repair non American Nikon Lens: I purchased an 80-200mm nikkor zoom lens some time ago. When it sent it in to Nikon for repairs, they informed me that its serial number was not an...

Richard D Volkman

I purchased an 80-200mm nikkor zoom lens some time ago. When it sent it in to Nikon for repairs, they informed me that its serial number was not an american number and they sent it back saying they could not work on it.

Does anyone know where I could send it for repairs?

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Richard D Volkman wrote:

I purchased an 80-200mm nikkor zoom lens some time ago. When it sent it in to Nikon for repairs, they informed me that its serial number was not an american number and they sent it back saying they could not work on it.

Does anyone know where I could send it for repairs?

Take or send it to your local camera repair & see what they say about it.

Edit: Which lens is it, and what is the problem?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Richard D Volkman wrote:

I purchased an 80-200mm nikkor zoom lens some time ago. When it sent it in to Nikon for repairs, they informed me that its serial number was not an american number and they sent it back saying they could not work on it.

Does anyone know where I could send it for repairs?

You have apparently bought a "grey market" lens and Nikon in Melville or El Segundo will not work on it. However, the smaller independent Nikon Authorized Service Centers will work on it, just not under warranty. There are a couple dozen of them around the USA that you can deal with, or you can ship it back to Nikon Japan. This is the big problem with buying grey market products. I cannot recommend a service center because you are "in hiding" and that could mean you are anywhere.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Don't know if he works on lenses but, Rick Riggins of Discount Camera Repair in Denver, CO is a member of the Hog. You might send him a PM.
His member name is rjriggins.

Richard D Volkman

I am not quite in hiding, as you say, but I am the 31 year editor at the Nebraska Journal-Leader in Ponca Nebr. I bought the lens maybe ten years ago from whom I thought was a reliable dealerapparently not.
At any rate has been a beautiful lens and I want it fixed. I have several other 70-200mm lenses, but they are all heavier than this one.Lugging them around the football field has become problematic.
So, if you could give me a couple url's or mail addresses, I would find that most helpful. Dick Volkman at <deditor@gpcom.net>

Thank you.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

Richard D Volkman wrote:

I am not quite in hiding, as you say, but I am the... (show quote)

Rick's website is http://www.discountcamerarepair.com/.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Try Midwest Camera Repair.
If I remember correctly, I think they are in Michigan.

I don't see why Nikon won't repair it, as long as you are paying for the repair? Doesn't make any sense to me!
Good luck. ;-)
SS

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

SharpShooter wrote:

Try Midwest Camera Repair.
If I remember correctly, I think they are in Michigan.

I don't see why Nikon won't repair it, as long as you are paying for the repair? Doesn't make any sense to me!
Good luck. ;-)
SS

Nikon has always had a strict policy of not supporting gray market equipment. Period. And now that they no longer support independent repair guys, it is really hard to get any non-domestic product repaired domestically. The independents can't get parts or support, and the authorized repair guys can lose their authorization for offering to repair gray market - so no authorized repair place is going to risk that. Nikon is pretty religious about auditing their NAR network.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

nicksr1125 wrote:

Don't know if he works on lenses but, Rick Riggins of Discount Camera Repair in Denver, CO is a member of the Hog. You might send him a PM.
His member name is rjriggins.

I believe Ricks member name is rjriggins11.

josephnl Loc: Irvine,, CA

B & H in NYC will repair/replace grey market items they sell (and they admit to and clearly identify those which they sell). Whether of not they would repair a grey market Nikon lens which was not bought from them I do not know, but it's worth asking.

Richard D Volkman

josephnl wrote:

B & H in NYC will repair/replace grey market items they sell (and they admit to and clearly identify those which they sell). Whether of not they would repair a grey market Nikon lens which was not bought from them I do not know, but it's worth asking.

I have done camera business with B&H, so thank you, I will try them.

Cordially, Dick volkman

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I believe CANON U.K. will repair my camera or lens if I request them to - I'll just have to pay for it as it's a 'grey' import from the U.S. I'd have thought NIKON would do the same. Otherwise, as MT Shooter says, send it to an independant or ship to the NIKON centre from whence the lens came, if you can out where that is.

Good luck.

drmuttillo Loc: NorthEast Florida

If no one has already suggest it you might try KEH they also repair Nikon and other brands.

jfn007 Loc: Close to the middle of nowhere.

Maybe China, Japan, or Thailand where many are made have repair services.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

MT Shooter wrote:

You have apparently bought a "grey market&quo... (show quote)

Just a note... El Segundo is closed.. they moved it to Los Angeles...