Nikon Repair Question

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I have a D750 I've had since 2018. It's been pretty lightly used and always "kid glove" treated. IT's always taken excellent images. It had some pesky sensor spots so I sent it in to Nikon USA service to have the sensor cleaned and get it tuned up. Nikon service sent me a revised estimate saying that the lens mount was bent and the repair would run just south of $400.

I'm leaning toward having Nikon repair it, but one thing nags at me. The camera has been babied since I bought it in 2018. Never dropped, never had the lens bump into anything, probably fewer than 4,000 shutter actuations.

Something about a bent lens mount just doesn't sit well with me. I called Nikon service and the rep said that can happen from repeated lens changes and small bumps. That doesn't feel right. The camera lives with the 24-85 on it and seldom sees a lens change. And I hear stories of cameras shrugging off pretty big hits with no damage. I have never even mounted my 200-500. It stays on my D7200.

Are the lens mounts on the mid range D-XXX model cameras this fragile?

Has anyone ever had misgivings about Nikon's USA service operation?

I'm also considering just having them return the body, cleaning the sensor myself and using it as a back up to a new D850. However, these misgivings make me wonder if I can trust them at all.

I could really use a reality check here.

Thanks in advance.
 
I have a D750 I've had since 2018. It's been pretty lightly used and always "kid glove" treated. IT's always taken excellent images. It had some pesky sensor spots so I sent it in to Nikon USA service to have the sensor cleaned and get it tuned up. Nikon service sent me a revised estimate saying that the lens mount was bent and the repair would run just south of $400.

I'm leaning toward having Nikon repair it, but one thing nags at me. The camera has been babied since I bought it in 2018. Never dropped, never had the lens bump into anything, probably fewer than 4,000 shutter actuations.

Something about a bent lens mount just doesn't sit well with me. I called Nikon service and the rep said that can happen from repeated lens changes and small bumps. That doesn't feel right. The camera lives with the 24-85 on it and seldom sees a lens change. And I hear stories of cameras shrugging off pretty big hits with no damage. I have never even mounted my 200-500. It stays on my D7200.

Are the lens mounts on the mid range D-XXX model cameras this fragile?

Has anyone ever had misgivings about Nikon's USA service operation?

I'm also considering just having them return the body, cleaning the sensor myself and using it as a back up to a new D850. However, these misgivings make me wonder if I can trust them at all.

I could really use a reality check here.

Thanks in advance.
If you have treated it well as you say and have been happy with it before, I’d just have them clean the sensor and send it back.
It sounds like they are trying to maximise what they can get out of you. A bit like the auto shop, you go in for tyres and wheel align and they suddenly find you have worn shockers and brakes.......If it smells like fish............
 
Nikon service sent me a revised estimate saying that the lens mount was bent and the repair would run just south of $400.
When I was Nikon NPS Nikon recommended a full service every 2 years - and at service events often replaced the mount (due to wear and tear) for free.

Needing a mount replacement on a four year old camera can be necessary.

What I do not understand is the $400 charge.
I would expect a sensor clean and new mount to cost near one third of $400 - unless there is other work involved.
 
Nikon mounts are sacrificial, which means they are designed to be a weak point. The mount will fail before damage can be done to more expensive parts inside. I can't offer an opinion as to why the mount needs replacement, maybe the way the camera is stored during transit? I rarely transport camera bodies with lenses attached to minimize the stress on the mounts from the bumps encountered on our less than wonderful roads. If I do, the lens and body are supported. I am also careful with my gear but still have had a few mounts replaced from time to time. I just figure it's a matter of time. The cost is way less than replacing the camera and Nikon USA returns gear in like-new condition.
 
While anything is possible, the camera could have left the factory in that condition, but it may never have impacted your IQ during shooting. I was going to buy a D850 from a member in another who took reasonably good care of his gear and this was a low mileage body I was considering. He was an NPS member and decided to send it in before selling it to me or anybody else. They also reported a bent mount that they fixed, so as mentioned above, this does not sound uncommon. If you plan on keeping the D750, then it is probably worth the cost as they will recalibrate everything after your repair. If funds are tight and you are not concerned, then you could pass up on it, and if you change your mind later, send it to Nikon or an authorized dealer for the repair.

Good luck,

--Ken
 
I could really use a reality check here.
I've seen a number of bent lens mounts over the years that resulted from seemingly innocuous things like a photographer carrying a long lens and camera combo by hanging the camera itself off a shoulder strap with the weight of the lens dangling or worse with one side of the shoulder strap attached to the camera body and the other side to the lens mount. Not saying you did anything like that, just that lens mounts can be bent without actually dropping or obviously abusing the camera.

I've had very good service from Nikon and don't think they'd be pulling a fast one nor charging for unnecessary repairs but I agree it's a tough call at a $400 price tag (though some of that is the sensor cleaning and basic check up). If I loved the camera I'd probably bite the bullet and pay for the repair but it's a tough call.
 
I would think the official Nikon repair center is honest, but I have no personal experience. I have a really good local shop - Tucson Camera Repair - that I use. (Even when I had a new Sony body that needed warranty repair I had him send it in for me). If there is a camera repair shop in or near the city where you live, you may want to get a second opinion from them. If not, you could call or email the shop I use (look them up online) and see if he thinks this sounds legitimate and if the price is in line with what he would charge.
 
Thanks all. I'm still fence sitting, and probably will be for a bit. I do like the body a lot and I don't think an 850 will take any better photos (for me) than the 750. But, Nikon will not simply clean the sensor, service the camera and send it back. They have an "all or nothing" - "take it or leave it" repair policy. Let them do everything they want or they won't work on it. I find that off putting and a touch arrogant. It only heightens my misgivings.

I'll look locally and make some calls before I make a decision. I live in deep south Texas and it's a bit of a tech wasteland, but there may be a gem lurking. MrFotoFool (can I assume you are the same MFF that posts on Nikon Rumor's?) mentioned Tucson camera. If you know of any good repair shops online I'm all ears.

Thanks again for the advice.
 
I've seen a number of bent lens mounts over the years that resulted from seemingly innocuous things like a photographer carrying a long lens and camera combo by hanging the camera itself off a shoulder strap with the weight of the lens dangling or worse with one side of the shoulder strap attached to the camera body and the other side to the lens mount. Not saying you did anything like that, just that lens mounts can be bent without actually dropping or obviously abusing the camera.

I've had very good service from Nikon and don't think they'd be pulling a fast one nor charging for unnecessary repairs but I agree it's a tough call at a $400 price tag (though some of that is the sensor cleaning and basic check up). If I loved the camera I'd probably bite the bullet and pay for the repair but it's a tough call.
Thanks. I'll probably repair it. One thing that's a little annoying is that I've been really scrupulous about carrying my cameras. Never support the camera lens assy by the body if the lens has a foot or I get a foot for it. That sort of thing. And the camera I used for wildlife is a D7200. It wears my heavy glass. It too, never supports the lens - vice versa. But, it too may be hiding a bent lens mount.

But, as I noted, I think the 750 is a better camera than I am a photographer and my other (self-imposed) option is a D850. The gear geek in me lusts for an 850 but the econ major in me knows about "opportunity cost."

Many thanks.
 
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Nikon's policy of "all or nothing" as you put it is based on experience. If they do as you say and just clean the sensor and return it, you might be able to make a claim that they damaged something in the process. If they return it in their words "In Good Working Order" then if anything is wrong, they will repair under their repair warranty. I don't really agree as some cosmetic things they seem to want a lot of money for and it doesn't impact the function of the camera but that is what they do. You might want to see if APS in the midwest can repair it, or find a place that will just do the cleaning. If the mount is bent, you may run into issues with the images, one side (or top or bottom) may look soft. OTOH, the camera is already at Nikon, weigh the possible discount elsewhere with the additional shipping/insurance costs.
 
I sent in my D850 this year for a clean and calibration. I got the same thing --THE BAYONET MOUNT IS BENT / DAMAGED MOUNT BENT, MISSING SCREWS. I had not noticed it, everything seemed to be fine. But in the end I had it repaired. The cost was 297 (which I think was on top of the cleaning), so about 400 all in.
 
Nikon's policy of "all or nothing" as you put it is based on experience. If they do as you say and just clean the sensor and return it, you might be able to make a claim that they damaged something in the process. If they return it in their words "In Good Working Order" then if anything is wrong, they will repair under their repair warranty. I don't really agree as some cosmetic things they seem to want a lot of money for and it doesn't impact the function of the camera but that is what they do. You might want to see if APS in the midwest can repair it, or find a place that will just do the cleaning. If the mount is bent, you may run into issues with the images, one side (or top or bottom) may look soft. OTOH, the camera is already at Nikon, weigh the possible discount elsewhere with the additional shipping/insurance costs.

That was my conclusion. I understand their reasoning, but their "bedside manner" could use some polishing. I'll probably have them do the repair. Assuming they're true to the part of their word that it will be in factory spec it's probably worth it to me for the reasons you covered.

thanks again.
 
I sent in my D850 this year for a clean and calibration. I got the same thing --THE BAYONET MOUNT IS BENT / DAMAGED MOUNT BENT, MISSING SCREWS. I had not noticed it, everything seemed to be fine. But in the end I had it repaired. The cost was 297 (which I think was on top of the cleaning), so about 400 all in.
thanks That pretty much duplicates my experience.
 
At least with my D8xx cameras the lens mounting piece on them was clearly meant to break first and protect the body of the camera. I had a camera with the 70-200mm lens hit a hard floor and the mount broke and there was not damage to the body of the camera or to the lens. It was constructed of metal and plastic so the plastic section could break and protect the camera.

Nikon repair charges have gone up while their warranty protection has gone down. I would bet that the same is true with Sony and Canon products.

No need to ever send a camera in for sensor cleaning. Sensor swabs and Eclipse cleaning solution for 50 plus cleanings costs less than one cleaning by Nikon. I could get back a pristine sensor and in a day's shooting outdoors with lens changes have stuff on the sensor.

I take a shot of open sky using manual focus and a small f/11 aperture and can see where there are places to clean. V-swabs and Eclipse work well to clean off the debris most of the time. For camera sensors with oil from the shutter I have used the Visible Dust Smear Away product to remove the lubricant, and then use Eclipse to remove the Smear Away residue. There are 1/4 inch square swabs that work well in the corners of the sensor. If it takes an additional hour to remove particles on the sensor that is not a problem.
 
At least with my D8xx cameras the lens mounting piece on them was clearly meant to break first and protect the body of the camera. I had a camera with the 70-200mm lens hit a hard floor and the mount broke and there was not damage to the body of the camera or to the lens. It was constructed of metal and plastic so the plastic section could break and protect the camera.

Nikon repair charges have gone up while their warranty protection has gone down. I would bet that the same is true with Sony and Canon products.

No need to ever send a camera in for sensor cleaning. Sensor swabs and Eclipse cleaning solution for 50 plus cleanings costs less than one cleaning by Nikon. I could get back a pristine sensor and in a day's shooting outdoors with lens changes have stuff on the sensor.

I take a shot of open sky using manual focus and a small f/11 aperture and can see where there are places to clean. V-swabs and Eclipse work well to clean off the debris most of the time. For camera sensors with oil from the shutter I have used the Visible Dust Smear Away product to remove the lubricant, and then use Eclipse to remove the Smear Away residue. There are 1/4 inch square swabs that work well in the corners of the sensor. If it takes an additional hour to remove particles on the sensor that is not a problem.
Thanks for the tips. I've gone back and forth on the DIY sensor cleaning thing. I'm reasonably mechanically inclined, but it's mostly automotive mods and repairs. Fooling around with cameras has always put the fear in me. Since Nikon has the camera, I'm probably going to let them do the work. Next time, I think I'll follow your lead. If I mess something up, I can use a shop as a fall back.

Thanks again.
 
This is really odd. Telling you that a lens mount can bend from "repeated lens changes" is equal to "the lens mount sucks", because that's what the lens mount is actually designed for.
I can't imagine how using a 24-85 in a normal way could ever bend a lens mount.
I would ask them to send back the replaced part. I'd be too curious to see it.

Btw, your post really inspired me to get some cheap old F-mount camera for some experiments...
 
This situation has taken a couple of really unusual turns. Last Friday I called the Nikon Service number and expressed my concerns. I asked 1) how the straightness of the lens mount is measured, 2) could they send me information verifying that it is, indeed, bent, and 3) return the damaged mount with the repaired camera. The rep replied that they would reach out to the service center itself and request that information.

Today, I received a revised repair estimate.

It included:

a charge for a moderate repair $297.10
the cleaning up/tune up for $106.00

Then it listed

Repair Charges $106.00
S&H $ 17.50
Net Value $123.50
Tax $ 10.19

for a grand total of $133.69

This made no sense so I called once again. This time I got the same rep I talked to on Friday and asked them if they could interpret the invoice for me. They were flummoxed as well. What they did say with certainty was that 1) the service center had reviewed the camera and determined that he mount was actually NOT bent and the added repair procedures were not necessary. Apparently they use a flat plate (perhaps glass - my guess) to check the mount and on reexamining it concluded it was not really bent.

The rep sent me a revised estimate by email for the $133.69 which I approved.

Hopefully it comes back soon in good condition. I was and remain - dazed and confused.
 
While I am sure you are relieved as you treat your gear well, it does not speak well of the tech who is doing the estimates. I'm also confused, unless somewhere in the data entry they confused someone else's camera for yours.
 
Sounds very shoddy, to say it is bent and then when you press them to say it is not bent. Makes me glad I have a really good local repair shop I can use. Even if I need to send something in for warranty repair, they will send it in for me and handle all the communication. (I have to reimburse them for shipping, but that's a small price to pay for the peace of mind).
 
Hopefully your camera is returned in good condition. I'd suggest buying a few sensor cleaning swabs from ebay or similar so you can clean the sensor yourself. It's really easy to do (takes 5-10s).

Our only experience with Nikon (UK) repair services, about 4 years ago, was when we had to send a d5600 to fix a back focusing problem and the AF motor of the lens we sent the camera with was returned malfunctioning. It may have been a bad coincidence but didn't leave me a great impression of the service.
 
Sounds like good news, at least you are getting a smaller bill.

Over the years I have cleaned about 50 DSLR cameras, the first time it was nerve wrecking, I even forgot to turn the camera off on off, the battery drained totally. After the 5th time, it 's like pouring a cup of coffee.

The camera sensors are very well protected even with mirrorless, I clean the camera once a month regularly. IMHO the key point is: keep the camera bag, acceorries clean of dust, I always wipe the bag inside out after field trips, more so after going to the coast side.

Oliver
 
for a grand total of $133.69
$133 seems yes to me reasonable.

My view is Nikon should check the lens mount for wear et cetera rather than apparently automatically including a charge for replacing it.

In a way the lens mount is similar to tyres on a car. A car life can be around 200,000 miles – with the tyres unlikely to last more than 20,000 miles.

As has been mentioned in the thread the lens mount and to some extent the mirror box on a DSLR seem to be designed two collapse with relatively little pressure - to reduce the chance of damage to the main body chassis that can result in the camera being a write-off.
 
Thanks all. Yes, the bill now seems about what I anticipated. I really do want Nikon to come through on this. I'd like to be able to rely on them in the future.

Will have to wait to see how it turns out. I'll post an update when the camera comes home.
 
I will play “Mr. Cynical” here and say this sounds like the standard “impact damage” diagnosis that Nikon repair is so fond of. They only make money if they repair or replace something. If you are sure you never mishandled the camera and have had no problems with it up until now, I would not authorize a repair.
 
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