John--That sounds pretty grim. Out of curiousity are the image files the full size (e.g. it's writing data but it is all 0/black) or are they runt files? Not that it will make any difference to whether it has to be serviced, but like I said, I am curious.--David

Files are a full 18mb for a RAW image. No histogram, not even a flat line. I'm guessing a buffer issue or a bad sensor.

Let's hope it is something as "simple" as a loose connection or maybe the buffer, as replacing the sensor might cost you nearly as much as the aftermarket value of the camera.--David

Well if it's a sensor, I would be very disappointed as the camera has less than 7k activations.

John--For good or bad, I'm not sure the sensor really is that affected by activation count. The shutter sure is since it is a moving part, but I tend to think of the sensor as more like RAM or a flash card. So newer is better, but I don't think they ever "have to" fail or wear out. If anyone does have data on sensor life I'd be curious.--David

You're probably right, David. Like most solid state devices, the either fail soon after activation or run. I'll contact Nikon soon, and if they have no suggestions, it will be of for repair today.

Received and estimate from Nikon today for $387.50. The problen is that it does not tell me what the failure is, only a repair ranking of B2. When I called Nikon Customer Service, I was told that the estimate is based on the information I provided and that the camera is not "touched" until I approve the estimate. When I offered the hypothesis that I might be the dumbest person in the world and gave them the wrong information, what would they do when they found something else was wrong? He offered no response.

As a former owner of a electronics service company, I was shocked by this shotgun approach of Nikons'.

Am I expecting too much in today's world?

John,

I am at Nikon Service often. It seems that I always have something that is in service or needs service. Finally I have accepted the "flat rate" repair policy they cling to. The big advantage of using Nikon is that they do stand behind their repairs for 6 months. If something else goes wrong they have historically fixed the additional problem without charge if it is sent in within the 6 month period.

Nikon has screwed up on occasion and it takes multiple times at the service desk to have things rectified. The bottom line here is that Nikon has always rectified the problem at no additional charge to me.

I agree with you that the flat rate appears pricey a lot of the time. A yearly clean and auto focus adjust is a B2 repair and pushes near $400. In the last year alone I have spent over $3,200 repairing my Nikon gear.

I suppose that what we must remember is that the service center is a profit center for Nikon. Nikon's corporate base cost is just higher than we would like it to be.

Good luck with your camera. It will come back better than new.

Thanks Rick,

I'm simply trying to understand what went wrong with this camera that has less than 7k of exposures. I guess, based on your comments, that it must be minor...but how minor? I have this fundamental belief that when it's my money, I have a right to know!

John--I can see why Nikon does things this way and actually I think it often tends to work in the customers favor. One reason is what Rick mentioned where they stand behind their work.

Another reason is that in my experience once they have stuck an estimate on the service order they stick with it even if the gear needs a more serious repair.

For example I've had a "B" category repair turn out to need a new shutter (typically a more expensive "C" repair). But they replaced the shutter as part of the repair at no additional cost to me. This has happened a few times.

The first "clue" is often on the completed service order where they aill list in a great deal more detail what they actually did to the camera (at that time is probably also the best time to try and call in and talk to the tech about what they found).

FWIW, unless it was something you could fix yourself the price you got is about as low as they go for any real repair on a D-SLR, so aside from not satisfying your curiousity you may be getting a great deal (if it needs a new shutter or sensor) and a "not bad" deal if it needs anything less.

Sometimes I think they do this when they "feel bad" about something like having to replace the shutter after not that many activations. They might not say under warranty or do it for free but it seems like they soemtimes lowball the repair.

CAVEAT: I have read stories (perhaps even posts here) where I think I recall people getting a changed estimate after the camera is actually opened. That has never happened to me, but I wanted to point out that it's not like they guarantee the estimate in writing. It just seems to be their policy to stick with it once they make it.

In any case if you do get it fixed I'll be curious what winds up on the final repair order & whether you find any more specifics from calling them at that point.--David