byThom

Got an old 105mm F2.5 AIS from a family member.   It had some normal wear and tear and quite a bit of dust inside from the years if use.   Also the built in hood was worn out & very loose.  Decided what the heck, send this to Nikon for a couple $ in shipping and see if they will do anything to this older lens.

Shipped the lens last Wed 2/19, hit Nikon's dock Friday ($7 UPS ground).  Had a repair estimate on Monday for $93 for a B2 repair.  (Believe that B2= moderate type repair in Nikon's world)  Approved it and the lens is back in my hands today 2/28.  To me that is fast, with 2 days of ground shipping on each end.

Looking an the lens, all cleaned up, no dust on the inside, the focus ring rotation is now like my other 28mm AIS lens (smooooooth) and the built in hood now works fine.   Couple quick tests and everything looks good.    Interesting and this may just my perception, but the focus assist >0< needed to be on the > to be in focus before sending it in.  Now the focus is better right on the 0.  Cool!

This is going to be a fun toy.

Maybe this is a sign the Nikon service may be headed in a better direction.  (Or their last AIS lens tech is sitting around, lol) (jj)

I got a brand new Nikon F100 from ebay with the glass inside the viewfinder broken. I sent it Nikon in Melville, NY and they did repair it. The replaced the broken part for a new one. It wasn't cheap (paid more of the repair than the camera), but considering I got a brand new camera back in perfect working order and with warranty... very happy with it.

It's good to know Nikon still does this service and has replacement parts available. (aa)

More "troubles" at Nikon USA repairs. I sent in my Nikkor 28-70 F2.8D for repairs to the AF system on Feb. 20, 2014. 

First, I couldn't complete the repair registration process online. There was some kind of problem at the website that prevented me from getting my mailing labels in PDF form. I sent an email via the Nikon USA website saying I was having problems. Two days later, I got a response email acknowledging issues with the site, and saying it should now work. It did when I tried again.

Second, today, Feb. 28, I got an email saying my lens had been received and I could go online to approve the repair estimate. I did, or at least tried to. When I engaged the Approve button, I got a "server cannot be found" error message. I tried this three times, all with the same result.

Third, I then called the Nikon USA service number, 1 (800) 645-6687. But the menu tree offered to callers DOES NOT (as at least of this moment) offer an option to contact Repairs!

The phone menu was only offering choices ranging from 1) Nikon Store to 4) All other Technical Support. Of course, when I went to 4, I got only software, film camreas, sport optics and film scanners.

Third, once I cleared that hurdle, I got to a live person in Repairs (option 5). After giving her my service order number, she couldn't find the order that corresponded to my name. Short version: it took five tries of giving her the order number before she said she "must have misheard" me and was putting in the wrong number.

Fourth, a small point, the call center person then said she couldn't pronounce my surname and could she call me Mr. Floyd. I find this rather ironic given that NIkon is a Japanese company, but perhaps the irony was lost on her.

Fifth, it then took another two minutes for her to get set up to take my credit card number to attach to the repair approval.

Sixth, when this painful process was finally over -- I also told her to report the problems with the website and phone menu system -- I had spent nearly 17 minutes on the phone approving what should have been a simple repair approval order.

I'm a pro shooter, and this lens is one of my go-to lenses. I understand things need to be repaired .... I've sent two camera bodies (film) and two lenses through this system in the past. But if my experience is indicative of the quality of Nikon "service," its a hell of a way to run a consumer-focused company.

In mid-2010 I bought a used Nikon 70-200 VR I. By September 2012, the AF failed. I sent the lens to Nikon LA. The response was estimate repair B2 $432. Not having any idea what that meant, I authorized the repair.  I knew I was taking my chances buying a used lens so I had no qualms about paying for a repair. My issue here was I had no clue what the repair was. Could you imagine getting a auto repair or other any other appliance estimate as vague as that? No one would tolerate it.

So I paid and I received the lens back within a very reasonable time and in time for my annual Eastern Sierra fall color trip. Invoice says replaced AF-S motion and various other parts. I unpacked the lens and turned the focus ring which squealed loudly like parts scraping against each other. I called Nikon CS.  They said send it back. So I over-nighted it back with a letter saying I needed it by the end of the week for my trip. A week after my trip, I got it back. The squeal was gone, but no apology, no offer to pay for my shipping. Nothing but silence.

Fast forward to late June 2013. After using the lens about 8-10 times, the AF fails again. I contact a friend who is friends with a higher up person at Nikon in NY. He tells me the NY guy called LA and to send the lens back to LA specifically to Vic Zimmerman, who runs the repair center. Vic is expecting the lens and he will take care of it. So I send it back to LA. Then I get an estimate: Repair B2 $432. I call my friend, who calls his friend, who calls LA and after a week or so, it is changed to Repair B2, complimentary. The lens is repaired and sent back to me. Again, the final invoice says replaced AF-S motor ect., same repair that failed in less than a year.

I certainly did appreciate the complimentary repair. However, it is not lost on me that absent my personal relationship, Nikon expected me to pay for the repair again. Further, I have no information as to why the AF-S motor failed in 9 months and no re-assurance that it will not do so again. It is not reasonable to pay $432 a year to keep this lens running. Nikon's response? Silence.

So once again I unpack my lens and turn the manual focus ring.  It squeals again just like before. Just about every time the manual focus ring goes past the focal area either at closest or infinity, it squeals. So I send it back to Nikon. I then receive the following email from Nikon Tech Support:

"Mr. Zimmerman in the L.A. office has asked me to contact you regarding your lens. Most AF-S lenses can squeak if the manual focus ring is turned past the limits of the focus range. This has been tested with some of our lenses and is normal. If this is happening to your lens it does not need to come in for service."

The lens is then returned to me with an invoice stating "check and clean", but this time it still squeals.

None of my other lenses exhibit this behavior. This lens has only done so when it comes back from Nikon following a repair. No one I know who has Nikon lenses have lenses that do this. The very unscientific poll I posted on Nikon Cafe revealed that the few people who had lenses that did squeak, did so because the AF-S motor was failing.

So now I am left with what do I do with this lens? I good conscience, I cannot and will not sell it without full disclosure which will significantly devalue the lens. I have no confidence in Nikon as a company doing anything about it. I realize I bought it used, but it is not gray and I paid for a repair and am entitled to be able to use it in confidence for a reasonable period of time without failure. I also think I am entitled to not have to rely on Nikon's vague "test[] of some of our lenses" that do the same thing.

I will not be the customer of a company that will not stand by its product and repairs and acts so indifferent towards its customer making excuses instead of doing the right thing. I was lucky I was able to leverage a friend of a friend this time, but absent that, Nikon could have cared less. The message sent is Nikon does not value me as a customer. If it does not value me as a customer, then why should I be one.  I have no trust or confidence in the LA repair center and if at all possible, will not send it any of my other equipment again. If not for the fact that I cannot stand Canon ergonomics and dial system (works for others, just not for me), I would be considering jumping when the 7D replacement arrives (I currently shoot a D300). (rs)

Repair Experience - body:

Had D800E die on me at the Grand Canyon. Thankfully literally when the light was dying as well, on my last day there, so I didn't have to reach for the backup body. Shutter/mirror wouldn't function. Sent to Nikon Melville, out of warranty quote for a couple hundred bucks and change. Got it back in three weeks, replaced mirror assembly, replaced bent lens mount, cleaned, upped firmware. Damned thing looked brand new, shoots like a jewel, left side AF problems fixed. I have my issues with Nikon, but service out of Melville has for the most part been positive. Grade: A 

Repair Experience - lens:

Last year had my 200/2 VR-I start squealing, last year in warranty. Sent it off to Melville, 2 weeks and change, get it back for warranty repair. Works great, etc. Except they forgot to send back the lens hood, and when I looked up the price for THAT sucker I think my blood pressure blew the cuff off. Called 'em up, and they sent a new one out my way later that week. Again, have my issues with Nikon, but service out of Melville was good and the issue they had, they addressed. Grade: B+  (mn)

I was prompted to send off my D600 to Nikon as I was experiencing repeated gunk on the top left of the sensor and the shutter mechanism seemed to be at fault. I first uploaded sample images to Nikon and then after acknowledgement posted the body to them and also uploaded copies of my proof of purchase and Warranty card.

After about a week I got the following response:

“I have received your proof of purchase and have been investigating your warranty details further. Unfortunately as your camera was purchased from Amazon market place and our records show that we sold the camera to a high street retailer, your camera would technically not have a manufacturing guarantee as it would be classed as a second hand purchase.

However I would be happy in this circumstance to proceed the repair to your camera as good will and have your camera repaired for free under the terms of our warranty. Repairs take around 7-10 working days to complete, parts dependant and as soon as your repair is done we will have your camera dispatched out to you for next working day delivery.“

So good news in that the repair was being done, but on a good will basis rather than under warranty.  On following up, a Nikon representative confirmed their records showed that my camera was sold to a high street retailer (which they weren’t allowed to name) and so my purchase on-line meant the warranty wasn’t valid.  I looked back at the details of my original purchase and it was stated by the Amazon Market Place seller (Top Deals Ltd) as a “New’ & “UK” purchase.  

I’m currently awaiting the repaired camera back from Nikon, but this experience has left me somewhat bemused.  Prior to purchase I was aware of “grey import” issues and so deliberately chose a UK seller and additionally chose Amazon to try ans ensure my rights were protected.  And yet I am left in a situation where in Nikon’s eyes I am second hand purchaser and thus any warranty is invalid being non-transferrable.

I intend to follow up with Top Deals Ltd for their comment, but overall I don’t have the reassuring confidence with Nikon and their approach to warranties.  Particularly as the root cause of D600 issues has not been openly admitted and I’ve been left felling they are doing me a favor, rather that provide the level of customer service and support I’d expect from the Nikon brand. (rj)

I bought a D80 + 70-300 VR in May 2008 (four years ago) and never registered it. Since then, I've purchased the D7000+grip and a bunch of lenses.

Feb 12, 2012: I noticed that the VR motor in my 70-300 stopped working. AF works perfectly fine, but the VR just wouldn't start. The lens was never dropped or otherwise handled in a questionable fashion. I was afraid about sending it in to Nikon since I never sent in any of the registration slips, but I decided to give it a go. I created an account on the Nikon website and registered all the gear that I've ever purchased. I'm not sure if that made a difference in how Nikon handled my case...

Feb 15: I sent off my package. The package was received by Nikon on the morning of Feb 17.

Feb 21: received an email from Nikon: "Nikon Service Acknowledgement/Estimate. Reasons for service: VR VR MOTOR STOPPED WORKING; CLEAN & CHECK AF WORKS FINE"  not much more info beyond that...

I haven't heard any more news / status updated regarding the lens since then, so I wasn't sure if they're still assessing/estimating how much the repair will be, but.....

Feb 27: unexpectedly, UPS delievered my lens back! It's working great, as though it was brand new AND it even looks like they cleaned up some of the dust from the inside!

I'm totally satisfied. Thanks Nikon! Total repair time was 12 days. (mj)

I had some repairs done under warranty this year. My D600 stopped metering and they spent five to six weeks to "RPL image ctl pcb, rpl connector fpc, rpl aperture coupling ring". The AF on my 24-70 stopped working, and I was shocked by this one, as the lens very likely had impact damage from having it in the back of my boat while whitewater kayaking. They fixed it under warranty in a week and a half, including shipping. "rpl cam ring, rpl roller guide ring, rpl focusing ring". 

Sounds like they may be responding to all the negative criticism, or I just got lucky. (dm)

I received a new D600 from B&H in New York this January. About June I noticed a lubricant spot on the sensor. I sent the camera body with two photographs showing the spot to to the Nikon Repair center located at 6420 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles CA. I was only expecting them to clean the sensor and I was completely unprepared for their response which was: 

Replaced Shutter Mechanism

Adjusted Auto Focus Operation

Checked Bayonet Mount

Checked Image Test

Cleaned Image Sensor

General Check and Clean

I feel completely overwhelmed with the detail Nikon responded with here. They must have re-engineered a new shutter mechanism to prevent future spotting, my old one was working fine. I know that you have been critical of them at times, but they certainly deserve some Atta boys here. I just had to pass this along to you. (jm)

My well-loved D90 had a problem with the power. I would turn it off, but the light on the back would keep blinking, and it would eat up batteries. In the beginning, little tweaks would get it to turn off all the way, but within a few months, the only way I could keep my batteries from being eaten up was by taking the batteries out. In addition, the year before, the plastic on the back right of the camera had just fallen off -- it was a very hot week, and that's the only thing I can think of that might have made that happen.

I'd heard negative things about Nikon repair and wanted to avoid that and also bring it to someone I could drive to and knew already, but they told me they could no longer get Nikon parts. I also didn't like the very impersonal way one schedules a repair and estimates a cost on the Nikon site.  The repair shop's bad reputation and impersonal service and the fact that they won't sell parts to independent shops ticked me off enough to make me think that in the future I will go with another brand with a better repair reputation.  However, I scheduled the repair and sent my camera in. 

My camera came back much sooner than expected (I was without it for under two weeks), looking great. The packaging was a little beaten up, but the camera was safe inside it. They did the repairs, and cleaned it, and it works great. The really strange thing, however, is that they billed me when I sent in the camera, but when it came back, they refunded the money. My camera was long past warranty. I have no idea why they refunded it. But somehow I came out of this with a repaired camera that was returned sooner than expected (saving me rental fees -- I really needed a camera for an upcoming event) AND it was free.

So I had an excellent experience overall, but I am still a little wary of Nikon's repair reputation and their impersonal approach. I wish I could feel more comfortable with that. (dm)

Reading through your report of the new Nikkor 80-400G lens I would like to add my experience to this fine lens.

I got one of the first which was delivered in Switzerland.

I used it in the field and got the impression that the left hand side is less sharp then the rest of the lens. So I did some dedicated test with different focus length and different apertures. The first impression was confirmed by these tests photos.

I took the lens to the Nikon Service Center nearby Zurich and explained my problem. I left the lens with the camera at Nikon.

After one week I could get the lens back.

 I did the same tests at home with the same results. Nikon did not do very much, replaced the camera lens receptacle and adjusted something at the bayonet of the lens.

I was quite upset and returned within a few days to the Nikon service center and called the head of the repair shop. We discussed the issue and left him again the camera with the lens and some sample pictures.

 A few days later I got the email that the camera and lens are ready to be picked up.

So I went and the head of the repair shop came in person. He explained to me that I have a new lens. My original lens has an unexplained failure; it seems the some lens elements were not correctly built up in the tube. A service engineer from Nikon Japan was visiting the Nikon service center in Zurich to do some instruction for the Swiss service personal. He got to know about the problem of my lens and examined it. He decided to take the lens with him back to Japan since something strange was with that lens. Nikon excused them about the first trial and gave me a nice box full of Swiss chocolate!!! 

Since then I use the lens quite often and I’m quite happy. I took it to a trip to Canada and to Russia without any further problems. (th)

Since I got a D800 the other day, I decided that after 190,000 shots I should take my D3 in to the local Nikon service centre in Beijing and get it cleaned, including the sensor, and replace the rubberized cover that was coming off.

I sat down at the customer counter in their office in Room 307 in East 1 in the Oriental Plaza office building and gave the service guy a list of things I wanted done that I’d had one of my editors write down in Chinese.

He went right to work creating the work ticket. Then he told me the total price for the service would be 286 yuan (US$46.60), I was pretty amazed. I was expecting it to be more, much more.

So I wasn’t ready for the response when I asked how long it would take to get the camera back, and he said, “San shi fen zhong.”

My first response was: Holy christ, I was expecting two weeks, not 30 days.

Then he wrote down 30 on a piece of paper, and I recovered and realized he’d told me “30 minutes,” which I simply was not mentally prepared to hear.

“San shi fen zhong? Wo keyi chile, ranhou huilai? (Thirty minutes? I can go eat and come back and get my camera.”

“Shide.” (“Yes.)

And when I came back, the camera had a new cover, the sensor had been cleaned along with the rest of the beast.

And all this not to mention that I used to have to go to near the Beijing West Train Station to do this before, about a two-hour round trip these days in Beijing. Today, it was at the Oriental Plaza about 15 minutes by taxi from my office on a bad-traffic day.

I’ve kept asking myself all day long, “Nikon did this?”

From what I read, I don’t see these kinds of experiences being written about with regard to Nikon USA.

A good news experience....

Recently, I sent my D800 to Nikon for in-warranty repair of auto WB & AF problems.

I used the services of the repair department at Keeble & Shuchat in Palo Alto to work directly with Nikon. They wrote up the repair order, and sent the camera in for repair. (This is the store where I bought my D800.)

The camera came back last week, with cryptic notes from Nikon acknowledging AF & auto WB problems and their repair. I've only had time to run a few tests, but am happy to report that both AF & auto WB now seem to be performing well.

By using my local camera store's repair department services, I didn't have to deal directly with Nikon. The repair department acted on my behalf, making for a "no stress, no hassle" experience.

Recently, I sent my D800 to Nikon for in-warranty repair of auto WB & AF problems.

I used the services of the repair department at Keeble & Shuchat in Palo Alto to work directly with Nikon. They wrote up the repair order, and sent the camera in for repair. (This is the store where I bought my D800.)

The camera came back last week, with cryptic notes from Nikon acknowledging AF & auto WB problems and their repair. I've only had time to run a few tests, but am happy to report that both AF & auto WB now seem to be performing well.

By using my local camera store's repair department services, I didn't have to deal directly with Nikon. The repair department acted on my behalf, making for a "no stress, no hassle" experience.

Thom's Comment: Good dealers will work to get an RMA from Nikon for something they sold you that had problems out of the box or under warranty. Sometimes you'll get a repair, as you did, sometimes they'll just swap out. 

I'm a NPS member and professional photographer in NYC.  

Prior to 2013, I had my equipment repaired locally at Phototech.  The convenience of not having to deal with shipping was great and they work they did for me seemed fine.  After comparing the cost of repairing a TC at Phototech vs. Nikon (Nikon was significantly cheaper—according to Phototech this is because Nikon doesn't have to pay for parts?), I decided to try using Nikon for awhile.  Plus Phototech could not service my 70-200mm f2.8 VRII.  

So in Feb. I sent a 70-200mm f2.8 VRII lens to Nikon a checkup and calibration. Mostly I wanted them to recalibrate the AF as I'd needed a -20 adjustment (on multiple bodies) to get good results and worried that this "solution" just added greater uncertainty as far as accurate autofocus goes at a variety of distances.  I shoot action in dark environments so AF accuracy is critical.  The lens was returned clean and supposedly adjusted (under warranty).  Unfortunately the AF calibration had not changed—I still needed -20 Fine Tuning to get sharp results (on a second body an adjustment of -20 was not quite enough).  I recently resubmitted the lens to Nikon for re-repair and am waiting for it to be returned.

In June, I sent a 24-70mm f2.8 lens for a checkup and calibration (it'd been acting up a little).  Prior to submitting the lens, it generally needed a -3 to -6 AF Fine Tuning adjustment.  When it was returned ($400 later--a part was replaced), it looked great, but testing showed that it needed -20 AF Fine Tuning.  I am returning for re-repair.

Needless to say—2 of 2 lenses in 4 months returned to me with major calibration issues is a huge problem.  I have NPS loaner equipment this time (thankfully), but the the hassle of this has been tremendous and I'm left seriously considering my options. (id)

Thom's comment: AF Fine Tuning issues are amongst the most difficult to get fixed reliably in one pass through NikonUSA, at least from the comments I get from readers. There's a tricky problem here: no specific "adjustment" point really exists for AF Fine Tune. Thus, gettig a lens tuned differently is sort of a trial and error type of procedure. 

Last month I emailed a Nikon repair story, 3 tries and several months to fix my D800E which couldn't trigger remote flashes.  I wrote too soon because the camera was not fixed.  It was better, but not fixed.

After the third repair CLS commander mode only triggered remotes 80% of the time.

I sent the camera back a fourth time.  I got back a new D800E.  I hear Nikon has an unofficial policy to replace after three failed repairs.

The new D800E works so far.

Here are my three other Nikon repair experiences in the past year.

Nikon repaired a 16-35mm f/4 that I dropped.  It came back in good working order in reasonable time.

Nikon replaced the rubber grip on my three year old D700.  It came back in good working order in reasonable time.

My Nikon 1 V1 is a victim of Nikon's "everything or nothing" repair policy.  Nikon won't fix a scratch in a ten cent piece of plastic unless I pay more than the camera is worth to repair unrelated cosmetic damage.

The plastic over the eye sensor has a scratch or crack.  The eye sensor sees the crack, thinks my eye is present, and disables the rear screen.  A drop of water can sometimes fill the scratch and make the eye sensor work for a few minutes.  That means the problem is only superficial.

I dropped the camera a week after the eye sensor broke.  There is cosmetic damage to the exterior.  The only non-cosmetic damage is a weakened spring in the battery door cover.  The camera works fine except for the eye sensor.

Nikon refuses to fix the eye sensor without also repairing the case. Fixing everything would cost over $300.  I could buy a new camera with kit lens for $349.  (Both prices as of end of January, 2013.)  The camera isn't worth $300+ to me.

And so my last two camera purchases were Canon and Sony instead of the Nikons that came before. (jc)

I thought I'd give you some news my experience dealing with Nikon Canada and their spares/repair pricing policy.

I sent in an old D200 to get the rubber hand grip replaced and a 17-55 f2.8  which had a cracked focus viewing window.  (Just want to sell both the camera/lens)  Simple and easy repairs or so I thought. I was quoted  $190 for the rubber grip replacement and $225 for that small piece of plastic !!.

But even the Nikon service guy thought the prices were outrageous and offered, without me having to ask,  to do both for $190. If it weren't for him I would be royally pi***ed off.

I'd love to know what margins Nikon make on servicing.  I guess they have to make up for the falling yen. (ap)

Thought you’d be interested to learn that my D800, which had been sent in three times for repair (once for the left focus issue, once for locking up completely from time to time, and again for the lock up problem) has been replaced. 

Nikon actually sent me a brand new camera. The left focus isn’t perfect, but it’s much better than the first one I had. I’m not sending this one in because last time they fixed the left focus issue, they returned it with the center focus out slightly. I don’t want to risk that again. The camera I have now is definitely an improvement.

Fingers crossed that this one doesn’t have the problem with random lock-ups that take a week to clear. (de)

On my camera's fourth trip to Nikon for left focus, left focus, severe front focus, severe front focus, Nikon pronounced my camera "within spec" and said my lenses must all be bad.  (All Nikon Pro lenses.). I need to send them all in.

I took my bad lenses to the selling dealer and guess what?  The lenses worked fine on their D800.  I took a thumb drive to the dealer and they saw my on camera's images and immediately concurred mine sucked and their camera was fine.

So I uploaded the other d800 photos to the Nikon site, and they finally relented and sent me a new camera.

They told me they were out of stock and I would have to wait a week, but it arrived the next day.  Two days later they called and said one was on the way.

It's so sharp it hurts to look at the images.  The D800 is wonderful. (jo)

Within a 10-day period, I made 3 visits to the new Hollywood location of the West Coast Nikon Repair Center. Here's what made me happy:

1) Warranty inspection of Nikon D7000 having high battery drainage. No charge. And, all is well with camera & battery. Serious user error reported. Doh!

2) Was given free new zoom ring rubber grip for an old 16-85mm lens I bought used.

3) Repair by me went astray. I cut off the old rubber grip with Xacto knife, then cleaned the barrel with Iso alcohol on a cotton pad. In the process I removed some double-sided Scotch tape there. I thought it was put there by previous owner. This removal dislodged an inner barrel tube and the lens wouldn't zoom wider than 24mm.

4) Returned to Nikon service with disabled lens (and egg on my face). They explained that the Scotch tape was put there during manufacture. Three hours later I received email to pick up the repaired 16-85mm lens. No charge.

Hey, sometimes good things happen! (gc)

Sent in a 301xxxxx serial number D800 with a clear left focus issue.  No issue getting it serviced...B2 level with “Adj Auto Focus Operation” service (as well as other CLN and CKD).  Received it back...first shot with the camera showed a center focus issue, left and right center focus points look ok.

I can get the center in focus with a +20, but of course that also adjusts the other points. Now Nikon wants to see pictures...fine, ok.  Hope I don’t get stuck with a dud due to some “that’s within tolerances” story.

So frustrating.  I’m not going to make a silly “I’m switching to Canon” comment, but this has definitely taken a bit of fun out of Nikon.  ...I’m never really felt the focus on this D800 was acting correctly.  Picked up my D700 yesterday...felt better about things....I love you D700. (bd)

--Left focus repair 1:  returned unchanged.  I got the "don't send it back because Japan is..."

--Left focus repair 2:  returned with severe front focus.  +20 fine tune helps a lot; not quite enough. Left sensor appears fixed.

-- Front focus repair number 3:  Returns with the exact same front focus problem.  Camera focuses about 4 inches short at 3 or 4 feet.  Left is "ok" but now right sensor is a bit off.

+ 20 required on Nikkor 50mm 1.4; 24-70; 14-24; 105 2.8, 28-300.

I have finally figured out what must be happening:  Canon has planted a tech at the Nikon repair facilities.

No idea what to do next.  I've never been so disappointed in a product.  Time to sell all my Nikon stuff and move to Canon? (jo)

For reference, I am a NPS member, Carbon level with their new scheme (mid-level) which is supposed to guarantee 72h repairs.

I am soon leaving to be the head photographer on the 2013 Patagonian Expedition Race and do some additional commercial shooting in Patagonia. At the beginning of January, I had a bit of a lull between shoots, so I used the opportunity to send my workhorse lens, the 16-35 f/4 VR back to Nikon for repairs, since the front element is scratched and it produces a noticeable blurred spot in the centre of the images.

I gave them a call on Jan 13th, explaining the issue and saying that I had a flight out on Feb 1st, by which date I absolutely needed the lens back. I also added an old 50 f/1.8 that had sand in the focusing mechanism. They directed me to a web form where I could generate a shipping label for both lenses, and I sent them the package the next day. In the meantime, I shot the 20 f/2.8 for wide shots, and thought there was plenty of time for them to make the repairs and ship the lenses back to me.

I didn't hear anything from them for quite a while. After checking the shipping number, they had received my package on Jan 16th. I called several times, but all they could tell me was that they had indeed received the lenses and that they were somewhere in the pipeline. Finally, on Jan 24th, the operator told me that it had been examined and that I would be sent quotes for the repair the next day. She also gave me the customer number which they were supposed to have sent me days ago, with which I could follow the status of my repairs.

Of course, the next day, no emails and no quotes. However, during the day, the quotes appeared on the website when I logged in with the customer number. I accepted both of them, and again, no news for a few days.

I again called several times, and again they couldn't tell me anything until this morning (Jan 30), when the operator told me they were done with the repair of the 16-35 and would ship it this afternoon. Except that the only way to pay was to give the mailman a check against the package, which is a big issue since I will be out shooting in the mountains in the next two days. They couldn't accept direct payment by credit card or wire transfer.

So I find myself in a position where unless I cancel a shoot, I can't get my lens in time before leaving for 6 weeks in Patagonia. This was despite telling them of my deadline a dozen times and notifying them that I was part of the NPS (in the letter, over the phone, on the web form and through stickers on the lenses). They have never talked about lending me a replacement lens for my needs either.

The only good thing I have to say is that after making clear I was pissed on twitter earlier today, their press service/twitter intern got in touch with me and asked details, then tried to find a lens to lend me, eventually failing since I was traveling for so long.

Anyway, long delays, terrible communication and overall poor customer service isn't limited to Nikon USA… (ab)

Short version: It took three attempts and 13 weeks for Nikon to make the flash on my D800E work properly.

Long version: On June 16, 2012 I bought a new D800E.

In late June I discovered it did not reliably trigger remote flashes (CLS).  The details aren't important here, except they were not the same as a problem discussed around the internet.

I delayed service so I could take the D800 on vacation.  At the end of my trip I started getting "Err" in the top LCD when activating the aperture (DoF preview or shooting).

On September 13, 2012 I mailed the camera from Massachusetts to Nikon's New York address.

On September 18 I got an email saying the camera was in their system. The web site showed warranty repair, no charge.  A letter with the same information arrived a couple days later.

I checked status almost every day from then on.  On days I didn't check, nothing changed.

On September 29 the status changed to re-estimate.  Nikon claimed water damage and it would be a ~$200 repair instead of free.  (B1 or B2) I was suspicious of the diagnosis, but $200 wasn't worth a fight.

More specifically, the status was re-estimate September 19.  By my understanding that means Nikon decided to charge me on September 19 but didn't update their records until September 29.

I never received an email or a letter informing me of the change. I had to check for myself.

I approved the estimate via the web page the same day.

On October 10 status was unchanged so I called to check.  Nikon had no record of my approval.  I gave payment information by phone.

Three failures on their part so far: late update of online status, no email or letter notification of change, and their computers lost my payment info.

On October 12 my camera was back in shop.

On October 25 (+/- 1 day) I called for a status update.  I was told my camera would be shipped the following Tuesday, October 30.

On October 29 a hurricane hit Long Island.

On November 2 I called again.  It was their "first full day" with power restored and they had a backlog.

On November 5, 2012 the camera arrived via next day air, 7 1/2 weeks after I mailed it.  Excusing a few days for the hurricane and discounting time in transit, they had my camera for 6 weeks.

CLS still did not work.

On November 6 I bought a 5D Mark III.

I called Nikon service.  The person on the phone checked the record and agreed I had reported a broken flash but the repair work did not include the flash.

On November 29 I mailed the camera back to Nikon.  The work list was the flash problem and replace lost vertical grip cover.

On December 21 I received the camera.  The flash still didn't work.  The grip cover was still missing.

On December 24 I took the camera to the store where I bought it. I demonstrated the flash problem and explained that Nikon had twice failed to repair it.  The store sent the camera back to Nikon and said they would escalate if needed.

On January 10, 2013 the store called me to say my camera was back.

On January 11 I picked it up. CLS finally worked.

Final score: 3 repair attempts, 13 weeks in service or in transit. (jc)

I thought I might mention that my first D800 went back to Nikon for AF tweaking in September 2011. I still purchased a second D800 body (in September 2012) and it is flawless. There's a big margin in the serial numbers. I would just like you to know that NPS Australia (and particularly their GM, Robert Lindsay) were fantastic. They/he asked that I package the body and ALL of lenses I use on that body, not just the new ones (so this includes lenses I have owned for thirty or more years) and they/he organised a courier collection that afternoon. That was a Wednesday and all my gear was returned on the following Monday, everything cleaned (my old lenses looked brand new, inside and out) and every lens checked on that body. Nikon did indeed make adjustments to the AF sensor and there are no AF Fine Tune changes on the body. All this and no charge, not even for the freight either way... and that was a huge 15kg parcel!

In a world of bad news and people complaining about Nikon service, I feel I have to say something about my positive experience. It's not the first time Robert Lindsay has helped me and I'm sure it's not the last. He is also notable for responding to emails at all hours... I hope he doesn't burn out! (maz)

I live in EU. I traveled to Japan and bought a D5100 while there. Today I called the local Nikon support center to see if it is covered by the warranty. To my very big surprise, they told me that it probably has Asia warranty and they can’t repair it in EU under warranty. Then I told them how years ago I had a defective Olympus camera also bought overseas and they didn’t even ask proof of purchase. Then the support guy got angry at me and started explaining to me all of the rules. I just said that the Olympus approach and service was nicer, that he almost yells at me. I thanked him for helping me decide what my next camera brand will not be and we finished the conversation there. The best part- my camera isn’t even defective. I just wanted to make sure it is under warranty. What a mess! (iz)

I needed to reinstall Capture NX2 which refused to go beyond its opening window. Unfortunately, I couldn't find my disc (bought in 2009) and the associated ID. 

After several emails to Nikon, it appears that I am on my own. (sb)

If it wasn’t so sad, it would be funny. I wanted to get my PC-E 24mm f/3.5D modified so that tilt and shift operate in the same plane or parallel. Went to Nikon’s website to fill out a repair tag and that lens isn’t listed. Both the 45mm and 85mm are. So I call Nikon and the technician doesn’t know what the lens is and thinks it’s a teleconverter. Getting past his lack of knowledge, he says to select “other lens” in the drop down list. Of course that means I didn’t get a repair estimate on line but that’s ok.

By contrast, two months ago I purchased a used Micro Nikkor 70mm-180mm f/4.5-5.6 from KEH Camera. There used equipment has a 6 month warranty. While the lens works very well, I found that the zoom ring would bind a slightly when rotated with two fingers. If I grasped the ring very lightly it doesn’t bind. Not knowing if this could be a potential long term problem, I emailed KEH service describing the situation thinking maybe a simple cleaning would resolve the problem and I offered to pay for the cleaning. They got back to me the following day and said I should return it so they can check it out and provided me with a free FedEx ground shipping label and specific instructions on how to fill out there on-line repair form. Yesterday I called the Nikon authorized repair facility in Sacramento, CA (that’s close to the bay area). They didn’t want to even look at the 70-180mm even for a cleaning because they said it’s old and parts probably aren’t available. It appears that neither Nikon or their authorized repair stations are interested in helping customers.

Nikon could learn a lot from KEH Camera! Your posts regarding Nikon repairs and my own experience will make me think twice before I buy more equipment from them. I only hope my PC-E lens comes back undamaged and modified as I requested. (ss)

I have a D800. I bought the grip. To attach the grip one has to remove a piece of rubber that covers contacts in the base of the camera. I stupidly lost the piece of rubber. I inquired about buying another one but ran into the we don't sell parts from Nikon service. I explained how i understand this policy and that they do not want to sell parts to users who might screw things up on their cameras. But this part would take 1 second to install and is made to be removed and re-attached by users. After emails, calls to service, speaking with a supervisor, my only choice is to send the camera to them for repair. (ar)

The shutter failed in my Nikon D3 last weekend while shooting a wedding in the Hamptons (I'm Atlanta-based). So I sent it off to Nikon last Tuesday via FedEx. They got it on Thursday morning, inspected it and estimated the repair within two hours ($420). I paid online late on Thursday night. It was in the shop on Friday and shipped on Monday. I got it today (Thursday). 2 days in house and 7 business days total.

It arrived with a replaced shutter, replaced LCD window (which I did not ask for, but it was fogging), replaced rubber throughout, replaced card cover, and a full clean and check.

I know that NPS gets a lot of flack but this has been pretty typical service every time I've sent gear to Melville. Thoroughly impressed again. (bv)

I just had my D7000 repaired by Nikon to fix a back focusing problem.  It took me a year and 25,000 shots to notice that there was definitely a camera fault.

There were three reasons for my delayed discovery:

I had read plenty of chatter online about the D7000 back focusing problem so I was inclined to believe that my fuzzy photos were due to user error.

Most of my shots during that period were landscapes and I was able to dial focus in very deliberately.

Most of my shots during that period were taken with the 18-55VR and 16-85VR usually at f/8.

Only recently had I started shooting my kids playing rugby and soccer.  Then the problem became very obvious.  I was shooting with the 70-300VR wide open which is far less forgiving than the above two midrange zooms.  It may be the case that the AF problem was more obvious because I was shooting dynamic subjects, that is, a combination of back focus errors plus focus tracking errors.  On my test shots with static subjects I was still finding consistent back focus errors but not to the same degree as with dynamic subjects.  A test rig for repeatable dynamic test shots is beyond my means.

I shipped the body to Nikon after they agreed that my test shots showed an AF problem.  It was a week out of warranty so I wrote a letter pleading my case.  Fortunately they covered the repair and return shipping at no charge.  The whole process took 5 weeks.  Of that 1 week was for shipping to Nikon and back to me.  I queried the long delay with Nikon customer support because the online status checker showed the body was in the shop for 1 week and then the status changed to “Bill” for the next 3 weeks.  I was told that the body was being thoroughly tested prior to shipping.  I don’t know what they fixed.  I had a repair code B2 (moderate repair, major parts replaced).  The body serial number is 3128xxx.

My D7000 is back in my hands and delivered fantastic results last weekend at my sons rugby match.  All’s well that ends well.  I am $50 out of pocket on shipping charges and missed having my camera for a month.  Fortunately my “obsolete” D50 was an able back up.  I had thought of selling it.  Boy, am I glad I didn’t.  And that D50 just blew me away.  It can take fantastic shots.  My dud shots were all due to user error:  I had forgotten how to use my D50. (mg)

I can only call my repair experience horrible.  Damaged front element of 24-70.  Was told it would be week to repair, took 6 weeks.  At no time was I ever updated about the repair time frame.  People on the phone had no idea what was happening, are in another country and don't even know the product.  Was billed more then the estimate.  I shocked how bad their service was.  I have been shooting professionally for years and never needed to repair a camera guess I was lucky.

My luck ran out though when my D3 body needed to be repaired.  I sent it in to replace lens release button that jammed.  Got an estimate for close to $600 that did not mention what I sent it in for.  When I asked what I am paying for they were indignant and threatening.  I told them I could not approve an estimate for something I did not send the camera in for and that was not a problem when it shipped.  The customer service threatened me saying they would delay the repair and make me wait.  When I asked if they looked at the camera they admitted they had not.  How can you do an estimate without looking at the camera?  A complete nightmare.  This within a period of 5 weeks.  (pg)

My 2012 Nikon repair experience was not all bad. Lousy beginning, but not all bad. In the beginning, Nikon insisted that the long out-of-warranty 18-200 lens I sent was registered to someone else. I provided copies of the original bill of sale and eventually Nikon decided that I had not stolen it. I had sent the lens for cleaning and repair after I fell through ice with it. It had had obvious water inside, leaving spots on internal elements when it dried, as well as accumulated wear and tear from a lot of hard use during treks to far places. When I prepaid the Rank C repair fee ($125 plus shipping), the lens spent a couple of weeks "waiting for parts", according to the website. I was on the point of cheerlessly undertaking another conversation when what to my wondering eyes did appear but a cleaned and repaired lens! Shipped March 26, returned April 24, with only 1 hour of my time on telephone establishing that I am the legal owner of a properly registered lens. The repair description suggests that quite a lot was done for my $125. A couple of grab shots look OK. I'm hoping for a usable lens. Even though Thom no longer endorses this lens, it has been very serviceable for my needs, and the Nikon repair experience was not as bad as some have described. Premature rejoicing is better than no rejoicing at all. (sp)

Dropped my 24-70 onto a concrete floor. 

Shipped it to Nikon on 8/24. 

Bill was $691 for a chipped front element, dents in the barrel, and jammed zoom and focus. 

Assigned category S for "Single Price Complete Repair." 

Was on parts hold for a about three weeks. 

Shipped back to me on 9/24. (rs)

I have an old style Nikon 300mm f/4 that, unknown to me, I somehow damaged.  I learned of the damage when a single drop of rain fell off my car and somehow penetrated past the objective lens and the inside fogged up.  I sent it to Melville and they quoted me a repair price that seemed reasonable (approx. $250.00) but I've been on "parts hold" for 4 weeks.  I have a vacation coming up and rather than risk not having the 300mm, I'm renting Canon gear (EOS 7D, 300 f/4 L, IS and extender 1.4x III).  (jr)

Sent my D200 in for repair at Nikon center in New York. The technician was very nice on the phone and had me operate the camera while it was near the phone so he could hear it. He surmised that the shutter was not changing speed when the ISO change. I sent the camera in and a couple of days later I got an email that they would not repair the camera because it was a non-USA product. I purchase this camera from B & H Photo in New York and they assured me that it was not a Gray market item. I registered the camera with Nikon. They wanted me to provide proof that it was not a Gray Market. They told me that one way to tell was if the printed material including the manual were in English. I provided them with a copy of the manual cover which clearly shows it is printed in English. They still refused to repair my camera. The camera just started taking very dark pictures with any lens I put on it. The camera has never given me a problem before. This is probably a simple fix but Nikon refuses to even discuss it with me now. (wv)

I have owned Nikons for nearly 30 years now. In the early days I found that any problems with my Cameras was considered by Nikon as something I had done...that appeared their attitude be it in Australia, Thailand, Hong Kong or Europe and as the cameras then were quite affordable I simply gave up and bought new units.  Now while my attitude has changed as cost's increased over the years as I ventured in to the higher level DSLR,s I find that Nikons attitude or quality of service remains the same, eg: I owned a Nikon 28-70 1:2.8 lense for many years and was very happy with it however for some reason I sold it on only to regret my move and buy a new one however the new one, (S/N: 408739) has been the most unreliable peice of junk I have ever bought and Nikon either refused to accept that it was a dud from day one or simply hoped I would tire of trying to get it replaced or fixed and so as it stands now I have had the Autofocus mechanism repaired 3 times after it simpy stopped operating  every couple of years, the latest repair was only about 4 months ago and again it has failed......I did look at buying the 24-70 1:2.8 however after seeing the online complaints about Nikons refusal to accept that the zoom barrel is fundamentally flawed on this new model I am yet again forced to try and get a final fix for my current 28-70. I wish you good luck in trying to get Nikon to become Professional and accept that if they are to charge such high prices for their so called Semi Professional equipment they should stand by that equipment with a more than amateur approach. (ib)