(for Out-of-Warranty units only)

Yes, you can do this yourselves, 950 owners! You can save yourself a large repair bill plus the shipping costs and time you would be without your camera, all you need is a little courage and the ability to follow the directions(without skipping a step!) I successfully cleaned the mode switch on my 950, took all of 10 minutes, and now it works perfectly again. Of course, I must admit, I was in the electronic repair business for 20 years and have had lots of practice at taking things apart, repairing them and then putting them back together. I repaired and replaced many internal mode switches in vcr's, they work the exact same way as the external control mode switch on the 950. There is one step where you need to be a little careful though, that will be explained in the instructions. You should be able to complete this repair in 30 minutes or less, but don't hurry, take your time and do it right!

Disclaimer(sorry I have to): I take no responsibility for any damage you may cause to your Nikon 950 if you attempt to repair it yourself. There is no guarantee that by doing this procedure the mode switch on your Coolpix 950 will work perfectly again. If the contacts in the mode switch are too oxidized or corroded, this procedure may not fix the problem and you will then need to have the switch replaced. That said, I am confident that if the directions are followed carefully, the mode switch on your 950 will perform better than it did before the repair.

1 small jewelers-type "precision" Philips screwdriver (these have the fine tip needed to fit the screws and the end needs to be magnetized to hold the screws in place)

1 can of DeoxIT D5 cleaning spray

piece of electrical tape(masking tape will also work)

small container for screws(you'll lose them if you don't put them in something, trust me on this!)

a cloth or towel you don't mind getting dirty

AND A WELL-LIT WORKSPACE!

CAIG Laboratories, Inc.

12200 Thatcher Court, Poway, CA 92064

TEL: 858 / 486-8388 FAX: 858 / 486-8398

E-mail: caig123@caig.com

If you don't have one already, the screwdriver can be purchased at a Radio Shack or a hobby store. I would bring your 950 with you and show the salesperson what you need. It needs to be a "precision" Philips screwdriver, they have the fine point that will fit in the heads of the screws, very important because you DO NOT WANT TO STRIP OUT THE HEADS OF THE SCREWS! You can magnetize it by rubbing the end on a speaker magnet for 30 secs or so.

My astrophotography website: "Events in the Night Sky"

Photos on my website shot with my Nikon Coolpix 950 are "Sun Pillar" and "Circumzenithal Arc"

Nikon ES-E28 slide copy adaptor used with my Nikon Coolpix 950 on "Hunter's Moon and Jupiter Rising"