It looks like the range of batteries affected must be pretty limited, since neither my D100 nor my wife's D70 batteries fall into the ranges listed. Wonder what precentage is affected?
I was almost hoping, since it looks like they are replacing EN-EL3's with EN-EL3a's and EN-EL3e's. Would have been nice to get an EN-EL3e, already compatible with the new D200. Even the EN-EL3a has a little more capacity...
Lithium ion packs contain a controller as the chargers used to charge them run fairly high amperage into the pack. The controller decides when it has had enough. If there is a controller failure and the pack takes in a lot more than it needs, you get a poof.
World wide several plants in Japan and China have experienced burn outs as a result of Lithium. In air and the right conditions it becomes fairly volatile. look under SONY Plant Lithium 1995 as to how unstable Lithium can be. this is not the same formulation used in tranquilizers.
Lithium was banned for use in EPIRBS and ELT's by the feds when they leaked and took out the control cables on some aircraft.
Nice that Nikon has two options for replacing the batteries. I chose to have a new battery sent to me first. Then I'll turn in my old battery. Gotta put a credit card # in though. But I won't be charged if my old battery is received within 30days
My lot 44AS battery, purchased 10/04 (and manufactured in China), is not in the recall. On the site, Nikon states that if your battery doesn't have a similar lot number, it's not a Nikon battery and SHOULDN'T BE USED.
Does it violate the warranty to use a third-party battery?
Thanks David R for posting the Nikon link! I went there, registered and got a link to a UPS packing label, so I'm good to go. Hopefully the turnaround is quick.
