They did not, they were happy to charge me > $300 for the repair
It is a very nice camera which is why I was trying to get it repaired and was willing to spend more than the replacement cost to fix it.
Did APS declare it beyond reasonable economic repair or unrepairable?
That’s too bad because it’s a nice camera. I used one for work in underground mines back in the 1980s. Reliable and bulletproof, so to speak.
An Ebay Nikon FT3 will set you back as little as $75.....all the way to $199 for a clean boxed one. Likely less than any complex service on a broken one....
Regarding the OP's reference to Blue Moon, I noticed yesterday that repairs are no longer on their website menu (except for a "Repair FAQ" at the bottom of the homepage, which appears to be a relic). Disappointing as I have a Nikon F2 that needs a little work (and the best-known repair person is not taking new repairs until next June).
Sure, I can purchase a replacement camera. Of course, the replacement could have its own set of issues. Sometimes the devil you know...
I should mention that the FT-3 isn't my only camera. I have other Nikon SLRs, a Pentax SLR and a few Leica M film cameras which I consider my 'main' cameras. So I don't really need to repair/replace the FT-3 and I probably won't replace it if this one is unrepairable - at a reasonable cost. I just like the camera, it's in near-mint condition cosmetically, and I'd hoped to keep it in working condition as long as possible.
Best of luck. With the cost of driving or shipping & repairs it's a labour of love to keep these cameras going.
The camera is now at Dean's Camera Repair in Torrance, CA. Hopefully it can be repaired.
Dean had advised me that he could not fix the shutter of a Nikonos II camera which I was given, but to keep the lens and get order a Nikonos V instead and use the lens on it. It was good advise. I would use him again for camera repairs.
Well, it looks like I have my first broken camera that's unrepairable. I've reached out to all of the Nikon repair folks that I can find and almost all of them have said that the stuck shutter in my Nikkormat FT-3 cannot be repaired because there are no parts available.
APS had the camera for a while but couldn't track down the parts. Midwest, Zack's and Nippon PhotoClinic all said they don't work on the camera because no parts are available. Dave Easterwood said he might be able to repair it but I've been reading some less-than-encouraging reviews of his service (cameras not being returned, etc.) so I'm reluctant to send the camera to him. I reached out to Blue Moon and haven't heard back yet, but I'm guessing it will be much the same story. I thought about reaching out to KEH but haven't heard much about their camera repairs, and I'm not sure it's worth anymore time trying to get this camera fixed.
Despite it being pretty mint cosmetically, it looks like this Nikkormat might now be a parts camera. Bummer. I'm wondering how many more time bombs I have sitting on my shelf. Frankly, it's making me reluctant to buy more vintage film cameras - except, possibly, Leicas for which (most) parts are still available, despite the lengthy repair times currently being cited.
Maybe it's just my current downer mood talking, but I don't think lack of film is going to be the downfall of analog photography, I think that lack of parts for repairs might eventually do it in instead.
Another Photrio success story! Maybe soon you will become a member because you are getting our money's worth from Photrio.
I've been a subscriber for years, my subscription just recently expired and I haven't had a chance to renew. Thanks for the reminder.
I thought so. Are you walking around with one leg longer than the other? Because I was pulling your leg.
Apparently, my humor detector is also in need of repair
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