Nikon F100 Repair

toyoboyo · Jun 3, 2020

Does anyone know of shops that would repair a F100? I know they aren't super expensive, but I'd rather have it repaired than take another camera out of circulation.

The on/off toggle doesn't seem to work anymore, and the camera will intermittently die while on. I've been told the repair is a bit gnarly, and I've looked through the service manual for the front assembly bit. Top cover needs to come off. There are a bunch of flex cables that have to be moved. etc.

Thanks

Ariston · Jun 3, 2020

I've used these people. I think they are Nikon certified. The gentleman who owns it is super nice. May not be the cheapest...

ChristopherCoy · Jun 4, 2020

I have a friend of mine who is a sales rep for Nikon USA, and he recommends this place. https://www.garlandcamera.net/

toyoboyo · Jun 4, 2020

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll contact both!

Arvee · Jun 4, 2020

I had the same problem with the meter mode switch on my F100. These switches seem to be vulnerable to oxidation (second F100 with the same problem). I simply exercised mine about 100 times while watching the tube and it hasn't failed me since. You might have the same problem and you could give that a try before sending it in; be gentle/deliberate though while doing so.

toyoboyo · Jun 4, 2020

Makes me a little tempted to get a F6. I think the problem started happening after it got a little wet in the rain, so corrosion would make sense.

Huss · Jun 5, 2020

Jonathan F said:
Makes me a little tempted to get a F6. I think the problem started happening after it got a little wet in the rain, so corrosion would make sense.

Nice used F6s go for about $900. I'd sell the F100 before the film door latch breaks - as many have done.
It fits much better in hand and has (for me) the huge advantage of being able to hold Auto Exposure Lock for as many shots as you want. With the F100 it turns off after one shot.
It also has a much nicer/more accurate focus screen for manually focusing lenses.

Sirius Glass · Jun 5, 2020

Jonathan F said:
Makes me a little tempted to get a F6. I think the problem started happening after it got a little wet in the rain, so corrosion would make sense.

Then you would need a wheel barrow to cart it around.

ChristopherCoy · Jun 5, 2020

Jonathan F said:
Makes me a little tempted to get a F6. I think the problem started happening after it got a little wet in the rain, so corrosion would make sense.

I've got an F5 I'll sell ya!

Huss · Jun 5, 2020

Sirius Glass said:
Then you would need a wheel barrow to cart it around.

It only weighs 975g. You cannot lift that? An F100 weighs about 800g.

Ariston · Jun 5, 2020

Jonathan F said:
Makes me a little tempted to get a F6. I think the problem started happening after it got a little wet in the rain, so corrosion would make sense.

Save your back and wallet and get an N90S. I abuse mine all the time with no issues. I dropped one and broke the lens, but the camera just laughed and whirred along with the next lens.

They are about $40, so you can just buy another if it ever breaks, and still come out WAY ahead, saving more money for lenses.

Sirius Glass · Jun 6, 2020

Huss said:
It only weighs 975g. You cannot lift that? An F100 weighs about 800g.

Without batteries?

toyoboyo · Jun 6, 2020

The F80 makes more sense than the F90x doesn't it? I like the support for G style lenses still. The main draw of the F100 and F6 to me is the durability. Being able to use the same camera for years do decades has a bit of romanticism to it. It's clearly failed in this case, though it's likely that was user error.

I heard back from CameraServicePro. They said it's something they can repair. I'll need to send it in for an estimate.

Ariston · Jun 6, 2020

Jonathan F said:
The F80 makes more sense than the F90x doesn't it? I like the support for G style lenses still. The main draw of the F100 and F6 to me is the durability. Being able to use the same camera for years do decades has a bit of romanticism to it. It's clearly failed in this case, though it's likely that was user error.

I heard back from CameraServicePro. They said it's something they can repair. I'll need to send it in for an estimate.

The F90X is more rugged than the F80, and maybe more so than the F100. It is tough. But if you use G lenses it isn’t for you. I buy the old lenses that I can use on my manual film, AF film, and digital Nikons.

I want to give Camera Service Pro another plug - they stood behind their repair of a Hasselblad waist level finder, even though it was many months later. I had only used it a couple of times and it popped loose again. I contacted them a few days ago, sent the finder back to them, and just received it in the mail, fixed.

Huss · Jun 7, 2020

Sirius Glass said:
Without batteries?

Nikon lists the dry weights of the F100 and F6 as just under 200gms apart. I use my F6 with the CR123 batteries. Not the honking MB40 pack.

Huss · Jun 7, 2020

Arvee said:
I had the same problem with the meter mode switch on my F100. ...

Hmm, I had that same issue on mine. I would have to fiddle with it for it to set.
An F5 had an issue with the command dial that would not set the correct shutter speed, and I hear that is common too.

So it seems that these cameras with age get oxidation in their switches.

toyoboyo · Jun 14, 2020

Huss, when you say the focus screen on the F6 is better for manual focus, do you mean the standard one? My vision is garbage, but I do like the sound of that.

I haven't sent the camera anywhere yet. Still waffling between repair and getting a F6 to call it a day. Might end up doing both down the line.

Huss · Jun 15, 2020

Jonathan F said:
Huss, when you say the focus screen on the F6 is better for manual focus, do you mean the standard one? My vision is garbage, but I do like the sound of that.

I haven't sent the camera anywhere yet. Still waffling between repair and getting a F6 to call it a day. Might end up doing both down the line.

The standard one is very good, the matte screen is excellent and you can also use the focus confirmation dots as back up if you feel unsure.
But I replaced that with the optional split image screen made for the F6 by Nikon which is even better. But honestly I'd try it with the regular screen first.
It's so good for an AF SLR it really bothered me that when Nikon brought out the digital DF (which was meant to be great with mf lenses) they gave it a horrible inaccurate manual focus system, even though they had a great one in the F6.

John Koehrer · Jun 16, 2020

The N90 was durability tested by lots of wedding photographers for several years(7) before the F100 came out.
So it's a pro camera.

Naples · Jun 19, 2020

I have used Authorized Photo Service. They are excellent. Were able to repair my F100 when NikonUSA was not able to.

toyoboyo · Jun 19, 2020

@John Koehrer I did not know that. Thanks for that tidbit. Feels like I'm always learning something about photography in history.
@Naples I saw them mentioned in a forum post elsewhere as well. Good to hear some confirmation on a repair spot.

Arthurwg · Jul 21, 2020

I just purchased an F6 to take the place of my F100, which replaced my heavy and awkward F4. I started with a Nikkorrmat way back when so I guess I got hooked. I've had the F100 from new and traveled extensively with it. Never had any problems but felt I might as well move up to the F6 before the F100 expired. I mostly used a 24mm AF lens with that camera as well as the F1.4 85mm AF, but now I'm thinking about a VR lens. Any suggestions?

toyoboyo · Jul 22, 2020

The Tamron 35, 45, and 85 f1.8 lenses have VR. I use the 45mm and it seems completely compatible.

Huss · Jul 24, 2020

Arthurwg said:
I just purchased an F6 to take the place of my F100, which replaced my heavy and awkward F4. I started with a Nikkorrmat way back when so I guess I got hooked. I've had the F100 from new and traveled extensively with it. Never had any problems but felt I might as well move up to the F6 before the F100 expired. I mostly used a 24mm AF lens with that camera as well as the F1.4 85mm AF, but now I'm thinking about a VR lens. Any suggestions?

I use the latest 24-120 VR G lens. It works great on the F6. And is affordable used or refurbished.

F6 + 24-120G + Fuji c200:

Nikon F100 Repair

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