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Last December (2006), I sent my Nikon F80 for repair being of a borken focusing screen clip retainer.

I handed the camera into a reputable camera store (not to mention name), a week before christmas. Two days later, I go a call quoting a $159 repair for replacing the focusing screen 'mechanism' and a complete clean up. Fine, I liked the camera and will not like to dump it away as I give it a go ahead agree.

I got a call from the shop saying that my camera came back on the 16 of Jan. When I get to inspect the camera, I saw the viewfinder was made out of a mess of debris inside, I did not accept the repair as described "full cleaning included". They took the camera back for a 'complete' clean up without a question asked. Two weeks later (31st Jan) I get another call that my camera is back in a fully cleaned status. I happily picked up the camera, did a few shot test, all mechanics are working all good. The viewfinder had some more marks than before and it was noted that "marks were done when focusing screen fell off", I took the focusing screen off when I sent the camera back, it should not contain all these marks. But okay, I can live on with few little marks on it. Read on...

When I got home, I was trying to do a full test of it... But wait... what setting am I using? Is the camera on?? Ohh God, the LCD status in the viewfinder is GONE!!
I can only see a faint source of green light on the bottom of the viewfinder, but not to read any number on top. I guess its being blocked by some misalignment during the dismantling of the camera.

Now, I have to let the camera go for a 3rd visit into the repair shop and undergo its 3rd dismantling within a month time. And I actually need it this Saturday, maybe I will use it without the viewfinder status and return it back on Monday.

I'm not happy with this type of worksmanship on the repairs.

I'd return it promptly rather than use it on Saturday otherwise they'll claim that it was damaged after you using it.

Did you take it to Maxwell? or other corner camera stores ?

Nasty. I'd be hassling them for a proper fix and some form of recompense for your trouble!

Yi-P wrote:The viewfinder had some more marks than before and it was noted that "marks were done when focusing screen fell off"

Am I mis-reading that? They damaged the viewfinder while they were working on the camera and they just documented it and moved on???

DaveB wrote:Nasty. I'd be hassling them for a proper fix and some form of recompense for your trouble!

Yi-P wrote:The viewfinder had some more marks than before and it was noted that "marks were done when focusing screen fell off"

Am I mis-reading that? They damaged the viewfinder while they were working on the camera and they just documented it and moved on???

I mean, when looking through the viewfinder, I see couple of new marks with it (only had one before). The marks come from the scratched focusing screen, as I suspect they had a little move with the plier and made the scratches on the screen. And it reads "cannot be fixed without replacement" = needs to pay more for it. It is not a big deal, most of them are on the edges, but the viewfinder status display... its a goner

Yi-P wrote:I mean, when looking through the viewfinder, I see couple of new marks with it (only had one before). The marks come from the scratched focusing screen, as I suspect they had a little move with the plier and made the scratches on the screen. And it reads "cannot be fixed without replacement" = needs to pay more for it.

No, that should read "sorry, we damaged it and replaced it at our cost - here's the bill for the repair of the bits that were broken BEFORE we touched it".

It doesn't sound like a "repairer" I would want to deal with: you have to work out how much you chase them and at what point you swallow your loss, accept that they ripped you off, and get it repaired by a proper repairer.

At the other end of the scale.....

I was talking to a photographer for Inside Sports at last years Supercheap 1000 at Bathurst.

He was saying that in the week leading up the race he contacted Canon and stated he wanted to try a new 400mm F/2.8, the next day it was delivered via the Canon rep to his front door.

On the Thursday practive he dropped and buggered his new 1dMKII, (which was one of 3 he was carrying). He contacted Canon, who couriered a new one to him, he had it in his hands the next morning.

Now, I realise that this guy is is a 'pro' in all senses of the word, and it helps he shoots for such a reputable sports mag, but THAT is great service.

YI-P, I hope you get your camera fixed in time. I can only imagine the frustrations your feeling!

That really is great service raskill! Im impressed
Actually, we'll do that for our good customers at work sometimes too...


Yi-p... if a d70s will help you for the weekend, your'e more than welcome to borrow it

Maybe it is time to tell us who the shop/repairer is!!!

This Canon service you mention Raskill means that fella is part of the Canon Professional users group (not sure of it's actual name). The owners of the studio I work at are also in with them and we've borrowed all sorts of stuff; a Tilt/Shift and 85mm f1.2 recently for a couple of specific jobs.

It is very cool that you can just phone them and they send it on over!

On the other hand, the chap that rents an office here had a horrible experience when he bought his 1ds MkII recently. Went back about 4 times and took 3 weeks for them to send a loan camera in the mean time - he is also a very busy pro (shoots lots of SALife Magazine content).

My question for the Canon stuff is would Canon do that for a film camera still?

Nnnnsic wrote:My question for the Canon stuff is would Canon do that for a film camera still?

A what camera????

I saw one of those once.... I think.....

Raskill wrote:

Nnnnsic wrote:My question for the Canon stuff is would Canon do that for a film camera still?

A what camera????

I saw one of those once.... I think.....

Perhaps in the museum

Parts may be a problem.

If it was an EOS 3 or EOS 1v (which are classified as "pro" models) I'm guessing the answer is yes.

Makes you wonder if Nikon would treat their F5, F6, or F100 models with similar dignity.

Probably not Nikon Australia.

Sounds like your local repair shop sent it to a back yard freddy.

Is there not an 'official' acreddited Nikon repair agent in Sydney like Camera Clinic Melbourne is?

Sorry to state the obvious but you can get a pretty good F80 off the great auction site for less than $ 159.00 I bought an as new F55 yesterday for $ 40.00

I got both my Canon film cameras (AE-1 Program and T90) repaired and serviced by The Camera Service Centre in Sydney. Very proffessional service and they cater for most makes.

Speaking from personal experience, I got better service with my D2 than from my D70 when delivered to Maxwells for warranty repairs. My F5 is still working fine

Sorry to hear that unfortunate service Yip.

There's nothing wrong letting us know who the repairer was so we can avoid them. There's no better advertising than word of mouth.