What to do.... ( Nikon FE related)

[Asha]

Me not a happy bunny at all.....in fact, rather upset tbh

Nikon FE is not playing ball.

Not had it long ....several months.

Really enjoyed using it.....more so than the other slrs that I possess.

Initially worked perfectly then developed a film advance problem which I had repaired along with a CLA.

Delighted to have a fully serviced and fully operational FE, I was confident it would hold good for at least a moderate period of time.

Unfortuanatley, yesterday the door release mechanism failed on me , locking itself solid in the "pulled up position, refusing to release the door catch, turn or return back to it's "closed" position.

No amount of gentle persuasion is working.

Having already paid out for servicing, I am very reluctant to fork out more money on the same body within such a short space of time.

That said, I really don't know what to do.....buy another working body and keep this one for spares, sell it on for parts/repair or lash out more funds and have it repaired?

Having now had two mechanical faults with it, I'm wondering what will go next tbh......

What would you guys consider doing?

 

[freecom2]

I would contact the person who CLA'd it first and foremost.

 

[Asha]

I would contact the person who CLA'd it first and foremost.

Just sent an email....let's see what reply I receive.

Was CLA'd in april this year ( by a very reputable repair person) and has only seen about half a dozen films through it since.( Glad it didn't fail at my stepsons wedding!!)

Obviously any fault can arise at any time especially with old kit but to have it fail on me in such a short time is very distressing.

 

[TheGreatSoprendo]

Unlucky...I've had a number of FM/FE series cameras (and other Nikons) and never had anything like this happen. As advised, go back to whoever serviced it, though it may of course be unrelated to the work they did and not their fault.

 

[freecom2]

It may be unrelated, but they were the last ones who screwed/unscrewed fiddled with those parts, so any good repairman should take it on. Most of the repair people I have used also warranty their work for 6 months - after all, they may be experienced, but they are still only human!

 

[excalibur2]

As advised, go back to whoever serviced it, though it may of course be unrelated to the work they did and not their fault.

That's the thing to do, and keep us posted as any problems with the repairman being awkward or whatever, then they get a :thumbsdown: on the forum.

 

[Asha]

OK guys......I received a reply this morning from the guy who serviced the body and have been offered repair free of charge assuming no other damage is present other than to the door release mechanism. (albiet i have postage to pay both directions)

I didn't make a song and dance about it.....simply explained the CLA was carried out less than two months ago ( approx 7 rolls of film) and was somewhat surprised to have problems in such a short space of time.

Requested his input into wether he believed it was financially viable to continue with repairs or to put money into another body.

Tbh I'm very pleased with his offer....nice to know there are some genuine people out there with morals.

I'll disclose details of the repairman in due course once this issue is resolved.

Time to go find a suitable box and packaging........

 

[Asha]

Just to update this thread and disclose the gentleman who did the necessary repairs.

A repairman well known by quite a few people on here....... Miles Whitehead.

Without a doubt he offers an excellent service both in his quality of work and "aftersales" service.

Although this may come across as a plug for Mr Whitehead, be assured i have no personal connection with him nor his business.

 

[TheBigYin]

Good to hear of someone who's prepared to stand behind their work...

Most of us who've taken tools to a camera realise how complex they are, and lets face it, in pretty much all cases now, film camera repair people are working with old kit, and either having to source parts from canibalised donor cameras or fabricate stuff themselves - so it's not going to be quite as simple as (say) the Hasselblad or Leica service engineers going to a parts department and getting the exact pristine component - and occasionally, even the best workman may be let down by the parts he's working with...

 

[medwaygreen]

That,s Miles for you.

 

[droj]

A CLA isn't going to pick up every little damned screw on the camera that might be about to come loose or break. I don't see that the servicer had any liability in this so his offer to fix it was very generous as far as I can see.

 

[Asha]

A CLA isn't going to pick up every little damned screw on the camera that might be about to come loose or break. I don't see that the servicer had any liability in this so his offer to fix it was very generous as far as I can see.

And indeed his generosity has ensured he keeps me as a customer, having presented him with additional work since the FE CLA.

 

[freecom2]

Miles Whitehead honours his warranty period - there was a small defect that occurred on a body that he CLA'd for me, and he fixed the defect without fuss.