Nikon F100 door latch broken - repair myself if I can source door?

sionnac

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Hello collective wisdom,
The door latch (plastic) on my Nikon F100 has broken and I can't shut the door now. I spoke to a local repair shop who quoted me $80 for repair (they have the part). Is it something I could repair myself, replace the door, if I could source the part? They are pricey on ebay, I put it on my wishlist at KEH, none in stock. Should I post a wanted ad for the repair manual or part here (I mean on the Wanted board)?
 
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PGillin

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It depends how handy you are and what's actually broken.
Replacing just the door should be user-serviceable, after all there was a databack option.
A few years ago I replaced the release mechanism on an F3 that allows you to pull the rewind crank up and open the door. It was a simple enough repair, but then again I have a reasonable set of good quality tools, a mechanical background (not in cameras) and the service manuals.
If you're going to get into the latching mechanism on the F100 you would have to remove the plate on the left side of the camera around the slider that opens the door. It shouldn't be terribly complex or involve any electronics, but I'd definitely want a parts diagram. Bill Rogers may have the parts, I've bought a few F, F3, and F4 bits from him. Very helpful and easy to deal with.
A latch, if you can find and install it, should be less than 80$. A new back will run you about that much. Depending on your mechanical inclination, comfort opening up the camera, and how much you value the time spent searching for, waiting for, and installing parts it may be worth paying to get it done.
The local shop's quote doesn't sound unreasonable. I've had equipment serviced by places that would charge more just to put it on the bench. If, by chance, your quote is from Bromfield I'd trust them to do the work quickly and well.
 

PGillin

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sionnac said:
Thanks - just posted a WTB on the analog wanted forum, I figured I'd ask for the whole door. If not I'll just have to save up for the repair at the shop. The piece that broke is the plastic bit on the door that fits into the latch.
Click to expand...

If you're particularly handy or have a friend with a 3D printer you could try fabricating a new piece yourself. Of course, then you'd have to figure out how to get it on there.
 

wiltw

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It is a simple procedure the remove the back, to mount the optional data back. From the owner manual:



The back itself (not the data back) is priced at about $71 - 80, as there is no added labor charge, nor need for a camera technicians skills!
 

Huss

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$80 for the repair seems reasonable. Will it be a new replacement part or one from a parts camera? If new, then great. If used, it may too fail soon..

Incredible that Nikon put metal latches on the basic EM, but plastic on the F100.
 

johnnywalker

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Seems to be a common problem. I was lucky to find two spare backs and the replacement of the backs was relatively simple with some small tools. Finding the backs was the hard part.
 

Stephen Schoof

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I think it was a very common problem. I bought replacement doors for my N70 and F100 a couple times, and later bought used bodies just for the doors after Nikon stopped selling the doors. Swapping doors is very easy and just involves manipulating the pin/hinge that holds the door on. When doors were sold new as parts, they came without pressure plates and some of the other metal hardware, so you'd have to swap those from the old door onto the new. A little time-consuming, but simple enough with jeweler's screwdrivers.

After years of having plastic door latches fail I got into the habit of gently closing the camera back by first sliding open the release latch (as if opening the door), then closing the door, then relaxing the release latch to lock it shut. Previously I would just snap the door closed, which gives a satisfying sound but may (or may not...) weaken the latch over time.

If you are ever caught in the field with a broken latch, some gaffer's tape and sturdy rubber bands will hold it shut temporarily.

I don't know why Nikon used easily-broken plastic latches on otherwise fine, robust cameras.
 

skorpiius

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If anyone else has a broken F100 door let me know, I'd like to try to develop a solution before mine breaks.
Thanks
 

russljames

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skorpiius said:
If anyone else has a broken F100 door let me know, I'd like to try to develop a solution before mine breaks.
Thanks
Click to expand...

My camera tech told me the latch gets broken when the door is being closed and snapped into place. His recommendation is to lift up the latch lever (as if you were opening the door) ahead of closing the door. Then, release the latch lever after the door has been placed in the closed position. In this manner the plastic does not encounter the stress from the door being snapped into closing position.
Cheers,
Russ
 

Angarian

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Correct. Best method to avoid that well known problem. Or at least to prolong the life of the latches for some more years.
I am using this method for many years now: no broken latches on my F100 and F80.
 
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