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I've got a Nikon D300 in good condition with a relatively few shots under its belt, but bent a 'bus connector' pin while changing the Compact Flash card a few weeks back.
I've sent it out for estimation via the local camera shop (which cost £25) and it needs to be sent back to Nikon for repair, which will cost £162.
Second hand a D300 is collecting £200-300 online.
So - do I write off the camera and sell it for spares, then use the funds to get something newer? Get it back and try and bend the pin back myself (although I have already tried this)? Or bite the bullet and get repaired?
I should add, I also have a D90 which shares lenses and batteries, which could also be sold if needs required. I'm not shooting as much as I used to (I used to regularly shoot DH races) but would like to chase the DH WC round Europe at some point in the near future.
Thanks - confused of Essex.
Why couldn't you bend the pin back yourself? Was it completely mangled?
If so it probably needs a new header soldered on, or a replacement board, hence the cost.
Why couldn't you bend the pin back yourself? Was it completely mangled?
It was bent almost flat against the board which made getting anything underneath difficult - I obviously did a good job.
However you have got me thinking - I've just done a bit of research and seen that there's hooked picks available that could work.
Given the costs I would have a go at it DIY, if you knacker it you loose nothing really!
fixation? They might do it cheeper.
Try these people
http://www.lutoncameras.co.uk/
The stripped and cleaned my D70s for £100 (It had been in a muddy puddle)
What you want is less work. If they can get the part they may well be cheaper
If you still want a D300 I'd pay. I think they are more than that used
Wow. I had to double-check I hadn't wandered onto Geocities there.
Yikes! Just needs flying toasters or a dancing baby and it's perfect 😀
Anyway, interested myself in budget repairs. My old D70 has a stubborn spot on the sensor filter. Not sure if it's actually damage or just really stubborn dirt. I've been cleaning it for years with the old school sensor cleaning swabs and tool, and always worked fine. This one won't shift. Which means professional clean job for probably cost of the camera these days, or just have a real go at it, pull it apart and/or replace stuff.
I'd buy a new camera but frankly the D70 still does everything I want just about. Not fussed about greater resolution. It's only 6mp, and my phone camera has more, but still it comes out with better quality shots and I never do big prints anyway. Only thing I'd want from a new camera is a fast rapid shutter and maybe the video option, both for use with MTB and snow related action shots, but on the other hand I wouldn't want to be lugging round an expensive camera on bike rides and ski trips. My D70 however always has had plenty of tumbles in the camelbak but survives. It's a great chuck about camera now. Plus the money on a fancy camera could go on fancy bikes or bike bits instead 😀
professional clean job for probably cost of the camera these days
deadkenny: you can pick up an Nikon D80 for about £80 Buy It Now on eBay.
For that money I wouldn't bother with trying to get the D70 professionally cleaned!
deadkenny: you can pick up an Nikon D80 for about £80 Buy It Now on eBay.
Or a D300 for £175+ if you hunt. 🙂