Moomoo48 Loc: Boston

Recently I posted I had issues with dark spots on my images especially with blue sky background. The overwhelming comments was that I needed a sensor cleaning. So I sent my D 500 to Nikon for sensor cleaning and to upgrade my firmware. I had to authorize $370 a cost based on my explanation. I thought that was too high and called Nikon and was informed that the estimated costs could go down after the repair tech completed the work. Well I got the camera back with @ $330 bill for work including replacing circuit board for WiFi and memory, replacing my rubber grips and several adjustments and general cleaning. The invoice did not mention anything to do with the sensor or what they did to resolve my dark spots issue. I think that before any non identified work be performed they I should have been contacted.
I call today and am waiting their response.
Has anyone had a similar issue or have any suggestions?
Thanks

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Have you taken any test images? Since it seems like you've gotten back a rebuilt camera from Nikon.

LensDoctor

I know that Nikon stopped selling parts to independent repair shops 2 years or so ago! They use to have the best pro service back in the 1980s and it fell apart! The new CEO decided to go with cutting out outside service instead of fixing their service, using the excuse that independents didn't have the knowledge to repair there cameras and lenses! Canon has the best service and still sells parts to independents! However, Sony, Panasonic and others have no service at all as it is all farmed out to service centers like C.R.I.S. but at least they do a decent job of repairing! Leica sells parts to independents as well! Nikon use to be my favorite Japanese camera company but Canon has won the war since Digital took hold!

BebuLamar

Since you have approved $370 and the cost is somewhat less so they went ahead an repair it.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Cleaning a sensor is not that hard.
I do my own when it’s needed.
No waiting and a LOT less expensive.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

Nikon would have been justified in contacting you only if the cost exceeded their estimate. Same practice with garage mechanics, carpet installers and dentists that I deal with, just to name a few. Don’t quite understand your concern. Sounds as tho you received a nicely reconditioned camera from a manufacturer who went above and beyond just fixing whatever prompted the original concern. Looking a gift horse in the sensor?

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

As others mentioned, your camera was significantly repaired well beyond any issues related to sensor dust. You were asked to approve a ceiling cost, not the specific actions. Nikon acted on that approval. You should confirm the original issue has been resolved.

Regarding sensor cleaning, here's an example of do-it-yourself, for the next time you need a cleaning:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-551677-1.html

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

That is yet another reason why I will not buy another Nikon body, the company is just too proprietary.
Their reason for not supplying parts to independent repair shops is complete and utter garbage.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

First of all, Nikon bases their repair estimates and the cost of repair on what it will take to COMPLETELY bring the camera back to new specs. They do NOT fix specific issues but do make sure that the specific issue does fall into the repair. Your camera is back to "nearly new" state. They will have completely reset all of your "presets" to out of the box settings so, if you have specific buttons set "like back button focus" you will have to reset them. I don't know which model that you have but my Nikon D7100 and D610 allow me to save all or most of my camera button settings to an SD card. I have a 4gb SD card assigned to each of my camera with all of the setting saved to it so that I can easily return my settings to what I am used to.
Nikon Repair will NOT fix a specific issue "like spots on the sensor" what they do is guarantee that the issue was covered in ALL of the repairs that they did. If it didn't fix the issue, then return the camera and they will fix it. Always remember, when you call Nikon, you are NOT talking to the person doing the repair, you are talking to a person in the call center and he or she is talking to a person in Melville NY or Los Angeles CA about the repair. The person in NY or LA is looking at the repair order and NOT at the camera and may or may not be talking to the person doing the repair. Remember that your camera is only one of several thousand that the repair facilities are dealing with. Also remember that Nikon (as does Canon and other major manufacturers) out sources some but not all of their repair work, so some of the work may be done at a secondary repair facility in NYC or LA. In genera, Nikon has done a wonderful job on my camera repairs and I do NOT allow any local camera shop to touch my gear. Also note that many local shops will send your camera to Nikon (or Canon and other factory repair facilities) and then charge you and "claim" that they are repairing it in house.. Trust me, with all of the electronics, etc. inside many of the new cameras today, you do NOT want Joes Camera and Drug Store to repair your camera in house. This is NOT to say that all in-house repair facilities are bad but to say that it is probably less expensive (in the long run) to have the camera repaired by Nikon, Canon or whoever. The warranty on the repairs is better and more than likely so is the work.

Moomoo48 Loc: Boston

Thanks , very sad

pila

Recently had repairs done by Apple. Same routine, higher maximum. Interesting concept. Appears designed to increase revenue.

National Park

My local camera repair shop recently cleaned the sensor on my Nikon for around $30 and did a great job. I would not send my camera to Nikon for a sensor cleaning.

Moomoo48 Loc: Boston

True but I think before they do non requested work like grips etc they should have requested approval first.
Live and learn but it’s changed my thoughts on Nikon

Moomoo48 Loc: Boston

But if it’s not broke why fix it. Also they should provide an explanation on what work fixed my dark spots.
OBTW the invoice never mentioned a sensor cleaning.

Moomoo48 Loc: Boston

My sense is they did repair work to back into the estimate.