D3100 - a build quality issue

[sd40]

"Build quality" is often merely in the eye of the beholder, but I just noticed an actual case of it.

The buttons arrayed along the rear left of the D3100 body all move in concert, slightly, if you touch any one of them. It is as if they sit only in a flimsy base.

The same buttons on my D5000 do no such thing.

 

[romebaby]

Why would this be a build quality issue? It's a 4 button mold.

 

[Jakes]

The sd card door fit is not snug as well. I like the camera well enough that these don't bother me.
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jakes
WSSA# 107

 

[sd40]

Why would this be a build quality issue? It's a 4 button mold.

Glad to see that you know what's going on underneath the hood. In my book, the base for the buttons should be firm. That kind of loose motion implies wear and tear and over time things like that snap off or come more loose. I didn't say it's a biggie. Just trying to share what I observe.

 

[sd40]

The sd card door fit is not snug as well.

That was not my experience--I moved the SDHC card from the D5000 to the D3100 and noted that the card doors functioned in exactly the same way. One of many similarities.

 

[Jakes]

it fits ok ...it's just that it can rattle a bit. Not a tight fit. Could be mine is the only one that does it.
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jakes
WSSA# 107

 

[aimbdd]

The flash has wiggle room. Or at-least the one i bought then returned as well as the one in best buy on display. If i didn't close the flash from straight down it wouldn't lock. Very annoying... i would try closing it left handed while using the camera and it would keep coming back up!

 

[Jakes]

The flash has wiggle room. Or at-least the one i bought then returned as well as the one in best buy on display. If i didn't close the flash from straight down it wouldn't lock. Very annoying... i would try closing it left handed while using the camera and it would keep coming back up!

No such problem with mine...yet.
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jakes
WSSA# 107

 

[Vandyu]

One problem with the Nikon lower-end DSLRs, including my D80, is the flash latch. It is extremely fragile and has a small plastic latch with a piece that will break off easily if the flash is pulled up manually, rather than by using the button. This is why so many of these are broken on the display models. People pull them up and they break off.
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If Today is the First Day of the Rest of Your Life, How Will You Spend It?

 

[romebaby]

I don't, but it's pretty obvious when you touch one and the other 3 move that it's a 4 button mold. Lots of things are made this way by design. You should return it since it doesn't have firm buttons and they will snap off. Thanks for sharing.

Glad to see that you know what's going on underneath the hood. In my book, the base for the buttons should be firm. That kind of loose motion implies wear and tear and over time things like that snap off or come more loose. I didn't say it's a biggie. Just trying to share what I observe.

 

[Richo64]

it fits ok ...it's just that it can rattle a bit. Not a tight fit. Could be mine is the only one that does it.
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jakes
WSSA# 107

My experience as well.

 

[IlanD3100]

I'm having this issue with my D3100 for the past couple of days my Flash latch wont close.

Any thoughts on how to fix it ?