Nikon F Repair Places and Costs?

F4U

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2025
Messages
261
Location
Florida
Format
8x10 Format
Before posting this I did my searches on the internet to answer the question myself. But most of the threads date back a few years. This is 2025. I have 2 Nikon F bodies in excellent condition and both work. My new shutter tester shows the slow speeds to be excellent. But beginning at 1/60 I'm seeing a dropoff in speed that gets progressively worse as it goes up. Obviously CLA time. What do you suppose I should expect to pay and where to send it that's trustworthy? Thank you.
 
OP
OP

F4U

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2025
Messages
261
Location
Florida
Format
8x10 Format
Thank you. I wonder what the prevailing prices are for this one should expect to pay on an F? I also have an F2, but not looking to have that one done. If I did, I bet it would be a year waiting list and 1/2 the national debt to have Wong do it.
 

bdial

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 2, 2005
Messages
7,438
Location
North East U.S.
Format
Multi Format
I can recommend Zack’s in Providence RI (a Photrio sponsor) or Vermont Camera repair. I have an F2 that was refurbished by Vermont Camera, it works well.

I would budget $300-$400 USD
 
OP
OP

F4U

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2025
Messages
261
Location
Florida
Format
8x10 Format

Finally heard back from the one in San Diego. They cannot take my F at this time as they have a backlog. They say say hey MIGHT re-establish contact in 4=6 weeks. Not sure I cared for their method of sending it across the country and paying a $50 evaluation fee and all that/ It's just a 1961 F body in excellent condition. Works perfectly. But the speeds are slow. Needs a simple CLA and shutter calibration. Can somebody not simply quote a price and do the job?
 

BrianShaw

Member
Joined
Nov 30, 2005
Messages
16,301
Location
La-la-land
Format
Multi Format
Delays in getting repairs appears to be increasingly common. Higher demand than time allows, it seems.

But “works perfectly “ and “speeds are slow” seems a bit contradictory. Maybe all it needs is calibration but to me that really implies a full overhaul. I don’t blame repair shops for wanting to do an assessment before agreeing to a fixed price contract.
 

logan2z

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 11, 2019
Messages
3,587
Location
SF Bay Area, USA
Format
Multi Format
Finally heard back from the one in San Diego. They cannot take my F at this time as they have a backlog. They say say hey MIGHT re-establish contact in 4=6 weeks.

I had a similar experience with ICT. I never did hear back so I contacted them again and...crickets. I went with Dean's instead and had a great experience.
 

Steve Goldstein

Subscriber
Joined
Jul 8, 2007
Messages
1,734
Location
Northeastern US
Format
Multi Format
I’ve personally had good experiences with ICT. Jim has worked on several items for me in the past few years. Yes, he’s buried in work. The $50 assessment fee, credited against the final bill, tends to minimize the tire-kickers.

No competent tech is likely to quote a firm price to work on a 50+ year old camera without first examining it in detail to understand the time, effort, and parts that will be required. There are too few techs and too many cameras needing repair, nobody wants to undertake something that could turn into a real hassle. That’s just how the repair market is today.
 

chuckroast

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 2, 2023
Messages
1,947
Location
All Over The Place
Format
Multi Format

Check out Authorized Photo Repair I posted above. I think for a working camera they can do what you want for reasonable money and "reasonable" cycle times.
 

OAPOli

Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2022
Messages
619
Location
Toronto
Format
Medium Format
Those DIY type shutter speed testers are inaccurate at high speeds settings. I wouldn't rely on them to diagnose a 1 stop error at 1/1000.
 
Last edited:

GregY

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 12, 2005
Messages
2,849
Location
Alberta
Format
Large Format

F, given that cameras of that era (Nikon F, Pentax Spotmatic) are relatively straightforward mechanically....(and currently inexpensive...compared to Leica for example) why not call someone in Florida? I don't know these folks but they've been in busness 50 yrs....
 

ChrisLA

Member
Joined
Sep 18, 2023
Messages
21
Location
Los Angeles
Format
Analog
Blue Moon recently did a CLA and seals / pads replacement on an F body for $265. plus return shipping; turnaround was about four months (a bit longer than originally stated). Maybe not the cheapest or fastest option, but I feel safe dealing with them.
 

logan2z

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 11, 2019
Messages
3,587
Location
SF Bay Area, USA
Format
Multi Format

I have no problem with the fee. My comment was based on the fact that I was told twice that they would get back to me when they were able to work on my camera but never did. That was a few years ago now. They must really be backed up
 

MultiFormat Shooter

Subscriber
Joined
Jan 24, 2016
Messages
546
Format
Multi Format
I’ve personally had good experiences with ICT. Jim has worked on several items for me in the past few years. Yes, he’s buried in work. The $50 assessment fee, credited against the final bill, tends to minimize the tire-kickers.

I've also had great luck with ICT. Jim overhauled a Nikon F body for me, fixed a faulty meter-mode-selection switch on an F100, and overhauled a couple of lenses. I would not hesitate to use his services, again.

I have no relationship with ICT, other than being a satisfied customer.
 
Joined
Nov 6, 2009
Messages
154
Location
Florida
Format
35mm

A Spotmatic I bought about six years ago has a sticker inside it indicating it was serviced by this company in (if memory serves) 1989. They must have done something right as that camera is still working well. The meter does not work, but I suspect it's because the battery is dead and I can't get the battery cover off to replace it.
 
OP
OP

F4U

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2025
Messages
261
Location
Florida
Format
8x10 Format

FYI On the Pentaxes, the a stuck battery cover will come off with the camera bottom, which is very easy to remove. Remove the screws and take off the bottom cover and see if corrosion has caused the battery cap to stick. From there some vinegar or WD40 or something will likely free it. Continually trying with a coin will just chew up the slot. When removing the bottom cover screws, buy a set of cheap JIS screwdrivers. Do NOT use phillips. Use ONLY JIS.
 

chuckroast

Subscriber
Joined
Jun 2, 2023
Messages
1,947
Location
All Over The Place
Format
Multi Format

Excellent advice. Additionally, I find that Deoxit is most helpful in keeping electrical contacts clean and working. You do need to clean them up first, but that stuff is magical.
 
OP
OP

F4U

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2025
Messages
261
Location
Florida
Format
8x10 Format
That's a no on my 1961 F at Camera Clinic. Talked with the guy who kept going on about not being able to get parts. It doesn't need parts. He says if it's from 1961 he won't even touch it. I could open that camera up myself and have it working just dandy, by simply cleaning it and retiming the shutter. But I don't want to.
 

GregY

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 12, 2005
Messages
2,849
Location
Alberta
Format
Large Format

Too bad....
 

Paul Howell

Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
9,453
Location
Scottsdale Az
Format
Multi Format
What would the difference between a 1961 F and a 1971 F, I thought the internals were the same? If you dont have parts for a 61 why would have parts for a later year? I have a 1973 F, non metered viewfinder, I inherited it from a long time friend who had passed away. Although pretty battered film advance and shutter seem to work just fine. I had planned on sending it to Blue Moon for a CLA, I can wait until they get to it.
 
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…