Nikon FTn meter repair- does anyone do it now?

[evansol]

I have a Nikon FTn prism head, and, like most of them out there now, the meter does not operate. Are there any repair shops and/or technicians who can still repair these meters?

 

[Mackinaw]

You may want to try Kanto Camera in Japan. They indicate on their website they still work on FTn prisms.

Jim B.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

You may want to try Kanto Camera in Japan. They indicate on their website they still work on FTn prisms.

Jim B.

Thank you. I've wondered about that but didn't think anyone would bother.

 

[abruzzi]

I hate to say this, but the cost of repar is probably ~3x the cost of buying another FTn. If you buy from KEH and its BGN or better, if the meter doesn't work, they'll repair it. My 3 FTn work perfectly, incuding meters.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

When buying old stuff that works the question is "how long will it work?" Repairs tend to last longer.

 

[Nitroplait]

If Kanto replaces the CdS cells with newly manufactured replacements, like Sover Wong does on the F2 heads, then the FTn Photomic will likely be like new and equally reliable for decades.
One shouldn't expect to recoup the expense if deciding later to sell it, of course.

 

[abruzzi]

When buying old stuff that works the question is "how long will it work?" Repairs tend to last longer.

perhaps, but the meter on my first FTn was working when I bought it in 1990 and it still works fine even though I don't treat it well, and there is currently an FTn in the classified here for $30 with working meter. I expect a repair will cost ~$150 plus round trip shipping to japan. To me the economics favors just getting one that works. I get the benefits of a proper repair, but sometimes it doesn't make sense.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Money rarely enters into my equations. Reliability and accuracy first.