Unrepairable camera :(

[logan2z]

Did APS declare it beyond reasonable economic repair or unrepairable?

They did not, they were happy to charge me > $300 for the repair But they were unable to locate the part(s) after a few months and so I figured I'd try another repairer. But finding another one is proving more difficult than expected.

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.

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.

 

[logan2z]

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....

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.

 

[logan2z]

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).

I contacted them today and they said they do have a repair technician. Current repair turnaround is 3 months.

In terms of my camera, they said their technician might have a replacement shutter for it, but the repair cost is fiarly high.

 

[GregY]

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.

 

[logan2z]

Best of luck. With the cost of driving or shipping & repairs it's a labour of love to keep these cameras going.

Thanks.

 

[M-88]

You peeps are still incredibly lucky to have parts for at least some cameras. If anything needs a spare part in my country, one has to pray that the only available repairman will take the job at all (he mainly handles digital cameras, cause it means more money) + we must bring a donor body with us. It's either that, or DIY repair. I had to choose the latter option.

 

[Bill Burk]

There’s a Facebook page Learn Camera Repair and a site learncamerarepair.com

The people there may be able to help you out.

My strategy when I wanted to fix my ES-II was to buy a few parts bodies off eBay. They were running about $20 plus shipping. And I went through one by one learning how to fix ones I had no emotional attachment to. The first one sucked but the second worked great after a bit of tear down and rebuild.

You might do the same there are plenty of FT-3 available.

 

[ic-racer]

As Bill pointed out above, this is solved by buying more cameras.

Working cameras are always a 'percentage.' I strive for 90% but even if I go down to 10% I still have at least one working camera.

 

[Trilianleo]

I have dealt with knight camera on ebay. He rebuilds and sells camera all the time has a ton of parts. Always worth showing him a message rehther then buying a whole parts camera.

KNIGHT-CAMERA | eBay Stores

Knight Camera inc. specializing in New and Used Photographic Equipment.

www.ebay.com

 

[dynachrome]

One of my repairmen considered the FT3 the most reliable of the mechanical Nikkormats. This was because the Indexing mechanicals of the earlier models was absent. I agree that when it comes to mechanical Nikkormats, the meter is more likely to be the unrepairable part. All old cameras have their quirks. If there are mechanical and electronic cameras which take the same lenses, I like to have spare mechanical bodies for when the electronic ones stop working. I have pre-AI, AI and AIS lenses. The pre-AI lenses can be used on the FT3s in stop down mode with the AI tab folded back. I don't mind the stop down metering because I meter that way with my Spotmatic, Spotmatic II and Spotmatic IIa cameras. The AI and AIS lenses work nicely on the Nikkormat FT, FTN and FT2 cameras. When a Nikkormat is working properly, it's a pleasant camera to use. I am partial to the FT2 and FT3 models because changing the ASA is easier but I have all of them except for the FS. After the FT3 I have the EL, the ELW and the EL2, which I consider to be the final Nikkormat, even though it's called a Nikon.

 

[wiltw]

The issue with the Nikkormat FT-3 is due to its use of the metal Copal shutter, which was provided to Nikon as a pre-fab module ...no disassembly of the shutter for repair.

 

[BrianShaw]

Copal Square-S Shutter Repair Guide

National Camera Repair Guide

learncamerarepair.com

 

[logan2z]

The camera is now at Dean's Camera Repair in Torrance, CA. Hopefully it can be repaired.

 

[Sirius Glass]

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.

 

[logan2z]

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.

I spoke to him today, it looks like the camera is repairable! Great communication from Dean so far.

 

[srtviper15]

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.

Have you thought about buying one off of eBay as a "parts" camera and sending both into a repair shop and using the parts for your current camera?

 

[logan2z]

A quick follow -up...

Based on recommendations here, I sent the camera to Dean's Camera Repair in Southern California - and I'm so glad I did.

Dean was terrific to work with. Communication was great - he's old school and doesn't have a web site or a published email address, but he actually answers the phone on the first or second ring and is always a pleasure to talk to.

After Dean received my camera, he quickly got in touch with me and walked me through what needed to be done and provided an estimate. I knew the cost to repair and overhaul the camera would exceed the cost of a working camera from eBay -and it did by quite a bit - but my camera was cosmetically mint and sometimes its the Devil you know. So, I decided to move forward with the repair.

Dean kept in touch with me throughout the repair and updated me regularly on progress. He repeatedly told me that the camera would be "like it just came from the factory" so I was anxious to see the results. After about a week or so he let me know that the camera was ready. He doesn't take credit cards/PayPal for payment so I paid using a check which delayed return of the camera a little bit, but that was no big deal. Once he had the check he shipped the camera back to me. Two days later I had the camera in hand. The camera was packed well for shipping and arrived in perfect condition.

I took the camera out this past weekend and shot a roll. I haven't developed the film yet, but the shutter problem is fixed and the camera seems to be working perfectly from a mechanical standpoint.

I'm very pleased with Dean's repair service and I will certainly deal with him again if/when I need another camera repaired.

 

[BrianShaw]

EXCELLENT!

 

[Kino]

A great outcome! Now you have a camera you can trust for a long, long time.

 

[MartinCrabtree]

Another gem saved from the trash bin. Good for you. Enjoy. And please post up the results when you get to them.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Another Photrio success story! Maybe soon you will become a member because you are getting our money's worth from Photrio.

 

[logan2z]

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.

 

[Sirius Glass]

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.

 

[logan2z]

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

 

[Sirius Glass]

Apparently, my humor detector is also in need of repair

I think that KEH will repair that too.