PRCog Loc: Andover, MA

I have visited this forum many times and now, finally, I have joined.
I'm not an expert photographer and shoot on "Auto" too frequently.
I inserted a charged battery into my Nikon 5600 for some Holiday pictures and was greeted with "Memory Card Locked". I immediately went to You Tube for answers & tried several fixes. Nothing worked as the "Locked" message kept appearing.

One suggestion was to gently insert a fine-tipped probe (dental instrument) into the memory card lock sensor to attempt to free-up the metal spring. I delicately probed the small depression and, I'm afraid I made matters worst. The message disappeared as did everything else...the camera became totally unresponsive.

2 Questions: Is there a familiarity or remedy with this situation? , or
Is there a reputable Nikon Repair Service that can be recommended?

Thank you for your help...I'm embarrassed with this very Klutz-like "How to make matters worst" situation.
PRCog

wjones8637 Loc: Burleson, TX

Did you try the slide switch on the side of the memory card or try a different card?

AGO

I had a Nikon lens repaired at Sanford in Arlington, MA and was happy with their work.
https://www.sanfordcamerarepair.com/

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Nikon has two repair centers in the U.S. That's your best bet.
--Bob

tcthome Loc: NJ

Does the memory card come out of the camera. Some memory cards have a lock switch on the side that you can lock/unlock the card so nothing can be written to or erased from it when the switch is locked. That is most likely what is happening.

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

Obviously Nikon’s Melville NY facility is one option, but it often takes a long time to get repairs made and it is quite difficult (almost impossible) to actually talk to them. Very cumbersome process on repairs. Since your problem will not be covered under warranty, I strongly recommend APC in Chicago. Outstanding work, fairly priced, quick turnaround and easy to communicate with. In fact, during particularly busy times at either of the official Nikon facilities, Nikon will farm out the repair to APC. At least they did in the past.

http://www.nikoncamerarepair.com/

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

I recently dropped my gray-market D7500. I took it to a local camera shop (Larmon Photo in Willow Grove, PA). They sent it out locally for repair. It came back 10 days later fixed and cleaned up for a grand total of $124.00 plus tax. Based on my experience, I recommend taking it to your local camera store and let them worry about who is good.

maxlieberman Loc: 19027

I recently dropped my gray-market D7500. I took it to a local camera shop (Larmon Photo in Willow Grove, PA). They sent it out locally for repair. It came back 10 days later fixed and cleaned up for a grand total of $124.00 plus tax. Based on my experience, I recommend taking it to your local camera store and let them worry about who is good.

SonyBug

I have used APC in Morton Grove (near Chicago) twice for non warranty and they are good and fair. Call them first as you can talk to them and they are really supportive and will tell you if it needs to come in.

jbk224 Loc: Long Island, NY

I agree with Bob. Send it to Nikon's repair center in Melville. I have only had good experiences with them; and have been able to speak with them as well. The camera is not discontinued and they will bring it up to full 'new' specs and condition for you.

Bullfrog Bill Loc: CT

for this I would only go to Nikon USA Service. You can google it for the full address.

walkurie Loc: East Stroudsburg, PA

Authorized Photo Services, Morton Grove IL.
Nikon specialists. Just repaired my 80-200 mm. f2.8 af-s. 1 week turnaround.
Best of luck.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

I recently sent a dropped D800 to them for repair. I cannot say enough good things about the experience - price, feedback, quality of the repair and the comprehensive refurbishing they did in addition to addressing the initial repair request - it had a visibly bent lens mount. They replaced the entire front of the camera, the pentaprism housing (which had gotten gouged in the fall), the grip rubber, battery door, adjusted the mirror, aligned the tiny AF mirrors, cleaned everything, etc all for under $300, and in a little over a week. I did actually speak with someone when it was close to a week and I hadn't heard anything, and the camera came two days later.

I used to live in Yonkers, which was just a 70 min drive to Melville, and turnaround was faster because I did not have to deal with the mail system. But considering the pandemic and the mess up at USPS, getting the camera back as fast as I did was an unexpected surprise - the good kind of surprise.

Over the years, all of my interactions with Melville have been excellent. No complaints. And my camera never left the Melville location.

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

I've had very good luck with Nikon in Melville - refurbed 2 SB800 flashes and fixed a bent pin in a D300. All work was preformed excellently, and the surprise bonus was additional items they took care to fix so that each of the units came back looking like new.

Canisdirus

Inserting metal into electronics is never a good idea.
Next time...toothpick.