James May

I have all state insurance and you have to pay for a rider for camera equipment and it is extra payments . I trust and like the PPA insurance. I had a claim and no problem they paid . And covers you anywhere in the world

RobertGeorge Loc: Midwest

I've dropped many a camera, so I know how you feel. If it had been the D7100 and the repair bill was $300-$500, it would not be worth it. But the D850 has a long life ahead, and performance to make it worthy. Nikon provides fabulous repair service, above and beyond. I am always amazed when gear comes back, repaired, cleaned and performing like new at a very reasonable cost. You will not be dissatisfied with that option.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

One additional suggestion would be to check with your insurance company if you have a homeowner or rental insurance policy. They all differ, but perhaps there is some coverage as part of your policy.

Good luck.

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

Duct tape it up and keep using it until it quits! Watch out in wet situations.

dvbird

That is my default modus operandi.

Sinewsworn Loc: Port Orchard, WA

cjvaccaro Loc: mahopac ny

Last year I had a diopter repair on my D850 it was $450. Not sure that helps.

Canisdirus

Heh...that gives a good indication...just the diopter.

dvbird

From what I've been able to discern reading the forum, the first $300 to $400 is just to touch it for the first time. The diopter repair was probably only $50 to $150 bucks. That's a repair that I'm probably comfortable doing myself.

nikon123 Loc: Toronto, Canada

A few years ago, while on vacation, my Black Rapid strap failed and my D500 fell and did a few end over end as it bounced down the road. At this point, I decided to go mirrorless and purchased a Z6. The camera store would not take the camera as a trade in because the repair cost would be prohibitive for them to resell the camera. The camera still works and I use it I don’t know its reliability. I have been a Nikon user since acquiring my first DSLR in 1970.
I have nothing to lose. I’m going to go to my local Nikon repair centre and see if they would replace the camera as one of the posts related.

stevemdr

Hindsight is great, but that's why I have all my cameras under an all-risk camera valuable property insurance floater policy with USAA. It covers damages mainly by declining to repair the camera and sending you a check for the replacement value (probably the cost of a used camera of the same type from an authorized dealer).

JeffDavidson Loc: Originally Detroit Now Los Angeles

Contact Nikon repair. If it costs over 1/2 of what a new one would cost, get a new one.

dvbird

Here is an update on the D850 saga, and maybe some lessons learned:

I first tried the Nikon repair route. I sent it to California based on my location being in Utah. They sent it right back with a cryptic note that alluded to rejecting it due to unauthorized repairs. Recall that I had made some field repairs to get it working, and I maybe mistakenly fessed up to that fact when I requested repair service through the Nikon USA website.

So, I found a repair shop on Grump's Photos's list called Forster's Camera in Salt Lake City. They are one of the many former Nikon authorized repair shops. I took it in and was able to talk to the repair technician to share what had happened, and what I had fixed (and broken) in the field.

That was last week.

The shop called today to tell me that they had everything working now, and asked if I wanted to have them order some parts that received cosmetic damage, such as the Front Cover and Eyepiece Cover. We had also discussed replacing the shutter during the first visit (recall >200k actuations). The fee for basic repair was ~$330 and the cost of the additional parts would be $315. Incidentally, if I didn't have them fix anything after they tore it apart, they would charge an additional $30 to reassemble it, or they would keep it. There was not an option to return it to me disassembled. I feel like that was simply based on their professional principals, which I totally respect.

In the end, I've opted to pay the $330 fee, plus have them replace the shutter with a near new one (removed from a return or floor model) for an additional $323. All in all, I'm really happy with how this ended up. I had mentally prepared myself for a repair bill of >$1000, or replacing it for ~$2000. I will have my old D850 with a new shutter, and can now start looking for another lens to consume the money I had mentally "set aside" for the camera. :)

I learned that my homeowner policy would not cover a dropped camera. If it had been stolen or ruined in a flood, there would have been a $1000 deductible. I don't have a writer for this, nor professional photographer's insurance.

Have any of you used those silicon camera covers seen on ebay? Would one of those actually provide any protection?

Thanks for reading, and for your suggestions and empathy.

Dwight

Grump's Photos Loc: Dunedin FL

YEA! Good for you! You had a few options, picked one that you felt comfortable with, and had what sounds like a satisfactory resolution to the incident. Glad they were able to get it back up and running!👍 Thanks for posting the final resolution…….we ALL like to know how you made out. Now get out there and wear it out this time! LOL
Andy