Nikon ends its authorized third-party repair program Cameras: Nikon ends its authorized third-party repair program Cameras Nikon ends its authorized third-party repair program The move...

joncogar Loc: WV

Nikon ends its authorized third-party repair program
Cameras
Nikon ends its authorized third-party repair program
The move will significantly delay camera repairs for many owners.
Nikon plans to kill its authorized US repair program in March 2020 by cutting off access to official parts, tools, software and manuals to 15 official repair shops, iFixit has reported. The move will force owners to send busted cameras to just two Nikon-operated repair centers in the US, significantly delaying repairs. Nikon made the move in the wake of a steep decline in profits as smartphones continue to decimate camera sales across the industry.

MW

Fujifilm did something similar a year or two back. may be an industry trend!

Bill_de Loc: US

With overall sales dropping there should be less demand for repairs.

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Love Wildlife

Well I sure hope DSLRs don't go away, because there is no cell phone that I know of that is going to take a picture of a bird at a 100 yards as good as a 150-600mm on a DSLR will and I own one of the best cell phones in the industry and it can not come close to a DSLR.

I thank you for your time.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

joncogar wrote:

Nikon ends its authorized third-party repair progr... (show quote)

"significantly delaying repairs" That seems to be pure negative speculation as there is no way to know until there is a history to look at.
Nikon made the move in the wake of a steep decline in profits More sour grapes. The independent authorized repair shops are a revenue source with low, or no, financial risk. To me shutting down the independents is puzzling but it certainly isn't to save money

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Love Wildlife wrote:

Well I sure hope DSLRs don't go away, because there is no cell phone that I know of that is going to take a picture of a bird at a 100 yards as good as a 150-600mm on a DSLR will and I own one of the best cell phones in the industry and it can not come close to a DSLR.

I thank you for your time.

I doubt that DSLRs will go away, but even if they do, what you have will still work.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

joncogar wrote:

Nikon ends its authorized third-party repair progr... (show quote)

It doesn't matter any way because there are enough parts available to last until Nikon closes shop on sales as well. The industry is dying and Nikon is leading the way.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

Rich1939 wrote:

"significantly delaying repairs" That seems to be pure negative speculation as there is no way to know until there is a history to look at.

Well, it depends on how fast the authorized third party facility one has selected to make the repairs can get the job done.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

rook2c4 wrote:

Well, it depends on how fast the authorized third party facility one has selected to make the repairs can get the job done.

The news report said Nikon will no longer support authorized independent (read '3rd party') repair. When the independent repair shops are phased out you will need to send your work to Nikon's facility. How long that work will take is anyone's guess at this point.

Bill_de Loc: US

" Nikon USA sent a letter to all independent camera repair shops in the US that they will no longer be able to order parts from Nikon USA."

https://nikonrumors.com/2012/01/16/nikon-usa-to-stop-selling-camera-parts-to-independent-repair-shops.aspx/

It all started in 2012.

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JDG3

Love Wildlife wrote:

Well I sure hope DSLRs don't go away, because there is no cell phone that I know of that is going to take a picture of a bird at a 100 yards as good as a 150-600mm on a DSLR will and I own one of the best cell phones in the industry and it can not come close to a DSLR.

I thank you for your time.

It is Economics 101. If there is enough demand for equipment to take photos of birds at 100 yards, someone will build and sell it. It may not look and feel like a dslr and you may not like the cost, but it will be available. Photography, just like many other industries, is going through a lot of changes. Some we like, others we do not.

Considering all the areas that photography is heavily utilized such as sports, entertainment, wildlife documentaries, fashion and art, photography is not going to be extinct any time soon. It is changing rapidly and may not look the same in the next decade with new or different equipment providers, but it will still be here in some form.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

joncogar wrote:

Nikon ends its authorized third-party repair progr... (show quote)

I have always sent my Nikon's to Melville, NY. Without issues. NO worries, your Nikon's will continue to get professional repairs in a reasonable amount of time. WHAT, ME WORRY!!!! I think NOT.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

The cell phone cameras have displaced the point and shoot only, not the dSLR bodies. More serious photographers buy dSLR cameras.
Mirrorless has significantly effected the sales of dSLR cameras in my opinion. More and more professionals are using mirrorless bodies. Like others here I do not believe the dSLR camera will disappear from the market but we are seeing more and better mirrorless cameras that seem to be selling better than dSLR as I write this.

Authorized Nikon repair centers have been very convenient. I have one 25 min. from home while Melville is a 3 hours flight from here. If no other choice and the camera needs repairs it will go to Melville.
If the volume of repairs is high and I expect it to be, surely there will be more delays in getting our cameras back.

tcthome Loc: NJ

Rich1939 wrote:

"significantly delaying repairs" That seems to be pure negative speculation as there is no way to know until there is a history to look at.
Nikon made the move in the wake of a steep decline in profits More sour grapes. The independent authorized repair shops are a revenue source with low, or no, financial risk. To me shutting down the independents is puzzling but it certainly isn't to save money

Or to bring work to the people in those facilitys.

Bill_de Loc: US

billnikon wrote:

I have always sent my Nikon's to Melville, NY. Without issues. NO worries, your Nikon's will continue to get professional repairs in a reasonable amount of time. WHAT, ME WORRY!!!! I think NOT.

Sending your camera to Melville didn't mean it got repaired there. They have been outsourcing much of the work to their independents. The last time I was there, a few years ago, I was told they didn't have enough room to house all the technicians they needed to keep up with the work. Now I guess they will.

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