D90 repair

[kartracer]

I have a D90 with around 7K clicks. It fell over with a flashgun attached, cracked the top cover, and tore the internal flash controller ribbon. I tried very hard to get the parts (for a relatively straightforward repair) from Nikon (in Japan, USA, UK...). No chance!

Fixation are quoting me 75.00 labour (which seems OK), but Nikon want 77.00 for the top cover, 38.00 for the internal ribbon cable, 40.00 for another part, and a fiver for misc parts.

All told its going to be 75.00 + 160.00 plus VAT - around 275.00

The only thing wrong with the camera, apart from the hole near the flash shoe mount, its the flash doesn't work. And then there's the risk of moisture getting in and, eventually, further failures.

I was hoping for a repair cost under 200.00, but its the Nikon parts that make it expensive.

Comments?

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Why not just buy a scrap D90 and take the bits off it you need?

 

[-Rob-]

If you have a Nikon camera and want it repaired then you only really have one option.....get the parts from Nikon and pay whatever it is they want to charge you for it. I'm afraid they have you over a barrel with this one.

 

[kartracer]

Where can I get a scrap D90?

Yes, Nikon - customers over a barrel - deja vu...

 

[Scotty B]

Bay of the E might help you out.

 

[Dave Pickett]

yes scrap D90 seems favorite. I'm always careful with mine when I've got the sb600 on it, its very heavy, so I'm not surprised at the damage.

I would be temptedjust to glue the top plate back together and do without the flash controller ribbon, you could always trigger the flash in commander mode?

(that said I hate my cameras not being perfect, so I guess its stump up time!!)

 

[kartracer]

Well, I see a few D80's, but I think a D90 is going to be a long shot...

I guess I'm going to have to bite the bullet. And be more careful. Planned upgrades/accessories will have to wait...

 

[kartracer]

yes scrap D90 seems favorite. I'm always careful with mine when I've got the sb600 on it, its very heavy, so I'm not surprised at the damage.

I would be temptedjust to glue the top plate back together and do without the flash controller ribbon, you could always trigger the flash in commander mode?

(that said I hate my cameras not being perfect, so I guess its stump up time!!)

Yes, and when I come to sell it to fund an upgrade I'll get a better price. I hope.

 

[Flash In The Pan]

I damaged one of the ribbons in my D70s and when I went to Nikon was told it was apart they couldn't sell to the public for "safety reasons" , so I bought a damaged D70 off ebay (for the price of the cable) and swapped the offending part over.

The only problem I can foresee is that you may have to pay a couple of hundred pounds for a scrap D90.....

 

[kartracer]

I'd be willing to pay that for a scrap D90. At least then I'd have a source for future spares! But what's the chances of getting one with some other kind of damage than the flash shoe?

I'm going to pick up the camera from Fixation, until I decide what to do. My next camera is going to have a metal body.

 

[kartracer]

Just a thought - is the D80 top cover/flash assy different from the D90? I know the LCD is different, but not sure about the top cover, etc.

 

[Rob 80386]

I agree get a broken one of ebay and swap the offending part over

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Just a thought - is the D80 top cover/flash assy different from the D90? I know the LCD is different, but not sure about the top cover, etc.

Might be worth investing in a D80 parts cd from Ebay and one for the D90 and comparing the various part numbers and see what matches up

 

[Yardbent]

just a thought - if it's repaired by a Nikon re with Nikon parts -- do they give you a 6month warranty ?

 

[Rob 80386]

just a thought - if it's repaired by a Nikon re with Nikon parts -- do they give you a 6month warranty ?

I'm sure they will give some sort of warranty on parts

 

[Dave Pickett]

I wonder if Nikon are claiming any "green" credentials? Their spare prices which make scrapping a recent camera almost more sensible are hardly helping to save the planet!!!

£38 for a 50p ribbon cable is just a disgrace......

 

[Nod]

The internal ribbon cable might be a shared part with many of the Nikon DSLRs - possibly even some of their film bodies. It might be possible to use one from a (now, cheap as chips) F55 or similar.

As for the parts warranty, I expect there is one but it may rely on the part being fitted by a certified Nikon technician.

Spares prices? Add up the costs of parts to build yourself a car. Even if you ignore the time it would take to build it, it does make a new car look reasonably priced compared to a few hundred boxes of bits!

 

[Dave Pickett]

Agree Nod, everyone expects to pay inflated prices for spares, but even as a Nikon enthusiast I find these prices just stupid, almost to the point of treating their customers with contempt...........