Nikon USA Will No Longer Focus Calibrate the F6

[NortheastPhotographic]

KEH told me they would do it for me. They said it's either the lens or the camera's AF sensor that needs adjustment, and that they could determine which.

 

[MultiFormat Shooter]

KEH told me they would do it for me. They said it's either the lens or the camera's AF sensor that needs adjustment, and that they could determine which.

Thanks for the update. It's a shame Nikon isn't doing this, anymore. Back in August, I had them make sure the 58mm F/1.4 G lens, that I bought, focused properly on my F6, prior to using it. At least Nikon will still work-on the F6, overall, according their website.

 

[ic-racer]

And that only applies because of the contract between the manufacturer and the distributor. As many people have learned, despite that, you will not be able to obtain warranty service in the USA if you bought a camera "grey market" - from an importer other than Nikon USA - or imported it yourself.
As I understand it, the Nikon USA service facilities won't service your camera - under warranty, or for a fee - if it wasn't imported through them.
Even a visitor to the USA can't obtain any service from them - under warranty, or for a fee - if the camera wasn't imported through them. And Nikon USA is perfectly entitled to take that position, even if it might result in poor customer feedback.

I think, that the answer is one should ignore Nikon USA if one own's a film camera.

I do my own repair work, so I'm not the best one to do it, but a good thread for Nikon film camera users might be a thread discussing places that DO service the cameras. Rather than a thread about places that DON'T service the cameras.

 

[MattKing]

@MattKing I may have misunderstood, but we're talking about a camera sold in one market, and Nikon refusing to take it in for repairs outside of that market while getting paid for the repair. That is not logical nor fair to a user, who may have crossed the border, then needed repair done quick, and manufacturer says not here, go back home. Maybe I'm reading too much into this and I'm unlikely to be in a position like this anyways.

Not Nikon - Nikon USA.
They are different entities.
Personally, I think it is short sighted for Nikon USA to be so territorial, but I don't know how difficult it is for them to compete with grey market importers, or how expensive it would be for them to provide service to cameras not bought through them.
It may be that they cannot economically access enough parts or trained technicians to permit doing that work.
It may be that the manufacturer is effectively limiting that access.
In Canada, many of the importers and distributors of cameras used to be simply importers and distributers - the camera brands they brought in were just a part of a diverse (although usually photographic) stable of different branded products.
As an example, Olympus cameras used to be imported by Carsen Photographic. Any warranty came from them, not Olympus Optical. They may very well have been willing to service Olympus equipment purchased elsewhere or (at a price) brought in through the grey market - I don't know. Their distribution agreement with the manufacturer may have required them to offer the same warranty as every other distributor world wide - I don't know.
All of which brings me back to the beginning - the national distributor is often (usually?) not the same as the manufacturer, and it is important not to get them confused with each other when it comes to things like warranties or service.

 

[beemermark]

EPOI (Ehrenreich Photo-Optical Industries Inc.), an independent company founded by Joe Ehrenreich, was the exclusive distributor of Nikon cameras in the US from 1954 until 1981, several years after Joe Ehrenreich's death. At that point Nikon acquired the remaining shares of EPOI and took over sole ownership of what became Nikon USA. So it is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nikon and has been since 1981.

Now that I didn't know (that Nikon USA is now a subsidiary of Nikon). I've been heavily invested in Nikon since before 1980. I never understood their marketing and it used to be cheaper to buy "gray" market new because the savings would cover any repairs if something did go wrong, which used to be rare. Nikon also use to mark the serial number either with a usa after or before the serial number. They no longer do that, as I found out the hard way. I bought a new D750 from a local shop that shortly went out of business (part of the reason I got a good price). After about a year I had problems with it and sent it to Nikon USA. Seems Nikon no longer marks the body in anyway thus there is no way to determine where you bought the camera except by proving a sales receipt. Without proof of purchase they won;t honor the warranty. I never keep sales receipts, my mistake. Sent it to an authorized dealer and got it back in less than 10 days fixed for a very cheap price. Seems highly unlikely I'll ever buy a new piece of Nikon equipment again.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Seems highly unlikely I'll ever buy a new piece of Nikon equipment again.

Unfortunatey that's about where I am. Abandoning the Fmount is in progress and the constant aggressive change w/o support of expensive items is epidemic to the industry. No matter I'm old anyway.

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

I can't believe I'm back here but Nikon USA is still doing various repairs to this F6. First the focus issues, fixed. Then a battery drain/clock battery issue, semi fixed. It still seems like it drains batteries too fast but does remember the date. Now it gives me an ERR at 1/8000th. Luckily this time I sent it in under the 90 day service warranty window.

Of course they still had the gaul to send me an estimate telling me this is somehow not covered under warranty...that's ridiculous, as it definitely is...so fighting them on that.

In the meantime I've heard other complaints about Nikon USA service. Really a shame, they used to be the best.

 

[removed account4]

If it wasn't under warrantee I'd give you the names of Midstate Camera Repair in Warwick RI and Zack's Camera Repair in Providence RI, they both probably will be able to do the repairs ... and get them done correctly the first time instead of the leg wrestling match Nikon USA seems to be doing ...

 

[mshchem]

I can't believe I'm back here but Nikon USA is still doing various repairs to this F6. First the focus issues, fixed. Then a battery drain/clock battery issue, semi fixed. It still seems like it drains batteries too fast but does remember the date. Now it gives me an ERR at 1/8000th. Luckily this time I sent it in under the 90 day service warranty window.

Of course they still had the gaul to send me an estimate telling me this is somehow not covered under warranty...that's ridiculous, as it definitely is...so fighting them on that.

In the meantime I've heard other complaints about Nikon USA service. Really a shame, they used to be the best.

I bought the 2nd Nikon D6 that Unique Photo in New Jersey got in stock when these cameras first came out. I had a D5, since sold. The original battery with the D6 didn't work, tried to charge, got the error code from the charger. I got ahold of Nikon, they told me to send in the battery. I called Unique, which has stellar customer service, as good as anyone out there. Unique sent me another battery by FedEx. I was never down since the D5 uses same battery. I thought wow that's great Nikon USA! IDRC exact timing, but seems like 5 or 6 weeks later I received my original battery, back from Nikon USA, apparently it needed to have new firmware loaded on the battery.
So brand new flagship dslr took them a month or better. Turns out Unique had just grabbed a battery and sent it out, I'm not sure who paid for it, I didn’t.
The camera is amazing, I wanted one that was from Japan, not Thailand. The battery pack has been out of stock in the US for quite some time, not sure when they will be available?

 

[wiltw]

@MattKing I was actually wondering for along time how World Wide warranty applies to servicing in US. Never looked into it, but from your understanding it appears there are two worlds to Nikon (and many other makers), the world of USA and the rest of the World. While at it, how would that work out backwards? A US warranted product brought to be serviced outside USA. I don't think a Nikon service in Europe would have a legal leg to stand on to reject an essentially out-of-warranty service (so chargeable) of their equipment. It would depend on how far one would want to go to get that straightened out, but if your understanding is correct, this is not a good PR affair for Nikon.

My past understanding about any 'Worldwide Warranty' is that your local distributor's service organization would not be involved in repairs, but that one would need to return the afflicted equipment 'back to the factory' for service. That is based upon the very distant past in understanding the Olympus worldwide warranty, for goods purchased outside the US while travelling internationally, for example.

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

Now that I didn't know (that Nikon USA is now a subsidiary of Nikon). I've been heavily invested in Nikon since before 1980. I never understood their marketing and it used to be cheaper to buy "gray" market new because the savings would cover any repairs if something did go wrong, which used to be rare. Nikon also use to mark the serial number either with a usa after or before the serial number. They no longer do that, as I found out the hard way. I bought a new D750 from a local shop that shortly went out of business (part of the reason I got a good price). After about a year I had problems with it and sent it to Nikon USA. Seems Nikon no longer marks the body in anyway thus there is no way to determine where you bought the camera except by proving a sales receipt. Without proof of purchase they won;t honor the warranty. I never keep sales receipts, my mistake. Sent it to an authorized dealer and got it back in less than 10 days fixed for a very cheap price. Seems highly unlikely I'll ever buy a new piece of Nikon equipment again.

If I recall, the box it comes in shows it was bought in the USA and not the gray market. There's some sort of tag on the box probably next to the serial number that matches the camera within.

 

[CMoore]

I have read, perhaps last year, that Nikon was "Still Manufacturing" the F6.
Is that true..... is it possible they were still "Assembling" the F6.?
It is hard yo imagine they would keep a production line going for a camera that was sold by the dozen..... not by the thousand.

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

I have read, perhaps last year, that Nikon was "Still Manufacturing" the F6.
Is that true..... is it possible they were still "Assembling" the F6.?
It is hard yo imagine they would keep a production line going for a camera that was sold by the dozen..... not by the thousand.

I think it's discontinued but still 'officially' repaired and possibly even available new. Frankly though their ability to actually repair the camera seems more suspect to me.

 

[Moose22]

I have read, perhaps last year, that Nikon was "Still Manufacturing" the F6.
Is that true..... is it possible they were still "Assembling" the F6.?
It is hard yo imagine they would keep a production line going for a camera that was sold by the dozen..... not by the thousand.

F6 manufacture has ceased. As of December of 2020.

They reconfigured how they manufacture things. Parts and sub assemblies are still made in Japan, but no bodies. Camera and lens manufacture is all offshored. During this realignment the F6 line was closed.

So, this time last year they WERE still making F6s, though obviously not in the numbers of modern cameras. But now they are not. They still support the F6 for a period of time because a new F6 bought in November last year is still under warranty, which means they are likely to have available parts for a while as well. As time goes on parts will dry up, of course, but for now it's officially supported.

I think it's discontinued but still 'officially' repaired and possibly even available new. Frankly though their ability to actually repair the camera seems more suspect to me.

Man, I'm sorry to hear it. I've had hit and miss with Nikon, but mostly hit. Sent binoculars in for alignment and got them back like new, zero charge. Had a flash stop working and had to argue over repair price and warranty, though it has been working like a champ ever since. Stuff like that.

I think the realignment and consolidation the last few years have made their camera support less reliable. Especially as they cut out all the authorized service centers.

Good luck man. I hope it gets sorted for reals.

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

Just spoke with them on the phone, they're still claiming it's not covered. They said only things addressed during the previous repair are covered.. I'm pretty sure that's wrong, so they said they would follow up.

A nice condition M4 is looking pretty good right now as compared to this F6 I've been trying to work with for a freaking year.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

A nice condition M4 is looking pretty good right now as compared to this F6 I've been trying to work with for a freaking year.

What mix of cameras are you working with at the moment?

Tom

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

What mix of cameras are you working with at the moment?

Tom

Currently working with my Rollei 2.8E, theoretical F6 that Nikon keeps breaking, Nikon L35AF point and shoot that won't break even when I drop it down a the stairs...and a set of Chamonix 57N & 810V cameras. I also have a few Super 8 cameras, more on that topic in the coming months for people who follow my lab. I'm using the Rollei and the large format cameras a lot. I like Nikon AF cameras though and the Nikon AF-D lenses are excellent, so I really wanted this F6 to work. I'm not sure how trusting I should be of electronic cams now though. The Rollei seems so much more repairable than my F6, same with a Leica which seems to have an army of users who would move heaven and earth to keep them working.

Not sure what I'll do now. I guess it depends on what Nikon decides to do, and what I get back from them. I was hoping to do some portrait work and that's another thing that keeps me shooting Nikon AF... Maybe I should trade the F6 system for a Rollei 6008AF or something, get a nice 645 turntable back and go. Hard to know what to do!

 

[mshchem]

Iowa has a "Lemon Law" if you buy a new product that's, well a Lemon, you can get a full refund. Call your Attorney General.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Currently working with my Rollei 2.8E, theoretical F6 that Nikon keeps breaking, Nikon L35AF point and shoot that won't break even when I drop it down a the stairs...and a set of Chamonix 57N & 810V cameras. I also have a few Super 8 cameras, more on that topic in the coming months for people who follow my lab. I'm using the Rollei and the large format cameras a lot. I like Nikon AF cameras though and the Nikon AF-D lenses are excellent, so I really wanted this F6 to work. I'm not sure how trusting I should be of electronic cams now though. The Rollei seems so much more repairable than my F6, same with a Leica which seems to have an army of users who would move heaven and earth to keep them working.

Not sure what I'll do now. I guess it depends on what Nikon decides to do, and what I get back from them. I was hoping to do some portrait work and that's another thing that keeps me shooting Nikon AF... Maybe I should trade the F6 system for a Rollei 6008AF or something, get a nice 645 turntable back and go. Hard to know what to do!

I dropped my D3100 w/24mm f2.8 attached and helplessly watched it bounce down a flight of stairs hitting every friggin' step on the way down. Slowly walked down and picked it up. Focused and took a quick shot. Been working ever since and that was 7 or 8 years ago.

 

[CMoore]

F6 manufacture has ceased. As of December of 2020.

They reconfigured how they manufacture things. Parts and sub assemblies are still made in Japan, but no bodies. Camera and lens manufacture is all offshored. During this realignment the F6 line was closed.

So, this time last year they WERE still making F6s, though obviously not in the numbers of modern cameras. But now they are not. They still support the F6 for a period of time because a new F6 bought in November last year is still under warranty, which means they are likely to have available parts for a while as well. As time goes on parts will dry up, of course, but for now it's officially supported.

.

I See....... Thank You

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

Iowa has a "Lemon Law" if you buy a new product that's, well a Lemon, you can get a full refund. Call your Attorney General.

In the great state of Maine we have an 'implied' warranty law that lasts a number of years. Services and things bought new are covered, but you kind of have to chase a company down to enforce it. Because this is a repair it's probably covered. The question I have is should I even trust Nikon to repair this camera if they won't cover it? Each time it comes back it has a new problem. This camera btw is remarkably clean, near mint condition. The issues I'm having with it are confounding.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

The issues I'm having with it are confounding.

Have there been widespread issues with the F6 cameras?

 

[NortheastPhotographic]

Have there been widespread issues with the F6 cameras?

Not that I'm aware of. I had another model for a few years that I never should have sold and it was rock solid. The clock battery eventually dies but this does not kill the camera, just a time and date writing function, and currently Nikon will replace that battery.

 

[mshchem]

I'm fascinated by the Z9 Nikon is hyping. But no way I'm digging any deeper into Nikon. I have 2 F5s, and several manual focus bodies. All my lenses work well on my digital body and most importantly all but my new 70-200 work with all my film bodies.

I think that you are suffering from repair incompetence.

 

[Huss]

Not that I'm aware of. I had another model for a few years that I never should have sold and it was rock solid. The clock battery eventually dies but this does not kill the camera, just a time and date writing function, and currently Nikon will replace that battery.

Dumb question I'm sure... how do you know if that battery needs replacing? I always keep batteries in my F6 because I read if you take them out, the internal clock drains after a few weeks.