rwinch Loc: Walkersville, MD

Hello fellow hoggers. As promised I now report on my experience with my first camera service by Nikon (or anyone for that matter). This is a follow up to my recent post "Nikon Camera Repair - Melville doing all repairs?".

Two weeks ago, Monday March 23rd, I sent the following to Nikon Melville: D700, 35-70 F2.8D (push-pull version), 80-200 F2.8D ED MkII (second gen push pull version). I included some paperwork that was the printout of previous Customer Service Q&As (see below). I asked that focus be looked at, and to focus match the lenses to the camera body, as well as clean and adjust everything. They received the equipment the next day as reported from UPS tracking.

I sent this equipment in for two reasons; 1) I bought all used, so not really sure about the condition, and 2) I was having back-focus issues. Initially, when I contacted Nikon customer service, they requested I take some pics and send them to them. After reviewing, they suggested I send the lot in so that they could be looked at together. They knew what equipment I was using.

I had called CustServ to ask when I would hear something about the equipment. The reply...1-3 days in the form of an email estimate. Indeed, I got the email on Friday (3 Days). The D700 - $304, the 35-70 F2.8D - $165, the 80-200 F2.8D ED $224. I accepted all estimates. BTW - they were all classified as a "B2 Service Repair Rank B2"

Monday - D700 no word, 35-70 F.8D - in shop, 80-200 F2.8D - they raised the estimate to $420. I called CustServ to find out why. They could not find out why, except we did come to the mutual conclusion that the MkII version, which Nikon made an estimated 170,000 of these lenses, is NOWHERE to be found in their archives. I have looked as well online. Except for the repair shop, Nikon only "officially" recognizes the first push-pull version, and the third & fourth versions (the two-ring twist lenses), and then of course the VR's. OK, I accept that the estimate is based on the lens I selected on the website, which was the newer two-ring version...no issues really, I'm cool with that.

Tuesday - My 35-70 F2.8D has the estimate changed to $0, and it is in shipping. WTF? I call CustServ, and they say that the lens cannot be repaired as parts are no longer available. OK...(me) "Can you tell me what is wrong with it so I know at least????" (CustServ) "Sorry, it is Nikon's Policy not to disclose the repair issues found". Well, not happy about that, would like to know what they wanted to replace...maybe get a parts lens to use those parts.......anyway, whatever.

Wednesday - receive shipping notice that another item is being returned to me from the Brooklyn, NY area - company EISC????. I am guessing the D700. The D700 status is "In Billing" - but at a lower price of $224!

Thursday - Indeed, it was the D700 with a returned to GWO (Returned to Good Working Order - Nikon does not recognize the term I see here - "CLA"). Replace a bunch of rubber items, grips, etc. Cleaned sensor, adjusted focus/mirror/etc. Looks Good!

Friday - 80-200 F2.8D Shipped from "Island Camera Repair" in Farmington???

Monday - Recieved 80-200 F2.8D. Only seems to have thoroughly checked the lenses out...no "repairs" made. Cleaned the lens. Paper work states that lens was already "within standards" and was cleaned. $420 seems like a lot for checking and cleaning....I though service rank B2 meant parts had to be replaced from other posts I have read? I did get a nice handwritten note that the older lenses cannot be focus matched to the digital SLR bodies....nice touch.

OK - so now I put camera to the test. I got the D700 (from a local fellow Hogger) just because of the AF Fine Tune system. I put up my focus chart, and sadly, the 80-200 needs the full -20 and still slightly back focuses. The 35-70 is well in focus at -15. I also have a more modern AF-S 70-300 4.5-5.6, and it needs a -10.

Overall, I am happy with the process, but this is because all of the Customer Service agents were extremely helpful, not rushed, and tried to have all my questions answered. The equipment was returned in what I would say is an acceptable amount of time.

I do not think that they checked the camera with the lenses. If three different lenses backfocus, then maybe the focus adjustment was not quite right??

Everything does seem to worked well...even the 35-70 F2.8, so I am still wondering what they wanted to do with it!

My only advice to Nikon is more transparency in what is going on in the process of repairing the equipment. I know that if I took my truck to the repair shop, the mechanic would not do anything without saying what is wrong and what exactly will be replaced.

In the end---I am out taking pictures, I like my older equipment...and when I can start making a little money from it, I will think about buying new!

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

I wonder what service & repair $664 would buy at http://www.discountCameraRepair.com , owned by UHH member Rick Riggins, a well-trained camera repairman with an outstanding reputation.

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

I don't see them on the Nikon authorized list. . .

rwinch Loc: Walkersville, MD

Thanks for the recommendation on another repair option! However, for my first experience with having my equipment serviced, I wanted to use Nikon directly. I understand that Nikon no longer sells parts to those that are not "factory authorized", and I also was advised by a couple of professional photographers that I should send to Melville directly.

In the future, if it is only simple CLA stuff, I may consider your suggestion, but I think I have a couple years now before I need to think about this again (I hope).

The Villages Loc: The Villages, Florida

He is not, and I don't think claimed to be. If you read his site you'll see his background. He is a good source for "out of warranty" work. Been used by a number of members.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

You might be expecting too much from this repair facility. It's not like they have a repair shop in every town. They must get thousands of products to be repaired or serviced. I don't think you're going to get better quality work anywhere, but asking their communications people to find the item, find the tech, get the details, and report back to you is probably asking too much.

I sent two D600's to them for the sensor spots. One was returned within two weeks, and the other had to wait for parts. I received emails saying each had been returned, but the emails arrived just before the cameras. Their goal is repairing, not communicating.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Since there are no parts available, I think it is only natural that they did not waste their time (or your money) to check if anything was wrong.

rwinch Loc: Walkersville, MD

Certainly I agree. However, they assigned the lens a repair code of B2, and thus suspected at least something was wrong. I am only asking that they share with me what they thought could be wrong. Knowing this, I could possibly find another lens and use it for parts to fix it.

In the end however, the lens works just fine, so I am not worried.

Note - I would have paid for a cleaning as I requested even though they would not/could not "repair" it.

I hope you read that overall I was satisfied with the experience. I now know what to expect in the future!

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

U

Thanks for the update I sent my 3 week old d750 back to nikon due to a blank viewfinder issue Nikon has always been good to me I am hoping for a quick resolve

Joe

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

May be blind faith, but I figure since they've been servicing professionals for around 60 years, they know more about how to run their business than I.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Not to start "that" argument, but from the professional photographers I personally know, Canon has very good customer service. Note, me as a source, I own neither Nikon nor Canon, but Pentax. But my only experience with Pentax service has been over the phone for questions or advise, not repairs.

Nikonian72 Loc: Chico CA

Authorized Nikon repair facilities are not allowed to cannibalize old lenses for their parts: it is either new-in-stock parts or no repair. Even sending them an additional carcass to harvest a needed part, is not allowed. This is one of the distinct advantage of an independent camera repairman, who can buy & keep old or damaged lenses for their useful parts.

rjriggins11 Loc: Colorado Springs, CO

I also do Gray Market repairs. By the way, there are other sources for Nikon parts than Nikon itself and they are the same parts Nikon buys. The soirce has many suppliers.

rwinch Loc: Walkersville, MD

Rick...OK, I bookmarked your page. I need to play around with the equipment I got back, and it seems OK, but I am still wondering about the 35-70 F2.8D lens that Nikon sent back without working on. Have you worked on these lenses?