No ruse. I didn't see your post asking for details, so adding to my previous posts, here is as detailed as I can get: I first noticed the problem after returning from a cruise, where I photographed the Mayan ruins at Tulum, Mexico. Two issues presented themselves: the first, was that when attaching a lens, I could not get any lens to lock into place. I also noticed my 18-140mm lens had a ring that wasn't seated properly. I had not dropped or abused the camera, so I couldn't tell when or how these problems were caused. But I sent them both to Nikon -- the lens was repaired under warranty, but I had to pay for the body repair (the lens "pin") due to "drop damage."

Five months later, I again notice that I could not get lens lock. This affects the auto-focusing mechanism. I wrote to Nikon, anticipating this would fall under their six month repair warranty, but when I sent it to them, they once again said it was due to being dropped.

I have not once dropped any camera I have ever owned. You can take my word on that or not. Your choice. I have been shooting photos since my photojournalism college courses back in the early 1970s. Never banged, dropped, forced or otherwise abused a camera.

On my last trip, also to Tulum, I took my Coolpix P900 and kept it in my stateroom safe when I wasn't carrying it about.

Arguing with Nikon about drop damage is as about as fruitful as trying to teach a pig to sing. Now that the pig is annoyed (my feelings toward Nikon service), I don't want to go that route again.

Since my D7100 is working -- at least the last time I pulled it out, charged it up and shot some photos with it -- I'm thinking that perhaps the best move for me is to go back to the store where I bought it, and explore the possibility of ordering a D7500 and using the D7100 as part of a trade-in. Yes, I'll lose money on the deal, but at least I'll have a new camera body with a full factory warranty on it to go forward.

Sound like a plan?

I also had a problem with the lens mount on my D7100. In this case, I could not remove the lens on the camera. After several efforts, I got it off and then found that the locking pin was not functioning properly, so I sent it off for repairs. It was out of warranty, so I paid for the repairs at the authorized Nikon repair facility. Since I had an important event to shoot while the camera was in the shop, I bought a D7200, which I like very much and which is my go-to camera, though I keep the repaired D7100 as a backup. Like other respondents, I have taken lenses off Nikon cameras for years, including the D70, the D5100 and now my two D7xxx bodies and this was the first and only time it happened. I had never dropped the camera or hit the lens, so I can only conclude it was a faulty locking pin system that led to this problem, not camera abuse.

Fred, read over the 2 sentences above from your OP. Seems to me you have already answered your own question. It seems to me that it is time for you to move on from your D7100. Not only are you not using your D7100, but you will also not get any enjoyment out of it if you should use it again.

My suggestion would be to put it up for sale on eBay, being careful to note that the sale is "as is". Be honest about its history. The camera is of no use to you under the circumstances you indicated.

A possible replacement is the D7200. There are some very good deals on it right now. You could even purchase a refurbished one from Nikon or from one of the A, B, C's. In the interests of full disclosure - I own and enjoy a D7200 (traded up from a D5200 which I still use on a regular basis). The only problems I have had with ANY of my digital cameras has been OE (operator error). It was always caused by some silly thing I did to inadvertently change a setting.

Good luck with whatever you decide, but thems my 2 cents1

Bob, the first time it happened, the kit lens that came with it (a very nice 18-140mm) also had to be repaired. Although I never dropped it or mishandled it, I am willing to believe that someone cleaning my ship's cabin on a cruise may have accidentally bumped it. However, the second occurrence came about five months later, and no lens was (evidently) involved.

Part of my conundrum comes from Nikon's response to my issue: All repairs are said to be warranted for six months. Believing that my camera fell under warranty repair after less than that, I was a bit put off by Nikon's claim that "damage due to drops" is not warranted, and that I would have to pay for the same repair again. Since I have no way of proving a negative (that I didn't drop the camera), I had no choice but to pony up and pay again.

I won't pay a third time. Fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, shame on you. The best way to prevent a third occurrence is by not using the camera.

I also had a problem with the lens mount on my D7100. In this case, I could not remove the lens on the camera. After several efforts, I got it off and then found that the locking pin was not functioning properly, so I sent it off for repairs. It was out of warranty, so I paid for the repairs at the authorized Nikon repair facility. Since I had an important event to shoot while the camera was in the shop, I bought a D7200, which I like very much and which is my go-to camera, though I keep the repaired D7100 as a backup. Like other respondents, I have taken lenses off Nikon cameras for years, including the D70, the D5100 and now my two D7xxx bodies and this was the first and only time it happened. I had never dropped the camera or hit the lens, so I can only conclude it was a faulty locking pin system that led to this problem, not camera abuse.

I too, thought the problem might be with a faulty locking pin. But when Nikon declined to repair it under warranty a second time, that's when my distrust of both the camera and Nikon began. You know, I don't marry a brand. I have multiple brands of guitars, multiple brands of running shoes, and multiple brands of guns. I do have an investment in accessories, however, and moving to another brand of camera now would be quite costly. I bought the Nikon vs. a Canon not out of brand loyalty, but because it just felt better in my hand.

I'm willing to stick with Nikon, but my faith in the brand has been shaken.

No ruse. I didn't see your post asking for details, so adding to my previous posts, here is as detailed as I can get: I first noticed the problem after returning from a cruise, where I photographed the Mayan ruins at Tulum, Mexico. Two issues presented themselves: the first, was that when attaching a lens, I could not get any lens to lock into place. I also noticed my 18-140mm lens had a ring that wasn't seated properly. I had not dropped or abused the camera, so I couldn't tell when or how these problems were caused. But I sent them both to Nikon -- the lens was repaired under warranty, but I had to pay for the body repair (the lens "pin") due to "drop damage."

Five months later, I again notice that I could not get lens lock. This affects the auto-focusing mechanism. I wrote to Nikon, anticipating this would fall under their six month repair warranty, but when I sent it to them, they once again said it was due to being dropped.

I have not once dropped any camera I have ever owned. You can take my word on that or not. Your choice. I have been shooting photos since my photojournalism college courses back in the early 1970s. Never banged, dropped, forced or otherwise abused a camera.

On my last trip, also to Tulum, I took my Coolpix P900 and kept it in my stateroom safe when I wasn't carrying it about.

Arguing with Nikon about drop damage is as about as fruitful as trying to teach a pig to sing. Now that the pig is annoyed (my feelings toward Nikon service), I don't want to go that route again.

Since my D7100 is working -- at least the last time I pulled it out, charged it up and shot some photos with it -- I'm thinking that perhaps the best move for me is to go back to the store where I bought it, and explore the possibility of ordering a D7500 and using the D7100 as part of a trade-in. Yes, I'll lose money on the deal, but at least I'll have a new camera body with a full factory warranty on it to go forward.

Sound like a plan?