Nikon D1x help required please :))))

Hi All

First an introduction - I am an Amateur Photographer coming from an
F3/T and 55mm MicroNikkor + 135/2 Background - used these lenses and
the camera extensively over the years and they are works of art. Many
happy memories of trundling through woodland with my camera and
carrying on backpacking trips. The F3/T was a standard I have yet to
see surpassed in a manual SLR  (well the FM2 (esp. the T) came close)

But now I have a problem and maybe people here can help me - any
advice greatly appreciated - I was almost in tears today!!!

Having saved up and purchased a used D1x I had the misfortune to have
the strap slip off (yes I know I should have checked) and the body (no
lens attached) hit the concrete floor from around 4 feet.
I heard an almighty "thud" as it hit the concrete, bounced and lay
still. At this time I can't tell you how bad I felt.

Anyhow it had dislodged the focusing screen (it came right out and was
resting above the mirror) and it was cosmetically the worse for wear
(the eyepiece surround is a little bit bent and a few scratches here
and there, all on the back).

The GOOD I replaced the screen back into the D1x and powered on. *EVERYTHING*
worked. I ran around 200 shots from "b" thru 1/16000 and all seemed
well. Pictures seem perfect - focusing is smooth and fast.
Are these machines built like tanks? Was I just *really* lucky?

The BAD I'm worried it might fail at anytime (am I being reasonable here?) - I
called Nikon (Moscow, Russia where I work but I'm a Brit) and they
have a service center here that will do a clean up and check (not sure
of right terminology here) - they said they don't keep cosmetic parts
in stock (not warrantied) but they do have the electronics (as they
use them on in-warranty D1's).

What should I do? Would an overhaul be expensive from Nikon? Do they
just take the machine apart test clean and put it together again???
What Nikon options do I have?

Any response greatly appreciated.

One damned good thing though is that it WORKED! If a D1x can survive
that - what can't it survive? My total respect once again to Nikon.

 

Since your camera is rather new, I would assume that it has no need of a,
"CLA". (clean, lube & adjust) Since they do not replace "cosmetic" parts
under the warrantee, I would just keep it and use it. There is no sense in
paying Nikon to go over it when you already know that everything works, and
there is nothing they can do to improve its outside appearance. Spend your
money on getting a good strap well attached, so nothing like this happens to
you again in the future.

 

Are you going to use it in such a mode that if it fails unexpectedly, you're
going to lose 1000's of dollars? You said you're an amateur, so I expect not.

Since its used, you're probably not looking at a sitaution where the warranty
runs out and _then_ it fails so that what might have been a free repair would
be $1000 instead.

And... if it isn't exhibiting symptoms, and you send it in, the camera tech is
probably _not_ going to find a problem either. Usually, you have to have a
piece of electronics "acting up" to actually fix it.

I'd keep using it, quit worrying, and if it fails, then send it in. Meanwhile,
DON'T DROP IT AGAIN! <G>

Dave Head

 

One damned good thing though is that it WORKED! If a D1x can survive

Ha... I dropped my old 301 from the top of a 15 foot ladder onto concrete
and all it needed was a new focusing screen.

 

Hi rfc

This is the time to 'hope' you paid by a flexible friend rather than hard
currency.

If you did pay by plastic and if your plastic company "insures" purchases
over a particular value and if you are still in the "insurance" period -
well then, you may be in luck.

This is one of the advantages plastic purchases have over hard currency
purchases

Of course, you may seek to insure your camera and all you need to do is to
wait for the nearest trawl on this thread

Oh - you will need to contact your plastic company if it is valid in this
case

Artie