DSLR CAMERA REPAIR: I have a Nikon D70 camera that I used for a back up to my D200. I put a bad memory card in the camera and broke some pins in the reader. The camera now gets the CHA...

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

I have a Nikon D70 camera that I used for a back up to my D200. I put a bad memory card in the camera and broke some pins in the reader. The camera now gets the CHA error message because it needs a new card reader. The camera has less than 3K actuations. It's a great little back up camera but it doesn't have high value now because of its age. I would like to get it fixed. Nikon factory repair is totally outrageous in cost and turn around time. If anyone knows of a place that could repair it for a reasonable fee, I will get it fixed. Thanks for any leads.

letmedance Loc: Walnut, Ca.

How many pins are involved? If only a couple there is a way to get around repair costs. It consists of removing the damaged pins from the camera card slot, then putting small pins into the corresponding holes in your memory card. Plug it in and if it is working leave it in and use the USB cable to get your pictures.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

PVR8 wrote:

I have a Nikon D70 camera that I used for a back u... (show quote)

http://www.discountcamerarepair.com/

He is a member of this site and people from this site have use him to repair their equipment.

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

I don't know how many pins need to be replaced. I took it into my local camera shop (Peace Camera in Raleigh) and the repair guy tried to fix the pins and he got it to work for a few minutes but it didn't hold up and he said that I would have to get it repaired and he didn't have a card reader for it in the store because Niokn won't sell parts to any camera store unless it's an authourized Nikon repair center. If I don't find an inexpensive repair person, I'm going to take it back to Peace Camera and ask if he can do what you've suggested. Thanks a lot for the tip.

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thanks for the info. I checked out the web site and seems that it will cost at least $100 to be repaired by them. I have to decide if it's really worth that much of an investment because I've seen a lot of used D70's going for that amount and less. I'm going to try to find a less expensive fix if possible. If I can't, I may have to bite the bullet or try to sell it as is for a small amount to recoup some of what I paid for the camera. I just can't see throwing it away because of the pins.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

I would forget the repair, way too expensive for that body. There are lots of options out there. I might suggest you upgrade to more modern technology like a D7000 or D7100 and relegate the D200 to the backup role.

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Good advice that I've actually already done. I upgraded to a D7000 and I've kept the D200 as a back up. I just hate to throw the D70 away. Except for the pin problem, the camera is in mint condition, but I've decided that I'm not going to spend $100 to fix it. Thanks for the advice.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

PVR8 wrote:

Good advice that I've actually already done. I upgraded to a D7000 and I've kept the D200 as a back up. I just hate to throw the D70 away. Except for the pin problem, the camera is in mint condition, but I've decided that I'm not going to spend $100 to fix it. Thanks for the advice.

Sounds like you have the situation all figured out already. The D7000 is, in my opinion, the best buy out there in a crop sensored DSLR camera. Happy shooting.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

MT Shooter wrote:

I would forget the repair, way too expensive for that body. There are lots of options out there. I might suggest you upgrade to more modern technology like a D7000 or D7100 and relegate the D200 to the backup role.

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Tom G Loc: Atlanta, GA

Yes PVR8, I have a suggestion.

Call Michael Van Langen who owns Southern Photo Technical Service here in Jacksonville. While I don't know what he will charge, he is very knowledgeable, good at repairing cameras. He will probably want to see the camera, but I'm sure a telephone conversation would give you an idea of what needs to be done. His phone number is (904) 398-7577.

Tom G

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thanks Tom,
I will give him a call tomorrow. I hope I can salvage the D70 and perhaps hand it down to one of the kids as a starter camera.

Bpace Loc: Alabama

Repair manual and instructions on this page

http://www.stephanmantler.com/tech/d70s-camera-repair/

Another
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nikon+D70+CF+Slot+Replacement/9408

PVR8 Loc: Raleigh, NC

Thanks for this info. I might muster up the nerve to give the repai a try. I'm not very good at work that requires any fine work that these big hands and fingers need to do. This is such a great online forum I'm glad I came acroos this site. Great group of photo enthusiasts. Thanks.

Bpace wrote:

Repair manual and instructions on this page

http://www.stephanmantler.com/tech/d70s-camera-repair/

Another
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Nikon+D70+CF+Slot+Replacement/9408

Bpace Loc: Alabama

Good luck, we're all counting on you. :lol:

PVR8 wrote:

Thanks for this info. I might muster up the nerve to give the repai a try. I'm not very good at work that requires any fine work that these big hands and fingers need to do. This is such a great online forum I'm glad I came acroos this site. Great group of photo enthusiasts. Thanks.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

PVR8 wrote:

I have a Nikon D70 camera that I used for a back u... (show quote)

okay,...here we go. some of the pins in the camera body serve as grounding pins. it is possible, and admittedly a risk, to remove one or two of those and replace them in the slots where the other pins are damaged.
in order to do this, you will need the service manual for your camera. or...you might want to speak with a local tech about this.
hope this is of some assistance to you.