ERR Message on D90.....

[ThiloL]

I have a SANDISK Extreme III (4GB) too and also such error-messages!

 

[Eskew Photo]

I am about to return my SECOND faulty D90 to the retailer because I don't see with any certainty that the SD card is the problem. In fact, I don't see any clear indication of what is triggering the ERR msg and I don't think Nikon even knows. (as I mentioned in an earlier post that Nikon Cust Serv says "we've never heard of the D90 having a problem.") I have a Lexar 1 GB card that works beautifully in my D50 and does not create error messages in that camera. If I put the same Lexar card in my D90 it works fine for a while but then the ERR CHA message begins to appear. I have interchanged other Lexar cards as well as SanDisk cards both in my D50 and D90 with the same results. I see no proof whatsoever that the SD card is the problem. Both of these Lexar cards are capturing images on BOTH cameras except of course when the D90 is in ERR CHA mode then it won't capture images. Personally, I feel that there is some internal mechanical problem that even Nikon hasn't figured out yet. With such uncertainy swirling around the true cause of the problem I feel it's risky to keep the camera.

 

[Hawkintx]

Thanks for posting your experience. I hope Nikon will eventually have a press release, firmware update or something to fix this issue. I'd really like to see a "show of hands" on this board of all people who have received the ERR message on their D90. That way we could determine what percentage of D90's appear to be "faulty". Maybe it was just the initial batch that was shipped out?

I am about to return my SECOND faulty D90 to the retailer because I
don't see with any certainty that the SD card is the problem. In
fact, I don't see any clear indication of what is triggering the ERR
msg and I don't think Nikon even knows. (as I mentioned in an
earlier post that Nikon Cust Serv says "we've never heard of the D90
having a problem.") I have a Lexar 1 GB card that works beautifully
in my D50 and does not create error messages in that camera. If I
put the same Lexar card in my D90 it works fine for a while but then
the ERR CHA message begins to appear. I have interchanged other
Lexar cards as well as SanDisk cards both in my D50 and D90 with the
same results. I see no proof whatsoever that the SD card is the
problem. Both of these Lexar cards are capturing images on BOTH
cameras except of course when the D90 is in ERR CHA mode then it
won't capture images. Personally, I feel that there is some
internal mechanical problem that even Nikon hasn't figured out yet.
With such uncertainy swirling around the true cause of the problem I
feel it's risky to keep the camera.
--

--
JB

 

[Kluso]

I do not see a huge problem or Nikon trying to hide something or an early production problem etc.

CHA errors have been reported on all Nikon DLSR models over many years.

CHA error is a very vague warning that something went wrong and the cmaera was not able to write the image to the card, most times the cause is a faulty card but not always!

The CHA error message is vague a bit like the engine trouble light in your car, it is telling you there is a problem but it is not specific about what the problem is, it could be caused by any one of a thousand possible reasons.

When a CHA error appeared on a D70 most people immediately assumed it was the first warning sign of BGLOD.

I had CHA errors on my D70 2 years ago! it has continued to work just fine and continues to work with no CHA errors after I had the faulty Sandisk Ultra card replaced 3 times and eventually I went to a Lexar card, not a single CHA since.

I have also had CHA errors on my D80 again a Sandisk card, got rid of the Sandisk - no CHA error. Before anyone pipes up all my Sandisk cards are not fakes, purchased from an authorised Sandisk retailer and covered by Sandisk warranty, but there comes a time when the warranty becomes useless due to waste of time and possible loss of images.

CHA in D90 can be caused by a faulty card, a bent card contact, dirt on card contacts, lens or main battery contact problems causing communication errors, shutter sticking, mirror sticking and lots of other reasons.

If you have tried more than one card plus you have cleaned the lens contacts on both the camera and the lens and you have the latest firmware installed yet you continue to see CHA error you should have the D90 replaced if that option is available or return it to Nikon for service, having it replaced is a MUCH better option.

If the display of CHA error is intermittent be prepared for a long drawn out frustating fight with Nikon service as the darn thing may refuse to do it while they are looking at it, which is why having it replaced is the best option if available.

I am about to return my SECOND faulty D90 to the retailer because I
don't see with any certainty that the SD card is the problem. In
fact, I don't see any clear indication of what is triggering the ERR
msg and I don't think Nikon even knows. (as I mentioned in an
earlier post that Nikon Cust Serv says "we've never heard of the D90
having a problem.") I have a Lexar 1 GB card that works beautifully
in my D50 and does not create error messages in that camera. If I
put the same Lexar card in my D90 it works fine for a while but then
the ERR CHA message begins to appear. I have interchanged other
Lexar cards as well as SanDisk cards both in my D50 and D90 with the
same results. I see no proof whatsoever that the SD card is the
problem. Both of these Lexar cards are capturing images on BOTH
cameras except of course when the D90 is in ERR CHA mode then it
won't capture images. Personally, I feel that there is some
internal mechanical problem that even Nikon hasn't figured out yet.
With such uncertainy swirling around the true cause of the problem I
feel it's risky to keep the camera.
--

--
JB

--
Inspector Kluso

 

[Tony Duckworth]

I purchased a D90 about two months ago and am having the same ERR problem. It will only reset after I have removed the battery. I have contacted Nikon Service and they gave no indication that this was an extensive problem as indicated on this forum. I am not happy that Customer Service advised me that I was responsible for packing it up and paying postage and insurance to send it for repair. I expected more from Nikon and a $1200 camera and I am returning mine and will purchase a different product.

 

[prmass1]

I have been using two sandisk extreme III 4gb class6 cards and I only seen the err when I take the card out which I rarely do. One strange footnote and that is the manual talk about a blinking err. Mines was static and, in addition, if the card is taking out an -E- should appear.

 

[RadicalCat]

I have a D90 with 16-85VR, two weeks old. After 200 pics I got the F -- message on aperture line. A turn off/turn on solved the problem for the moment, but it reappears, mostly when I turn on the camera. I remounted the lens and then I got F90, there is no F90, pushed the button and camera totally hang up. I called Nikon here in Sweden, he gave me the answer there is a contact problem between lens and body and I have to send it in.

So, my advice to you with similar problem: just send it back. I don't like this, Nikon know there is a problem and they keep on selling cameras.

 

[Theresse]

I am about to return my SECOND faulty D90 to the retailer because I
don't see with any certainty that the SD card is the problem. In
fact, I don't see any clear indication of what is triggering the ERR
msg and I don't think Nikon even knows. (as I mentioned in an
earlier post that Nikon Cust Serv says "we've never heard of the D90
having a problem.") I have a Lexar 1 GB card that works beautifully
in my D50 and does not create error messages in that camera. If I
put the same Lexar card in my D90 it works fine for a while but then
the ERR CHA message begins to appear. I have interchanged other
Lexar cards as well as SanDisk cards both in my D50 and D90 with the
same results. I see no proof whatsoever that the SD card is the
problem. Both of these Lexar cards are capturing images on BOTH
cameras except of course when the D90 is in ERR CHA mode then it
won't capture images. Personally, I feel that there is some
internal mechanical problem that even Nikon hasn't figured out yet.
With such uncertainy swirling around the true cause of the problem I
feel it's risky to keep the camera.
--

--

This is what I've been saying (on another thread): that it's not the cards - it's internal. It's so funny how so many people are frantically looking for anything to blame but our precious D90's that we'd read all the reviews about and got our hopes up so high over. ;-) It is what it is, and no one knows what it is, and that's just...weird. I wonder if that's why a Nikon rep told me I didn't have to worry about the two week period of time (or however long it is) to get the camera registered and to buy the extended warrantee. He said Nikon's allowing people to register/buy the extended warrantee for up to a year I'm pretty sure (if memory serves) after purchase. I was surprised to hear that and of course that doesn't mean it's related to this error problem but it does make one wonder...

 

[Theresse]

--

What I wonder is whether this could be serious enough to result in a recall? Probably not - I mean in the first place recalls might only be related to safety issues (?) and regardless, there still seem to be plenty of happy d90 users out there (I know I am much of the time anyway)...but how many others are just putting up with it like I usually do?

 

[deenok]

The first Sandisk Extreme III 8GB SDHC card (20MB/s) had the CHA error after a few week's use. After fiddling around with removing card, battery, turning on, off etc, it went back to normal after a few minutes. I thought everything was fine, until on another ocassion the same error came out and no amount of fiddling could make it work again. I tried to read the card on computer without success, tried to format the card both on camera and computer also without success.

Took the card back to Sandisk and they exchanged one for me after they did some tests and checks. To my surprise, they gave me the 30MB/s version. No problem so far with the new card.

BTW, both times I got the CHA error, I was using the internal flash and was taking a large amount of pictures in really quick successions. Not sure if it has anything to do with it, or just a coincidence.

Do you remember under what circumstances you get the CHA error?

Regards,
Clement

 

[richard56]

Like everyone else it seems ,Nikon have told me they are not aware of any problem which I find very strange bearing in mind the posts here and on other web sites.I have not yet returned the camera to Nikon and have "put up with it" so far.

How many people have retuned the camera to Nikon and, if so, when returned, has it worked without problem?

 

[unfo]

Got the ERR message on my 2wk old D90 I just bought from JR Photo. I tried taking the card out and putting it back in, but every time I took a picture ERR would show up on the screen and the camera would lock up. I put in a different card, took a couple of shots (but the camera was accessing the other card very slowly), then took out all the cards and took 40 shots in demo mode. After that the original card started working, but sometimes the lens wouldn't focus. So I re-seated the flash head, and it started focusing again. I tried taking the flash on and off, and I managed to get it to say "A--" then "A90". So I took the lens off and put it back on, and it seems good as new. I just fired off 200 test shots in different modes, with different lenses, with and without the flash. Hopefully it was just a fluke!

 

[unfo]

Hmm, my ERR was also on a Sandisk card, the Extreme III 8GB. It seems to be working fine after reseating the lens. What was strange is that it would work with the little 32MB card that came with another camera (albeit very slowly), but when I switched back to the Sandisk, I got "Err". I don't recall seeing CHA or anything like that, just "Err", and the whole thing would lock up. Think I'll be taking pictures everyday to see if I can reproduce this...which is a good thing to be doing anyway, I suppose...

 

[SteveCooper]

Hello fellow D90 owners,

I just purchased a MB-D80 for my D90 and got my 1st CHA error. I had to remove the MB-D80 and re-attach to get the camera to do anything.

I am also using Sandisk Extreme III SDHC 20MB/sec cards......

We ALL need to contact Nikon and try to get answers on this.....

 

[Hawkintx]

Agreed, Nikon needs to acknowledge and address whatever is causing the ERR message. Perhaps the most effective way to accomplish this is to get as many users as possible to call the Nikon help desk.

For me changing memory cards has "solved" the problem, but there are definitely others where it appears to be a lens/contact issue. I am disappointed that all posts I've seen where consumers have contacted Nikon have received the same, "We haven't heard anything about this." reply from the Nikon agent.

Please keep posting your replies, results, and any resolutions to the ERR messages you are receiving. I'd like to hear more from those of you who have returned your D90 to Nikon and they have "repaired" it. Is it really fixed?

Thanks!

JB

Hello fellow D90 owners,

I just purchased a MB-D80 for my D90 and got my 1st CHA error. I had
to remove the MB-D80 and re-attach to get the camera to do anything.

I am also using Sandisk Extreme III SDHC 20MB/sec cards......

We ALL need to contact Nikon and try to get answers on this.....

--
JB

 

[alydar7490]

--I contacted Nikon twice because of memory card errors with my D90. They emailed me and asked me to send my camera to their repair facility in Melville, New York, which I did a couple days ago.
Linda Rusinko
Wooster, Ohio

 

[Eskew Photo]

I also tried out TWO brand new D90 cameras that I purchased from B&H photo. BOTH cameras demonstrated the same ERR message repeatedly. B&H photo was terrific and paid for the postage for me to return both cameras.

I now am stuck with my old D50 and itching to upgrade.

What camera are you considering that has similar specs to the D90?

Would you ever consider going "to the other side" over to Canon? I seriously wanted to consider it because I'm so disenchanted with Nikons "no customer service."

I welcome any advice on the next camera to consider. Thanks!

 

[Ptrck293]

I wonder if that's why a Nikon rep told me I didn't
have to worry about the two week period of time (or however long it
is) to get the camera registered and to buy the extended warrantee.

Your warranty should be valid whether or not you "register", as long as you have a receipt. Registration is just a way for them to get marketing data.

 

[Patco]

What camera are you considering that has similar specs to the D90?

D80? Pretty close feature-wise, except the Live View, movie mode, and over
ISO 1600 noise.
"Despite the greater pixel count of the D90, there's essentially no
resolution difference between the two, with the D80 perhaps edging its
younger brother in terms of per-pixel sharpness."
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond90/page30.asp

--
Patco
A photograph is more than a bunch of pixels

 

[kiw]

Have had mine for about 2 month and no problems at all. Using MB-D80, Sandisk memory cards, Nikon 17-55, Nikon 70-300mm VR, Sigma 150mm f/2.8 and Sigma 10-20mm......
Chears
Kim