough time seeing how, given the cover has been cut across. But yes, better than half popped out.

 

[Jerry Vacl]

Posted same question three months ago with no response:
https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/65127690

Contacted Nikon Canada and found the 20 cent part was going to cost me $20. To replace it I’d have to take the whole side of the camera apart. To have Nikon do it would cost me $200 - $300!!

Next question: what if I rip out the old cover and just replace it with the new?

Answer: If you rip off the cover the small plastic end will stay inside the camera and could cause problems if it comes in contact with hot electronic parts and melts.

My (cheap) solution: Both covers have a thinner “joint” where the cover can bend easier. With a razor blade, I cut the cover (in two) at the joint and removed most of the joint material. The cover, which had been swelling longer and longer in length, now fits perfectly. The downside is that I now have a two-piece cover and have to be careful not to lose the bottom part, which is now not tethered. All I can say is that this solution has been working for me for over three months of actively using my Z6 without any problems.

I was able to replace the covers without the tether breaking off inside the camera.

I replaced both port covers last year, and I noticed they had both popped out again yesterday (after 7 days of heavy use in very hot weather).

Due to threat of rain today, my quick solution to “fix” them was to cut a sliver off the ends so that the covers were not too long for the openings. Works ok, looks a bit rough, but I need to send the camera in for service anyway, so I’ll let Nikon replace them this time. I considered cutting them in half, too, but trimming the ends keeps you from losing the bottom pieces…

I would love to find a solution that lasts longer than a year. We need a third-party vendor to make replacements that won’t swell after heavy use!

One solution would be to have Nikon acknowledge that these covers have sealing problems. Just constantly sending it in for repair lets Nikon profit off us due to their defective parts.

I'd love to find out what causes this swelling. Am guessing it's a combination of heat (ambient and from our hands) and the chemicals in our sweat, most likely the oils. Could also be sunlight, because my hands very rarely come in contact with that side of the camera...always hold it by the right-hand grip and cradle the lenses from underneath.

What really needs to change is the chemical composition of those covers to prevent the swelling in the first place.