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flickr4jazz 7:07pm, 2 July 2009
The rubber sheet that covers the handgrip on the front left of my D700 and the rubber sheet to the right of the rear view screen are starting to fall off.

Has anyone else had this problem? Any suggestions as to what type of contact cement or glue to keep them from pealing off?

Thanks!
SLRist 14 years ago
If it's within warranty, don't touch it. Take it back to Nikon.
rcarlson80 14 years ago
This happened on my d200, its a sad problem that nikon has. I do mean sad because there is nothing like your favorite and very expensive camera having such a design flaw. And yeas I know they have to make it this way because of vital screws and access points but still sad. If you go to the d200 group or even look up this problem up on the internet you will see a lot of solutions. Some work better than others. but I agree with SLRist and send it back to Nikon, because it is a pretty cheap fix and you won't screw up the d700. Some of the glues will be really hard to scrap off and it becomes very messy.
Ross Finnie [20Hz] 14 years ago
I'm having the same problem - rubber grip on front around C/S/M switch is peeling away. Not a major hassle, I'll just take it to the Nikon service centre next time I'm in Glasgow and get it re-done. I only held off because it's not a major grip point for me, and I had an absolute nightmare with the Nikon service centre in Auckland while I was over in New Zealand!
flickr4jazz 14 years ago
It's been almost a year since my original post. I just had to re-order new grips as they started falling off again.
David Barrett, yes him Posted 14 years ago. Edited by David Barrett, yes him (member) 14 years ago
Yes, rubber grips seem to last about a year. I had mine replaced under warrantee when the camera was 11 months. It'll be two years old in August and the grip near the csm switch is peeling again. This time, because I don't want the camera to be away for nearly two weeks and it costs about £20 in shipping, I ordered the small but relatively expensive part from Nikon. Including postage it came to just under £20. So it turns out it wasn't worth getting it fixed under fading warrantee. The bigger rubbers like the one under the front command dial are more expensive, but probably still worth doing yourself if you don't want your camera absent (even if you have a backup since you don't have a backup if your backup is absent!).

In the uk spareparts@nikon.co.uk or 020 8541 4590.

If, unlike me, you live near a place that'll fix it under warrantee, it might be worth taking it in.
:-{ 14 years ago
This problem goes back a decade. My F5 had the same probelm after around 5 years. Super glue sorted it out!

Nikon are probably hoping that digital users will upgrade before it happens!

For the first time with a digital slr camera, you hear lots of D700 users saying that they have no intention uf upgrading any time soon. Once my D700 is out of warranty it'll be out with the super glue again. :)
high trousers [deleted] 14 years ago
Agreed, every one of my pro-bodies has had rubber issues. The good news is that every time Nikon Service works on a pro body they replace all the rubber whether the old stuff is falling off or not. It is a standard issue and all us deal with it. I usually just let mine fall off and use the cameras without the rubber until it is time for a yearly service.
DoF Punk 14 years ago
Wow.

If you search the forums you'll find a huge rant by me.

Nikon Sydney refused to replace the grips under warranty and gave me the bullshit wear and tear excuse even though NPS told me it was possible to replace them under warranty.

I still get the feeling that Nikon Service is shit here. Although NPS is great.
I've noticed it seems to be based on how often you keep your hand on that particular area of the camera body. About a year in, the rubber began to peel away a little on my D90. Granted, even with the 85mm 1.8 attached it's pretty light, so I keep a firm grip on that side--almost like holding it with one hand-- and of course, heat and sweat and dirt eventually has an effect resulting in the rubber detaching.

I hold the D700 via the 80-200mm lens and support the body with my right hand. I notice less sweat after use compared to how I hold the D90. We'll see how that pans out over time.
hurried smash [deleted] 14 years ago
same thing happened to my d300 a few years ago. so far d700 intact but i reckon Nikon should start using another glue or form of coating. It's like buying a car and having the paint peel off a year later
chramiJi 14 years ago
if not warranty, try gorilla glue :) holds anything in place.
pfhisher 14 years ago
just replace the rubber.

forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1039&messag...

the pro bodies have softer, easier to replace rubber than the consumer bodies. you're actually supposed to maintain a pro body
Will's Photoimaging 13 years ago
From F100 / F4 through D200 to D700 and no problem. Mainly used with heavy lenses and vertical grip. Can be handheld for up to 8 hours a day with only brief breaks to change lighting setup or location. At proms it is moreless non-stop for 5 hours. Wrist / hand grip used, not a neck strap.

Not everyone has this problem. If it happens once to you then it might be sample variation. If it is happening frequently for you then it might be, as The Joey alludes to, how you use / hold the camera.
Kevin Eddy 13 years ago
This comes up now and again. Personally, I've never had a problem with it on the D200, D300 and now the D700. I wonder if it's related to the humidity or lack of it in the areas we use the cameras? Here in NM, the humidity is kind of low......

just wondering?!
John Edward 13 years ago
after 21K count yes on the left side....not mine though. just planning to get a pre-owned one.
owen4green 13 years ago
Looking through the older threads is helpful.
The search bar is yuor friend :-)

www.flickr.com/groups/nikond700/discuss/72157621848951850...
Rangefindergeneral 13 years ago
It must be sweaty hands as I have never had this problem and in the UK its not hot enough to get sweaty hands.
abiding ink [deleted] 13 years ago
One thing to consider is what happens to your camera when it's NOT in your hands. I've been perplexed by the fact that the only rubber piece I'm having problems with is one that I touch the least, the piece on the front that surrounds the pin connectors and the C S M switch. I was thinking about it, and it suddenly dawned on me that I didn't have any trouble with it until I switched from the neck strap to a Black Rapid R-strap. I love the strap and will never go back, but the rubber pad that came loose is exactly where the camera contacts my body when it's hanging on the R-strap. I just replaced the loose pad with one I bought on eBay.

So when you're thinking about why these things come loose, it may not be from handling at all.
mausgabe Posted 13 years ago. Edited by mausgabe (member) 13 years ago
Mine's in the same spot (CSM) -- possibly from how I put the D700 into the Kata R-series bag(s) each time.
Joël Kiel Photography 13 years ago
I've been using my D700 for about a year and a half right now and haven't had any problems whatsoever. Been through rain, heat, dirt and every you could think of.

What i think it is, is the combination of eco friendly glue and the acidity of sweat. Some people have a higher level of acidity in their sweat. Reason i thought about this is because i work in a music shop where we sell guitars and stuff, and some customers need to change their guitar strings every other two days while others only have to change them every other two months... all due to the level of acidity in their sweat.

cheers, JK
abiding ink [deleted] Posted 13 years ago. Edited by abiding ink (member) 13 years ago
Sweat has been mentioned as a factor. But of course the glue is beneath the rubber. You'd have to be sweating quite a bit for it to penetrate the rubber and weaken the glue. Not that temperature and humidity or acidity won't affect the glue. But I think friction, from handling or in my case from rubbing against my hip, is a bigger culprit.
hurried smash [deleted] 13 years ago
I think that the rubber is prone to stretching too. this and the type of glue must be the problem. solution? how about gaffa tape (or duck tape for you americans)?
jsv_foto 13 years ago
OT...since some of you were talking about ordering from Nikon Parts, does anyone have a copy of the part-list for the D700? If you do or know where I can get one at a reasonable price, flickrmail me.
edsee_sf 12 years ago
both the Focus mode and rear 4 way dial came undone simultaneously. I guess that means I am using my camera more!
Dismayed & Perplexed 12 years ago
The rubber grips are analogous to windshield wiper blades on my car - I expect them to wear out.
RMurang 12 years ago
Both the rubber parts in front left bottom and the thumb grip behind (as mentioned in this thread) do come off in both the D700 bodies I used. Apart from replacements, if there's any glue that could do the trick for a while, it would just save a lot of hassles.
Ben Taylor Photography 12 years ago
There are lots of strong glues on the market, I'm sure any one of them would do the trick. Just have to be really careful not to get messy.

I had this happen on a D200 a couple of years ago, sorted it with superglue but would've preferred some sort of contact adhesive.
I'd been it carrying around in India for some months so there may be something in the earlier observation to do with hot climates/humidity. I remember thinking that might've been the problem at the time.
I live in the UK and no problems here so far with D300 or D700 (the 700 is still quite new tho...)

I must admit I do feel a bit disappointed that these expensive cameras suffer with this problem, but I take the points made above.
fkelly5 12 years ago
I recently ordered the rubber piece that fits on the back of the camera and based on feedback I got from others on this forum- I only ordered the piece that comes pre-glued. All you do is line the piece up and press hard.
This worked like a charm and have had zero issues.
Personally I wouldn't fool around putting extra glue on my cam.
Oh and the parts was ordered via godle search for Nikon d700 parts> Ebay.
jinkydish 12 years ago
The tip I got yesterday was to use a couple of spots of a clear silicone sealant rather than glue. Holds most stuff and will peel off for access in the event of returning to Nikon for any body repair needed. Nothing wrong with my grip so going to give this a go as it won`t do any harm
jinkydish 11 years ago
Ignore the silicone tip - does not work! One still loose grip! Back to the drawing board.
Todor Jens Posted 11 years ago. Edited by Todor Jens (member) 11 years ago
Contact glue works. I have successfully used it to glue back the rubber grip on my old D3.

Don't use super glue or anything like that.
Woof (Ken Irvine) 11 years ago
the rubber Nikon uses will gradually absorb skin-oils and swell up... that's why they come loose.

replacement is the only answer, and it's cheap.

don't use any other glue
Jeram Photography 11 years ago
I agree... just orderd the FX side grip from nikon usa...$14.26

why mess w/ it.... just fix it right
jinkydish 11 years ago
Yeah just done that through Nikon UK when I found a ink. Anyone with this problem in the Uk can get the Rear Rubber for the Nikon D700 DSLR. An order can be placed for this at the cost of £4.23 + postage (£2.00) + VAT. To place an order please call Nikon on 0208 481 6815 and quote part number 1F998-697. "This is a very minor repair that takes only a few minutes, the replacement part comes with a double sided adhesive tape already attached. Any excess glue should be removed from the camera body which is left there by the old part and a mild alcohol based cleaner can be used to remove any residue from the surface. Following this the tape on the rubber can be peeled off and stuck to the camera body with ease."