Nikon F100 and ERR

[JWMster]

So my Nikon F100 went to the ERR zone. Tried a reset, battery removal, etc. No dice. Manual seems to suggest this is time for a trip to repair. KEH repair rate looks to be $300. Replace with comparable condition $ 315 from these guys... cheaper on the Bay. Bought this for the AF using D lenses for taking pictures of my grand kids, as I'm otherwise a manual focus kind of dude. Recommendations? Experience? It's a USA serial number, so Nikon MIGHT be an option, but my guess is they aren't working on cameras this old.

FWIW, I've been down the route of CLA's and upgrades on Leica's and Rolleis... and kind of liked the bulletproof Nikon. This is my first experience with a breakdown. Curious about your mileage with the AF Nikons... and whether at this point they are worth the repair - if it can be done.

Thanks for your input!!

 

[John Koehrer]

I'm of the $300. is exorbitant.
On the bay F100's start at ~$120 You may find one on this site. There are several dealers online that have good reputations.
I've used Robert's several times with good results.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Start by checking the lens.

Is the aperture ring set at the smallest [highest f/stop] aperture?
Take off the lens and reinstall the lens.
Try another lens.
Clean up any dirt around the mount.​

 

[131802]

Start by checking the lens.

Is the aperture ring set at the smallest [highest f/stop] aperture?
Take off the lens and reinstall the lens.
Try another lens.
Clean up any dirt around the mount.​

What Sirius said; also, see if the little aperture locking tab on your af-d lens is engaged.

 

[Sirius Glass]

What Sirius said; also, see if the little aperture locking tab on your af-d lens is engaged.

Opps missed that one.

 

[JWMster]

Guys: THanks! Done all that. Trouble started after a lens switch. Thought it was batteries. Nope. Shutter closes, but doesn't open. That's when the ERR comes... and like a BULB setting (but it's on "S" for single) it requires a 2nd shutter push to re-open. Open the camera back and the shutter looks bad... sometimes. Fine at others. Haven't had this all that long, but it shouldn't be doing this.

 

[mshchem]

I have a couple F5 bodies, I got a deal on a couple F100 bodies, I had battery issues other weird stuff, I got rid of the F100s. Buy a nice F4 or F5.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have a couple F5 bodies, I got a deal on a couple F100 bodies, I had battery issues other weird stuff, I got rid of the F100s. Buy a nice F4 or F5.

I would get rid of the F4 and F5 and buy F100s.

 

[JWMster]

I think the F4 is a pre-D AF? With all my AF's D lenses, that would be suboptimal I think. F5 is supposed to be a big honker... and the F6 is waaaay pricey but back to a handy size (fairly I've not seen either the F3, F4, F5 or F6 in the wild of late). There's a Japanese dealer I've used for non-Nikon with whom I've had very good trades and his price for an F-100 beats the KEH repair. How long do I think about this? Meantime, I'm reverting to the FM2n which just works... without AF. So not an emergency.

 

[Nodda Duma]

The F100’s have a pretty solid reputation. My own cane from Japan like what you see on ebay. It was cheap, in perfect shape, and just works. You might have gotten your hands on a lemon.

 

[mshchem]

F5 is supposed to be a big honker

It is that's what I love about it.

 

[JWMster]

mshchem: LOL! And I love your reaction. Thanks for that.

 

[LiamG]

The F100’s have a pretty solid reputation. My own cane from Japan like what you see on ebay. It was cheap, in perfect shape, and just works. You might have gotten your hands on a lemon.

I agree, F100's are great cameras- but even with great bodies, something goes wrong every once in a while, and there's always some production defects. Get another one, with the prices they're at now, it's not too much of a risk.

I think the F4 is a pre-D AF? With all my AF's D lenses, that would be suboptimal I think. F5 is supposed to be a big honker

To be a bit pedantic, the only thing you'd lose af/af-d wise with the F4 is some features of flash metering, which shouldn't be a problem unless you're using nikon speedlights in very demanding situations in TTL mode (and the f4's TTL flash metering is actually great without "d" technology, I used it quite successfully for a long time). Honestly, though, the F5 and F4 are both heavy cameras- I think the F4s is even more heavy than the F5, actually, and the F4 is a big step down from the F100 autofocus wise, while the F5 is (arguably) the same or a small step up, just with a tougher body, and a few "pro" features.

 

[MultiFormat Shooter]

Recommendations? Experience? It's a USA serial number, so Nikon MIGHT be an option, but my guess is they aren't working on cameras this old. Curious about your mileage with the AF Nikons... and whether at this point they are worth the repair - if it can be done.

You could also try Authorized Photo Service, outside of Chicago, IL. I think the repair would be "worth it," as your camera will know be back to factory specifications, rather than taking a gamble on another used one, of unknown history.

 

[pentaxuser]

It just seem a shame that we are already talking as if there is no reasonably price cure and worse as if there is no repair source that can at least take a look and confirm that it is a "goner" without needing a "king's ransom" to do so

pentaxuser

 

[PGillin]

You could also try Authorized Photo Service, outside of Chicago, IL. I think the repair would be "worth it," as your camera will know be back to factory specifications, rather than taking a gamble on another used one, of unknown history.

It just seem a shame that we are already talking as if there is no reasonably price cure and worse as if there is no repair source that can at least take a look and confirm that it is a "goner" without needing a "king's ransom" to do so
pentaxuser

Agreed and agreed. A good used F100 with shipping will run a little less, but could have issues. For a little more we can keep the repair techs in business and have a known-good camera.
Nikon USA will likely service it but may not have parts available. There are plenty of independent guys who would be able to get it done, though. They are pretty good cameras and well-worth fixing.

 

[JWMster]

Well here's the deal: I've ordered a "sticky" F100 from KEH. The existing camera is "covered" by eBay's Square Trade warranty for a year... so I'll pursue the repair. Looking up "sticky F100" on this site, apparently the trick is to use Rubbing Alcohol on it. So I'll have an F100 that works, and perhaps a repair so that I end up with a back-up body, too. Best of both worlds. "No cameras were hurt in the recording of this message."

 

[joeinwv]

I bought a Nikon F100 when it was new. It finally came time that it needed a repair. I know that you can buy a replacement on eBay for less but I had this camera since new and knew it had not been mistreated. I found that Camera Service Company
of Smyrna, GA did a fabulous job with repair (replacement of film transport) and were very prompt (it seemed less than a week). I have also had good luck with several cameras with Camera Repair Service in Pittsburgh PA. With Camera Repair Service you can send them a fee for an estimate (I think it is $15 for a film SLR) that is non-refundable. The tech will examine the camera and call you back with the cost of repair. If you are in agreement, the estimate fee applies to the repair. If not, they will ship it back. They also have a very fast turnaround. Hope that helps.

 

[JWMster]

Joe: Thanks! My plan is to get the old ERR F-100 working and to then have a backup. Thanks!

 

[Ariston]

Joe: Thanks! My plan is to get the old ERR F-100 working and to then have a backup. Thanks!

If you are shipping to Atlanta, KEH is not the "local camera shop." They are another large corporation. I recently met and had work done by a gentleman named D.J. (...I think - he is Korean, and I had difficulty with his accent, as I am sure he did mine) at Camera Service Company. He gave me a tour of his shop. It is a true small mom and pop shop, but is also an authorized Nikon repair center. The guy is super nice, and they were quick. I don't know if it will cost you less, but it's worth a call. Their number is 770-432-4257.

 

[JWMster]

Ariston / Joe: So the Camera Service Company is NOT part of KEH? I believe that's what I thought, but it is easy to assume that they are - since both are in Smyrna. Thanks!

 

[Ariston]

Ariston / Joe: So the Camera Service Company is NOT part of KEH? I believe that's what I thought, but it is easy to assume that they are - since both are in Smyrna. Thanks!

No, I asked the guys at Wings Camera if they knew someone local besides KEH, and they referred me to DJ's shop, Camera Service Company. I drove down and visited... It is a small, friendly shop. KEH is in Smyrna, too, but I've never been.

Camera Service Company is moving down the road soon because the old building they lease space in (for decades) has been sold. It is old and probably going to be redeveloped.

I've only had two cameras worked on, so I have no long term experience with them, but so far so good.

 

[JWMster]

NOTE on SQUARE TRADE: Generally a good experience. Closing the loop here, I remembered that I'd bought this off eBay and given the age of the camera and that I bought from someone I didn't know, took out the SquareTrade protection. Camera still qualified for a warranty repair. Applied for it, received approval and sent it in to the address listed. They reported it was unrepairable and sent me a check in full within a week. Someone else apparently gets to keep the camera's parts, but this isn't a bad deal. Repair cost would probably have run between $200 and $300, which is equal to the cost of the camera. So not ideal, but there you are. As noted, I'd already replaced it with another F100 for the autofocus D lenses I tend to use, but I've been shooting a lot more with an FM2n which is handy, too. No AF or some of the later software advances, but a real workhorse and nice small package. F100 will get some love later.

 

[138S]

I would get rid of the F4 and F5 and buy F100s.

F-100 was prosumer, F-5 was 100% Pro. I Use both. The F-100 is fantastic, the F-5 is a war machine.

We can make the same photographs with both, the F5 weights more, which is good to balance heavy glasses like the 70-200 VRII, but bad for hiking.

The F5 loses matrix metering with manual-focus lenses but it has several advantages:


> Film transport mechanism is of impressive quality, which it is internally isolated to not make the body vibrate. It fires with very little recoil, with active mirror-balancer counterweighted design.

> 1,005 segment RGB color matrix that never fails and never doubts, perfect metering from a Neural Network, what today we call Artificial Intelligence.

> Shutter with Self-testing operation: actual shutter speed is measured each time, and it corrects and calibrates automaticly.

> (AF buttons are more convenient in the F-100, but...) the F-5 has a powerful focus motor that can even destroy cheap 3rd party lenses, focus is faster than with modern prosumer DSLRs, but it takes many batteries.

> The F-5 is weather sealed and armored, mine has fallen several times to the ground with only scratches. The F-5 is more reliable, the F-100 has some breakdowns, like with the single/multi shot selector. Some F-5 have made 1 million shots with no problem and no CLA, a fortune in film.

> The F-5 has mirror Lockup (the F-100 not !!!), important for tripod shots with long lenses.

Many times we'll do the same with an old good FM, for challenging situations like moving kids in narrow selective focus, for active fashion or for sports the F-5 is unrivaled, we may be machinegunning at 8 frames/s an skater flying over us and the F-5 ensures focus and exposure between shots.

Still I'd prefer the F-100 for travelling, casual, street... Both are able to start the VR in modern lenses, which is fantastic !

As always, nothing like an FM2n with AIS for some kind of photography, an artist may prefer that.

 

[Sirius Glass]

F-100 was prosumer, F-5 was 100% Pro. I Use both. The F-100 is fantastic, the F-5 is a war machine.

We can make the same photographs with both, the F5 weights more, which is good to balance heavy glasses like the 70-200 VRII, but bad for hiking.

The F5 loses matrix metering with manual-focus lenses but it has several advantages:


> Film transport mechanism is of impressive quality, which it is internally isolated to not make the body vibrate. It fires with very little recoil, with active mirror-balancer counterweighted design.

> 1,005 segment RGB color matrix that never fails and never doubts, perfect metering from a Neural Network, what today we call Artificial Intelligence.

> Shutter with Self-testing operation: actual shutter speed is measured each time, and it corrects and calibrates automaticly.

> (AF buttons are more convenient in the F-100, but...) the F-5 has a powerful focus motor that can even destroy cheap 3rd party lenses, focus is faster than with modern prosumer DSLRs, but it takes many batteries.

> The F-5 is weather sealed and armored, mine has fallen several times to the ground with only scratches. The F-5 is more reliable, the F-100 has some breakdowns, like with the single/multi shot selector. Some F-5 have made 1 million shots with no problem and no CLA, a fortune in film.

> The F-5 has mirror Lockup (the F-100 not !!!), important for tripod shots with long lenses.

Many times we'll do the same with an old good FM, for challenging situations like moving kids in narrow selective focus, for active fashion or for sports the F-5 is unrivaled, we may be machinegunning at 8 frames/s an skater flying over us and the F-5 ensures focus and exposure between shots.

Still I'd prefer the F-100 for travelling, casual, street... Both are able to start the VR in modern lenses, which is fantastic !

As always, nothing like an FM2n with AIS for some kind of photography, an artist may prefer that.

What I highlighted in your quote says it all.