A few minutes ago I received an email from Nikon support. I registered my D800 with Nikon online, therefore I got this automated message.
A potential problem with the EN-EL15 batteries has been detected. A batch of EN-EL15 batteries has not been produced according to the Nikon quality standards and in very rare cases the batteries can reach a temperature which deforms the casing of the battery. Nikon states that the problem has only been encountered in the factory, there are no field reports of overheated batteries so far.
Nikon has set up a replacement programme. See the support page (German) for details.
You have to check the back of your battery for the serial number.
- If the ninth position in the serial number is an “E” or an “F” your battery must be replaced.
- If the ninth position of the serial number displays “A”, “B”, “C”, “D” or “G”, the battery is safe to use.
- Exception 1: Batteries which were supplied with any D7000 or Nikon 1 V1 bought before February 29th 2012
- Exception 2: Any single battery which has been bought before February 29th 2012.
I contacted Nikon support using the online chat system and a friendly lady named Joyce registered the battery for me and will send me a replacement battery.
So people, check your batteries and contact Nikon if necessary !
How long did Nikon say the replacement will take? They told me they would post it on May 1st. That’s more than a week away.
May 1st is also what I was told by Nikon support. Since this is a bank holiday in Germany I expect shipping of the batteries on May 2nd earliest (that is, if the batteries are not shipped from another country in which May 1st is not a bank holiday…).
If you are concerned about your camera catching fire with the current battery but you don’t want to stop taking photos – why don’t you remove the battery when not using the camera. This way you can rule out that it overheats over night. Of course everything at your own risk, but I think the battery replacement is a mere safety precaution. You never know what kind of tests they do with their batteries. The scenario which triggered the problem with the faulty batteries might never occur in real life…
Ok, so I don’t think there is a chance to get the battery any sooner, unless I was to buy one. I don’t think its very likely for the battery to overheat when using the camera, but you never know.