Not the News I Wanted to Read While Eating my Breakfast!

[BradleyK]

If one got a Nikon with or without warranty and Nikon Canada can't do the repair (for whatever reason) it is their job to care for that camera and send to a service workshop of theirs that still does the job.

Agreed, Agx, but in this case, by packing and sending it via FedEx myself, I'm just eliminating an intermediary step (i.e. instead of Vancouver to Toronto (?) and then to New York or LA, I'll just eliminate a step and go directly from Vancouver to LA). Hopefully, in doing so, I'll have the F6 back in time for our Chinese New Years' parade on the 14th of next month (fingers are crossed).

 

[aoresteen]

This is why I have a back-up camera for all my systems (except the Cambo 23SF view). In my Olympus gear I'm pretty deep with nine bodies... If I were nearby I'd loan you an Olympus OM-2 & some glass until your F6 gets back.

 

[BradleyK]

Thanks, aoresteen, but I am well-covered. Six F2s (four on active duty), an F3P, an F3HP and an F5, in addition to the (currently) out of commission F6. Lots of Nikkor glass to choose from as well. lol

 

[Naples]

Both the F6 and FM10 are on the Nikon website:

F6

FM10

 

[Patrick Robert James]

If I am not mistaken Nikon does not own any companies that bear the Nikon name outside of Japan. So Nikon USA or Nikon Canada are simply distributors or independent operators. I am pretty sure I had a conversation about it with a rep once, but it makes perfect sense when you hear about problems like this.

 

[AgX]

That is interesting, I did not know that.
That would be confusing/misleading for the consumer.

(Though that is not the first time. I may hint at the two Ilfords, "Fomafoto", "AgfaPhoto".)

 

[UK Roger]

I was under the impression that the camera manufacturers were obliged to supply spare parts for 10 years after the end of production. I do hope so, as my F6 is from an early batch, although everything is working ok at the moment.
I was told by a large Nikon dealer here in the UK that Nikon build the F6 once they have enough orders for a run of 200.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I was under the impression that the camera manufacturers were obliged to supply spare parts for 10 years after the end of production. I do hope so, as my F6 is from an early batch, although everything is working ok at the moment.
I was told by a large Nikon dealer here in the UK that Nikon build the F6 once they have enough orders for a run of 200.

Welcome to APUG

 

[BradleyK]

Wrapped snugly around with bubblewrap, the box it shipped in further stuffed with the same, my F6, after a payment of ~$56.00 CDN to FedEx, is on its way to Nikon in Los Angeles. Hopefully, the camera is back in my hands before 14 February, so that, as I mentioned previously, I can use it when shooting the Chinese New Years' parade in Vancouver.

 

[blockend]

That only leaves Leica to fully support new film cameras. Next in line are mechanical cameras with long histories and enthusiast support (Nikon F2, etc), then simple cameras of all kinds your regional camera repairer is likely to be able to fix. Last, ironically, are late electronic models of fairly recent vintage, which are pot luck on parts and know how.

Worth bearing in mind when we spend more than pocket money on our next new old camera.

 

[AgX]

I was under the impression that the camera manufacturers were obliged to supply spare parts for 10 years after the end of production.

On what legal base?
Camera manufacturers are located in different countries. And people buy cameras at dealers all over the world.
There is no such regulation in the EU, not even within Germany. Here a construct has to be made up, based on several laws, common use and the very product.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

That's the case in the USA. At least for automobiles...............

 

[Paul Howell]

That's the case in the USA. At least for automobiles...............

I don't think so, I checked, at least in Arizona, I have a 2002 Isuzu Axiom, when Isuzu left the consumer market in 2009 they stop making parts, what was left on hand is all that is left, I got the last year I got the last struts in the US, other then 3rd party. Same for Saab and to a lesser extend Saturn, GEM is still making engine and trani parts but no longer make body parts.

When Minolta stopped making cameras they stopped making parts as well. I think Nikon and Canon as a service to users made parts available for 10 years but I don't think there is any law that says they have to.

 

[f8&bthere]

On what legal base?
Camera manufacturers are located in different countries. And people buy cameras at dealers all over the world.
There is no such regulation in the EU, not even within Germany. Here a construct has to be made up, based on several laws, common use and the very product.

I don't think so, I checked, at least in Arizona, I have a 2002 Isuzu Axiom, when Isuzu left the consumer market in 2009 they stop making parts, what was left on hand is all that is left, I got the last year I got the last struts in the US, other then 3rd party. Same for Saab and to a lesser extend Saturn, GEM is still making engine and trani parts but no longer make body parts.

When Minolta stopped making cameras they stopped making parts as well. I think Nikon and Canon as a service to users made parts available for 10 years but I don't think there is any law that says they have to.

Haven't we done this before?

In the U.S. there is no federal statute requiring manufacturers to supply parts or repair services for any amount of time after discontinuation of the product. There are however federal laws which require manufacturers to supply parts and repair services sufficient to satisfy in-effect express warranties.

Individual states however do have laws requiring parts and repair services be available for x-amount of time for discontinued products.

In California, for example, manufacturers of electronics and aplliances are required to supply parts and repair services for three years after discontinuation of products with a wholesale cost of $50-$99.99 and for seven years for products with a wholesale cost of $100 or more.

Given California's size, population, economic influence, and the fact that a large percentage of any national brand's products will be sold in California and thus subject to California law, many states [and many companies] have essentially just adopted California's seven-year standard as their own.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I was under the impression that the camera manufacturers were obliged to supply spare parts for 10 years after the end of production. I do hope so, as my F6 is from an early batch, although everything is working ok at the moment.
I was told by a large Nikon dealer here in the UK that Nikon build the F6 once they have enough orders for a run of 200.

That's the case in the USA. At least for automobiles...............

It applies in the US. You have to push the car dealers and sometimes file a law suit through your state. In California it applies to cars and electronic equipment. Recently there was an article in the Los Angeles Times that some electronic manufacturer got spanked by the California General Attorney and the courts told to manufacture for supply the parts and fix the devices or buy the devices back at the original cost. Glory be, the manufacturer found a way to fix the devices rather than deal with court penalties.

 

[Marvin]

Makes me worry about my older F5. I think the N80 N75 would just be throw a way if they ever failed. I have an extra N80 and N75 just in case.

 

[Paul Howell]

Prices for F5s and F100s are coming down, I would think about getting a spare body, my wife game me a Minolta 9, already thinking about second body.

 

[skorpiius]

I wonder if anyone has a copy of the circuitry schematics. As annoying as it is, even non-functioning circuit boards might be repairable with some chips and a soldering iron. If you know the specs.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I use a Nikon N-75 for my color negative film. I have had it since 2003.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

I wonder if anyone has a copy of the circuitry schematics. As annoying as it is, even non-functioning circuit boards might be repairable with some chips and a soldering iron. If you know the specs.

Are you asking about an F5?

 

[skorpiius]

Are you asking about an F5?

No I'm just wondering in general for newer cameras if it will come down to soldering circuitry as parts dry up, and if the knowledge required to do so will be available.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

OK 'cause I have a PDF service manual for it if ya needed it.

 

[John_Nikon_F]

Prices for F5s and F100s are coming down, I would think about getting a spare body, my wife game me a Minolta 9, already thinking about second body.

^This. Just picked up an almost mint F5 for $185, plus tax. The only thing non-mint about it is the fact that someone reefed on their SB-28's lock ring to the point that the shoe collapsed a little on both sides.

-J