So you got yourself a brand new DIGITAL SLR and after using it for a little while obtained the dreaded “ Err” mistake on your camera LCD? Fear not really, your camera might not damaged plus there might be no need to return it back in order to Nikon, as they suggest in most digital camera manuals.

The reason why this particular error comes up, is because your digital camera is not properly communicating with your zoom lens due to some dirt and oil both on camera and zoom lens contacts. The solution is pretty simple – all you have to do is dismount your own lens and clean the zoom lens contacts, then clean camera connections and mount the lens back again on the camera and see what happens. Seems too complicated? Are you afraid in order to damage your camera and/or zoom lens? Then keep reading, because I will demonstrate exactly what needs to be done.

So here is the step-by-step process:

1. Dismount digital camera lens – before you decide to remove the lens, make sure that you are doing this particular in a clean environment indoors. I favor to do it at night (when kids are usually sleeping) in the bathroom: ) For those who have not dismounted a lens from the camera yet, now is the time to learn. Switch off your camera. Press the zoom lens release button located to the left from the lens when the camera is seen from the top, then rotate the particular lens clock-wise to dismount the particular lens as shown here . Right after the particular lens is dismounted, put the dark plastic camera cap back in the camera lens mount to prevent dirt from getting into the camera.
2. Clean lens connections – there are many different cleansing solutions out there, but I would recommend these approach: first, wash your hands along with soap and dry them away. Next, put some denatured alcoholic beverages (ethanol) on dry, light-colored microfiber cloth, wrap it around your own index finger and gently clean each lens contact in spherical motion without touching the cup on the back of the lens. This is how the contacts look like on the Nikon 50mm f/1. 4G lens:

   If you can see dirt or even grease on the microfiber cloth, replicate the above process again using the solution part of the cloth. Once you are done cleansing the contacts, use the Giottos Rocket Blower to blow away any kind of particles your microfiber cloth might have left on the lens.

3. Clean camera contacts – remove the black cover from the camera lens mount, then utilize the clean portion of the same microfiber towel and gently wipe the digital camera contacts, just like you did with the zoom lens contacts. Here is how the contacts to the camera look like:

   Keep your index finger with your fingernails facing down and while holding the particular microfiber cloth, move from remaining to right and vice-versa many times. Repeat the process one more time with the cleaner area of the cloth to make sure that there is no dirt/grease remaining on the camera contacts. Make sure to do that rather quickly to prevent dust from getting into the camera chamber.

4. Mount lens back at the camera – as soon as all contacts are clean, line-up the dot on the camera using the dot on the lens and completely mount the lens in counter-clockwise direction.
5. Ensure that you make sure that the “ Err” information is gone – at this point turn the camera on plus take a few pictures. The “ Err” message on the camera ought to be gone!

Imagine if you are still getting the “ Err” message? Try another lens and find out what happens. If nothing changes, your own camera could be damaged, so contact Nikon for support.