Repair or Replace N80?

Naples · Oct 10, 2014

Hi,

I have a 10 year old Nikon N80 that just started acting up (thin black horizontal lines on some prints that the developer says is due to a problem with the camera).

Should I have the N80 repaired at KEH, or at a Nikon-approved local service center?

Or, should I not throw good money at an N80 and just buy a used F100 from KEH? I have always wanted an F100, and wonder if now is the time to buy one?

Would appreciate your thoughts.

Naples

Richard S. (rich815) · Oct 10, 2014

Get an F100. Or another N80 as they are very cheap now. But get somewhere else. KEH has a terrible site now.

LyleB · Oct 10, 2014

While I am not impressed with the new KEH site either, I would not write them off as a place to do business because of it. They are still a completely reputable company to buy from.

I second the F100, if you can afford one, great modern film camera.

Marvin · Oct 10, 2014

I would say get another one as they are cheap. Have you looked at the negatives and inside your camera to see if anything is scratching the film. I have two of the N80 and N75 cameras good to have a backup. If the lines are on the negatives then it could be your camera, but could be the processor. I would make sure that the inside of the camera is clean and nothing to scratch the film, then shoot a roll and have it processed somewhere else.
Marvin

GarageBoy · Oct 10, 2014

F100s are bigger and heavier than the N80
At the prices they go for these days, get both
You can probably pick up an N80 for $20 on ebay

analoguey · Oct 10, 2014

You could get another n/f 80 for about 40 bucks and have this repaired too. You learn a lot with every repair - in my experience.

Sent from Tap-a-talk

Alex Muir · Oct 10, 2014

The F100 feels much heavier. It is obviously of better build quality, but it doesn't do a great deal more than the N80. The differences may be irrelevant depending on what you shoot. I agree you should check your existing N80 by processing elsewhere first. I had three of them in use at one time and they never gave any problems.
Alex

snapguy · Oct 10, 2014

N80

I bought an N80 body recently for $20 plus shipping and got with it a 1960s Nikkor 50mm f1.4 lens that I could sell for a bundle and end up geting the N80 for less than nothing. When the N80 was new I paid over $500 for a body. Big difference. Great camera although the menus are a bit of a pain. But mostly I set and forget them. The notion that you should ignore the best used camera place on the planet because you don't like their website seems to be cutting your own throat to spite something or other.

tony1 · Oct 10, 2014

get another n80 i have two of them they work great one for b+w and color cheap .

the k e h site is lousy too

Naples · Dec 4, 2014

UPDATE: I finally gave in to my desires and ordered a Nikon F100, grade EX+, from KEH, and it just arrived. And I must say, it is in astounding shape! I don't see any marks or blemishes whatsoever. If this is EX+, I can't imagine what LN looks like! Thank you KEH!

Sirius Glass · Dec 4, 2014

I have a Nikon N75 that I use for color prints and a Nikon !00 that I use for black & white.

If I were you I would buy a Nikon F100 without hesitation, so made the right decision five minutes before I posted.

tkamiya · Dec 4, 2014

LN comes in factory box, most paper work in tact, and no signs of use. Mine even had that little cardboard thing that protected the pressure plate. For all practical purposes, it's NEW but without the factory warranty. I bought my N80 from KEH that way.

Enjoy your NEW F100. I just had two of mine serviced by Nikon. They came back looking NEW! For me, this is a perfect camera. A perfect blend of size, feature, and functionality. I heard from someone Nikon will stop servicing F100 sometime next year. (March 31 was thrown around)

Naples · Dec 5, 2014

tkamiya said:
I heard from someone Nikon will stop servicing F100 sometime next year. (March 31 was thrown around)

Nikon itself or its authorized service centers? I find it hard to believe the F100 will not be serviced by Nikon's service centers after March 31.

snegron · Dec 5, 2014

I thought Nikon had stopped doing service on all their film cameras (except for the F6) a few years ago. If they are still servicing film bodies I would like to send my N80 in for repair. It has sticky grips and a small nick on the top LCD. The only reason I would consider getting my N80 instead of tossing it out/replacing it with a newer N80 is because I purchased this N80 new several years ago. I really didn't get to use it as much as I wanted because I started using DSLR's at the time. I know my N80 is in perfect condition except for the sticky grips and the tiny nick on the top screen.

I own both the N80 and the F100. Two very different cameras imo. The N80 is probably the smallest/lightest film SLR I have ever used, whereas the F100 feels solid/hefty in my hands. I love them both but use them for different shooting situations.

tkamiya · Dec 5, 2014

NIKON itself. I sent them to Melville NY service center.

My local repair guy was also under the impression that Nikon no longer serviced F100. But I contacted Nikon directly and was told "we still service F100" so I sent it in. Then someone else somewhere told me to "hurry and do it" because it'll end in March 31 next year. If you think you need service, you may want to contact Nikon now and get the real story. As Nikon no longer sells parts to non-authorized centers, servicing them will be difficult after Nikon drops support.

Naples · Dec 7, 2014

tkamiya said:
As Nikon no longer sells parts to non-authorized centers, servicing them will be difficult after Nikon drops support.

What about the 9 authorized service centers for the F100 around the U.S.? I find it hard to believe they won't be able to service a camera Nikon was selling just 8 years ago.

tkamiya · Dec 7, 2014

I suggest you'd call them and find out. I don't know the answer. I only shared what I know because I asked, and I kind of know because I heard.

Usually, dropping support means parts will no longer be manufactured and kept in stock. Once they are gone, they are gone. I am not sure if authorized service centers are even allowed to buy parts from non-genuine sources. I've also seen some other manufacturer dump parts once support is terminated.

If your F100 is in need of service and intend to get it serviced, you should ask whomever is going to be the one to take care of your camera body. Phone calls or emails cost nothing but few minutes of your time.

By the way..... F100 with sticky back problems are going for far less than one without that problem. (Look KEH) It isn't bad idea to have a second body if you really like your F100. Also, F100 comes up fairly regularly on APUG. Backup body may come in handy....

RalphLambrecht · Dec 7, 2014

Naples said:
Hi,

I have a 10 year old Nikon N80 that just started acting up (thin black horizontal lines on some prints that the developer says is due to a problem with the camera).

Should I have the N80 repaired at KEH, or at a Nikon-approved local service center?

Or, should I not throw good money at an N80 and just buy a used F100 from KEH? I have always wanted an F100, and wonder if now is the time to buy one?

Would appreciate your thoughts.

Naples

retire the N80,get nFM as a film camera and move on.SFfilm-camera days are counted.It may be an opportunity to put your toes into MF:munch:

RalphLambrecht · Dec 7, 2014

LyleB said:
While I am not impressed with the new KEH site either, I would not write them off as a place to do business because of it. They are still a completely reputable company to buy from.

I second the F100, if you can afford one, great modern film camera.

+1.don't judge a dealer by the quality of his website.KEH is a good source for used equipment!never mind the website

Chan Tran · Dec 7, 2014

If your N80 is broken then buy another camera rather than having it fixed. However, black thin line doesn't seem to be a camera problem and is more likely developing problem. Try another place to develop your film. You may have different problems all together as it's hard to find a place to develop film problem free.

tkamiya · Dec 8, 2014

I have an answer from NIKON concerning F100 support:

"I believe the service period for the F100 ends July, 2015. Authorized Nikon repair facilities will no longer repair at that time.
Parts are only available as long as supplies last, however only parts offered on our Parts Store are available for sale in the US region:"

I was off by few months. This is straight from a support rep at Nikon who responded to my email query.

Naples · Dec 10, 2014

tkamiya said:
I have an answer from NIKON concerning F100 support:

"I believe the service period for the F100 ends July, 2015. Authorized Nikon repair facilities will no longer repair at that time.
Parts are only available as long as supplies last, however only parts offered on our Parts Store are available for sale in the US region:"

I was off by few months. This is straight from a support rep at Nikon who responded to my email query.

Thanks for the info. Where did you have your F100 serviced? At Nikon itself or one of the service centers? Anyone know anything about the work of the service centers compared to Nikon itself?

tkamiya · Dec 11, 2014

Naples said:
Thanks for the info. Where did you have your F100 serviced? At Nikon itself or one of the service centers? Anyone know anything about the work of the service centers compared to Nikon itself?

NIKON itself. I sent them to Melville NY service center. I've sent probably about a dozen pieces there in the past. Never had an opportunity to send it to any place else, since I have to ship it out anyway, so might as well go to the source.

Repair or Replace N80?

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