Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

I really do appreciate the time people have spent replying to this thread! I have to LOL at some of the comments, wondering if some people actually read the comments, or just jumped to the end (or a conclusion). To recap: my original question was "should I sell the D7100 or get over the angst about it?"

Well, I get it. Nikon makes sturdy cameras. Some people might even call them bulletproof. I never once thought of them as dainty flowers -- I never would have bought one if I thought it was a fragile butterfly. And I have trekked the canyons of the southwest, explored the beaches an sights of Hawai`i, winter in Yosemite, summer in Yellowstone, lighthouses of New England, and had my D7100 as a constant companion. Fit into a Think Tank Airport Essentials case, my camera and equipment have sat under the seat in front of me on countless flights.

I am NOT error-prone, fumble-fingered, clumsy or a newcomer to photography. I have five other cameras that I've owned going back to the 1970s. I've not needed a repair on any of them. And now, I have a D7100 that has needed repairs twice. For the same problem.

That's it. I am encouraged that so many people have had trouble-free experiences with their Nikons. I now have three, and only one has had issues. And that's my conundrum: get rid of it and replace it, or pull it out and act as if nothing had happened. My angst is that I've now been bitten -- not once, but twice -- I'm now truly twice shy (and my apologies for munging the earlier "fool me once" axiom). I'm more inclined to sell/trade a camera that's now working again than to have it fail on me a third time -- which then would render it a useless brick, as I'm not sending it back a third time.

The problem is, it's still currently a brick, as I'm not using it. My everyday carry camera has become my P900, which isn't as flexible (in my opinion) as the D7100, but is certainly a fine camera.

And no troubles, so far.

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

Film cameras/lenses were stronger & lighter than the autofocus DSLRs of today. Dom't ship a body with a long lens mounted. You can always set up a "baby monitor" type of camera with motion detector on a cruise to see if your gear is tampered with.

Chilimac

So sorry about your misfortune. I have used Nikon camera bodies, lenses, flash etc for 50 years. I am somewhat rough with my equipment and have never had a problem with any of it. I currently use the 7200 with a 7000 for backup. Hope you will keep on using your 7100! Chilimac

IBM

That's to bad , but one thing ,when the 7000 series first came out the reports were it had a all titanium frame , weather sealed, water resent
It is strongly built , I don't know if canon has one built to those standards for the same price .and the 7100 7200 were built the same ,

taitman

Frankly, unless you're law enforcement, "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?", sounds more concerning than your Nikon problems. In any case, I'm rough on cameras and thankful that Nikons are as rugged as they are. The camera becomes a lesser tool if you worry to much about keeping it pristine.

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

Fred, just wondering how far apart the two instances of the problem occurred. If they were close together, Nikon should have inspected the work and decided if it were properly done. [Did you send it to Nikon or to an authorized repair center?] If far apart, then I guess they determined it was a new incident. Regardless of this, you have the camera, have spent the money to fix it, and now are afraid to use it because it might break down again. Understandable, but not practical! I am sure with all your experience with cameras that you are definitely not "error-prone, fumble-fingered, clumsy or a newcomer", and know how to pack up gear so it is protected. That makes your current situation all the more frustrating.

So here is my advice: Take that brick out and put it to the test! Look at the lens mount and make sure it is working properly first. If nothing is bent, the lens engages properly, then it ought to be good to go. When doing a repair, they are supposed to check out all systems, add any new firmware, and then they reset to factory specifications. You may very well discover that it is now as good as new. Then, if it breaks down again, contact Nikon and tell them you have a lemon! What response you will get is anyone's guess, but worth a try. If they want to look at it, fine, but make it clear you are not paying for a third repair.

It is important NOT TO BE AFRAID of failure! But it also pays to be prepared. If the pictures you are planning to take are important to you, behave like a pro who always has backup cameras and lenses in case something happens to the one they are using. This is how they can take on major or minor shoots without fear of not being able to complete the job due to gear failure.

Courage! Just do it!

Just Fred Loc: Darwin's Waiting Room

Thank you, @SusanFromVermont! Your post resonates with me, and it's chock-full of good advice. Which I am going to take.

For the next few photo shoots I go on, I'm going to take both my D7100 and P900. Yes, it's more gear to carry, but it may be worth it for the peace of mind!

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

You are welcome Fred.

Another camera body and lens in a camera bag should not be too much added weight. Or, if you are not going very far from where you park, you can always leave the P900 in the car! Let us know how things work out.
Susan

Mil

Surprised to hear that. I carry mine all over including wading in rivers while flyfishing. Use large Sigma contemporary lens 150-600 as well as the lens you described and others. Have dropped camera. Never had an issue. You must just have gotten an odd lemon or someone did in deed drop it. Also have D 80. Did damage flash and a lens on drop. Not worth fixing so bought the 7100 and new lense and continue to use the D 80 with other lens without problems. Probably better to buy an upgrade and keep the lenses. Mil

miniscus Loc: fort worth, texas

Not trying to be redundant, but I have been a Nikon user for many years and not had any problems at all.

Good luck!!

ndncowboy

I have to admit I was concerned as I was having trouble getting clear focused pictures with my D7100 no matter what I did. Took a gamble and bought a different lens. That solved the problem. So I'm a little less concerned now. The lens in question was part of a bundle. No doubt a lesser value lens which is why I didn't think it was that great of a gamble to try. Sure made me feel better once I started getting better pictures. I was sorta sweating there a bit and seeing this post had me concerned. No more.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Just go Canon.
It's what the pros use.

IBM

[quote=Architect1776]Just go Canon.
It's what the pros use.[/quote
Prick- use

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

[quote=IBM][quote=Architect1776]Just go Canon.
It's what the pros use.[/quote
Prick- use[/quote]

Now let's keep it civil!

romanticf16 Loc: Commerce Twp, MI

So, which pissing contest did you enter today?