To repair or replace?

[radar]

Hi,

My trusty D70s had a close encounter with a rock and finished second

The body was cracked. I sent it in to see if it could be repaired. the quote came back that it could be repaired:

Replace botton cover, front cover, rear cover, card door and bayonet.

Obviously, will be cleaned, adjusted, etc. Insurance will cover this. The cost comes out just over $500, ouch.

My question is, should I go for the repair or try to convince the insurance company to pay me out? There is also the possibility that parts will be hard to get, so then it becomes a replacement issue for the insurance, which they are also willing to do as long as they get a letter to that effect.

The camera has about 12K shutter actuations.

Any advice welcome.

thanks,

André

[obzelite]

i don't think parts will be an issue, maybe if the camera had been out of production a few more years.
To get you a new camera is going to cost them at least another 4-500 so i would think they may go the repair route.

What you need to do is find a place that quotes really high, then a new camera may be coming your way, or you can pay the difference and upgrade.
If you do get it repaired, just chuck it on ebay in its refreshed looking like new state and upgrade anyway.

if you take it to get another quote, complain the lens looks soft when you chucked it on another body, that should get the quote up. Plus if the hit with the rock was good enough to crack the body i would want the lens checked anyway.

[sirhc55]

Throw it at another rock and go for a write-off

[Yi-P]

Ouch, that sounds bad.

Did you actually send the entire camera body back into Maxwell (if they still exist) and have they quote on the repair price?

Or just by simply calling them?

[radar]

Yi-P,

I sent it to Poraday in Bondi, authorised Nikon repairer, that's the price they quoted. I didn't try Maxwell as I wasn't sure what their status was.

sirhc55, I should of in hindsight

obzelite, even with the fact that the D70s is still pretty "new", they aren't sure if they can get the parts. As for the lens, tried it on another body, works beautifully, still sharp. Those Tokina 12-24 are built to last .

ebay would be an option. Looking at past auctions for D70s body only, around the $600-700, I'll have to think on that one.

thanks,

André

[Yi-P]

I need to get my F80 repaired as well,

The focusing screen broke off from an accident... why? because I was too curious to try taking it out for a clean, its clean now, but wont go back in as the clip retaining plastic broke off during the removal.

[robw25]

i got a call from the repairers that it would cost me $350 to fix my d70 ( broken card door, not showing picture after taking them and the top lcd powers off too quick not letting me change settings ) .. i wanted them to write it off as i already have a d2x and d200 but they wouldnt and so i have to fix it .. still it was a bloody good pitcher taker !

cheers rob

[radar]

Hi,

just an update on this thread. I contacted my insurance company(Allianz) and indicated to them that the repairer was not able to get a timeframe as to when the parts could be available.

The insurance thought that waiting a couple weeks would be resonable but months is not acceptable. They contacted the repairer, Poraday, and got confirmation that it could be difficult to get the parts in timely manner.

Got a call back quickly from the insurance to say that they will replace the D70s or I could upgrade if I'm willing to pay the difference

Just waiting for a couple days to get a call back from their wholesale supplier to see what the difference will be. If it's too much, I'll probably be better off getting the D70s and selling it. Then get a new D200 from HKG

I must say that I have been pleasantly surprised with my dealings with Poraday and Allianz. I'll let you know how I go with the camera dealer.

Cheers,

André

[robw25]

damn ... i'm with allianz but i went through "diamonds" in adelaide who said they would repair it .. dismantle camera,supply and fit new main circuit board, realign mirror and sub mirror angle, reset flange, repair power circuits and test all functions ... shit ! it only had a main circuit board replaced last year, and hasn't been used much since ... oh well
i checked my actuations on my d2x yesterday and it says 30,500 since october last year mmmmm thats a lot of pitchers !

cheers rob