My Out of warranty repair: Timeline and pricing 24-70 and d300s

realized

A lot of people ask about nikon timelines and out-of-warranty repairs.. here is what happened with me:

d300s flash failed, didn't work at all (as flash, commander, anything), 24-70 and d300s combo was spotty at best, misfocus a lot. sent in for those two things:


11/15 - FRIDAY - sent FEDEX via FEDEX
11/18 - MONDAY - AM shipping confirmation from FEDEX: NIKON RECEIVED
11/18 - MONDAY - at 10PM Estimate emailed to me - i Accepted - submitted CC online.
D300s: B2 Service Repair Rank B2 – Estimate $236.50
24-70: B2 Service Repair Rank B2 – Estimate $432.50
11/19 - TUESDAY - around 11PM status changed to "Shop - Approved on 11/18/2013" for both items
11/19 - TUESDAY - Bank Of America account shows two "Authorized" transactions for the amounts above.
11/20 - HUMP DAY! - status changed to "Billing - Approved on 11/18/2013" for both items
11/21 - shipped
11/22 - arrived !!!!!!!!!!!


What was done (according to invoice)


24-70:

rpr zooming mechanism
rpr focusing mechanism
rpl helicoid
rpl cam ring
rpl bayonet mount
rpl rubber ring
adj auto focus operation
adj resolution test
general check & clean


D300s:
rpr flash operation
rpl pop-up flash
rpl flash pcb
grip cover adj auto focus operation
ckd image test
cln image sensor
firmware upgrade
check & clean

at work now, haven't tested yet - but very excited!

Photobug

Great turn around time from Nikon service. Thanks for sharing.

My D300 service took 3-1/2 weeks from shipment to receipt.

PB_PM

Indeed goo repair times. I think the availability of parts has a lot to do with how long they take.

Msmoto

@realized

Welcome to NRF. Oh, I fixed the thread title so as to make it more specific. A lot of D300s users are waiting for the mysterious D400 and may be very interested in the repair issues. Thanks

NSXTypeR

If I knew repairing the flash would cost that much I think I might have left it broken and bought a SB700 instead.

Ironheart

Part of that cost was for general cleaning and adjustment that would be done regardless of the flash.

realized

So took the camera out today - i think focus is spot on now with the D300s+24-70 combo!! very excited.

regarding the flash, i went back and forth with that in my head. i fixed it for a few three main reasons:

1) if i sell the camera, i want it 100% fixed - flash would be a big problem for most people buying (haven't decided if im ready to sell it just yet.. since today when i took the camera out it was spot on perfect focus!)
2) i have two nikon flashes that i use off camera - with a broken flash i didn't have CLS and as such - one flash would need to be a commander - so now this gives me the ability to use both flashes once again!
3) if i buy another flash - i'd rather use it off camera then on camera as CLS commander

the only point i see to the on camera flash is as a commander. and that was worth the $$$ though as pointed out earlier, cleaning, and adjustment was also included in that price..

i should also point out that the "estimate" was in fact the final pricing.. which is funny - they priced it before even looking at it?!?!?! either way i'm a happy camper today. it was worth it