N90s broken light meter

pamphoto · Jan 24, 2023

Hello,
I recently had the light meter go out on my Nikon N90s. all i see in the viewfinder is the green line light. It still works, but can not shoot in manual mode without an extra light meter.
Has anyone had this happen? were you able to get it fixed?
I really miss working with this camera. I am trying to get back into film and photography overall.
Thank you for your help.

ic-racer · Jan 24, 2023

You can replace the N90, or look at any of the AF cameras to the right on this graph for an upgraded replacement. Most are in the $25 to $100 range these days. If you want to stick to a more 'pro' type camera, there has been a lot of interest in the N80 here lately. Otherwise the N75 is a little newer design that is lighter and smaller (if you like lighter and smaller). Also, this might be a good opportunity to move up the the F100 while they are still very affordable compared to the F6.

George Mann · Jan 24, 2023

Mine has been 100% reliable. The only failures I have seen with these is do to external damage.

pamphoto · Jan 24, 2023

ic-racer said:
You can replace the N90, or look at any of the AF cameras to the right on this graph for an upgraded replacement. Most are in the $25 to $100 range these days. View attachment 327546

Thank you ic-racer. You are suggesting trying to find a replacement for the camera rather than trying to get it fixed, correct? Am I correct in assuming that it is not possible or cost effective to get it fixed and rather search for a new camera?

ic-racer · Jan 24, 2023

For an electrical problem in that camera, one could open it and trace the appropriate connections, looking for a bad solder joint or loose connection. If a electrical component is bad, a donor camera would be needed. Likely then, easier to just use donor camera. I was able to repair my N55 by searching for a bad solder connection.

N90 layout:

George Mann · Jan 24, 2023

pamphoto said:
Thank you ic-racer. You are suggesting trying to find a replacement for the camera rather than trying to get it fixed, correct? Am I correct in assuming that it is not possible or cost effective to get it fixed and rather search for a new camera?

I recommend buying another body from a reputable seller, as you are not likely to be able to fix the one you have.

Huss · Jan 24, 2023

pamphoto said:
Hello,
I recently had the light meter go out on my Nikon N90s. all i see in the viewfinder is the green line light. It still works, but can not shoot in manual mode without an extra light meter.
Has anyone had this happen? were you able to get it fixed?
I really miss working with this camera. I am trying to get back into film and photography overall.
Thank you for your help.

Remove batteries. Replace with fresh ones - see if that helps.
Remove lens, clean contacts on lens and camera body. See if that helps
Reset the camera to its defaults by pressing both green-dot buttons simultaneously. See if that helps.

pamphoto · Jan 24, 2023

Huss said:
Remove batteries. Replace with fresh ones - see if that helps.
Remove lens, clean contacts on lens and camera body. See if that helps
Reset the camera to its defaults by pressing both green-dot buttons simultaneously. See if that helps.

Hi Huss, Thank you for your reply. I have tried all these tips and still have no light meter. I was on a photoshoot when the light meter quit working. I did not move except to look up at a new area to shoot. I am not sure why it has stopped working.

Sirius Glass · Jan 24, 2023

I have the Sekonic 308S which is a great small meter for reflectance and incidence light readings. I use it for my cameras without light meters.

pamphoto · Jan 24, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
I have the Sekonic 308S which is a great small meter for reflectance and incidence light readings. I use it for my cameras without light meters.

Hi Sirius Glass,
Thank you. I will look into it.

Valerie · Jan 24, 2023

If you are near Houston, try taking it to https://professionalcamerarepair.com/
It's been a while since I've used them, but was quite happy with the work they did then.

ic-racer · Jan 24, 2023

Sirius Glass said:
I have the Sekonic 308S which is a great small meter for reflectance and incidence light readings. I use it for my cameras without light meters.

On these cameras when the 'light meter is out' the whole thing is kaput. But if she indicated it still works, maybe just the display is out, making manual not feasible. So a hand-held meter would be a great solution!

pamphoto · Jan 24, 2023

Valerie said:
If you are near Houston, try taking it to https://professionalcamerarepair.com/
It's been a while since I've used them, but was quite happy with the work they did then.

Hi Valerie,
Thank you. I am not, but do have family in the area. I will give them a call and see if they an help.

gone · Jan 24, 2023

The n8008s is essentially the same camera when it comes to features, and I love the spot meter. You can usually get one that is working for $40 or so, much less than a repair would cost on yours, assuming it could even be repaired. The n8008s has a high point viewfinder so glasses wearers can see the whole frame w/ them on.

I plan on buying another one. My little Pentax MV is much smaller and lighter, but the lack of exposure controls is frustrating. The Nikon nailed the exposures every frame, every time.

pamphoto · Jan 24, 2023

momus said:
The n8008s is essentially the same camera when it comes to features, and I love the spot meter. You can usually get one that is working for $40 or so, much less than a repair would cost on yours, assuming it could even be repaired. The n8008s has a high point viewfinder so glasses wearers can see the whole frame w/ them on.

I plan on buying another one. My little Pentax MV is much smaller and lighter, but the lack of exposure controls is frustrating. The Nikon nailed the exposures every frame, every time.

thank you, I will look into this camera

Huss · Jan 24, 2023

I have a lot of cameras. Some, uh, really expensive ones.

But I am all over this!

I love it - the Nikon N80

I had one of these before but sold it because it was silver and I am shallow like that. Found this one on ebay in black w the 28-80d lens (as good optically as the G but also has an aperture ring so I can use it on my F3 etc). Was listed as ‘sticky’ and ‘for parts, untested’. First thing I...

www.photrio.com

pamphoto · Jan 25, 2023

Huss said:
I have a lot of cameras. Some, uh, really expensive ones.

But I am all over this!

I love it - the Nikon N80

I had one of these before but sold it because it was silver and I am shallow like that. Found this one on ebay in black w the 28-80d lens (as good optically as the G but also has an aperture ring so I can use it on my F3 etc). Was listed as ‘sticky’ and ‘for parts, untested’. First thing I...

www.photrio.com

Hi Huss,
Looks a lot like the N90. I'll have to look into this one as well.
Thank you.

4season · Jan 25, 2023

I bought a Nikon F3 with flakey LCD. It turned out that a previous owner had attempted to mend a cracked part of the housing with cyanoacrylate glue, and vapors from it had contaminated the electrical contacts of the display, necessitating disassembly and cleaning. Not overly difficult for a camera repair, but not something that I’d recommend as a first attempt at camera repair.

mshchem · Jan 25, 2023

KEH Camera has a N90s with the battery grip in EX condition for $143 USD.

Huss · Jan 25, 2023

mshchem said:
KEH Camera has a N90s with the battery grip in EX condition for $143 USD.

lol. My local shop had that in perfect shape for $50.

George Mann · Jan 25, 2023

Huss said:
lol. My local shop had that in perfect shape for $50.

They are really going up in price lately.

Huss · Jan 25, 2023

George Mann said:
They are really going up in price lately.

There's a really nice one on ebay right now for $50. Buy it now. Free shipping.

edit I see quite a few working ones at that price point.

pamphoto · Jan 25, 2023

4season said:
I bought a Nikon F3 with flakey LCD. It turned out that a previous owner had attempted to mend a cracked part of the housing with cyanoacrylate glue, and vapors from it had contaminated the electrical contacts of the display, necessitating disassembly and cleaning. Not overly difficult for a camera repair, but not something that I’d recommend as a first attempt at camera repair.

Thank you 4season. I do not think I will attempt repairing it myself. It would be nice if I knew how though.

pamphoto · Jan 25, 2023

Huss said:
There's a really nice one on ebay right now for $50. Buy it now. Free shipping.

edit I see quite a few working ones at that price point.

Thanks Huss, I will take a look.

pamphoto · Apr 23, 2023

I forgot to update!

I ended up buying a new-to-me N90s body for $50. Thank you everyone for your help!

I can still use my old one in Aperture priority mode, I just have to glance at the top of the camera to be sure the shutter speed is fast enough when hand holding it.

N90s broken light meter

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