Camera Repairs

A few months ago I had an accident with my D850 and Nikon 24mm PC. I tripped on the tripod and it fell. So D850 with just a out of kilter focusing screen and the 24mm with a bent filter ring and broken adjustment screw went back to Nikon in Italy. One of those stupid accidents that are always waiting to happen with our gear.

Here are just a few thoughts after coming across a tale of woe on another forum.

The D850 was back with me after 10 days and was perfect with according to the invoice, it was serviced and the software updated. Cost €135, I guess nothing much happened to the camera. The lens was basically rebuilt with a new filter ring and the two heavy metal movement blocks replaced. The repair took months this time as parts had to come from Japan. Still I got a perfect lens back for €350.

First point. Both items were bought via Nital the Nikon distributor in Italy. This is important, because they like most other local importers or Nikon branches, they will not repair "grey" goods. I could have got the D850 repaired probably with an independent, but with no real guarantee. But the lens would be a total loss if "grey". These lenses cost €2K + So I saved a ton of money in the end as this is my most used lens. So buying "grey" might save you money in the short term, but if anything goes wrong, you discover that buying "grey" is a false economy. Remember, you cannot get grey goods serviced either by the official workshop.

My second point is a bit more difficult and maybe more contentious. It is what prompted this reflection. Wasting time on photo forums, I came across this thread. Basically, like this thread, it is about an incredibly poorly manufactured product, where OM have washed their hands over warranty, and unlike Nikon have a set minimum repair fee of £550; ouch! Looks like dealing with a manufacturer who has a big professional clientele, means that any repairs you might need are priced more professionally. (Nital/Nikon, in the invoice that they sent to me. actually show a discount of 50% on parts). Something to consider when dealing with second or third division players?

Third point. I am thinking of getting one of those Chinese branded lenses, a 15mm shift lens, that will set me back €1500. As far as I can tell, and from what I have read, the lenses cost less than Nikon or Canon, but it seems getting one of these lenses serviced or repaired is almost out of the question.

I am a retired old repairman. Almost all manufacturers repair centers use a version of flat rate pricing. Lots of reasons, but about the only way for them to function. Nikon used to have several tiers of repair pricing. Your camera would have been a Class A price and the lens a Class C. The OM System pricing is hard to justify other than an attempt to discourage repairs or a dept mandated to generate a profit, customer relations be damned.

@NCV

Sorry to hear about your mishap.

You can make lower tripod leg wraps with neon yellow neoprene and Velcro.
Reflective material can also be used.

Hi-vis jackets and pants can be found on eBay for peanuts.

They actually gave me a detailed quote with parts and labour separated out. I am sure the labour part is calculated as you say.

I wonder how people have fared with other brands.

It would not have helped, I lost my balance and knocked the tripod over.

As long as the plastic body is strong enough. The second link points to a failed tripod mount of a plastic camera base (and that marketing lied that it had been fixed in subsequent model, when it hadn't).

The considered opinion in the first link was that the metal body was not clean enough and the paint process failed accordingly.