Ugly Hedgehog - Photography Forum
Home Active Topics Newest Pictures Search Login Register
Main Photography Discussion
My Nikon Conundrum
Page 1 of 10 next> last>>
May 17, 2017 13:17:01   #
Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room
 
About three years ago I decided to jump head first into the digital photography pool and purchased a Nikon D7100 and full complement of lenses, filters, flash, tripod, monopod, etc. It was light years better than the compact Nikon 1 J1 I had been using, which in itself was light years ahead of the Fuji FX45 pocket camera I had used before.

But, as some of you know, I suffered several unexplainable "breaks" that necessitated trips to Nikon and resulted in costly (~$500) repairs -- both times to the lens mount. I profess to be very careful with my camera equipment (and to other things I value: cars, guns, guitars, etc.), so these "breaks" concern me.

They concern so much, in fact, that I have become very reluctant to take my D7100 out of its carry case. I even went so far as to purchase a Coolpix P900, which I took on my recent cruise. If I have a gun I rely upon to carry every day and I lose faith in its ability to work reliably, every time, I might as well not carry it, right? I have the same feeling about my D7100.

So what do I do? I have a lot invested in said camera equipment. I suppose I could sell the body and replace it with some other Nikon (DX, I guess), or dump the whole lot and look at Canon, Sony, etc.

I've never been good on private sales. I'd probably take a big hit if I sold it to a shop, but I don't know anyone who I could approach to handle a sale for me.

This is my conundrum: Sell the D7100 and move on, or keep it and try to get over my angst about it (and if it goes "kablooey" one more time...)?

Reply
May 17, 2017 13:22:49   #
raferrelljr Loc: CHARLOTTE, NC
 
I have been using Nikon's since the mid 70's and have never had any issues at all.

Reply
May 17, 2017 13:23:16   #
Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA
 
Did the lens mount breaks happen with very heavy telephoto lenses? I've never heard of that sort of a break.

Reply
 
 
May 17, 2017 13:24:48   #
SnapitSteve
 
I too have used Nikon for over 30 years and have not had any problems. Sorry you are going through this!

Reply
May 17, 2017 13:38:51   #
Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room
 
Bobspez wrote:
Did the lens mount breaks happen with very heavy telephoto lenses? I've never heard of that sort of a break.


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.

Reply
May 17, 2017 13:57:55   #
mackphotos Loc: Washington, DC
 
Hate to say this but you may have a lemon.

Reply
May 17, 2017 14:00:41   #
chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA
 
Just Fred wrote:
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.
Bob, the first time it happened, the kit lens that... (show quote)


I echo all the above sentiments, have *never* had such a problem with the 5 Nikon bodies I've invested in over the last 10 years (one fell while I had it, a D4, hanging on a restroom hook right in front of me, yes thanks for the image, and hit on the *lens* which was a heavy Sigma 24-70...only a scratch on the body when it made contact, and then kept on truckin', you'd think that fall would have affected the mount, eh?). I think you have a bad body. Buy a D500 and be done with it...good deals out there for refurb...or a D7200 off Ebay (which has great buyer protection)...just my .02.

Reply
 
 
May 17, 2017 14:00:45   #
Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA
 
It sounds like the repair may have been faulty the first time. You are at a point where a used D7100 on ebay could be had for about $450,
so it seems like paying for another repair wouldn't be worth it. If all the screws on the lens mount are tight and it looks good, just go ahead and use it until it fails. Then buy another one. For telephoto shots I use my 55-300 with the Nikon FT-1 autofocus adapter on my J1. It works as well as my D7000. Good luck. PS. Heres a D7100 from a top rated ebay seller for sale now.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nikon-D-D7100-24-1MP-Digital-SLR-Camera-Black-Body-Only-/222511545922?hash=item33ceb8be42:g:5yAAAOSw42dZGNbw

Just Fred wrote:
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.
Bob, the first time it happened, the kit lens that... (show quote)

Reply
May 17, 2017 14:44:13   #
IBM
 
That first mishap in your room by the cleaners , must have sealed it's fate for the others , that series has a titanium frame all metal
Compared to plastics I would replace with the d7200 , refurbished

Reply
May 17, 2017 15:32:50   #
MtnMan Loc: ID
 
Odd. Never had such issues from my first D5100 through D7000, D800, and two D5300s. They have traveled the world including North and South America, four trips to Alaska, Eastern and Western Europe, Korea, and Africa. They have traveled by plane, train, cruise ships, pickup truck, and motorcycle.

Thus I'm inclined to suspect it isn't Nikon's fault.

If you are accident prone you might do better with all causes insurance than with another camera.

Reply
May 17, 2017 15:44:58   #
ndncowboy
 
I hate reading things like this. I just got a D7100 and have wondered how robust it might be. I wanted to take it with me on my motorcycle where I sometimes see great photo opportunities. Used to do it all the time with a Minolta. Beginning to sound like my stupid camera phone is safer and just pamper this expensive thing. That kinda ruins the whole reason to get a good camera. Didn't realize these things are so fragile. Damn!!! :(

Reply
 
 
May 17, 2017 15:45:04   #
Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room
 
MtnMan wrote:
If you are accident prone you might do better with all causes insurance than with another camera.


I'm not accident prone.

I still have the Minolta SRT-101 I carried with me all through college. If any camera took a beating from me, that one was it. Still works the way it did 40 years ago.

Reply
May 17, 2017 16:20:55   #
oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA
 
7100's are built like the proverbial outhouse; i abused mine with 7 pound telephoto lenses
for 2 years and over 50,000 images before finally selling it in showroom condition.

Reply
May 17, 2017 16:22:40   #
Wakko12 Loc: New Hampshire
 
After choosing a path of what you're going to do with your camera, I suggest insurance for whatever you end up with. I have 2 bodies and 3 lenses insured for about $40 a year (through liberty mutual). To me it's worth it. I never worry about taking my best camera and lens ($3000) mountain biking because I'm covered no matter what. I slipped on a rock at the beach and smashed a 70-200 f2.8, a replacement was in my hands a week later. Nothing out of my pocket.

Reply
May 17, 2017 16:32:30   #
MadMikeOne Loc: So. NJ Shore - a bit west of Atlantic City
 
Just Fred wrote:
...

If I have a gun I rely upon to carry every day and I lose faith in its ability to work reliably, every time, I might as well not carry it, right? I have the same feeling about my D7100.

...


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

Reply
Page 1 of 10 next> last>>
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.
Main Photography Discussion
UglyHedgehog.com - Forum
Copyright 2011-2024 Ugly Hedgehog, Inc.