Pocketable Camera Repairs in a Developing Country
Sep 30, 2018 15:28:07 #
I realize that with pocketable cameras, some of them are quite fragile and might be considered throwaways if they need repairs. The repair cost is probably more than the cost of the camera. And as has been discussed before, parts may not be available on out of production models.
I knew that I'd be living dangerously when I got a Coolpix S9700 with a 30x zoom. The flash, which I rarely use, seems fragile as does the camera when compared with the very old P5100 I had before, with it's magnesium body. I'm usually pretty careful, but accidents do happen. Working at a camp for kids, I set up a makeshift tripod, using a box on a table. The camera fell about a foot off the box. The only thing that happened was that the ring for the automatic lens cover, cracked in one place and was hanging partially off the lens. The lens cover, though, still worked without a problem as did the camera. It was just a matter of time, though, before the ring would fall off, as it didn't fully retract when the camera was turned off.
A local technician at a Nikon Reception Office which sends the cameras to an authorized repair center, took a look at it. I think what he did was slightly crimp the ring near where it had cracked. It's now snug on the lens barrel with no problems. The cost: about U.S. $2
Meanwhile, my higher end compact point and shoot refurbished coolpix p7800 was sent by the same Nikon Reception Office to the authorized repair center in Ukraine where I'm currently working. The 90 day Nikon warranty had expired before I realized that one of the stereo microphones was not working. I had purchased a 3 year 3rd party extended warranty, which was a U.S. only warranty. The company, though, courteously suggested I get a repair estimate here so I wouldn't have to ship the camera to the U.S. I could then let them know what the cost would be and they might be able to reimburse me.
My diagnosis had been correct. One of the stereo microphones had to be replaced, and the cost will be about $23. I can only imagine what the cost would have been in the U.S.
No need to throw away the cameras!!!
I knew that I'd be living dangerously when I got a Coolpix S9700 with a 30x zoom. The flash, which I rarely use, seems fragile as does the camera when compared with the very old P5100 I had before, with it's magnesium body. I'm usually pretty careful, but accidents do happen. Working at a camp for kids, I set up a makeshift tripod, using a box on a table. The camera fell about a foot off the box. The only thing that happened was that the ring for the automatic lens cover, cracked in one place and was hanging partially off the lens. The lens cover, though, still worked without a problem as did the camera. It was just a matter of time, though, before the ring would fall off, as it didn't fully retract when the camera was turned off.
A local technician at a Nikon Reception Office which sends the cameras to an authorized repair center, took a look at it. I think what he did was slightly crimp the ring near where it had cracked. It's now snug on the lens barrel with no problems. The cost: about U.S. $2
Meanwhile, my higher end compact point and shoot refurbished coolpix p7800 was sent by the same Nikon Reception Office to the authorized repair center in Ukraine where I'm currently working. The 90 day Nikon warranty had expired before I realized that one of the stereo microphones was not working. I had purchased a 3 year 3rd party extended warranty, which was a U.S. only warranty. The company, though, courteously suggested I get a repair estimate here so I wouldn't have to ship the camera to the U.S. I could then let them know what the cost would be and they might be able to reimburse me.
My diagnosis had been correct. One of the stereo microphones had to be replaced, and the cost will be about $23. I can only imagine what the cost would have been in the U.S.
No need to throw away the cameras!!!
Oct 1, 2018 06:12:23 #
Oct 1, 2018 10:07:53 #
Unfortunately the cost of repairs in this country could be and usually is higher than the cost of the camera or lens. I have a 18-70 Nikon kit lens that I like very much and its AF is not working. The cost of repairs exceeds the actual cost of a similar lens sold as "excellent" in the second hand market.
Oct 1, 2018 10:13:38 #
I guess it has to do with labor cost. The mic is a cheap part but $23 can't pay for even 30 minutes of a tech in the US.
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